Which condition is a contraindication for nasotracheal intubation?

• A. Apnea
• B. Epistaxis
• C. Nasal obstruction
• D. Coagulopathy

Answer: (A)

Apnea makes nasotracheal intubation particularly risky because this route relies on maintaining oxygenation while the tube is passed through the nasal passage into the trachea. If the patient isn’t breathing, oxygen saturation can drop quickly during the attempt, so this approach is not appropriate until ventilation and oxygenation are assured.

Epistaxis, nasal obstruction, and coagulopathy raise complications or technical difficulties during nasal passage or bleeding risk, but they do not automatically rule out nasotracheal intubation in every case; they are important to consider and may steer you toward alternative airway strategies, rather than making the procedure categorically contraindicated.