Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Practice Exam

What factor limits the effectiveness of needle jet insufflation?

1. Hypoxia due to inadequate perfusion

2. Hypercapnia due to inadequate ventilation

3. Hypotension from fluid loss

4. Bradycardia from sedation

The correct answer is: Hypercapnia due to inadequate ventilation

The effectiveness of needle jet insufflation is primarily limited by hypercapnia, which occurs due to inadequate ventilation. Needle jet insufflation is a technique used to deliver anesthetic gases or other agents directly into the airway, and its efficacy hinges on the proper exchange of gases. When a patient is unable to ventilate adequately, carbon dioxide (CO2) can accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to hypercapnia. This buildup of CO2 can lead to respiratory acidosis and can impair the body’s ability to utilize the provided anesthetic effectively. Adequate ventilation is essential for maintaining normal levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the body; hence, without it, the action of needle jet insufflation becomes significantly compromised. Therefore, hypercapnia is a key limiting factor in the effectiveness of this technique. The other options, while indicative of potential complications or issues in anesthesia management, do not directly limit the effectiveness of needle jet insufflation to the same extent as hypercapnia does. Hypoxia due to inadequate perfusion, hypotension from fluid loss, or bradycardia from sedation may all contribute to a challenging anesthetic situation but do not specifically hinder the capacity for gas exchange necessary for effective needle jet insufflation.