Field Internship Student Data Acquisition Project. (FISDAP) Airway Practice Exam

Which patient condition might require a BVM?

1. Patient able to speak in full sentences

2. Patient in respiratory failure

3. Patient with a recent nasal injury

4. Conscious patient complaining of pain

The correct answer is: Patient in respiratory failure

A patient in respiratory failure requires a bag-valve-mask (BVM) for several critical reasons. Respiratory failure indicates that the patient is either unable to maintain adequate gas exchange or has significant respiratory distress that compromises their oxygenation and ventilation. The BVM is specifically designed to deliver positive pressure ventilation, ensuring that the patient receives the necessary oxygen support they cannot achieve on their own. In respiratory failure, the patient's ability to breathe effectively is severely compromised, which could be due to a variety of factors, such as obstructive airway conditions, neurological issues affecting respiratory drive, or other medical crises. By using a BVM, healthcare providers can artificially ventilate the patient, providing crucial airway management until further treatment can be administered or until the patient's condition improves. In contrast, a patient who is able to speak in full sentences typically demonstrates effective ventilation and oxygenation, thus not needing immediate interventions like a BVM. A recent nasal injury may complicate airway management procedures, but it does not inherently necessitate a BVM unless there is a significant compromise in breathing. Similarly, a conscious patient complaining of pain may not indicate any airway issues or respiratory failure requiring a BVM, as they are still maintaining their own ventilatory status.