Airway Exam Study Guide
Questions & Answers
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli. - ANSWERSAir
enters the body through the nose and passes into the NASOPHARYNX.
The OROPHARYNX forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity
The LARYNX marks where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins.
The function of the lower airway is to deliver oxygen to the alveoli
The TRACHEA, or WINDPIPE, is the conduit for air entry into the lungs.
Once in the thoracic cavity, the trachea divides at the level of the CARINA, into the two
mainstream BRONCHI
The hollow bronchi are supported by cartilage and distribute air into the right and left lungs
Once entering the lungs, each BRONCHUS divides into increasingly smaller bronchi, which in
turn subdivide into BRONCHIOLES
The smaller bronchioles branch into alveolar ducts that end at the ALVEOLAR sacs
The ALVEOLI, located at the end of the airway, are millions of thin-walled, balloon like sacs that
serve as the functional site for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
(in short, to reach the lower airways, air travels through the trachea into each lung, first passing
through the left and right mainstream bronchus (larger airways), then on to the bronchioles
(smaller airways), and finally into the alveoli)
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs. - ANSWERSBy definition
diffusion is "a process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area
of lower concentration"
During inhalation, oxygen moves from the atmosphere into the lungs, then crosses the alveolar
membrane onto hemoglobin by a process called diffusion. Next, red blood cells carry the
hemoglobin and therefore oxygen, through the body, ultimately delivering it to the capillaries to
oxygenate the body's cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide, produced by cells in the tissues of
the body, moves from the blood into the AIR SACS by diffusion. The blood, enriched with
, oxygen, travels through the body by the pumping action of the heart. The carbon dioxide then
leaves the body during exhalation.
"eventually the air reaches the alveolar sacs where oxygen diffuses across the alveolar
membrane and enters the bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide diffuses from the
bloodstream into the alveoli"
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive and unresponsive
patients. - ANSWERSPerform head tilt-chin lift maneuver to clear an obstruction that has been
caused by the tongue and throat muscles relaxing back into the airway in any person who is
found unconscious. This should be performed on unresponsive patients with adequate or
inadequate breathing who are not suspected of having spinal trauma. If spinal trauma is
suspected, open the airway with a jaw-thrust maneuver. Large pieces of vomited food, mucus,
loose dentures, or blood clots in the mouth should be swept forward and out of the mouth with
your gloved index finger. When available, use suction to maintain a clear airway.
Abdominal thrusts are the most effective method of dislodging and forcing an object out of the
airway of a conscious adult or child. Residual air, which is always present in the lungs, is
compressed upward and used to expel the object. Use abdominal thrusts until the object
dislodges or the patient becomes unconscious.
For the unresponsive patient with a sever foreign body airway obstruction, reassess to confirm
apnea and inability to ventilate. Begin chest compression just as you would for CPR, following
the 30 compressions to 2 breaths ratio. At the completion of the 30 compressions, perform a
tongue-jaw lift by grasping the jaw with your thumb and index finger. Place your thumb onto
the tip of the patient's lower teeth and tongue while placing your index finger under the bony
portion of the chin. Be careful not to compress the soft tissues under the chin. Pull the
jaw/mouth open and look at the back of the oropharynx for any foreign objects. If an object is
observed, remove it with gloved index finger or suction. Only attempt to remove an object if it is
visible during examination of the open mouth; blind sweeps of the back of the oropharynx may
push an object father down in the airway, making the obstruction worse. On
Describe the indications for suctioning and describe the technique for doing so. - ANSWERSIf
you hear gurgling, the pt needs suctioning!!!
1. Turn on the assembled suction unit. To test the suction, clamp the tubing, and make sure that
the unit generates a vacuum of more Tham 300 mm Hg.
Questions & Answers
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli. - ANSWERSAir
enters the body through the nose and passes into the NASOPHARYNX.
The OROPHARYNX forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity
The LARYNX marks where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins.
The function of the lower airway is to deliver oxygen to the alveoli
The TRACHEA, or WINDPIPE, is the conduit for air entry into the lungs.
Once in the thoracic cavity, the trachea divides at the level of the CARINA, into the two
mainstream BRONCHI
The hollow bronchi are supported by cartilage and distribute air into the right and left lungs
Once entering the lungs, each BRONCHUS divides into increasingly smaller bronchi, which in
turn subdivide into BRONCHIOLES
The smaller bronchioles branch into alveolar ducts that end at the ALVEOLAR sacs
The ALVEOLI, located at the end of the airway, are millions of thin-walled, balloon like sacs that
serve as the functional site for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
(in short, to reach the lower airways, air travels through the trachea into each lung, first passing
through the left and right mainstream bronchus (larger airways), then on to the bronchioles
(smaller airways), and finally into the alveoli)
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs. - ANSWERSBy definition
diffusion is "a process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area
of lower concentration"
During inhalation, oxygen moves from the atmosphere into the lungs, then crosses the alveolar
membrane onto hemoglobin by a process called diffusion. Next, red blood cells carry the
hemoglobin and therefore oxygen, through the body, ultimately delivering it to the capillaries to
oxygenate the body's cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide, produced by cells in the tissues of
the body, moves from the blood into the AIR SACS by diffusion. The blood, enriched with
, oxygen, travels through the body by the pumping action of the heart. The carbon dioxide then
leaves the body during exhalation.
"eventually the air reaches the alveolar sacs where oxygen diffuses across the alveolar
membrane and enters the bloodstream. At the same time, carbon dioxide diffuses from the
bloodstream into the alveoli"
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive and unresponsive
patients. - ANSWERSPerform head tilt-chin lift maneuver to clear an obstruction that has been
caused by the tongue and throat muscles relaxing back into the airway in any person who is
found unconscious. This should be performed on unresponsive patients with adequate or
inadequate breathing who are not suspected of having spinal trauma. If spinal trauma is
suspected, open the airway with a jaw-thrust maneuver. Large pieces of vomited food, mucus,
loose dentures, or blood clots in the mouth should be swept forward and out of the mouth with
your gloved index finger. When available, use suction to maintain a clear airway.
Abdominal thrusts are the most effective method of dislodging and forcing an object out of the
airway of a conscious adult or child. Residual air, which is always present in the lungs, is
compressed upward and used to expel the object. Use abdominal thrusts until the object
dislodges or the patient becomes unconscious.
For the unresponsive patient with a sever foreign body airway obstruction, reassess to confirm
apnea and inability to ventilate. Begin chest compression just as you would for CPR, following
the 30 compressions to 2 breaths ratio. At the completion of the 30 compressions, perform a
tongue-jaw lift by grasping the jaw with your thumb and index finger. Place your thumb onto
the tip of the patient's lower teeth and tongue while placing your index finger under the bony
portion of the chin. Be careful not to compress the soft tissues under the chin. Pull the
jaw/mouth open and look at the back of the oropharynx for any foreign objects. If an object is
observed, remove it with gloved index finger or suction. Only attempt to remove an object if it is
visible during examination of the open mouth; blind sweeps of the back of the oropharynx may
push an object father down in the airway, making the obstruction worse. On
Describe the indications for suctioning and describe the technique for doing so. - ANSWERSIf
you hear gurgling, the pt needs suctioning!!!
1. Turn on the assembled suction unit. To test the suction, clamp the tubing, and make sure that
the unit generates a vacuum of more Tham 300 mm Hg.
