Adult Critical Care Specialty (ACCS) Practice Exam

What Mallampati class would a specialist assign to a patient with a small mouth opening and visibility of the base of the vallecula?

1. Class 1

2. Class 2

3. Class 3

4. Class 4

The correct answer is: Class 3

A Mallampati class is a classification used to predict the ease of intubation based on the visibility of structures in the oral cavity when a patient opens their mouth. The classes range from one to four, with each class providing an indication of the potential difficulty in airway management. In the scenario described, the visibility of the base of the vallecula suggests that the patient's oral cavity allows for limited visualization of anatomical structures, which is characteristic of a higher Mallampati classification. Specifically, Class 3 indicates that the faucial pillars and the base of the uvula are visible, but not the soft palate. If the base of the vallecula is visible, it implies that the structures are lower in the oral cavity and that there may be some obstruction or limitation due to a small mouth opening. This aligns with the characteristics of Class 3, where there is sufficient visibility to see structures below the occlusal plane but with limitations, indicating a potential challenge for airway management. Recognition of such anatomical visibility helps clinicians anticipate complications related to intubation and the overall management of the airway in critical situations. Therefore, the assignment of the Mallampati class as 3 is appropriate in this context.