EMT Airway and Breathing Practice Test
Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What is the maximum flow rate for a Nasal Cannula?
A. 2 lpm
B. 8 lpm
C. 12 lpm
D. 6 lpm - CORRECT ANSWER D. 6 lpm
Explanation: A nasal cannula used to administer O2 at flow rates from 2 - 6 LPM, delivering an O2
concentration so 28 - 44%
What is the following device ?
A device designed to facilitate the blind intubation of a patient. It consists of a cuffed double-lumen
tube with one blind end. Inflation of the cuff allows the device to function as an endotracheal tube and
closes off the esophagus, allowing ventilation and preventing reflux of gastric contents.
A. Nasal Gastric Tube
B. Dual Lumen Airway
C. Endothracheal Tube
D. Non Rebreather - CORRECT ANSWER B. Dual Lumen Airway
Explanation: This device is also known as a Combi-Tube
In order to provide Oxygen Therapy at "100%" what should the flow rate be?
A. 12-15 LPM
B. 100 LPM
C. 20-24 LPM
,D. 2-6 LPM - CORRECT ANSWER A. 12-15 LPM
Explanation: 12-15 LPM administered via a NBR or Non Rebreather mask is considered "100% O2"
What airway opening maneuver should be used on a man that has fallen off a ladder and is suffering
from respiratory distress?
A. Head Tilt - Chin Lift
B. Intubation
C. Bite Block
D. Jaw Thrust - CORRECT ANSWER D. Jaw Thrust
Explanation: The "Jaw Thrust" maneuver should be used to open the airway of any patient who has
suffered a traumatic injury
A device that delivers a specific amount of medication to the lungs, in the form of a short burst of
aerosolized medicine that is inhaled by the patient is known as a(n)?
A. Nebulizer
B. Aero Chamber
C. Metered Dose Inhaler
D. Albuterol infuser - CORRECT ANSWER C. Metered Dose Inhaler
Explanation: A Metered Dose Inhaler is commonly used to treat Asthma, Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease, and other respiratory problems.
The anatomy of the airway consists of the upper and the lower airways. The upper airway starts at the
mouth and Nares and ends at the _________?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Cricoid cartilage
, D. Vocal cords - CORRECT ANSWER C. Cricoid cartilage
Explanation: The airway is divided into two different anatomical locations; the upper airway and
lower airway. The upper airway starts where air enters the body - the nose (Nares) and the mouth. Air
will pass through the nose and is filtered and warmed before passing through the remainder of the
upper airway and entering the lower airway. The upper airway ends at the Cricoid cartilage, the distal
end of the larynx. The Thyroid cartilage is located at the proximal end of the larynx.
The tongue often is a source of airway obstruction; it falls back and occludes the _________?
A. Larynx
B. Trachea
C. Nasopharynx
D. Pharynx - CORRECT ANSWER D. Pharynx
Explanation: The pharynx or throat is often occluded by the tongue falling back and obstructing air
flow. When air enters the nostrils it passes through the nasopharynx, then the oropharynx, and then the
pharynx before it enters the trachea. Jaw thrust or chin lift will pull the tongue off the back of the
pharynx to open the airway allowing air flow to the lungs. The trachea is too distal for the tongue to
occlude it.
The lower airway ends at the Alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen moves to the hemoglobin
by passing through a semipermeable membrane. Where does this occur?
A. Capillary bed
B. Bronchioles
C. Capillary blood
D. Veinules - CORRECT ANSWER A. Capillary bed
Explanation: Within each air sac, the oxygen concentration is high, so oxygen passes or diffuses
across the alveolar membrane into the pulmonary capillary. At the beginning of the pulmonary
capillary, the hemoglobin in the red blood cells has carbon dioxide bound to it and very little oxygen.
The oxygen binds to hemoglobin and the carbon dioxide is released. Carbon dioxide is also released
from sodium bicarbonate dissolved in the blood of the pulmonary capillary. The concentration of
carbon dioxide is high in the pulmonary capillary, so carbon dioxide leaves the blood and passes
across the alveolar membrane into the air sac. This exchange of gases occurs rapidly (fractions of a
Exam ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS
What is the maximum flow rate for a Nasal Cannula?
