Gross Anatomy USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 34-year-old female 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%. Attempts 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?
Answer choices
- AThe sternal notch, which is located at the junction of the clavicle and the sternum
- BThe trachea, which is located below the cricoid cartilage
- CThe thyrohyoid membrane, which is located between the thyroid cartilage (Adam's apple) and the hyoid bone above
- DThe cricothyroid membrane, which is located at the junction of the clavicle and the sternum
- EThe cricothyroid membrane, which is located between the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage belowCorrect answer
- FTrachea between the first and second tracheal rings
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