ATCN COMPREHENSIVE EXAM QUESTIONS
AND SOLUTIONS STUDY GUIDE
●● 3:3:2 rule for airway evaluation
Answer: 3-distance between incisor teeth should be at least 3 finger
breadths
3-distance between the hyoid bone and chin should be at least 3 finger
breadths
2-distance between the thyroid notch and floor of the mouth should be at
least 2 finger breadths
●● Mallampati Score Class 1
Answer: Soft palate, uvula, fauces, pillars visible
●● Mallampati Score Class 2
Answer: Soft palate, uvula, fauces visible
●● Mallampati Score Class 3
Answer: Soft palate, base of uvula visible
●● Mallampati Score Class 4
Answer: Only hard palate visible
,●● Contraindications for nasal airways
Answer: Nasal trauma, suspected basilar skull fractures, deformities of
the nose, facial trauma, coagulation disorders
●● How do you determine the correct size of an NPA?
Answer: Measure from the edge of the nares to the angle of the jaw or
inferior aspect of the ear lobe
●● How do you measure an OPA?
Answer: Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw
●● What are 4 types of definitive airways?
Answer: Orotracheal tubes, nasotracheal tubes, and surgical airways
(cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy)
●● LMA is contraindicated if
Answer: High risk of aspiration exists
●● Surgical Cricothyrotomy is not performed on people under the age of
Answer: 12
●● Definition of tension pneumothorax
, Answer: Pneumothorax that impacts cardiac filling and decreases blood
pressure. Because of a "one-way valve" effect, increasing amounts of air
are trapped in the pleural space.
●● Signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax
Answer: Tachypnea, respiratory distress, tachycardia, hypotension,
unilateral absence of breath sounds, tracheal deviation away from the
side of injury, neck vein distention
●● Succinylcholine dosage for RSI
Answer: Adults: 1-2mg/kg IV
Peds < 10kg: 2mg/kg IV
Peds > 10kg: 1mg/kg IV
●● Succinylcholine onset and duration
Answer: Onset: 45-60 seconds
Duration: 3-5 minutes
●● Succinylcholine considerations/side effects
Answer: Can cause severe hyperkalemia. Use with caution in severe
crush injuries, major burns, electrical injuries.
Side effects: dysrhythmias, fasciculations
AND SOLUTIONS STUDY GUIDE
●● 3:3:2 rule for airway evaluation
Answer: 3-distance between incisor teeth should be at least 3 finger
breadths
3-distance between the hyoid bone and chin should be at least 3 finger
breadths
2-distance between the thyroid notch and floor of the mouth should be at
least 2 finger breadths
●● Mallampati Score Class 1
Answer: Soft palate, uvula, fauces, pillars visible
●● Mallampati Score Class 2
Answer: Soft palate, uvula, fauces visible
●● Mallampati Score Class 3
Answer: Soft palate, base of uvula visible
●● Mallampati Score Class 4
Answer: Only hard palate visible
,●● Contraindications for nasal airways
Answer: Nasal trauma, suspected basilar skull fractures, deformities of
the nose, facial trauma, coagulation disorders
●● How do you determine the correct size of an NPA?
Answer: Measure from the edge of the nares to the angle of the jaw or
inferior aspect of the ear lobe
●● How do you measure an OPA?
Answer: Measure from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw
●● What are 4 types of definitive airways?
Answer: Orotracheal tubes, nasotracheal tubes, and surgical airways
(cricothyroidotomy or tracheostomy)
●● LMA is contraindicated if
Answer: High risk of aspiration exists
●● Surgical Cricothyrotomy is not performed on people under the age of
Answer: 12
●● Definition of tension pneumothorax
, Answer: Pneumothorax that impacts cardiac filling and decreases blood
pressure. Because of a "one-way valve" effect, increasing amounts of air
are trapped in the pleural space.
●● Signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax
Answer: Tachypnea, respiratory distress, tachycardia, hypotension,
unilateral absence of breath sounds, tracheal deviation away from the
side of injury, neck vein distention
●● Succinylcholine dosage for RSI
Answer: Adults: 1-2mg/kg IV
Peds < 10kg: 2mg/kg IV
Peds > 10kg: 1mg/kg IV
●● Succinylcholine onset and duration
Answer: Onset: 45-60 seconds
Duration: 3-5 minutes
●● Succinylcholine considerations/side effects
Answer: Can cause severe hyperkalemia. Use with caution in severe
crush injuries, major burns, electrical injuries.
Side effects: dysrhythmias, fasciculations
