Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) Practice Exam

Which are common causes of post-extubation stridor?

1. Infection and foreign body obstruction

2. Pneumothorax and tracheal stenosis

3. Laryngeal edema and inspiratory wheezing

4. Hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis

The correct answer is: Laryngeal edema and inspiratory wheezing

Post-extubation stridor is a clinical manifestation often resulting from the presence of laryngeal edema. This edema can occur after removing an endotracheal tube due to trauma or irritation of the airway during intubation, leading to swelling that compromises airflow. Stridor is characterized by a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by turbulent airflow in a narrowed airway, which can be a direct consequence of such edema. Inspiratory wheezing, although more typically associated with bronchospasm or lower airway issues, can accompany stridor when there is a significant narrowing at the level of the larynx. Therefore, the combination of laryngeal edema and inspiratory wheezing reflects a common pathophysiological response that can occur following extubation. In contrast, other potential causes listed, like infection and foreign body obstruction, while they can cause respiratory distress, do not specifically relate to the immediate post-extubation period. Pneumothorax and tracheal stenosis are more chronic conditions or complications that would not typically present immediately as post-extubation stridor. Lastly, hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis stem from ventilatory problems rather than directly causing stridor, which is more associated with mechanical obstruction in the