If intubation attempts are unsuccessful, what is the recommended course of action?

• A. Reattempt intubation immediately.
• B. Continue with BVM ventilation and rapid transport.
• C. Call for help only.
• D. Do nothing and reassess later.

Answer: (B)

When the first attempt to intubate fails, the priority is to keep the patient oxygenated and ventilated while you arrange definitive airway management. Continuing bag-valve-mask ventilation ensures ongoing oxygenation and carbon dioxide removal, buying time and stability as you call for help and transport the patient to a setting where a more advanced airway can be secured. Reattempting intubation right away without maintaining ventilation can lead to dangerous hypoxia, and simply doing nothing or delaying action increases risk. If available, consider a rescue airway device to improve ventilation, and escalate to definitive airway procedures as soon as feasible.