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 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

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 7

Gastric distention

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

Question 8

What purpose does surfactant serve?

Answer 8

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

Question 9

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

Answer 9

The amount of oxygen in one breathe

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

Measures End Tidal CO2

Below 35%

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