Airway

Question 1

What is the maximum flow rate for a nasal cannula?

Answer 1

6 LPM

Question 2

What is another name for a combi-tube?

Answer 2

Dual lumen airway

Question 3

In order to provide oxygen therapy at 100% via a non-rebreather, what should the flow rate be set at?

Answer 3

12-15 LPM

Question 4

What airway opening maneuver should be used on a man that has fallen off a ladder and is suffering from respiratory disress?

Answer 4

Jaw Thrust

Question 5

A devise that delivers a specific amount of medication to the lungs, in the form of a short burst of aerosolized medicine that is inhaled by the patient is known as a(n)?

Answer 5

Metered dose inhaler

Question 6

The anatomy of the airway that consists of the upper and the lower airways. The upper airway starts at the mouth and nares and ends where?

Answer 6

Cricoid cartilage

Question 7

The tongue often is a source of airway obstruction; it falls back and occludes what?

Answer 7

Pharynx

Question 8

The lower airway ends at the alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen moves to the hemoglobin by passing through a semipermeable membrane. Where does this occur?

Answer 8

Capillary bed

Question 9

To create negative pressure in the thorax, the diaphragm contracts and moves _________. This action expands the volume of the thorax, allowing air to rush into the lungs.

Answer 9

Downward

Question 10

When the diaphragm relaxes, it regains its domed shape. This action causes an increase in thoracic pressure which forces air out of the lungs. To have air forced out of the lungs, the pressure in the thorax must rise above ___________ pressure?

Answer 10

Atmospheric

Question 11

What ventiliatory technique is likely to yield the LOWEST tidal volume?

Answer 11

One person bag-valve-mask

Question 12

In order to assist intubation, a paramedic may utilize the Sellick maneuver. In this procedure, which cartilage are you compressing?

Answer 12

Cricoid

Question 13

You are transporting an elderly male patient in respiratory distress with a history of COPD. The patient has very shallow, rapid respirations with minimal chest wall motion and slight wheezing in the upper lung fields. Given this situation, what would you expect the arterial carbon dioxide levels to be?

Answer 13

Elevated

Question 14

You are transporting a 48 yr old male patient between medical facilities. During the history, you learn that the patient was involved in a fall at work and suffered a hip fracture and a head injury. The patient is now presenting with labored breathing at 30/min that has progressively worsened over the last 24 hours, a heart rate of 104, and a blood pressure of 98/70. On auscultation, you hear diffuse rales. The patient denies any complaints of pain other than those related to his recent fall. What is the most likely cause of the patient’s respiratory distress?

Answer 14

Adult respiratory distress syndrome

Question 15

What is the most effective method for administering ventilations to an apneic patient?

Answer 15

Two person bag-valve-mask

Question 16

A blue or greyish coloration of the skin caused by lack of oxygen in the blood is called?

Answer 16

Cyanosis

Cyanosis occurs when the oxygen saturation of arterial blood falls below 85-90%. It is often presents in the lips and nail beds first.

Question 17

You are performing rescue breaths using an Ambu bag attached to 100% O2. After several breaths you notice the patients O2 saturation has dropped significantly. What should you do next?

Answer 17

Reposition the patient’s head.

This is a sign that you are not getting effective respirations. You should reposition the patient’s head using the head tilt / chin lift or jaw thrust maneuver and attempt respirations again.

Question 18

What is the proper amount of air that should be injected to the cuff of an Endo Tracheal Tube?

Answer 18

10cc

The standard ET Tube cuff is inflated with 10 cc of air

Question 19

The space between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis is called?

Answer 19

Vallecula

The vallecula is an important landmark in intubation; it is where the blade of a laryngoscope is placed to facilitate direct visualization of the glottis.

Question 20

What condition is characterized by gasping, labored breathing, and strange vocalizations?

Answer 20

Agonal Respirations

Agonal respirations are also commonly seen in cases of cardiac arrest, and may persist for several minutes after cessation of heartbeat.

Question 21

What is the maximum amount of time that may pass while attempting an intubation?

Answer 21

30 seconds

If you are unsuccessful with your intubation, you should always cease your attempt after 30 seconds, allow for the patient to be hyperventilated and attempt it again.

Question 22

What condition is characterized by a high pitched sound resulting from turbulent air flow in the upper airway? It may be inspiratory, expiratory or present on both inspiration and expiration.

Answer 22

Stridor

Stridor is indicative of a severe upper airway obstruction.

Question 23

The inability to move enough air required for adequate perfusion is known as what?

Answer 23

Respiratory Failure

Respiratory failure is a medical term for inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system. Respiratory failure can be indicated by observing a drop in O2 saturation and breathing rate / quality.

Question 24

What is NOT a correct technique for confirming correct ET Tube placement?

Answer 24

Visualizing rise and fall of the chest

Seeing movement of the chest wall does not guarantee proper tube placement because inflating the stomach could be mistaken for chest rise.

Question 25

Two large tubes that bring air to and from the lungs are known as what?

Answer 25

Bronchi

The Trachea leads to the Bronchi which lead into the Bronchioles.

Question 26

What term refers to the expansion of the stomach caused by excessive ventilation pressures, which causes excess air to enter the stomach instead of the lungs?

Answer 26

Gastric distention

Gastric Distention should be avoided as it often leads to vomiting and aspiration of emesis.

Question 27

What is NOT a sign of adequate breathing?

Answer 27

Breathing limited to abdominal muscles

Using abdominal muscles to breath is a sign of labored breathing NOT of adequate breathing.

Question 28

Cyanosis can be checked by observing the patient’s _______?

Answer 28

Nailbeds, lips

Early signs of cyanosis often presents more clearly in the nail beds and lips

Question 29

An oral airway should be:

a) Cleaned well for reuse
b) Inserted in all critically injured patients
c) Used to keep the tongue from blocking the airway
d) Used in order to prevent the need for suctioning

Answer 29

Used to keep the tongue from blocking the airway

When a patient is unconscious, the tongue has a tendency to fall back in the mouth and block the airway. An oral airway is used to prevent this.

Question 30

Which medication that will open bronchioles and increase effectiveness of breathing is typically used to treat a patient with shortness of breath?

Answer 30

Bronchodilators

Bronchodilators are used to dilate or widen the bronchioles allowing air to more easily flow through them. A common bronchodilator is Albuterol.