Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

Prior to intubating a patient suspected of having a CVA, what should the specialist administer?

1. Ventilation support

2. Cricoid Pressure

3. Anxiolytics

4. Oxygen therapy

The correct answer is: Cricoid Pressure

The administration of cricoid pressure is essential before intubation in a patient suspected of having a cerebrovascular accident (CVA), particularly if there is a concern about airway protection and the risk of aspiration. Cricoid pressure, or Sellick maneuver, involves applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage to occlude the esophagus, thereby minimizing the risk of gastric contents entering the trachea during the intubation process. In patients with a CVA, there may be accompanying neurological deficits that can impair their ability to maintain a patent airway and protect against aspiration. Administering cricoid pressure helps create a safer environment for intubation by reducing the likelihood of aspiration pneumonia, which can complicate the patient's condition significantly. While other options such as ventilation support, anxiolytics, and oxygen therapy have their roles in the management of critically ill patients, they do not serve the specific purpose of protecting the airway during intubation in this scenario. Cricoid pressure directly addresses the potential risk associated with impaired airway reflexes in a patient with a suspected CVA.