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Cannot intubate cannot oxygenate airway — RCPSC EM MCQ

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HardResuscitation, procedures, airwayCannot intubate cannot oxygenate airwayRCPSC EM

After two failed intubation attempts, two-person bag-mask ventilation and a supraglottic airway fail to oxygenate a trauma patient. SpO2 is 58% and the neck is accessible. What is the next action?

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

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Correct answer: A — Perform immediate cricothyrotomy using the prepared surgical-airway technique

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

E is correct in failed oxygenation: further upper-airway attempts consume the remaining time and cricothyrotomy is the default rescue. A, B, C and D recycle failed routes while profound hypoxemia progresses.

Reference: Emergency Care BC, AIME Encountered Difficult Airway Algorithm: https://emergencycarebc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/AIME-Algorithm-2-The-Encountered-Difficult-Airway.pdf