Airway: cuff pressure: 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 · Airway: cuff pressure

Sample item

Cuff pressure in a tracheostomy or endotracheal tube should be kept below roughly what level to avoid tracheal mucosal ischaemia?

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. 25 to 30 cm H2O

Cuff pressures above capillary perfusion pressure (about 25 to 30 cm H2O) cause mucosal ischaemia, leading to necrosis, tracheal stenosis or fistula. Pressures should be monitored regularly.

Option by option

  • A. 80 cm H2O

    80 cm H2O would cause ischaemia.

  • B. 100 cm H2O

    100 cm H2O would cause marked necrosis.

  • C. 50 cm H2O

    50 cm H2O exceeds capillary pressure.

  • D. 25 to 30 cm H2O (correct)

    Correct. Keeping below about 25 to 30 cm H2O preserves mucosal perfusion.

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 ENT question

What is the answer to this ENT question?

The best answer is D, 25 to 30 cm H2O. Cuff pressures above capillary perfusion pressure (about 25 to 30 cm H2O) cause mucosal ischaemia, leading to necrosis, tracheal stenosis or fistula.

Why is "80 cm H2O" not the answer?

80 cm H2O would cause ischaemia.

Why is "100 cm H2O" not the answer?

100 cm H2O would cause marked necrosis.

Why is "50 cm H2O" not the answer?

50 cm H2O exceeds capillary pressure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway: cuff pressure in ENT. Pressures should be monitored regularly.

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: cuff pressure?

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.