Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

When preparing to perform a blind nasal intubation, what equipment might be essential for success?

1. Stylet

2. Laryngoscope

3. Gum Elastic Bougie

4. Nasal airway

The correct answer is: Stylet

A stylet is essential for success in performing a blind nasal intubation as it provides the needed rigidity and shape to the endotracheal tube, facilitating navigation through the nasal passage and into the trachea. The flexibility of the tube alone may not allow for effective maneuvering, especially given the anatomical challenges presented by the nasal cavity. The stylet allows for better control of the tube's direction and position, leading to a higher likelihood of successful intubation with minimal trauma. While other equipment might be useful in different contexts, a stylet is specifically relevant to the blind nasal approach. A laryngoscope, for instance, is typically utilized in direct visual intubation rather than blind nasal intubation. The gum elastic bougie is more often used in situations where there's difficulty advancing a tube through the vocal cords rather than for nasal intubation. The nasal airway, while helpful in maintaining patency of the airway, does not assist in the actual intubation process. Thus, the use of a stylet stands out as a critical component specifically tailored for the success of blind nasal intubation.