Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition: 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 anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition

Sample item

During bag-mask ventilation of an apnoeic adult, the anaesthetist presses the mask on with the thumb and index finger and hooks the other three fingers under the angle of the mandible to lift the jaw. What is this hand position called?

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

The answer and the reasoning

A. E-C clamp technique

In the E-C technique the thumb and index finger form a C over the mask and the other three fingers form an E along the mandible, pulling the jaw up into the mask. If one hand fails to give a seal, a two-handed jaw thrust with an assistant squeezing the bag is used.

Option by option

  • A. E-C clamp technique (correct)

    Correct. The thumb and index finger form the C, and the other fingers form the E under the mandible.

  • B. Two-handed jaw thrust

    A two-handed jaw thrust uses both hands pushing the angles of the mandible forward.

  • C. Chin lift with head tilt

    Chin lift with head tilt opens the airway without holding a mask.

  • D. Cricoid pressure grip

    Cricoid pressure is applied to the neck and does not hold the mask.

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.

More Anaesthesia questions

Questions about this Anaesthesia question

What is the answer to this Anaesthesia question?

The best answer is A, E-C clamp technique. In the E-C technique the thumb and index finger form a C over the mask and the other three fingers form an E along the mandible, pulling the jaw up into the mask.

Why is "Two-handed jaw thrust" not the answer?

A two-handed jaw thrust uses both hands pushing the angles of the mandible forward.

Why is "Chin lift with head tilt" not the answer?

Chin lift with head tilt opens the airway without holding a mask.

Why is "Cricoid pressure grip" not the answer?

Cricoid pressure is applied to the neck and does not hold the mask.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Airway anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition in Anaesthesia. If one hand fails to give a seal, a two-handed jaw thrust with an assistant squeezing the bag is used.

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 anatomy, equipment, and airway management: curriculum recognition?

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.