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Cricothyrotomy — ABEM Board MCQ

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HardProcedures and resuscitationCricothyrotomyABEM Board

A 56-year-old man with angioedema deteriorates during airway management. Triage acuity is ESI 1; SpO2 is 62% despite bag-mask attempts. Two oral intubation attempts have failed, video view is obscured by swelling, and supraglottic airway ventilation fails. Which of the following is the most important immediate intervention?

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Correct answer: D — Perform emergency cricothyrotomy

Cannot-intubate, cannot-oxygenate airway failure requires immediate front-of-neck access.

Reference: ACEP Endotracheal Intubation clinical policy; emergency airway algorithms