6 - Airway Management Flashcards
What are the three major functions of the upper airway?
Humidify
Warm air
Filter
In the presence of oxygen, cells convert glucose into energy through a process known as:
Aerobic Metabolism
During external respiration, where does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place ?
Alveoli
When the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles contract, this action is describing which part of the breathing process?
Inhalation
What is hypoxia?
Inadequate O2 to perfuse organs and tissues
A healthy patient’s SpO2 reading should be what percentage while breathing room air?
Above 94%
What purpose does surfactant serve?
Liquid protein on alveoli that reduces surface tension which allows for easier gas exchange
While performing artificial ventilations on an apneic patient you notice that the stomach is now distended. What is this finding called and what is the MOST likely cause of it?
Gastric distention
Oxygen that is being provided to the patient is either too rapid or in too large of a volume
What is tidal volume? The average tidal volume for an adult is:
Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled in one breath
500 ml
The nasal cannula delivers what percentage(s) of oxygen?
24% - 44%
You are responding to a reportedly choking patient. You arrive on scene at a restaurant to find a 34-year-old patient coughing forcefully and is unable to answer your questions. What is the correct treatment for this patient?
Encourage patient to continue to cough forcefully to clear blockage
If clearing is unsuccessful begin Heimlich Manuever
CPAP has proven to be an excellent treatment of respiratory distress that is associated with what two conditions?
COPD
Acute Pulmonary Edema
A patient who is suspected of being hypoxic and has adequate tidal volume, should be administered supplemental oxygen with a(n): Hypoxia may be present with an SpO2 reading of:
Below 94%
NRM
What does capnography measure? A capnography reading that is below normal would result from a patient who’s breathing is:
The amount of CO2 in a patients exhaled breathe
Indicates: Poor ventilation, inadequate circulation, or hyperventilation
While assessing an alert and oriented 63-years old patient who is ℅ dyspnea, you auscultate lung sounds and hear crackles bilaterally. The MOST effective treatment would be:
CPAP
A patient presents with occasional gasping breaths and no palpable pulses. This type of breathing is called:
Agonal breathing
What is the difference between an EMT providing artificial ventilations and an EMT providing assisted ventilations?
Artificial ventilation: The patient has entered respiratory arrest and can no longer breathe
Assisted ventilation: The patient is not able to fully reach oxygen saturation alone
What is the most reliable indicator of adequate BVM ventilations in an apneic patient?
Equal rise and fall of the chest
Albuterol
(Toxicology Description)
Indication: bronchospasms, asthma, COPD
Contraindication: hypersensitivity, tachycardia, chest pain (cardiac)
Action: bronchodilation (relaxed bronchial smooth muscles which improves air flow)
Route: inhalation (with MDI/SVN)
Dose: 2.5mg via nebulizer or 1-2 puffs of inhaler every 5 min as needed
Side Effects: hypertension, tachycardia, palpitations, anxiety, tremors, headache, dizziness, nausea
The narrowest portion of the adults airway is:
Glottis or glottic opening
How does surfactant directly support the breathing process?
Fluid that allows the alveoli to expand making it easier for gas exchange
Exhalation is the passive process of breathing, what does that mean?
This means it does not require energy. The diaphragm goes up and relaxes during this process
List the indications for the use of an OPA (oropharyngeal airway)
Patient does not have an intact gag reflex
Patient tongue is obstructing the airway
The thoracic cavity is lined with a membrane called the:
Parietal pleura
During the internal respiration , where does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place?
Between the cells and capillaries (in the tissues)
What is Hypoxia? How would an EMT assess for hypoxia while treating a patient?
Hypoxia is when the body’s tissues are oxygen deficient. You asses by using pulse oximetry
What occurs, in the blood, to stimulate a healthy patient to breath?
High level of CO2 (ph level)
List two contraindications for the use of a nasopharyngeal airway
Face Trauma , Broken nose , Secretions from nose
The non-rebreather mask delivers what percentage of oxygen?
Up to 90% oxygen
The total volume of air in the bag of an adult BVM is:
1,200mL
You are en route to a reportedly choking patient. You arrive on scene of a daycare to find a 2-year-old patient that is cyanosis and not coughing. What is the correct treatment for this patient?
Begin chest compressions / CPR
List three conditions that may cause an inaccurate SPO2 reading.
High Altitude
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Cyanide poisoning
A patient who is suspected of being hypoxic and is displaying poor tidal volume, should be given supplemental oxygen using a(n): Hypoxia may be present with an SPO2 reading of:
Less than 94%
BVM (bag valve mask device)
While performing a secondary assessment, lung sounds reveal crackles bilaterally. What is the cause of this finding? Which part of the breathing process is directly affected by this condition
Pulmonary edema is the cause which is fluid surrounding the alveoli
Affects respirations (Fluid surrounds the alveoli preventing respirations to occur)
What does capnography measure?
Measures end tidal CO2 (437)
While assessing a hyperventilating patient you should expect the capnometry reading to be:
Lower than 35mm Hg (437)
What is the difference between assisted ventilations and artificial ventilations?
Assisted Ventilation - Patient can no longer maintain adequate oxygen levels in their body
Artificial - Patient has entered respiratory arrest
Note: assisted ventilation provides support to a patient’s own breathing efforts, while artificial ventilation fully replaces them
