Larynx and airway: laser surgery airway fire: practice question

A ENT 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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ENT · Larynx and airway: laser surgery airway fire

Sample item

During CO2 laser microlaryngeal surgery, which measure best lowers the risk of an airway fire?

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

The answer and the reasoning

C. Use the lowest oxygen concentration that maintains safe saturation

Airway fire needs fuel, an oxidiser and ignition. Reducing the inspired oxygen concentration, avoiding nitrous oxide, using a laser-resistant tube with a saline-filled cuff and protecting tissues with wet swabs minimise risk.

Option by option

  • A. Increase nitrous oxide concentration

    Nitrous oxide supports combustion, as oxygen does.

  • B. Soak the tube in oil

    Oil is flammable and not a protection.

  • C. Use the lowest oxygen concentration that maintains safe saturation (correct)

    Correct. Lowering the oxidiser concentration reduces the fire risk.

  • D. Use a standard PVC tube with an air-filled cuff

    An unprotected PVC tube is flammable and can ignite.

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 ENT questions

Questions about this ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is C, Use the lowest oxygen concentration that maintains safe saturation. Airway fire needs fuel, an oxidiser and ignition.

Why is "Increase nitrous oxide concentration" not the answer?

Nitrous oxide supports combustion, as oxygen does.

Why is "Soak the tube in oil" not the answer?

Oil is flammable and not a protection.

Why is "Use a standard PVC tube with an air-filled cuff" not the answer?

An unprotected PVC tube is flammable and can ignite.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Larynx and airway: laser surgery airway fire in ENT. Reducing the inspired oxygen concentration, avoiding nitrous oxide, using a laser-resistant tube with a saline-filled cuff and protecting tissues with wet swabs minimise risk.

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 Larynx and airway: laser surgery airway fire?

Learn tuning fork results and audiogram patterns by sketching them. Then use the flashcards and the other ENT 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.