Which statement about endotracheal intubation is true?

Which statement about endotracheal intubation is true?

• A. It is performed without anesthesia
• B. It requires the animal to be anesthetized
• C. It must be done only with a rebreathing system
• D. It should be avoided in all animals

Answer: (B)

Securing the airway with an endotracheal tube is an invasive step that requires the animal to be under anesthesia so the procedure can be done safely and without distress. When an animal is anesthetized, reflex gagging or laryngospasm is suppressed and the muscles are relaxed, making it possible to visualize the vocal cords and place the tube without injury. Anesthesia also allows controlled ventilation and the delivery of inhalant anesthetic gases through the tube, and it protects the airway from aspiration during surgery or procedures. So the true statement is that the animal must be anesthetized to perform endotracheal intubation. The other statements aren’t accurate: intubation is not done without anesthesia, it isn’t restricted to only one type of anesthesia circuit (rebreathing vs non-rebreathing may be chosen based on size and procedure), and it isn’t something that should be avoided in all animals.

Securing the airway with an endotracheal tube is an invasive step that requires the animal to be under anesthesia so the procedure can be done safely and without distress. When an animal is anesthetized, reflex gagging or laryngospasm is suppressed and the muscles are relaxed, making it possible to visualize the vocal cords and place the tube without injury. Anesthesia also allows controlled ventilation and the delivery of inhalant anesthetic gases through the tube, and it protects the airway from aspiration during surgery or procedures.

So the true statement is that the animal must be anesthetized to perform endotracheal intubation. The other statements aren’t accurate: intubation is not done without anesthesia, it isn’t restricted to only one type of anesthesia circuit (rebreathing vs non-rebreathing may be chosen based on size and procedure), and it isn’t something that should be avoided in all animals.