SAQ 1748 – Intubation planning in life-threatening asthma

Marked out of 18.00

A 36-year-old woman with severe asthma has received continuous salbutamol nebulisation, three 500 mcg ipratropium nebulisers, hydrocortisone 200 mg IV and magnesium sulphate 10 mmol IV. She is tiring and you are planning intubation. Her observations are shown.

List four goals of preparation for intubation and state how you would achieve each.

(Marked out of 4.0)

Finding Result
GCS 13 (E3 V4 M6)
Pulse 140/min
Blood pressure 90/45 mmHg
Respiratory rate 40/min
Oxygen saturation 82% on 15 L/min oxygen via nebuliser mask


/ 4

List four modifications to standard RSI and justify each.

(Marked out of 4.0)


/ 4

A registrar asks to perform the intubation. List four methods you would use to confirm endotracheal tube placement.

(Marked out of 4.0)


/ 4

After intubation, the ventilator high-pressure alarm sounds. List three likely causes and the immediate management of each.

(Marked out of 6.0)


/ 6

Total Score: 0 / 18

Percentage: 0%