Paediatric airway: depth of insertion: 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 · Paediatric airway: depth of insertion

Sample item

What is the approximate oral insertion depth at the lip of an endotracheal tube in a 6-year-old child using the formula age/2 + 12?

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

The answer and the reasoning

B. 15 cm

The oral length formula is age divided by 2 plus 12, which gives 3 + 12 = 15 cm for a 6-year-old. The nasal length is about 2 to 3 cm longer.

Option by option

  • A. 18 cm

    18 cm would place the tip in a bronchus.

  • B. 15 cm (correct)

    Correct. 6/2 + 12 = 15 cm.

  • C. 12 cm

    12 cm would leave the tube too shallow.

  • D. 21 cm

    21 cm is the adult female depth.

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.

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Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is B, 15 cm. The oral length formula is age divided by 2 plus 12, which gives 3 + 12 = 15 cm for a 6-year-old.

Why is "18 cm" not the answer?

18 cm would place the tip in a bronchus.

Why is "12 cm" not the answer?

12 cm would leave the tube too shallow.

Why is "21 cm" not the answer?

21 cm is the adult female depth.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Paediatric airway: depth of insertion in Anaesthesia. The nasal length is about 2 to 3 cm longer.

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 Paediatric airway: depth of insertion?

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.