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StatPearls, LLC

  • Intubation
  • Laryngoscopy

Unanticipated Difficult Intubation in an Adult Patient

Failed or difficult tracheal intubation remains a critical challenge in airway management and a significant contributor to preventable morbidity and mortality in anesthesia, emergency medicine, pulmonary, and critical care settings. This course details evidence from large audits and closed-claims analyses demonstrating that many adverse outcomes arise from inadequate airway assessment, lack of contingency planning, repeated unsuccessful intubation attempts, and delayed recognition of esophageal intubation. This activity reviews lessons learned from failed airway cases and highlights current evidence-based strategies for managing both anticipated and unanticipated difficult airways. Comprehensive airway evaluation, recognition of anatomic and physiologic predictors of difficulty, appropriate use of video laryngoscopy and fiberoptic techniques, and adherence to consensus guidelines for airway safety are also discussed. Participants will gain an understanding of the decision-making involved, the preparation needed for airway emergencies, and structured management strategies that reduce complications and improve patient outcomes. This activity for healthcare professionals is designed to enhance the learner’s competence in identifying predictors of failure related to video laryngoscopy, supraglottic airway placement, and front-of-neck access rescue, performing the recommended techniques for difficult tracheal intubation, and implementing an appropriate interprofessional approach when managing intubations in individuals with difficult airways.

Credit & MOC Details

Credit information is provided by the course provider. We recommend confirming credit eligibility with the provider or your licensing board before starting the activity.

Credit types

AAPA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsAMA PRA Category 1 Credit™Up to 2 creditsNursingUp to 2 creditsPharmacyUp to 2 credits

MOC types

ABS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABA — Lifelong LearningUp to 2 pointsABTS — Accredited CMEUp to 2 pointsABIM — Medical KnowledgeUp to 2 pointsABS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABOHNS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 pointsABTS — Self-AssessmentUp to 2 points

FDA REMS

No

Qualifies for MIPS

No

Target Specialties

Cross-Specialty

Relevant across 11 specialties.

Pricing

Fee varies

This provider typically $49–98

See fees on statpearls.com

Listed by the provider

  • Article / monograph / reference
  • includes On-demand / recorded video
  • includes Online course / module
  • Credit · Up to 2 credits
  • MOC · Up to 2 points
  • Fee varies · this provider typically $49–98
  • Released
    Sep 1, 2026
  • Last day to claim credit
    Sep 1, 2029 3 years left

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