HAN 477: MEDICAL EMERGENCIES
FINAL REVIEW - KEY CONCEPTS AND
PROTOCOLS. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Inadequate breathing signs - ANS Signs include respiratory rate >30 or <6 breaths/min, O2
saturation <90%, use of accessory muscles, inability to lie supine, tachycardia >140 bpm, altered
mental status, inability to clear secretions, cyanosis of lips or nail beds, unequal or shallow chest
expansion, and skin that is pale, cyanotic, cool, or moist.
Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA) - ANS An airway adjunct that prevents the tongue from
obstructing the airway. Indicated for unresponsive patients without a gag reflex and apneic
patients being ventilated. Contraindicated in conscious patients with an intact gag reflex.
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA) - ANS An airway adjunct used for semiconscious or
unconscious patients with an intact gag reflex who cannot maintain their airway.
Contraindicated in suspected head injuries, possible skull fractures, or fractured nasal bones.
Nasal Cannula - ANS A low-flow oxygen device with two prongs placed in the nostrils. Flow
rate is 1-6 L/min, delivering 24-44% oxygen. Indicated for patients breathing adequately with
mild hypoxia. Contraindicated in severe respiratory distress or patients needing high oxygen
concentration.
Non-Rebreather Mask - ANS A mask with a reservoir and one-way valves that prevents
exhaled air from entering the bag. Flow rate is 10-15 L/min, delivering 60-95% oxygen. Indicated
for moderate to severe hypoxia in patients still breathing on their own.
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,Bag Valve Mask (BVM) - ANS A manual ventilation device used to deliver breaths to a patient
who cannot breathe effectively. Flow rate is 15 L/min, delivering up to 100% oxygen. Indicated
for respiratory failure, respiratory arrest, or very inadequate breathing.
Allergic Reaction - ANS An immune response to an allergen that can cause symptoms such as
hives, itching, swelling, and respiratory distress. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening form of
allergic reaction.
Signs of Allergic Reaction - ANS Symptoms include histamine release causing swelling,
rash/hives, broncoconstriction, hypotension, and increased mucus production.
Epinephrine Dose for Anaphylaxis - ANS The recommended dose of epinephrine is 0.3 mg IM
for adults and 0.15 mg IM for children.
SAMPLE History - ANS A mnemonic used in patient assessment that stands for
Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last Oral Intake, and Events
Leading Up.
OPQRST - ANS A mnemonic used for pain assessment that stands for Onset, Provocation,
Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Time.
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration - ANS A pattern of breathing characterized by cycles of deep
breathing followed by periods of apnea, often seen in severe brain injury.
Kussmaul Respiration - ANS Deep, gasping respirations associated with metabolic acidosis,
such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Pneumothorax - ANS A condition where air enters the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
Signs include respiratory distress, tachycardia, chest pain, hypotension, and decreased breath
sounds on one side.
Capnography - ANS The measurement of end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) in exhaled air, used to
monitor ventilation, confirm endotracheal tube placement, and assess CPR effectiveness.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 21
, Types of Hypersensitivity Reactions - ANS There are four types: Type I (acute/immediate, e.g.,
anaphylaxis), Type II (cytotoxic, e.g., drug-induced hemolytic anemia), Type III (immune complex
deposition, e.g., serum sickness), and Type IV (delayed, e.g., contact dermatitis).
Asthma - ANS A chronic inflammatory airway disease causing broncoconstriction and airway
obstruction. Diagnosed through history, pulmonary function tests, and clinical symptoms.
Meningitis - ANS An inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal
cord, often caused by infection. Symptoms may include fever, headache, and stiff neck.
Agonal Respirations - ANS Gasping breaths that occur near cardiac arrest, indicating severe
respiratory distress.
Lung Sounds: Wheezes - ANS High-pitched sounds caused by airway narrowing, commonly
associated with asthma and COPD.
Lung Sounds: Crackles (Rales) - ANS Sounds indicating fluid in the alveoli, often associated
with conditions like CHF and pneumonia.
Lung Sounds: Rhonchi - ANS Low-pitched sounds caused by mucus in the airway, commonly
heard in bronchitis.
Lung Sounds: Stridor - ANS A high-pitched sound indicating upper airway obstruction.
DOPE Mnemonic - ANS A mnemonic for troubleshooting ventilator issues: Displacement
(tube moved), Obstruction, Pneumothorax, Equipment failure.
AVPU Scale - ANS A scale used to assess the level of consciousness: Alert, Verbal response,
Pain response, Unresponsive.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 21
FINAL REVIEW - KEY CONCEPTS AND
PROTOCOLS. EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 2026 VERIFIED.
