EMT Chapter 13 - Respiratory Emergencies
UPDATED Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What is dyspnea? - CORRECT ANSWER - Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
What are the structures that help us breath? - CORRECT ANSWER - Diaphragm, the muscles
of the chest wall, the accessory muscles of breathing, and the nerves from the brain & spinal
cord.
What does the upper airway consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER - Nose, mouth, jaw, oral
cavity, pharynx, and larynx. *Ends at the larynx*
What is respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the principal function of the lungs which is
the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What does the lower airway consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER - The trachea, the lungs, the
bronchus (larger airways), the bronchiles (smaller airway), and finally the alveoli
What are the two processes that occur during respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Inspiration and Expiration
Through respiration, what does the brainstem sense in the arterial blood that controls respiration?
- CORRECT ANSWER - The level of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood stimulates a healthy
person to breath
What is carbon dioxide retention? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is a condition characterized by
a chronically high blood level of CO2 in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high
blood levels of CO2.
, What is the hypoxic drive? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is a backup system to control
respirations when oxygen levels fall. *Secondary drive*
Why might it be dangerous to give too much oxygen to a patient with a chronic lung disease? -
CORRECT ANSWER - It is dangerous because patients with chronic lung diseases have
chronically high levels of CO2 in the blood, therefore, giving too much O2 can depress or stop
respirations.
What is hypoxia? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is a condition in which the body's cells and
tissues do not have enough oxygen.
What is atelectasis? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the collapse of the alveolar air space of the
lungs.
As you treat patients with disorder of the lungs, you should be aware that one or more conditions
exist: - CORRECT ANSWER - 1)Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulm circulation is
obstructed by fluid or collapse of the alveoli
2)Alveoli are damaged
3)Air passages are obstructed (mucus, floppy air wall, spasm)
4)Blood flow is obstructed by blood clots
5)Pleural space is filled with air/fluid; lungs cannot expand
Signs of normal breathing - CORRECT ANSWER - 1)12-20 breaths/min
2)Regular pattern of inhalation/exhalation
3)Clear & equal lung sounds on both sides
4)Regular & equal chest rise and fall
5)Adequate depth (tidal volume)
What is oxygenation? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the process of delivering oxygen to the
blood.
UPDATED Exam Questions and CORRECT
Answers
What is dyspnea? - CORRECT ANSWER - Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
What are the structures that help us breath? - CORRECT ANSWER - Diaphragm, the muscles
of the chest wall, the accessory muscles of breathing, and the nerves from the brain & spinal
cord.
What does the upper airway consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER - Nose, mouth, jaw, oral
cavity, pharynx, and larynx. *Ends at the larynx*
What is respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the principal function of the lungs which is
the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What does the lower airway consist of? - CORRECT ANSWER - The trachea, the lungs, the
bronchus (larger airways), the bronchiles (smaller airway), and finally the alveoli
What are the two processes that occur during respiration? - CORRECT ANSWER -
Inspiration and Expiration
Through respiration, what does the brainstem sense in the arterial blood that controls respiration?
- CORRECT ANSWER - The level of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood stimulates a healthy
person to breath
What is carbon dioxide retention? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is a condition characterized by
a chronically high blood level of CO2 in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high
blood levels of CO2.
, What is the hypoxic drive? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is a backup system to control
respirations when oxygen levels fall. *Secondary drive*
Why might it be dangerous to give too much oxygen to a patient with a chronic lung disease? -
CORRECT ANSWER - It is dangerous because patients with chronic lung diseases have
chronically high levels of CO2 in the blood, therefore, giving too much O2 can depress or stop
respirations.
What is hypoxia? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is a condition in which the body's cells and
tissues do not have enough oxygen.
What is atelectasis? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the collapse of the alveolar air space of the
lungs.
As you treat patients with disorder of the lungs, you should be aware that one or more conditions
exist: - CORRECT ANSWER - 1)Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulm circulation is
obstructed by fluid or collapse of the alveoli
2)Alveoli are damaged
3)Air passages are obstructed (mucus, floppy air wall, spasm)
4)Blood flow is obstructed by blood clots
5)Pleural space is filled with air/fluid; lungs cannot expand
Signs of normal breathing - CORRECT ANSWER - 1)12-20 breaths/min
2)Regular pattern of inhalation/exhalation
3)Clear & equal lung sounds on both sides
4)Regular & equal chest rise and fall
5)Adequate depth (tidal volume)
What is oxygenation? - CORRECT ANSWER - It is the process of delivering oxygen to the
blood.
