Question

Routine insertion of an advanced airway in asystole:

A) Is contraindicated in a patient in asystole
B) Should take priority over gaining IV/IO access
C) Should only be performed if ventilations with a BVM are ineffective
D) Is necessary so the epinephrine can be given

Answer 1

Option C is correct; routine insertion of an advanced airway in asystole should only be performed if ventilations with a BVM are ineffective. Priority should be given to CPR and establishing IV/IO access for medication delivery, such as epinephrine. Defibrillation, rather than airway management, is the immediate treatment for conditions like ventricular fibrillation.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer to the question “Routine insertion of an advanced airway in asystole” is C) Should only be performed if ventilations with a Bag-Valve-Mask (BVM) are ineffective. During cardiac arrest, where there is no electrical activity in the heart (asystole), immediate priorities include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and securing intravenous or intraosseous (IV/IO) access to deliver medications like epinephrine. While advanced airways can be an important part of advanced life support, they should not delay the provision of these other critical interventions. As such, advanced airway insertion should only be considered if there is a clear indication, such as ineffective ventilation with a BVM, rather than being a routine procedure. In the case of ventricular fibrillation, defibrillation is the treatment rather than airway management. External automated defibrillators (EADs) can provide verbal instructions to assist nonmedical personnel in this process.