Which device is used as Plan C in the airway management progression?

Which device is used as Plan C in the airway management progression?

• A. Supraglottic airway
• B. Endotracheal intubation
• C. Bag-valve-mask ventilation
• D. Positioning and oxygen

Answer: (A)

In airway management, you progress from less invasive to more invasive devices to keep oxygenation and ventilation going while you plan the next step. Start with positioning and giving supplemental oxygen to optimize the airway. If that isn’t enough and you can’t ventilate adequately with a mask, you move to bag-valve-mask ventilation to actively deliver breaths. If bag-valve-mask ventilation fails or cannot maintain oxygenation, you use a supraglottic airway device. This sits above the glottis and provides a reliable airway quickly without entering the trachea, buying time and maintaining ventilation while you prepare or attempt a definitive airway. It’s faster and less invasive than endotracheal intubation, making it the Plan C in many airway progression algorithms. Endotracheal intubation is then pursued as Plan D, when a more secure, long-term airway is needed. Positioning and oxygen corresponds to Plan A, and bag-valve-mask ventilation to Plan B.

In airway management, you progress from less invasive to more invasive devices to keep oxygenation and ventilation going while you plan the next step. Start with positioning and giving supplemental oxygen to optimize the airway. If that isn’t enough and you can’t ventilate adequately with a mask, you move to bag-valve-mask ventilation to actively deliver breaths. If bag-valve-mask ventilation fails or cannot maintain oxygenation, you use a supraglottic airway device. This sits above the glottis and provides a reliable airway quickly without entering the trachea, buying time and maintaining ventilation while you prepare or attempt a definitive airway. It’s faster and less invasive than endotracheal intubation, making it the Plan C in many airway progression algorithms. Endotracheal intubation is then pursued as Plan D, when a more secure, long-term airway is needed. Positioning and oxygen corresponds to Plan A, and bag-valve-mask ventilation to Plan B.