Exam Weeks 1-5

Question 1

An adult patient with an abnormal respiratory rate should:
Select one:
a. be given oxygen at 4 L/min with a nasal cannula.
b. be assessed immediately for heart rate abnormalities.
c. be evaluated for other signs of inadequate ventilation.
d. receive ventilatory assistance with a bag-mask device.

Answer 1

c. be evaluated for other signs of inadequate ventilation.

Question 2

The pulse oximeter would be LEAST useful when:
Select one:
a. identifying deterioration of the cardiac patient.
b. assessing vascular status in orthopaedic trauma.
c. monitoring oxygenation status during intubation.
d. determining the patient’s baseline respiratory rate.

Answer 2

d. determining the patient’s baseline respiratory rate.

Question 3

A patient with orthopnea:
Select one:
a. has blood-tinged sputum.
b. awakens at night with dyspnea.
c. has dyspnea while lying flat. 
d. is breathing through pursed lips.

Answer 3

c. has dyspnea while lying flat.

Question 4

A length-based resuscitation tape measure can be used to determine the most appropriate size of bag-mask device for pediatric patients who weigh up to:
Select one:
a. 34 kg. 
b. 38 kg.
c. 42 kg.
d. 46 kg.

Answer 4

a. 34 kg.

Question 5

The condition in which the body's tissues and cells do not receive enough oxygen is called:
Select one:
a. anoxia.
b. hypoxia 
c. asphyxia.
d. hypoxemia.

Answer 5

b. hypoxia

Question 6

Laryngospasm is defined as:
Select one:
a. aspiration of foreign material.
b. spasmodic closure of the vocal cords.
c. voluntary closure of the glottic opening.
d. spontaneous collapsing of the trachea.

Answer 6

b. spasmodic closure of the vocal cords.

Question 7

A foreign body airway obstruction should be suspected in a child who presents with:
Select one:
a. diffuse wheezing and nasal flaring.
b. a productive cough and flushed skin.
c. acute respiratory distress without fever.
d. progressive respiratory distress and hoarseness.

Answer 7

c. acute respiratory distress without fever.

Question 8

When administering oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask, you must ensure that the:
Select one:
a. reservoir is half-filled first.
b. one-way valves are disabled.
c. patient has adequate tidal volume. 
d. flow rate is set to at least 6 L/min.

Answer 8

c. patient has adequate tidal volume.

Question 9

Which of the following abnormal respiratory patterns generally do NOT suggest brain injury or cerebral anoxia?
Select one:
a. Biot respirations
b. Agonal respirations
c. Kussmaul respirations
d. Cheyne-Stokes respirations

Answer 9

c. Kussmaul respirations

Question 10

Asymmetric chest wall movement is characterized by:
Select one:
a. chest rise that is minimally visible.
b. one side of the chest moving less than the other.
c. alternating movement of the chest and abdomen.
d. a part of the chest wall that bulges during exhalation.

Answer 10

b. one side of the chest moving less than the other.

Question 11

Intrapulmonary shunting is defined as:
Select one:
a. the return of unoxygenated blood to the left side of the heart.
b. a decrease in the surface area of the alveoli caused by damage.
c. a condition in which too much carbon dioxide is eliminated.
d. failure of blood to bypass an obstruction in a pulmonary artery.

Answer 11

a. the return of unoxygenated blood to the left side of the heart.

Question 12

It would NOT be appropriate to place a patient in the recovery position if he or she:
Select one:
a. is tachycardic.
b. is semiconscious.
c. has not been injured.
d. is breathing shallowly.

Answer 12

d. is breathing shallowly.

Question 13

If several attempts to open a patient’s airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver are unsuccessful, you should:
Select one:
a. carefully tilt the patient’s head back while lifting up on the chin.
b. maintain the patient’s head in a neutral position and intubate at once.
c. insert an oropharyngeal airway and reattempt the jaw-thrust maneuver.
d. suction the mouth for 15 seconds and then reattempt to open the airway.

Answer 13

a. carefully tilt the patient’s head back while lifting up on the chin.

Question 14

The fraction of inspired oxygen (FIO2) increases with:
Select one:
a. increased tidal volume. 
b. forceful inhalation.
c. supplemental oxygen.
d. an increase in respirations.

Answer 14

c. supplemental oxygen.

Question 15

A patient with a suppressed cough mechanism:
Select one:
a. should be intubated at once.
b. is at serious risk for aspiration.
c. often requires ventilation support.
d. should have continuous airway suctioning.

Answer 15

b. is at serious risk for aspiration.

Question 16

Anatomically, the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ is directly anterior to the glottic opening.
Select one:
a. thyroid gland
b. vallecular space
c. cricoid cartilage
d. thyroid cartilage

Answer 16

d. thyroid cartilage

Question 17

All of the following factors would increase a person's respiratory rate, EXCEPT:
Select one:
a. narcotic analgesic use. 
b. increased metabolism.
c. the use of amphetamines.
d. a rise in body temperature.

Answer 17

a. narcotic analgesic use.

Question 18

Pulse oximetry is used to measure the:
Select one:
a. percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen.
b. exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide at the cellular level.
c. percentage of carbon dioxide that is eliminated from the body.
d. amount of oxygen dissolved in the plasma portion of the blood.

Answer 18

a. percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen.

Question 19

Biot respirations are characterized by:
Select one:
a. slow, shallow irregular respirations or occasional gasping breaths.
b. an irregular pattern of breathing with intermittent periods of apnea.
c. deep, gasping respirations that are often rapid but may be slow.
d. increased respirations followed by apneic periods.

Answer 19

b. an irregular pattern of breathing with intermittent periods of apnea.

Question 20

The nasal cannula is of MOST benefit to patients:
Select one:
a. who require high oxygen concentrations.
b. with mild hypoxemia and claustrophobia.
c. with an acute exacerbation of emphysema.
d. who are hypoxic and are mouth breathers.

Answer 20

b. with mild hypoxemia and claustrophobia.

Question 21

The external jugular veins run \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and are located \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ to the cricothyroid membrane.
Select one:
a. vertically, lateral 
b. vertically, medial
c. horizontally, lateral
d. horizontally, medial

Answer 21

a. vertically, lateral

Question 22

Poor lung compliance during your initial attempt to ventilate an unconscious, apneic adult should be treated by:
Select one:
a. sweeping the patient’s mouth with your fingers.
b. reopening the airway and reattempting to ventilate.
c. performing 30 chest compressions and reassessing.
d. administering 15 subdiaphragmatic thrusts at once.

Answer 22

b. reopening the airway and reattempting to ventilate.

Question 23

The upper airway of an adult consists of all the structures above the:
Select one:
a. carina.
b. bronchus.
c. glottis.
d. cricoid ring.

Answer 23

c. glottis

Question 24

Which of the following factors would MOST likely produce a falsely normal pulse oximetry reading?
Select one:
a. Carboxyhemoglobin 
b. Peripheral vasodilation
c. A dimly lit environment
d. Heart rate above 120 beats/min

Answer 24

a. carboxyhemoglobin

Question 25

If you suspect that an unconscious patient has experienced a spinal injury, you should open his or her airway by:
Select one:
a. applying firm pressure to the patient’s forehead and tilting the head back.
b. placing your fingers behind the angle of the jaw and lifting the jaw forward.
c. carefully grasping the tongue and jaw and slowly lifting the jaw forward.
d. lifting up on the jaw while placing the head in a slightly extended position.

Answer 25

b. placing your fingers behind the angle of the jaw and lifting the jaw forward.