EMT 110 UNIT AIRWAY EXAM QUESTIONS & VERIFIED
ANSWERS
nasopharynx - Answers - Region of the pharynx at the back of the nose and above the
soft palate. Humidifies air, protects respiratory system from contaminants.
oropharynx - Answers - central portion of the pharynx between the roof of the mouth
and the upper edge of the epiglottis
laryngopharynx - Answers - lower part of the pharynx, just below the oropharyngeal
opening into the larynx (anterior) and esophagus (posterior)
Epiglottis - Answers - A flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and prevents food from
entering.
Larynx - Answers - voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea;
contains vocal cords
thyroid cartilage - Answers - A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of
the larynx; the Adam's apple.
cricothyroid membrane - Answers - A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and
cricoid cartilages that make up the larynx.
cricoid cartilage - Answers - A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the
larynx.
Trachea - Answers - Main trunk for passing air to and from lungs. 5 inches long. Made
up of cartilage rings
carina - Answers - Where the trachea divides into the left and right bronchi
Bronchi - Answers - two short branches located at the lower end of the trachea that
carry air into the lungs.
- divide into smaller and smaller bronchi
Bronchioles - Answers - smallest branches of the bronchi (dilate/constrict)
Alveoli - Answers - tiny sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gases
between air and blood (respiration)
Ventilation - Answers - movement of air into and out of the lungs
, Respiration - Answers - Exchange of gas in alveoli/capillaries/body tissues
internal respiration - Answers - exchange of gases in systemic circulatory system and
cells of body
external respiration - Answers - exchange of gases between alveoli and pulmonary
capillaries
respiratory control center - Answers - centers located in the medulla and pons that
stimulate the muscles of respiration
Respiratory control Mechanism - Answers - Regulates ventilation through complex
series of receptors meant to sense gas concentrations in body fluid and send messages
to respiratory control center to adjust rate/depth of ventilations
Chemoreceptors - Answers - chemical sensors in the brain and blood vessels that
identify changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide
central chemoreceptors - Answers - Receptors in the central nervous system that
monitor the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels of cerebrospinal fluid to help regulate
ventilation rate.
peripheral chemoreceptors - Answers - Receptors in the carotid arteries and the aorta
that monitor blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels to help regulate ventilation
rate.
Nerves in respiratory control mechanism? - Answers - ?
hypercapnia - Answers - excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, typically caused
by inadequate respiration.
Hypoxic drive - Answers - Backup system in which chronically low levels of oxygen in
the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.
(COPD)
Target pulse oximetry - Answers - Greater than 94%
Signs of respiratory distress - Answers - -Airway: Open with no support
-Respiratory Rate: Tachypnea
-Respiratory Effort: Increased
-Lung sounds: Clear
-Heart Rate: Tachycardia
-Responsiveness: agitated
-Appearance: pale
signs of respiratory failure - Answers - -Airway: possibly obstructed
ANSWERS
nasopharynx - Answers - Region of the pharynx at the back of the nose and above the
soft palate. Humidifies air, protects respiratory system from contaminants.
oropharynx - Answers - central portion of the pharynx between the roof of the mouth
and the upper edge of the epiglottis
laryngopharynx - Answers - lower part of the pharynx, just below the oropharyngeal
opening into the larynx (anterior) and esophagus (posterior)
Epiglottis - Answers - A flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and prevents food from
entering.
Larynx - Answers - voice box; passageway for air moving from pharynx to trachea;
contains vocal cords
thyroid cartilage - Answers - A firm prominence of cartilage that forms the upper part of
the larynx; the Adam's apple.
cricothyroid membrane - Answers - A thin sheet of fascia that connects the thyroid and
cricoid cartilages that make up the larynx.
cricoid cartilage - Answers - A firm ridge of cartilage that forms the lower part of the
larynx.
Trachea - Answers - Main trunk for passing air to and from lungs. 5 inches long. Made
up of cartilage rings
carina - Answers - Where the trachea divides into the left and right bronchi
Bronchi - Answers - two short branches located at the lower end of the trachea that
carry air into the lungs.
- divide into smaller and smaller bronchi
Bronchioles - Answers - smallest branches of the bronchi (dilate/constrict)
Alveoli - Answers - tiny sacs of lung tissue specialized for the movement of gases
between air and blood (respiration)
Ventilation - Answers - movement of air into and out of the lungs
, Respiration - Answers - Exchange of gas in alveoli/capillaries/body tissues
internal respiration - Answers - exchange of gases in systemic circulatory system and
cells of body
external respiration - Answers - exchange of gases between alveoli and pulmonary
capillaries
respiratory control center - Answers - centers located in the medulla and pons that
stimulate the muscles of respiration
Respiratory control Mechanism - Answers - Regulates ventilation through complex
series of receptors meant to sense gas concentrations in body fluid and send messages
to respiratory control center to adjust rate/depth of ventilations
Chemoreceptors - Answers - chemical sensors in the brain and blood vessels that
identify changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide
central chemoreceptors - Answers - Receptors in the central nervous system that
monitor the oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels of cerebrospinal fluid to help regulate
ventilation rate.
peripheral chemoreceptors - Answers - Receptors in the carotid arteries and the aorta
that monitor blood oxygen, carbon dioxide, and pH levels to help regulate ventilation
rate.
Nerves in respiratory control mechanism? - Answers - ?
hypercapnia - Answers - excessive carbon dioxide in the bloodstream, typically caused
by inadequate respiration.
Hypoxic drive - Answers - Backup system in which chronically low levels of oxygen in
the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases.
(COPD)
Target pulse oximetry - Answers - Greater than 94%
Signs of respiratory distress - Answers - -Airway: Open with no support
-Respiratory Rate: Tachypnea
-Respiratory Effort: Increased
-Lung sounds: Clear
-Heart Rate: Tachycardia
-Responsiveness: agitated
-Appearance: pale
signs of respiratory failure - Answers - -Airway: possibly obstructed
