EMT Basic Practice Exam Airway,
Respiration, Ventilation Questions and
Answers
1.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 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.
2.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
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,d. Mainstem bronchi
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.
3.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 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).
4.Which of the following patients in most likely about to lose
total airway patency, thereby requiring immediate
intervention by the EMT?
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, 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 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.
5.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?
a. Head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver
b. Modified jaw-thrust maneuver
c. Oropharyngeal suctioning
d. Insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway
Answer C
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Respiration, Ventilation Questions and
Answers
1.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 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.
2.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
1/
16
,d. Mainstem bronchi
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.
3.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 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).
4.Which of the following patients in most likely about to lose
total airway patency, thereby requiring immediate
intervention by the EMT?
2/
16
, 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 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.
5.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?
a. Head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver
b. Modified jaw-thrust maneuver
c. Oropharyngeal suctioning
d. Insertion of a nasopharyngeal airway
Answer C
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16
