EMT Airway Exam Preperation Flashcards
How to measure OPA
Oropharyngeal Airways
From the corner of the mouth to the ear lobe
How to measure NPA
Nasopharyngeal Airways
From the tip of their nose down to the ear lobe
How to measure an IGEL
Based on weight indicated on IGEL
How and when do you suction an airway?
How - Set up the suction device and perform a side to side sweep for no more than 10 seconds to clear the airway
When - When there is frothing, vomitus, too many fluids blocking the upper airway
How to open an airway Trauma vs. Medical
Trauma - Jaw thrust
Medical - Head tilt - chin lift
What upper airway sounds might you hear if the airway is blocked partially?
Stridor - High pitched sound
What are some causes for airway obstructions?
Foreign objects, buildup of mucus, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, inflammation, pulmonary edema (fluid buildup in lungs)
How would you manage a patient who is choking?
See the object?
- Pull it out
Standing up?
- Abdominal thrusts
Unconscious?
- CPR
How and when would you provide assisted ventilations?
When?
-Altered mental status
- Inadequate minute volume
- Excessive accessory muscle use and fatigue (shoulders, back, etc..)
How?
- BVM: Explain to patient what you are doing. Secure the mask and give proper breaths. Maintain adequate minute volume.
-
When to use nasal cannulas?
Patients with mild hypoxemia
When to use nonrebreather?
Patients who are breathing adequately but are suspected of having hypoxia. Preferred method to give oxygen in the prehospital setting.
When to use BVM?
- Altered mental status
- Inadequate minute volume
- Excessive accessory muscle use and fatigue
- Apneic
- Place mask over nose and mouth.
- If awake: squeeze the bag every time patient breathes
- If apneic: squeeze every 6 seconds for 1 second each time
How to assess proper breathing in pediatrics?
- Breathing Pattern
- Chest Expansion
- Audible Sounds
- Respiratory Rate
- SaO2 levels
How can you calm someone’s breathing if they are experiencing Anxiety-Induced hyperventilation?
- Be reassuring
- Box breathing method (in through the nose, hold for 4, out through the mouth, hold for 4)
Alveolar Gas Exchange
Diffusion - Process of higher concentration to lower concentration.
Oxygen from the air in lungs transfers to the spend blood in the veins whilst Carbon Dioxide takes it’s place.
Hemoglobin open up to receive the oxygen from the lungs and carry it through the blood stream.
The left over Carbon Dioxide get exhaled.
