Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS) Practice Test

Which of the following procedures is regarded as an essential airway skill?

1. Needle cricothyroidotomy

2. Endotracheal intubation

3. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway

4. Retrograde endotracheal intubation

The correct answer is: Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway

The insertion of an oropharyngeal airway is considered an essential airway skill because it serves a fundamental purpose in maintaining airway patency, especially in unconscious patients who are unable to protect their own airways. This device helps to keep the tongue from obstructing the airway and allows for adequate ventilation. It is straightforward to perform, requires minimal equipment, and is crucial in emergency situations where rapid airway management is imperative. In contrast, procedures like endotracheal intubation and needle cricothyroidotomy are more advanced skills that typically require more training and experience, and they may not be the first line of action in all airway emergencies. Retrograde endotracheal intubation, while valuable in certain difficult scenarios, is not commonly performed as a primary technique for airway management. Therefore, the oropharyngeal airway is essential for immediate airway control and is a skill that every provider in prehospital trauma care should master.