Which practice mitigates the risk of gastric insufflation during positive-pressure ventilation in intubation?

Which practice mitigates the risk of gastric insufflation during positive-pressure ventilation in intubation?

• A. Avoid preoxygenation
• B. Use high tidal volumes
• C. Use rapid sequence induction
• D. Use preoxygenation and controlled ventilation

Answer: (D)

Preventing air from blowing into the stomach while providing ventilation during intubation comes down to keeping oxygenation up without pushing air under high pressure. Preoxygenation fills the lungs with oxygen so you have a reserve, which means you don’t have to ventilate aggressively during the critical moment of laryngoscopy. That reduces the need for large or rapid breaths that can force air into the stomach via the esophagus. Controlled ventilation supports this by delivering breaths in a gentle, measured way—using low tidal volumes and keeping peak airway pressures as modest as possible—so you meet the patient’s oxygen needs without overdistending the stomach. In practice, this combination helps maintain oxygenation while minimizing the risk of gastric insufflation, which lowers the chance of regurgitation and aspiration during the intubation process.

Preventing air from blowing into the stomach while providing ventilation during intubation comes down to keeping oxygenation up without pushing air under high pressure. Preoxygenation fills the lungs with oxygen so you have a reserve, which means you don’t have to ventilate aggressively during the critical moment of laryngoscopy. That reduces the need for large or rapid breaths that can force air into the stomach via the esophagus. Controlled ventilation supports this by delivering breaths in a gentle, measured way—using low tidal volumes and keeping peak airway pressures as modest as possible—so you meet the patient’s oxygen needs without overdistending the stomach. In practice, this combination helps maintain oxygenation while minimizing the risk of gastric insufflation, which lowers the chance of regurgitation and aspiration during the intubation process.