A. 2 lpm
B. 8 lpm
C. 12 lpm
D. 6 lpm - CORRECT ANSWER D. 6 lpm
Explanation: A nasal cannula used to administer O2 at flow rates from 2 - 6 LPM, delivering an O2
concentration so 28 - 44%
What is the following device ?
A device designed to facilitate the blind intubation of a patient. It consists of a cuffed double-lumen
tube with one blind end. Inflation of the cuff allows the device to function as an endotracheal tube and
closes off the esophagus, allowing ventilation and preventing reflux of gastric contents.
A. Nasal Gastric Tube
B. Dual Lumen Airway
C. Endothracheal Tube
D. Non Rebreather - CORRECT ANSWER B. Dual Lumen Airway
Explanation: This device is also known as a Combi-Tube
In order to provide Oxygen Therapy at "100%" what should the flow rate be?
A. 12-15 LPM
B. 100 LPM
C. 20-24 LPM
,D. 2-6 LPM - CORRECT ANSWER A. 12-15 LPM
Explanation: 12-15 LPM administered via a NBR or Non Rebreather mask is considered "100% O2"
What airway opening maneuver should be used on a man that has fallen off a ladder and is suffering
from respiratory distress?
A. Head Tilt - Chin Lift
B. Intubation
C. Bite Block
D. Jaw Thrust - CORRECT ANSWER D. Jaw Thrust
Explanation: The "Jaw Thrust" maneuver should be used to open the airway of any patient who has
suffered a traumatic injury
A device that delivers a specific amount of medication to the lungs, in the form of a short burst of
aerosolized medicine that is inhaled by the patient is known as a(n)?
A. Nebulizer
B. Aero Chamber
C. Metered Dose Inhaler
D. Albuterol infuser - CORRECT ANSWER C. Metered Dose Inhaler
Explanation: A Metered Dose Inhaler is commonly used to treat Asthma, Chronic Obstructive
Pulmonary Disease, and other respiratory problems.
The anatomy of the airway consists of the upper and the lower airways. The upper airway starts at the
mouth and Nares and ends at the _________?
A. Thyroid cartilage
B. Epiglottis
C. Cricoid cartilage
, D. Vocal cords - CORRECT ANSWER C. Cricoid cartilage
Explanation: The airway is divided into two different anatomical locations; the upper airway and
lower airway. The upper airway starts where air enters the body - the nose (Nares) and the mouth. Air
will pass through the nose and is filtered and warmed before passing through the remainder of the
upper airway and entering the lower airway. The upper airway ends at the Cricoid cartilage, the distal
end of the larynx. The Thyroid cartilage is located at the proximal end of the larynx.
The tongue often is a source of airway obstruction; it falls back and occludes the _________?
A. Larynx
B. Trachea
C. Nasopharynx
D. Pharynx - CORRECT ANSWER D. Pharynx
Explanation: The pharynx or throat is often occluded by the tongue falling back and obstructing air
flow. When air enters the nostrils it passes through the nasopharynx, then the oropharynx, and then the
pharynx before it enters the trachea. Jaw thrust or chin lift will pull the tongue off the back of the
pharynx to open the airway allowing air flow to the lungs. The trachea is too distal for the tongue to
occlude it.
The lower airway ends at the Alveoli, where gas exchange occurs. Oxygen moves to the hemoglobin
by passing through a semipermeable membrane. Where does this occur?
A. Capillary bed
B. Bronchioles
C. Capillary blood
D. Veinules - CORRECT ANSWER A. Capillary bed
Explanation: Within each air sac, the oxygen concentration is high, so oxygen passes or diffuses
across the alveolar membrane into the pulmonary capillary. At the beginning of the pulmonary
capillary, the hemoglobin in the red blood cells has carbon dioxide bound to it and very little oxygen.
The oxygen binds to hemoglobin and the carbon dioxide is released. Carbon dioxide is also released
from sodium bicarbonate dissolved in the blood of the pulmonary capillary. The concentration of
carbon dioxide is high in the pulmonary capillary, so carbon dioxide leaves the blood and passes
across the alveolar membrane into the air sac. This exchange of gases occurs rapidly (fractions of a
