FCCS (Fundamentals of Critical Care Support) Questions and Answers 100% Pass

What is the single most important indicator in critical illness? tachypnea Beck's Triad hypotension, JVD, muffled heart sounds - a/w cardiac tamponade What is the thyromental distance? It is the distance in finger breadths between the anterior prominence of the thyroid cartilage (adam's apple) and the tip of the mandible (chin). It is an estimate of the length of the mandible and the available space anterior to the larynx What does it mean when the thyromental space is < 3 fingerbreadths? - approx 6 cm - indicates the larynx might be more anterior and therefore difficult to visualize during laryngoscopy ** a more acute angulation of the stylet at the distal end of the endotracheal tube may be helpful. Patient is apneic w/ a pulse. What do you do?