Which are common post-intubation complications to monitor for?

• A. Sore throat only.
• B. Dental or soft tissue injury, tube dislodgement, cuff rupture or overinflation, aspiration, pneumothorax, barotrauma.
• C. Hyperglycemia.
• D. None of the above.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is recognizing a range of airway-related problems that can arise after intubation and need close watching to keep the patient safe. Dental or soft tissue injury can occur during laryngoscopy and tube placement, leading to bleeding, swelling, or pain around the mouth and throat. Tube dislodgement or accidental extubation is dangerous because the airway can be lost; it shows up as sudden changes in oxygenation or ventilation and abnormal breath sounds, requiring immediate reintubation or repositioning. Cuff rupture or overinflation can create a poor seal or cause tracheal injury; monitoring cuff pressure (aiming for about 20–30 cm H2O) and noting changes in tidal volume or an audible cuff leak helps catch this early. Aspiration risk persists until the airway is protected and secretions are cleared; watch for sudden hypoxia, coughing, wheeze, or signs of airway contamination. Pneumothorax and barotrauma can result from instrumentation or high ventilator pressures, so be alert for sudden dyspnea, unilateral breath sounds, chest pain, subcutaneous emphysema, or instability, and act with imaging and appropriate interventions if needed. Hyperglycemia may occur due to stress or medications, but it is not a primary post-intubation complication to monitor for in the immediate airway-management phase.