Airway management: vomiting with cricoid pressure: 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.

Try it

Anaesthesia · Airway management: vomiting with cricoid pressure

Sample item

During rapid sequence induction cricoid pressure is applied, and before the tube is passed the patient starts to vomit actively. What should be done?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Release the cricoid pressure

Active vomiting against sustained cricoid pressure risks rupture of the oesophagus, so the pressure should be released, the patient turned head-down and suction applied. Cricoid pressure is intended for passive regurgitation, not active vomiting.

Option by option

  • A. Increase the cricoid pressure

    More pressure raises the risk of oesophageal rupture.

  • B. Remove the pillow and apply a jaw-thrust

    Jaw thrust does nothing to relieve the dangerous pressure on the oesophagus.

  • C. Continue the same pressure and intubate

    Maintaining the same pressure leaves the oesophagus at risk of rupture.

  • D. Release the cricoid pressure (correct)

    Correct. Release avoids oesophageal rupture and lets vomit drain.

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 D, Release the cricoid pressure. Active vomiting against sustained cricoid pressure risks rupture of the oesophagus, so the pressure should be released, the patient turned head-down and suction applied.

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

More pressure raises the risk of oesophageal rupture.

Why is "Remove the pillow and apply a jaw-thrust" not the answer?

Jaw thrust does nothing to relieve the dangerous pressure on the oesophagus.

Why is "Continue the same pressure and intubate" not the answer?

Maintaining the same pressure leaves the oesophagus at risk of rupture.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway management: vomiting with cricoid pressure in Anaesthesia. Cricoid pressure is intended for passive regurgitation, not active vomiting.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as a multi-step question: it asks you to combine more than one idea. 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 management: vomiting with cricoid pressure?

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.