What is the purpose of preoxygenation before airway manipulation?

• A. To maximize oxygen reserves and delay hypoxia during airway procedures.
• B. To sedate the patient.
• C. To decrease secretions.
• D. To prevent infection.

Answer: (B)

Preoxygenation aims to maximize the patient’s oxygen reserves in the lungs so that there is a buffer during airway manipulation. By breathing 100% oxygen with a tight seal, nitrogen is flushed from the lungs and the functional residual capacity becomes filled with oxygen. That creates a reservoir that can be drawn on if there’s any pause or apnea while securing the airway, delaying the onset of hypoxemia and giving more time to complete the procedure safely.

Sedation, while sometimes necessary, is not accomplished by preoxygenation. It doesn’t reduce airway secretions or prevent infection; those effects come from other interventions (medications for sedation, suctioning or anticholinergics for secretions, and sterile technique or prophylaxis for infection). The primary purpose here is to extend the safe window without oxygen as you work to secure the airway.