What is the primary purpose of performing a cuff leak test after extubation?

• A. To assess airway edema and risk of post-extubation stridor.
• B. To measure tidal volume.
• C. To assess lung compliance.
• D. To determine the appropriate endotracheal tube size.

Answer: (A)

The cuff leak test is used to detect airway edema around the endotracheal tube so you can predict the risk of narrowing the airway after extubation. By deflating the cuff, you allow air to flow around the tube if the airway isn’t severely swollen. If a visible leak occurs, it suggests the airway lumen is still fairly open and the risk of post-extubation stridor is lower. If the leak is small or absent, that points to significant edema and a higher risk of airway obstruction once the tube is removed, guiding actions like delaying extubation or giving steroids before extubation.

This isn’t about measuring tidal volume, assessing lung compliance, or determining tube size. Those tasks relate to lung mechanics and airway sizing, not to predicting post-extubation airway obstruction through cuff dynamics.