A pre-hospital team is managing a patient who has a known difficult airway from previous anaesthetic encounters (documented in their medical alert bra...

Question

A pre-hospital team is managing a patient who has a known difficult airway from previous anaesthetic encounters (documented in their medical alert bracelet). They require RSI for a deteriorating head injury. What specific preparation should be made given the anticipated difficult airway?

Accepted Answer

Prepare the full difficult airway plan BEFORE induction: Plan A (video laryngoscopy with bougie), Plan B (supraglottic airway - i-gel), Plan C (surgical cricothyroidotomy with scalpel-bougie-tube) - ensure all equipment is immediately to hand and team roles are assigned

Answer

Do not perform RSI - manage the airway with BVM ventilation only

Answer

Use only a supraglottic device without attempting intubation

Answer

Proceed with standard RSI without modification - the previous difficulty was in a hospital setting

Answer

Only attempt intubation once before proceeding to surgical airway

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Anticipated Difficult Airway Preparation

A pre-hospital team is managing a patient who has a known difficult airway from previous anaesthetic encounters (documented in their medical alert bracelet). They require RSI for a deteriorating head injury. What specific preparation should be made given the anticipated difficult airway?