Airway adjuncts: nasopharyngeal airway: 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 adjuncts: nasopharyngeal airway

Sample item

A man has a clenched jaw and snoring respiration after a generalised seizure. His gag reflex is intact and there are no signs of a basal skull fracture. Which airway adjunct is most suitable for relieving the obstruction?

ACuffed endotracheal tubeBOropharyngeal airwayCLaryngeal mask airwayDNasopharyngeal airway

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

The answer and the reasoning

D. Nasopharyngeal airway

A lubricated nasopharyngeal airway passes along the floor of the nose into the posterior pharynx and is tolerated by semiconscious patients with a gag reflex or a clenched jaw. It is avoided with suspected basal skull fracture or coagulopathy.

Option by option

A. Cuffed endotracheal tube
A cuffed endotracheal tube is a definitive airway and needs anaesthesia or deep coma.
B. Oropharyngeal airway
An oropharyngeal airway cannot be inserted through a clenched jaw and provokes gagging.
C. Laryngeal mask airway
A laryngeal mask needs the mouth to open and a depressed level of consciousness.
D. Nasopharyngeal airway (correct)
Correct. It is soft, passes through the nostril and is tolerated with an intact gag reflex.

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.

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is D, Nasopharyngeal airway. A lubricated nasopharyngeal airway passes along the floor of the nose into the posterior pharynx and is tolerated by semiconscious patients with a gag reflex or a clenched jaw.

Why is "Cuffed endotracheal tube" not the answer?

A cuffed endotracheal tube is a definitive airway and needs anaesthesia or deep coma.

Why is "Oropharyngeal airway" not the answer?

An oropharyngeal airway cannot be inserted through a clenched jaw and provokes gagging.

Why is "Laryngeal mask airway" not the answer?

A laryngeal mask needs the mouth to open and a depressed level of consciousness.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway adjuncts: nasopharyngeal airway in Anaesthesia. It is avoided with suspected basal skull fracture or coagulopathy.

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 adjuncts: nasopharyngeal airway?

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.