West Coast EMT Block 2 Study Guide
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What should be done before inserting an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
✔✔Ensure the patient is unresponsive with no gag reflex
When is it appropriate to use a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
✔✔When the patient is semi-conscious or has an intact gag reflex
When should you avoid using an NPA?
✔✔When the patient has facial trauma or suspected skull fracture
What is the function of the alveoli?
✔✔Gas exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide
What is the primary stimulus for breathing in a healthy person?
✔✔Rising carbon dioxide levels in the blood
1
,What is the effect of suctioning for too long?
✔✔It can remove oxygen and cause hypoxia
What is the maximum time you should suction an adult airway?
✔✔15 seconds
What is the maximum time you should suction a child’s airway?
✔✔10 seconds
What is the maximum time you should suction an infant’s airway?
✔✔5 seconds
What is the name of the muscular structure that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity
and helps with breathing?
✔✔Diaphragm
What should be done immediately after inserting an airway adjunct?
✔✔Begin ventilation or monitor airway patency
2
,What is a sign of airway obstruction in a conscious adult?
✔✔Inability to speak or cough
What should you do for a conscious adult with a severe airway obstruction?
✔✔Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
What should you do for an unconscious adult with a foreign body airway obstruction?
✔✔Begin chest compressions
What is the preferred method of clearing an airway in an infant with a foreign body obstruction?
✔✔Back slaps and chest thrusts
When ventilating a patient with dentures, what should you do if the dentures are loose?
✔✔Remove them
When ventilating a patient with dentures that are stable, what should you do?
✔✔Leave them in place
3
, What type of mask should be used when giving oxygen to a patient with chest pain and adequate
breathing?
✔✔Nonrebreather mask
What condition is indicated by fast breathing, anxiety, and tingling in the fingers and lips?
✔✔Hyperventilation
What should you do if a patient begins to vomit during ventilation?
✔✔Turn them on their side and suction the airway
What is the proper method to open the airway of an unconscious patient with no suspected spinal
injury?
✔✔Head-tilt, chin-lift
What is the proper method to open the airway of an unconscious trauma patient with suspected
spinal injury?
✔✔Jaw-thrust maneuver
4
Questions and Answers | Latest
Version | 2025/2026 | Correct & Verified
What should be done before inserting an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
✔✔Ensure the patient is unresponsive with no gag reflex
When is it appropriate to use a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
✔✔When the patient is semi-conscious or has an intact gag reflex
When should you avoid using an NPA?
✔✔When the patient has facial trauma or suspected skull fracture
What is the function of the alveoli?
✔✔Gas exchange between oxygen and carbon dioxide
What is the primary stimulus for breathing in a healthy person?
✔✔Rising carbon dioxide levels in the blood
1
,What is the effect of suctioning for too long?
✔✔It can remove oxygen and cause hypoxia
What is the maximum time you should suction an adult airway?
✔✔15 seconds
What is the maximum time you should suction a child’s airway?
✔✔10 seconds
What is the maximum time you should suction an infant’s airway?
✔✔5 seconds
What is the name of the muscular structure that separates the chest from the abdominal cavity
and helps with breathing?
✔✔Diaphragm
What should be done immediately after inserting an airway adjunct?
✔✔Begin ventilation or monitor airway patency
2
,What is a sign of airway obstruction in a conscious adult?
✔✔Inability to speak or cough
What should you do for a conscious adult with a severe airway obstruction?
✔✔Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
What should you do for an unconscious adult with a foreign body airway obstruction?
✔✔Begin chest compressions
What is the preferred method of clearing an airway in an infant with a foreign body obstruction?
✔✔Back slaps and chest thrusts
When ventilating a patient with dentures, what should you do if the dentures are loose?
✔✔Remove them
When ventilating a patient with dentures that are stable, what should you do?
✔✔Leave them in place
3
, What type of mask should be used when giving oxygen to a patient with chest pain and adequate
breathing?
✔✔Nonrebreather mask
What condition is indicated by fast breathing, anxiety, and tingling in the fingers and lips?
✔✔Hyperventilation
What should you do if a patient begins to vomit during ventilation?
✔✔Turn them on their side and suction the airway
What is the proper method to open the airway of an unconscious patient with no suspected spinal
injury?
✔✔Head-tilt, chin-lift
What is the proper method to open the airway of an unconscious trauma patient with suspected
spinal injury?
✔✔Jaw-thrust maneuver
4
