EMT BASIC PRACTICE EXAM WITH
COMPLETE DETAILED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
(AIRWAY/RESPIRATION/VENTILATION)
Answer: D
The OPA works by lifting the base of the tongue off the posterior pharynx. With proper insertion, the tip
should rest in the laryngopharynx so it can fully support the tongue. - answer ✔✔-Upon insertion of an
oropharyngeal airway (OPA), the tip of the device should be positioned in what anatomical space?
a. Oropharynx
b. Nasopharynx
c. Hyperpharynx
d. Laryngopharynx
Answer: C
A beta2-specific drug will relax smooth muscle, the kind that wraps the bronchioles of the lungs. This
relaxation will allow better airflow to the alveoli for gas exchange. - answer ✔✔-The administration of a
beta2-specific drug to a patient with respiratory distress is done to effect a change to what portion of
the respiratory tree?
a. Alveoli
b. Vocal cords
c. Bronchioles
d. Mainstem bronchi
, Answer: A
A key ability of the EMT is to recognize the difference between adequate and inadequate breathing. A
patient who can speak in full sentences (multiple words in one breath) is typically breathing adequately.
A patient who cannot speak in full sentences (usually less than two to three words per breath) is not
breathing adequately and will need oxygen (and probably PPV support). - answer ✔✔-Which of the
following statements from the patient would BEST indicate severe difficulty in breathing?
a. "I...can't...b-breathe."
b. "I feel like I'm breathing through a straw."
c. "I am struggling to catch my breath... real bad."
d. "I can't breathe regular 'cause my chest is hurting."
Answer: D
Airway potency us an absolute requirement for patient survival. An indication of partial upper airway
occlusion is sonorous breath sounds (snoring). While the unresponsive female and intoxicated male may
deteriorate more, as of yet they are not showing indications of partial airway occlusion. The active labor
patient also does not show indications of acute airway deterioration. - answer ✔✔-Which of the
following patients in most likely about to lose total airway patency, thereby requiring immediate
intervention by the EMT?
a. A ninety-eight-year-old female with brain cancer who is confused
b. A fifty-two-year-old male who is intoxicated and has recurrent vomiting
c. A twenty-nine-year-old female in active labor who is complaining of severe pain
d. A sixty-eight-year-old male seizing with sonorous sounds heard with each breath
Answer: C
The upper airway sound described as "gurgling" is secondary to fluid accumulation in the pharynx that
has air passing through it while the patient breathes (think about blowing air through a straw in water).
The only intervention listed that will remove the fluid from the airway is suctioning. The other
interventions are appropriate if the TONGUE is blocking the airway (commonly this causes snoring
sounds with each breath) - answer ✔✔-Upon assessment of the patient's airway, you note significant
gurgling with each breath. What would be the next appropriate airway intervention the EMT should
perform to eliminate this finding?
COMPLETE DETAILED QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
(AIRWAY/RESPIRATION/VENTILATION)
Answer: D
The OPA works by lifting the base of the tongue off the posterior pharynx. With proper insertion, the tip
should rest in the laryngopharynx so it can fully support the tongue. - answer ✔✔-Upon insertion of an
oropharyngeal airway (OPA), the tip of the device should be positioned in what anatomical space?
a. Oropharynx
b. Nasopharynx
c. Hyperpharynx
d. Laryngopharynx
Answer: C
A beta2-specific drug will relax smooth muscle, the kind that wraps the bronchioles of the lungs. This
relaxation will allow better airflow to the alveoli for gas exchange. - answer ✔✔-The administration of a
beta2-specific drug to a patient with respiratory distress is done to effect a change to what portion of
the respiratory tree?
a. Alveoli
b. Vocal cords
c. Bronchioles
d. Mainstem bronchi
, Answer: A
A key ability of the EMT is to recognize the difference between adequate and inadequate breathing. A
patient who can speak in full sentences (multiple words in one breath) is typically breathing adequately.
A patient who cannot speak in full sentences (usually less than two to three words per breath) is not
breathing adequately and will need oxygen (and probably PPV support). - answer ✔✔-Which of the
following statements from the patient would BEST indicate severe difficulty in breathing?
a. "I...can't...b-breathe."
b. "I feel like I'm breathing through a straw."
c. "I am struggling to catch my breath... real bad."
d. "I can't breathe regular 'cause my chest is hurting."
Answer: D
Airway potency us an absolute requirement for patient survival. An indication of partial upper airway
occlusion is sonorous breath sounds (snoring). While the unresponsive female and intoxicated male may
deteriorate more, as of yet they are not showing indications of partial airway occlusion. The active labor
patient also does not show indications of acute airway deterioration. - answer ✔✔-Which of the
following patients in most likely about to lose total airway patency, thereby requiring immediate
intervention by the EMT?
a. A ninety-eight-year-old female with brain cancer who is confused
b. A fifty-two-year-old male who is intoxicated and has recurrent vomiting
c. A twenty-nine-year-old female in active labor who is complaining of severe pain
d. A sixty-eight-year-old male seizing with sonorous sounds heard with each breath
Answer: C
The upper airway sound described as "gurgling" is secondary to fluid accumulation in the pharynx that
has air passing through it while the patient breathes (think about blowing air through a straw in water).
The only intervention listed that will remove the fluid from the airway is suctioning. The other
interventions are appropriate if the TONGUE is blocking the airway (commonly this causes snoring
sounds with each breath) - answer ✔✔-Upon assessment of the patient's airway, you note significant
gurgling with each breath. What would be the next appropriate airway intervention the EMT should
perform to eliminate this finding?
