Airway management mnemonic

Predictors of difficult bag-mask ventilation

The mnemonic

MOANS

What each word stands for

  • MMask seal — beard, blood, facial deformity
  • OObesity or obstruction of the upper airway
  • AAge over 55 years
  • NNo teeth (edentulous)
  • SStiff lungs — asthma, COPD, pulmonary oedema, and snoring

Why it matters clinically

Warns that rescue ventilation may be hard, so plan an adjunct or an awake approach.

Where it stops being reliable

Covers mask ventilation only, not intubation difficulty (use LEMON for that).

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Airway management mnemonic?

MOANS. It helps you recall: Predictors of difficult bag-mask ventilation.

What does "M" stand for?

Mask seal — beard, blood, facial deformity

What does "O" stand for?

Obesity or obstruction of the upper airway

What does "A" stand for?

Age over 55 years

What are all the parts of the MOANS mnemonic?

M: Mask seal — beard, blood, facial deformity; O: Obesity or obstruction of the upper airway; A: Age over 55 years; N: No teeth (edentulous); S: Stiff lungs — asthma, COPD, pulmonary oedema, and snoring.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Airway management in Anaesthesia.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Covers mask ventilation only, not intubation difficulty (use LEMON for that).

How is this useful clinically?

Warns that rescue ventilation may be hard, so plan an adjunct or an awake approach.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Anaesthesia question about Airway management.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.