Airway: practice question

A Anaesthesia question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Anaesthesia · Airway

Sample item

On laryngoscopy the epiglottis is visible but no part of the glottis can be seen (Cormack-Lehane grade 3). Which device is most appropriate to help intubation?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Gum elastic bougie

In grade 3 view only the epiglottis is seen, and a bougie can be passed blindly under the epiglottis into the trachea, confirmed by tracheal ring clicks or hold-up. A bougie is a simple and effective rescue adjunct. A videolaryngoscope or fibreoptic scope may also be used.

Option by option

  • A. Increase the cricoid pressure further

    Increasing cricoid pressure may worsen the view and does not help.

  • B. Use a larger endotracheal tube

    A larger tube makes passage harder when the glottis cannot be seen.

  • C. Gum elastic bougie (correct)

    Correct. A bougie is guided under the epiglottis to reach the trachea in grade 3 views.

  • D. Remove the laryngoscope and extubate

    There is no tube to extubate, and abandoning the attempt does not secure the airway.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is C, Gum elastic bougie. In grade 3 view only the epiglottis is seen, and a bougie can be passed blindly under the epiglottis into the trachea, confirmed by tracheal ring clicks or hold-up.

Why is "Increase the cricoid pressure further" not the answer?

Increasing cricoid pressure may worsen the view and does not help.

Why is "Use a larger endotracheal tube" not the answer?

A larger tube makes passage harder when the glottis cannot be seen.

Why is "Remove the laryngoscope and extubate" not the answer?

There is no tube to extubate, and abandoning the attempt does not secure the airway.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway in Anaesthesia. A bougie is a simple and effective rescue adjunct. A videolaryngoscope or fibreoptic scope may also be used.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Airway?

Make a table of each agent, its key advantage and its main side effect. Then use the flashcards and the other Anaesthesia questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.