EMT Chapter 13 - Respiratory Emergencies
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as: - CORRECT ANSWER - shortness of breath or
difficulty breathing.
At the onset of an acute asthma attack, patients commonly experience difficulty breathing and: -
CORRECT ANSWER - expiratory wheezing.
In a healthy individual, the brain stem stimulates breathing on the basis of: - CORRECT
ANSWER - increased carbon dioxide levels.
In what area of the lungs does respiration occur? - CORRECT ANSWER - alveoli
A conscious and alert 29-year-old female with a history of asthma complains of difficulty
breathing that began after her morning jog. The temperature outside is 40°F (5°C). On exam, you
hear bilateral expiratory wheezing. After providing 100% oxygen, you should: - CORRECT
ANSWER - determine if she has been prescribed a beta-agonist inhaler.
You are dispatched to an apartment complex where a 21-year-old female has apparently
overdosed on several narcotic medications. She is semiconscious and has slow, shallow
respirations. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - insert a nasopharyngeal airway and begin
assisted ventilation.
A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening of his
dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your assessment reveals that he has
a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST
likely cause of this patient's condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - spontaneous pneumothorax
, Which of the following statements regarding pulse oximetry is correct? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with
oxygen, but does not measure the actual hemoglobin content of the blood.
When assessing for fluid collection in the lungs during auscultation of lung sounds, you should: -
CORRECT ANSWER - start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start
hearing clear breath sounds.
An alert patient presents with a regular pattern of inhalation and exhalation and breath sounds
that are clear and equal on both sides of the chest. These findings are consistent with: -
CORRECT ANSWER - adequate air exchange.
A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory
distress and an oxygen saturation of 82%. When you auscultate his lungs, you hear widespread
rales. He is conscious and alert, is able to follow simple commands, and can only speak in two-
to three-word sentences at a time. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - apply a continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, monitor his blood pressure, and observe him for signs
of improvement or deterioration.
You receive a call for a 70-year-old female with respiratory distress. Her husband tells you that
she has congestive heart failure; however, he does not think that she has been taking her
medications as prescribed. The patient is laboring to breathe, appears tired, and has cyanosis
around her lips. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - assist her ventilations with a bag-mask
device.
Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when: - CORRECT ANSWER - blood acidity is reduced
by excessive breathing.
Which of the following statements regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is
correct? - CORRECT ANSWER - SARS is a viral infection that often begins with flulike
symptoms.
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as: - CORRECT ANSWER - shortness of breath or
difficulty breathing.
At the onset of an acute asthma attack, patients commonly experience difficulty breathing and: -
CORRECT ANSWER - expiratory wheezing.
In a healthy individual, the brain stem stimulates breathing on the basis of: - CORRECT
ANSWER - increased carbon dioxide levels.
In what area of the lungs does respiration occur? - CORRECT ANSWER - alveoli
A conscious and alert 29-year-old female with a history of asthma complains of difficulty
breathing that began after her morning jog. The temperature outside is 40°F (5°C). On exam, you
hear bilateral expiratory wheezing. After providing 100% oxygen, you should: - CORRECT
ANSWER - determine if she has been prescribed a beta-agonist inhaler.
You are dispatched to an apartment complex where a 21-year-old female has apparently
overdosed on several narcotic medications. She is semiconscious and has slow, shallow
respirations. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - insert a nasopharyngeal airway and begin
assisted ventilation.
A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening of his
dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your assessment reveals that he has
a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST
likely cause of this patient's condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - spontaneous pneumothorax
, Which of the following statements regarding pulse oximetry is correct? - CORRECT
ANSWER - Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with
oxygen, but does not measure the actual hemoglobin content of the blood.
When assessing for fluid collection in the lungs during auscultation of lung sounds, you should: -
CORRECT ANSWER - start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start
hearing clear breath sounds.
An alert patient presents with a regular pattern of inhalation and exhalation and breath sounds
that are clear and equal on both sides of the chest. These findings are consistent with: -
CORRECT ANSWER - adequate air exchange.
A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory
distress and an oxygen saturation of 82%. When you auscultate his lungs, you hear widespread
rales. He is conscious and alert, is able to follow simple commands, and can only speak in two-
to three-word sentences at a time. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - apply a continuous
positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, monitor his blood pressure, and observe him for signs
of improvement or deterioration.
You receive a call for a 70-year-old female with respiratory distress. Her husband tells you that
she has congestive heart failure; however, he does not think that she has been taking her
medications as prescribed. The patient is laboring to breathe, appears tired, and has cyanosis
around her lips. You should: - CORRECT ANSWER - assist her ventilations with a bag-mask
device.
Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when: - CORRECT ANSWER - blood acidity is reduced
by excessive breathing.
Which of the following statements regarding severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is
correct? - CORRECT ANSWER - SARS is a viral infection that often begins with flulike
symptoms.
