Respiratory and Airway Management — MCQs

Q: Which of the following indicates anticipated difficult bag-mask ventilation?

Beard. **Explanation:** The correct answer is **Beard**. Bag-mask ventilation (BMV) requires an airtight seal between the patient’s face and the mask to generate positive pressure. A **beard** acts as a physical barrier, preventing an adequate seal and allowing gas to leak, which directly leads to difficult BMV. **Analysis of Options:** * **Age > 30 years (Incorrect):** While age is a predictor, the threshold for difficult BMV is typically **age > 55 years**. This is due to loss of tissue elasticity and potential edentulousness (lack of teeth), which causes facial collapse. * **BMI > 20 kg/m² (Incorrect):** A BMI of 20 is within the normal range. The risk factor for difficult BMV is **Obesity**, specifically a **BMI > 26–30 kg/m²**. Excess soft tissue in the upper airway increases resistance and reduces compliance. * **Beard (Correct):** As discussed, facial hair interferes with the mask-to-skin interface. **High-Yield Clinical Pearl: The MOANS Mnemonic** For NEET-PG, remember the **MOANS** mnemonic to predict difficult bag-mask ventilation: 1. **M – Mask Seal:** Beard, facial trauma, or drainage. 2. **O – Obesity/Obstruction:** BMI > 26 kg/m², pregnancy, or upper airway masses (e.g., epiglottitis). 3. **A – Age:** > 55 years. 4. **N – No teeth (Edentulous):** Causes the cheeks to cave in (Note: Leaving dentures in during BMV can actually improve the seal). 5. **S – Stiff lungs/Snoring:** Increased airway resistance or decreased compliance (e.g., COPD, ARDS, or OSA). **Key Fact:** The most common cause of airway obstruction during BMV in an unconscious patient is the **tongue** falling back against the posterior pharynx. This is managed by the "Head tilt-Chin lift" or "Jaw thrust" maneuver.

Respiratory and Airway Management — MCQs

Practice by Chapter

Respiratory Physiology

Practice Questions

Airway Anatomy

Practice Questions

Preoxygenation Techniques

Practice Questions

Mask Ventilation

Practice Questions

Supraglottic Airway Devices

Practice Questions

Direct Laryngoscopy

Practice Questions

Video Laryngoscopy

Practice Questions

Fiberoptic Intubation

Practice Questions

Surgical Airway Management

Practice Questions

One-Lung Ventilation Techniques

Practice Questions

Ventilation Strategies During Anesthesia

Practice Questions

Extubation Criteria and Techniques

Practice Questions

Want unlimited practice?

Get full access to all questions, explanations, and performance tracking.

Start For Free

Scan to download app