Chapter 11- Airway Management

Question 1

A complex structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures that all work together; where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins; also called the voice box.

Answer 1

larynx

Question 2

The act of air moving into and out of the lungs during chest compressions.

Answer 2

passive ventilation

Question 3

A side-lying position used to maintain a clear airway in unresponsive patients who are breathing adequately and do not have suspected injuriesto the sound, hips, or pelvis.

Answer 3

recovery position

Question 4

The upper tract or the passage above the larynx, which includes the nose, mouth, and throat.

Answer 4

airway

Question 5

An oxygen-delivery device in which oxygen flows through two small, tubelike prongs that fit into the patient’s nostrils; delivers 24% to 44% supplemental oxygen, depending on the flow rate.

Answer 5

nasal cannula

Question 6

A tubular structure that extends vertically from the back of the mouth to the esophagus and trachea.

Answer 6

oropharynx

Question 7

Absence of spontaneous breathing.

Answer 7

apnea

Question 8

The term used to describe the amount of gas in air or dissolved in fluid, such as blood.

Answer 8

partial pressure

Question 9

The use of muscles of the chest, back, and abdomen to assist in expanding the chest, occurs when air movement is impaired.

Answer 9

labored breathing

Question 10

The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells; also called cellular respiration.

Answer 10

metabolism

Question 11

Deficient oxygen concentration in the tissues.

Answer 11

hypoxia

Question 12

Visualization of the vocal cords, and thereby placement of the endotracheal tube, that is facilitated by use of a video camera and monitor.

Answer 12

video laryngoscopy

Question 13

A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. If frees the EMT to perform other tasks while the patient is being ventilated.

Answer 13

automatic transport ventilator

Question 14

Occurs when a foreign body completely obstructs the patient’s airway. The patient can’t breathe, talk, or cough.

Answer 14

severe airway obstruction

Question 15

Improper placement of an advanced airway device into the esophagus rather than into the trachea.

Answer 15

esophageal intubation

Question 16

A surgical procedure to create an opening (stoma) into the trachea; a stoma in the neck connects the trachea directly to the skin.

Answer 16

tracheostomy

Question 17

The exchange of gases between the blood cells and the tissues.

Answer 17

internal respiration

Question 18

Movement of a gas from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.

Answer 18

diffusion

Question 19

A cyclical pattern of abnormal breathing that increases and then decreases in rate and depth, followed by a period of apnea.

Answer 19

Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Question 20

Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration.

Answer 20

retractions

Question 21

The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration.

Answer 21

residual volume

Question 22

A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patient’s body fluids.

Answer 22

barrier device

Question 23

The process of replacing nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen to maintain a normal oxygen saturation level during advanced airway management.

Answer 23

denitrogenation

Question 24

An accumulation of air or gas in the pleural cavity that progressively increases pressure in the chest and that interferes with cardiac function, with potentially fatal results.

Answer 24

tension pneumothorax

Question 25

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Answer 25

dyspnea

Question 26

Increased carbon dioxide level in the bloodstream.

Answer 26

hypercarbia

Question 27

Metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the main by-product is lactic acid.

Answer 27

anaerobic metabolism

Question 28

A body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline.

Answer 28

bilateral

Question 29

A combination mask and reservoir bag system that is the preferred way to give oxygen in the prehospital setting; delivers up to 90% inspired oxygen and prevents inhaling the exhaled gases (carbon dioxide).

Answer 29

nonrebreathing mask

Question 30

Bypassing of oxygen-poor blood past nonfunctional alveoli to the left side of the heart.

Answer 30

intrapulmonary shunting

Question 31

The space in between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult’s airway; also called the glottic opening.

Answer 31

glottis

Question 32

Point at which the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the left and right main stem bronchi.

Answer 32

carina

Question 33

Thin white bands of tough muscular tissue that are lateral borders of the glottis and serve as the primary center for speech production.

Answer 33

vocal cords

Question 34

A hollow, cylindrical device used to remove fluid from the patient’s airway.

Answer 34

suction catheter

Question 35

Space within the chest that contains the heart, major blood vessels, vagus nerve, trachea, major bronchi, and esophagus; located between the two lungs.

Answer 35

mediastinum

Question 36

Occurs when a foreign body partially obstructs the patient’s airway. The patient is able to move adequate amounts of air, but also experiences some degree of respiratory distress.

Answer 36

mild airway obstruction

Question 37

Thin membrane that lines the chest cavity.

Answer 37

parietal pleura

Question 38

A collection of blood in the pleural cavity.

Answer 38

hemothorax

Question 39

A noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient’s ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism; effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time.

Answer 39

capnography

Question 40

A technique in which oxygen administered via a high-flow nasal cannula is left in place during an intubation attempt, allowing for continuous oxygen delivery into the airways during all phases of the procedure.

Answer 40

apneic oxygenation

Question 41

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen.

Answer 41

aerobic metabolism

Question 42

A term used to describe the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. If present, the patient often has a weak, ineffective cough, increased difficulty breathing, or possibly cyanosis and may produce a high-pitched noise during inhalation (stridor).

Answer 42

poor air exchange

Question 43

The two nerves that innervate the diaphragm; necessary for adequate breathing to occur.

Answer 43

phrenic nerves

Question 44

In the context of the airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into thy lungs.

Answer 44

aspiration

Question 45

The process of providing oxygen, often in combination with ventilation, prior to intubation in order to raise the oxygen levels of body tissues; a critical step in advanced airway management. This extends the time fitting which an advanced airway can be placed in an apneic patient, because the more oxygen that is available in the alveoli, the longer the patient can maintain adequate gas exchange in the lungs during the procedure.

Answer 45

preoxygenation