Assessing the force generated with application of cricoid pressure

The application of cricoid pressure is a common technique used to decrease the risk of aspiration during anesthetic induction. Research recommends that 3 to 4 kg of cricoid force be applied to achieve effective esophageal occlusion. The purpose of this study was to assess perioperative nurses' knowledge regarding the recommended amount of cricoid force that should be applied to the cricoid cartilage and to assess the amount of force generated when cricoid pressure was applied to a scale-mounted model. A convenience sample of 102 perioperative nurses participated in the study. Five percent of participants identified the correct amount of force necessary. Applied force was significantly less than the recommended amount. Findings of this study suggest perioperative nurses lack both knowledge and clinical skill for generating effective amounts of cricoid force.