Question

What do you avoid doing until pt is awake?

Option 1: Extubation
Option 2: Intubation
Option 3: Extubation and intubation
Option 4: Neither extubation nor intubation

Answer 1

Avoid extubation until the patient is awake to ensure a clear airway and proper breathing post-surgery.

Step-by-step explanation:

You should avoid extubation until a patient is awake. Intubation is the process of inserting a tube into the patient's trachea to maintain an open airway during surgery, and extubation is the removal of this tube. Under general anesthesia, muscles necessary for breathing and moving the tongue are affected. The tongue can block the airway, and the chest wall muscles may not function to enable breathing properly. Therefore, the endotracheal tube remains in place until the patient begins to regain control of their breathing muscles post-surgery, ensuring a patent airway and adequate respiration until they are fully awake.