Airway equipment: bougie: 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 equipment: bougie

Sample item

A gum elastic bougie is used in a grade III view. Which sign confirms its tracheal placement?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Clicks felt as the tip passes over tracheal rings, with hold-up at the carina

Tracheal placement of a bougie gives a series of clicks as the angled tip rides over the cartilaginous rings and then hold-up at the small airways, about 24 to 40 cm. An oesophageal placement slides freely.

Option by option

  • A. Resistance at 15 cm only

    Resistance at 15 cm does not confirm tracheal entry.

  • B. Gastric air bubbling

    Gastric air suggests oesophageal placement.

  • C. A smooth uninterrupted passage to 40 cm

    Smooth passage to 40 cm suggests the oesophagus.

  • D. Clicks felt as the tip passes over tracheal rings, with hold-up at the carina (correct)

    Correct. Clicks and hold-up identify tracheal position.

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 D, Clicks felt as the tip passes over tracheal rings, with hold-up at the carina. Tracheal placement of a bougie gives a series of clicks as the angled tip rides over the cartilaginous rings and then hold-up at the small airways, about 24 to 40 cm.

Why is "Resistance at 15 cm only" not the answer?

Resistance at 15 cm does not confirm tracheal entry.

Why is "Gastric air bubbling" not the answer?

Gastric air suggests oesophageal placement.

Why is "A smooth uninterrupted passage to 40 cm" not the answer?

Smooth passage to 40 cm suggests the oesophagus.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway equipment: bougie in Anaesthesia. An oesophageal placement slides freely.

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 equipment: bougie?

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.