Inadequate breathing signs - ANS Signs include respiratory rate >30 or <6 breaths/min, O2
saturation <90%, use of accessory muscles, inability to lie supine, tachycardia >140 bpm, altered
mental status, inability to clear secretions, cyanosis of lips or nail beds, unequal or shallow chest
expansion, and skin that is pale, cyanotic, cool, or moist.
Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA) - ANS An airway adjunct that prevents the tongue from
obstructing the airway. Indicated for unresponsive patients without a gag reflex and apneic
patients being ventilated. Contraindicated in conscious patients with an intact gag reflex.
Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA) - ANS An airway adjunct used for semiconscious or
unconscious patients with an intact gag reflex who cannot maintain their airway.
Contraindicated in suspected head injuries, possible skull fractures, or fractured nasal bones.
Nasal Cannula - ANS A low-flow oxygen device with two prongs placed in the nostrils. Flow
rate is 1-6 L/min, delivering 24-44% oxygen. Indicated for patients breathing adequately with
mild hypoxia. Contraindicated in severe respiratory distress or patients needing high oxygen
concentration.
Non-Rebreather Mask - ANS A mask with a reservoir and one-way valves that prevents
exhaled air from entering the bag. Flow rate is 10-15 L/min, delivering 60-95% oxygen. Indicated
for moderate to severe hypoxia in patients still breathing on their own.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 1 OF 21
,Bag Valve Mask (BVM) - ANS A manual ventilation device used to deliver breaths to a patient
who cannot breathe effectively. Flow rate is 15 L/min, delivering up to 100% oxygen. Indicated
for respiratory failure, respiratory arrest, or very inadequate breathing.
Allergic Reaction - ANS An immune response to an allergen that can cause symptoms such as
hives, itching, swelling, and respiratory distress. Anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening form of
allergic reaction.
Signs of Allergic Reaction - ANS Symptoms include histamine release causing swelling,
rash/hives, broncoconstriction, hypotension, and increased mucus production.
Epinephrine Dose for Anaphylaxis - ANS The recommended dose of epinephrine is 0.3 mg IM
for adults and 0.15 mg IM for children.
SAMPLE History - ANS A mnemonic used in patient assessment that stands for
Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last Oral Intake, and Events
Leading Up.
OPQRST - ANS A mnemonic used for pain assessment that stands for Onset, Provocation,
Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Time.
Cheyne-Stokes Respiration - ANS A pattern of breathing characterized by cycles of deep
breathing followed by periods of apnea, often seen in severe brain injury.
Kussmaul Respiration - ANS Deep, gasping respirations associated with metabolic acidosis,
such as diabetic ketoacidosis.
Pneumothorax - ANS A condition where air enters the pleural space, causing lung collapse.
Signs include respiratory distress, tachycardia, chest pain, hypotension, and decreased breath
sounds on one side.
Capnography - ANS The measurement of end-tidal CO2 (ETCO2) in exhaled air, used to
monitor ventilation, confirm endotracheal tube placement, and assess CPR effectiveness.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 2 OF 21
, Types of Hypersensitivity Reactions - ANS There are four types: Type I (acute/immediate, e.g.,
anaphylaxis), Type II (cytotoxic, e.g., drug-induced hemolytic anemia), Type III (immune complex
deposition, e.g., serum sickness), and Type IV (delayed, e.g., contact dermatitis).
Asthma - ANS A chronic inflammatory airway disease causing broncoconstriction and airway
obstruction. Diagnosed through history, pulmonary function tests, and clinical symptoms.
Meningitis - ANS An inflammation of the protective membranes covering the brain and spinal
cord, often caused by infection. Symptoms may include fever, headache, and stiff neck.
Agonal Respirations - ANS Gasping breaths that occur near cardiac arrest, indicating severe
respiratory distress.
Lung Sounds: Wheezes - ANS High-pitched sounds caused by airway narrowing, commonly
associated with asthma and COPD.
Lung Sounds: Crackles (Rales) - ANS Sounds indicating fluid in the alveoli, often associated
with conditions like CHF and pneumonia.
Lung Sounds: Rhonchi - ANS Low-pitched sounds caused by mucus in the airway, commonly
heard in bronchitis.
Lung Sounds: Stridor - ANS A high-pitched sound indicating upper airway obstruction.
DOPE Mnemonic - ANS A mnemonic for troubleshooting ventilator issues: Displacement
(tube moved), Obstruction, Pneumothorax, Equipment failure.
AVPU Scale - ANS A scale used to assess the level of consciousness: Alert, Verbal response,
Pain response, Unresponsive.
@COPYRIGHT ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PAGE 3 OF 21
