6 - Airway Management

Question 1

What are the three major functions of the upper airway?

Answer 1

Humidify
Warm air
Filter

Question 2

In the presence of oxygen, cells convert glucose into energy through a process known as:

Answer 2

Aerobic Metabolism

Question 3

During external respiration, where does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place ?

Answer 3

Alveoli

Question 4

When the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles contract, this action is describing which part of the breathing process?

Answer 4

Inhalation

Question 5

What is hypoxia?

Answer 5

Inadequate O2 to perfuse organs and tissues

Question 6

A healthy patient’s SpO2 reading should be what percentage while breathing room air?

Answer 6

Above 94%

Question 7

What purpose does surfactant serve?

Answer 7

Liquid protein on alveoli that reduces surface tension which allows for easier gas exchange

Question 8

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?

Answer 8

Gastric distention

Oxygen that is being provided to the patient is either too rapid or in too large of a volume

Question 9

What is tidal volume? The average tidal volume for an adult is:

Answer 9

Amount of air that is inhaled or exhaled in one breath

500 ml

Question 10

The nasal cannula delivers what percentage(s) of oxygen?

Answer 10

24% - 44%

Question 11

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?

Answer 11

Encourage patient to continue to cough forcefully to clear blockage

If clearing is unsuccessful begin Heimlich Manuever

Question 12

CPAP has proven to be an excellent treatment of respiratory distress that is associated with what two conditions?

Answer 12

COPD

Acute Pulmonary Edema

Question 13

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:

Answer 13

Below 94%

NRM

Question 14

What does capnography measure? A capnography reading that is below normal would result from a patient who’s breathing is:

Answer 14

The amount of CO2 in a patients exhaled breathe

Indicates: Poor ventilation, inadequate circulation, or hyperventilation

Question 15

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:

Answer 15

CPAP

Question 16

A patient presents with occasional gasping breaths and no palpable pulses. This type of breathing is called:

Answer 16

Agonal breathing

Question 17

What is the difference between an EMT providing artificial ventilations and an EMT providing assisted ventilations?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What is the most reliable indicator of adequate BVM ventilations in an apneic patient?

Answer 18

Equal rise and fall of the chest

Question 19

Albuterol
(Toxicology Description)

Answer 19

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

Question 20

The narrowest portion of the adults airway is:

Answer 20

Glottis or glottic opening

Question 21

How does surfactant directly support the breathing process?

Answer 21

Fluid that allows the alveoli to expand making it easier for gas exchange

Question 22

Exhalation is the passive process of breathing, what does that mean?

Answer 22

This means it does not require energy. The diaphragm goes up and relaxes during this process

Question 23

List the indications for the use of an OPA (oropharyngeal airway)

Answer 23

Patient does not have an intact gag reflex

Patient tongue is obstructing the airway

Question 24

The thoracic cavity is lined with a membrane called the:

Answer 24

Parietal pleura

Question 25

During the internal respiration , where does the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide take place?

Answer 25

Between the cells and capillaries (in the tissues)

Question 26

What is Hypoxia? How would an EMT assess for hypoxia while treating a patient?

Answer 26

Hypoxia is when the body’s tissues are oxygen deficient. You asses by using pulse oximetry

Question 27

What occurs, in the blood, to stimulate a healthy patient to breath?

Answer 27

High level of CO2 (ph level)

Question 28

List two contraindications for the use of a nasopharyngeal airway

Answer 28

Face Trauma , Broken nose , Secretions from nose

Question 29

The non-rebreather mask delivers what percentage of oxygen?

Answer 29

Up to 90% oxygen

Question 30

The total volume of air in the bag of an adult BVM is:

Answer 30

1,200mL

Question 31

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?

Answer 31

Begin chest compressions / CPR

Question 32

List three conditions that may cause an inaccurate SPO2 reading.

Answer 32

High Altitude
Carbon monoxide poisoning
Cyanide poisoning

Question 33

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:

Answer 33

Less than 94%

BVM (bag valve mask device)

Question 34

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

Answer 34

Pulmonary edema is the cause which is fluid surrounding the alveoli

Affects respirations (Fluid surrounds the alveoli preventing respirations to occur)

Question 35

What does capnography measure?

Answer 35

Measures end tidal CO2 (437)

Question 36

While assessing a hyperventilating patient you should expect the capnometry reading to be:

Answer 36

Lower than 35mm Hg (437)

Question 37

What is the difference between assisted ventilations and artificial ventilations?

Answer 37

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