3-3-2 Rule

Overview

4.6 out of 5 (158 Reviews)

Credits

1.00

Post Assessment Questions

5

Expiration Date

28 Feb 2026

Last Reviewed

1 Mar 2023

Estimated Time To Finish

60 Minutes


 
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Activity Description

The airway is one of the most critical elements of patient safety, and difficult intubations commonly cause morbidity and mortality. To decrease morbidity and mortality associated with intubation, interprofessional team members must properly evaluate risks and recognize which patients are most likely to be difficult to intubate. This will allow the interprofessional team to prepare accordingly, thereby reducing the risk of complications and improving patient outcomes. This activity reviews the 3-3-2 rule, an assessment tool used to predict difficult intubations based on characteristics of difficult airways, and highlights the role of the interprofessional team in evaluating patients who may need intubation.

Target Audience

This activity has been designed to meet the educational needs of physicians.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, the learner will be better able to:

  • Summarize the 3-2-2 rule.
  • Identify components of the Mallampati scoring.
  • Review the importance of evaluating for airway obstruction.
  • Explain the 3-3-2 rule to the interprofessional team and employ a well-coordinated, team approach to assisting in the preparation and intubation of patients.

Disclosures

StatPearls requires everyone who influences the content of an educational activity to disclose relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies that have occurred within the past 24 months. All relevant conflict(s) of interest have been mitigated. Hover over contributor names for financial disclosures. None of the planners of this educational activity have any relevant financial relationships to disclose.

COMMERCIAL SUPPORT: This activity has received NO commercial support.

Continuing Education Accreditation Information


This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of the Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University, and StatPearls, LLC. The Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University designates this activity for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

This activity is reported to the following Maintenance of Certification (MOC) boards:
American Board of Anesthesiology
  • Ambulatory/Outpatient
  • General Operative Anesthesia
  • Trauma
American Board of Internal Medicine
  • Critical Care Medicine
American Board of Otolaryngology
  • General Otolaryngology
American Board of Pediatrics
  • Pediatric Critical Care Medicine
American Board of Surgery
  • General Surgery

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  2. Review the target audience, learning objectives, and disclosure information.
  3. Study the educational content in the activity.
  4. Choose the best answer to each activity test question. To receive credit, you must pass the test questions with a minimum score of 100%.
  5. Complete the post-activity assessment.
  6. Obtain a certificate.

For information on the applicability and acceptance of continuing education credit for this activity, please consult your professional licensing board.

Disclaimer

Faculty may discuss investigational products or off-label uses of products regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration. Readers should verify all information before employing any therapies described in this educational activity.

The information provided for this activity is for continuing education purposes only and is not meant to substitute for the independent medical/clinical judgment of a healthcare provider relative to diagnostic and treatment options of a specific patient’s medical condition. The information presented does not necessarily reflect the views of StatPearls or any commercial supporters of educational activities on statpearls.com. StatPearls specifically disclaims responsibility for any adverse consequences resulting directly or indirectly from information in the course, for undetected error, or through a participant's misunderstanding of the content.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellations must be received in writing and a money-back guarantee is provided if not completely satisfied.

  • StatPearlsand and Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University reserve the right to cancel any course due to unforeseen circumstances. StatPearls andQuillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University will not be responsible for other expenses incurred by the participant in the unlikely event that the program is canceled.

Medium or Media Used:

  • Computer Requirements: Internet Access
  • E-mail Address

Equal Opportunity

  • StatPearls andQuillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Institutions. 

 

Media Usage Rights

The contributors and editors of StatPearls have attested that all associated media (images and video) have been legally cleared for use with this activity.  All copyrights are reserved.

    Reviews

    Deborah Z. on 1/6/2021

    Alvar D. on 1/27/2021

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    Darcey A. on 2/13/2021

    very good review

    NASAR S. on 3/9/2021

    Bhupendra M. on 4/27/2021

    Sandeep S. on 5/8/2021

    Edward C. on 5/31/2021

    Excellent topic!

    Antonio R. on 1/15/2023

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    Rene G. on 12/28/2021

    Good additions to the traditional airway exam. Thanks. One question is weird, where an anesthetist tries to intubate an adult female using 100 mcg of fentanyl. I know no anesthetist who would attempt intubation with such an inadequate dose of medication. Seems odd.

    Androcles L. on 12/28/2021

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    I found STATPEARLS a good resource till now (I have read only one subtopic by now after joining) for my goals of passing USMLE with highest percentile and EPIC with high credits.

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    Brian L. on 9/16/2022

    illustrations and review of the upper lip bite test which Cochrane analysis indicates is likely the most useful should be included

    Mark R. on 9/26/2022

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    None

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    matthew r. on 1/12/2023

    good value

    Holly R. on 1/16/2023

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    Google10

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