Airway during CPR — DipIMC MCQ

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ModerateResuscitationAirway during CPRDipIMC

During a rural cardiac arrest, two clinicians have a supraglottic airway inserted with good chest rise. Capnography shows a low but persistent trace. What is the most appropriate management?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: B — Continue compressions with ventilations and monitor capnography

Explanation lettering: D = shown as A · A = shown as B · E = shown as D · B = shown as E

A is correct: Capnography helps confirm airway placement and provides feedback during CPR; a persistent trace supports ongoing circulation/ventilation assessment. B is less suitable because the vignette contains high-risk features that require escalation; C is less suitable because a detailed survey is inappropriate before correcting an immediate threat; D is less suitable because it moves the patient before the decisive threat or destination issue is addressed; E is less suitable because pre-alert is needed when definitive teams must prepare. The most tempting alternative is therefore suboptimal because it either delays the time-critical pre-hospital intervention or sends the patient to the wrong level of care. The key DipIMC principle is focused cABCDE decision-making with early pre-alert, triage or retrieval escalation when the scene physiology demands it.

Reference: Resuscitation Council UK Guidelines 2025; JRCALC Guidelines