UCLA EMT - Airway Exam Study
Guide Questions and Answers 100%
Pass
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the
alveoli. - ✔✔Air first enters the body through the nose or mouth and passes
into the nasopharynx or oropharynx. Then it goes to the oropharynx which
forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity. It goes into the larynx which
marks the end of the upper airway and the start of the lower airway. The
lower airway functions to deliver oxygen to the alveoli. After getting past
the glottis and vocal cords, the air goes into the trachea (or windpipe) as it
is on its way to the lungs. Once in the thoracic cavity, the trachea divides at
the level of the carina (the internal ridge of the trachea) and into the two
mainstream bronchi. The hollow bronchi are supported by cartilage and
distribute air into the right and left lungs. Once the air enters the lungs,
each bronchus divides into increasingly smaller bronchi, which in turn
1
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,subdivide into bronchioles. The smaller bronchioles branch into alveolar
ducts that end at the alveolar sacs. The alveoli is located at the end of the
airway and there are millions of these thin-walled, balloon-like sacs that
serve as the functional site for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs. -
✔✔Diffusion is when molecules move from an area of higher concentration
to an area of lower concentration. During inhalation, oxygen moves into
the lungs and then crosses the alveolar membrane into hemoglobin
through diffusion. Red blood cells carry the hemoglobin and therefore
oxygen through the body, delivering it to capillaries to oxygenate the
body's cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide that is produced by the cells
in the tissues of the body moves from the blood into the alveoli by
diffusion. The carbon dioxide then leaves through exhalation.
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive
and unresponsive patients. - ✔✔If they are conscious, ask if they are
choking and want help. Grabbing of throat is universal sign of choking.
Potential sounds of stridor. Use head tilt chin lift to open the airway. This
2
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, should only be done on unresponsive patients with inadequate breathing
who are not suspected of having spinal trauma. If there is possible spinal
trauma, use jaw thrust. large pieces of food, mucus, blood clots, and others
should be swept forward and out with a gloved index finger. If available,
use a suction to maintain a clear airway. Abdominal thrusts are most
effective for conscious patients. This is when residual air in the lungs are
used and compressed so as to expel the object out of the airway. If you
can't reach around their body, or if they are pregnant, do thrusts on their
chest. Use abdominal thrusts until the object dislodges or the patient
becomes unconscious. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions. Follow
the 30:2 ratio. Look at the back of the oropharynx for any foreign objects. If
you can see it, try to remove it with a gloved index finger or with suction.
Do not blind sweep as it may push the object farther down in the airway,
making the obstruction worse. Once the object is removed or nothing is
seen in the airway yet, attempt to ventilate. Continue CPR. If you cannot
clear the airway with initial attempts, begin rapid transport and continue
efforts on the way to the hospital. If patient has mild or good air exchange,
monitor closely for deterioration of their condition. If patient is conscious,
3
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025
Guide Questions and Answers 100%
Pass
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the
alveoli. - ✔✔Air first enters the body through the nose or mouth and passes
into the nasopharynx or oropharynx. Then it goes to the oropharynx which
forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity. It goes into the larynx which
marks the end of the upper airway and the start of the lower airway. The
lower airway functions to deliver oxygen to the alveoli. After getting past
the glottis and vocal cords, the air goes into the trachea (or windpipe) as it
is on its way to the lungs. Once in the thoracic cavity, the trachea divides at
the level of the carina (the internal ridge of the trachea) and into the two
mainstream bronchi. The hollow bronchi are supported by cartilage and
distribute air into the right and left lungs. Once the air enters the lungs,
each bronchus divides into increasingly smaller bronchi, which in turn
1
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025
,subdivide into bronchioles. The smaller bronchioles branch into alveolar
ducts that end at the alveolar sacs. The alveoli is located at the end of the
airway and there are millions of these thin-walled, balloon-like sacs that
serve as the functional site for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs. -
✔✔Diffusion is when molecules move from an area of higher concentration
to an area of lower concentration. During inhalation, oxygen moves into
the lungs and then crosses the alveolar membrane into hemoglobin
through diffusion. Red blood cells carry the hemoglobin and therefore
oxygen through the body, delivering it to capillaries to oxygenate the
body's cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide that is produced by the cells
in the tissues of the body moves from the blood into the alveoli by
diffusion. The carbon dioxide then leaves through exhalation.
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive
and unresponsive patients. - ✔✔If they are conscious, ask if they are
choking and want help. Grabbing of throat is universal sign of choking.
Potential sounds of stridor. Use head tilt chin lift to open the airway. This
2
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025
, should only be done on unresponsive patients with inadequate breathing
who are not suspected of having spinal trauma. If there is possible spinal
trauma, use jaw thrust. large pieces of food, mucus, blood clots, and others
should be swept forward and out with a gloved index finger. If available,
use a suction to maintain a clear airway. Abdominal thrusts are most
effective for conscious patients. This is when residual air in the lungs are
used and compressed so as to expel the object out of the airway. If you
can't reach around their body, or if they are pregnant, do thrusts on their
chest. Use abdominal thrusts until the object dislodges or the patient
becomes unconscious. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions. Follow
the 30:2 ratio. Look at the back of the oropharynx for any foreign objects. If
you can see it, try to remove it with a gloved index finger or with suction.
Do not blind sweep as it may push the object farther down in the airway,
making the obstruction worse. Once the object is removed or nothing is
seen in the airway yet, attempt to ventilate. Continue CPR. If you cannot
clear the airway with initial attempts, begin rapid transport and continue
efforts on the way to the hospital. If patient has mild or good air exchange,
monitor closely for deterioration of their condition. If patient is conscious,
3
Katelyn Whitman, All Rights Reserved © 2025
