A 34-year-old woman bursts through the doors of the emergency department. She is straining to take a breath but can only mouth the phrase:"I can't br-"before collapsing. She is placed on a stretcher. Her tongue is swollen and protruding from her mouth. The patient has only minimal air movement with bag-mask ventilation. Oxygen saturation is approximately 80%. Attempt at oral intubation are unsuccessful due to massive soft tissue edema of her pharynx. A decision is made to perform a cricothyrotomy. The necessary instrument tray is collected, and the patient's neck is quickly prepped. After palpating the neck to identify the appropriate landmarks, an incision should be made at which of the following locations?

A 34-year-old woman bursts through the doors of the emergency department. She is straining to take a breath but can only mouth the phrase:"I can't br-"before collapsing. She is placed on a stretcher. Her tongue is swollen and protruding from her mouth. The patient has only minimal air movement with bag-mask ventilation. Oxygen saturation is approximately 80%. Attempt at oral intubation are unsuccessful due to massive soft tissue edema of her pharynx. A decision is made to perform a cricothyrotomy. The necessary instrument tray is collected, and the patient's neck is quickly prepped. After palpating the neck to identify the appropriate landmarks, an incision should be made at which of the following locations?

A 34-year-old woman bursts through the doors of the emergency department. She is straining to take a breath but can only mouth the phrase:"I can't br-"before collapsing. She is placed on a stretcher. Her tongue is swollen and protruding from her mouth. The patient has only minimal air movement with bag-mask ventilation. Oxygen saturation is approximately 80%. Attempt at oral intubation are unsuccessful due to massive soft tissue edema of her pharynx. A decision is made to perform a cricothyrotomy. The necessary instrument tray is collected, and the patient's neck is quickly prepped. After palpating the neck to identify the appropriate landmarks, an incision should be made at which of the following locations?



(A) The cricothyroid membrane, which is located at the junction of the clavicle and the sternum
(B) The cricothyroid membrane, which is located between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage below
(C) The thyroid membrane, which is located between the thyroid cartilage(Adam's apple) and the hyoid bone above
(D)The sternal notch, which is located at the junction of the clavicle and the sternum
(E)The trachea, which is located below the cricoids cartilage

Answer: (B) The cricothyroid membrane, which is located between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage below


Anatomy

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