Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions and Answers
100% Pass
A child in respiratory distress may grunt as the child breathes. This is a
result of
(A) increase tidal volume.
(B) an increased respiratory rate.
(C) creating pressure to help maintain open airways.
(D) an indication that the child is tired and will progress to respiratory
arrest. - ✔✔C. Grunting involves exhaling against a partially closed glottis.
This creates pressure to help maintain open lower airways similar to
pursed-lip breathing in adults with COPD. This short low-pitched sound is
often mistaken for whimpering and suggests severe hypoxia.
Respiratory acidosis is caused by
(A) an excess of bicarbonate.
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©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
,(B) excess carbon dioxide retention.
(C) a loss of bicarbonate.
(D) excess carbon dioxide excretion. - ✔✔B. Respiratory acidosis is caused
by excess carbon dioxide retention.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to assist for
proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
The absence of carbon dioxide in exhaled air indicates the endotracheal
tube has been
(A) placed in the right mainstem bronchus.
(B) correctly placed in the trachea.
(C) placed in the esophagus.
(D) placed in the left mainstem bronchus. - ✔✔C. The absence of carbon
dioxide likely indicates that the endotracheal tube has been placed in the
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©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
,esophagus. Verifying correct endotracheal tube placement is absolutely
essential. ETCO2 is only one method to assist in verification.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to assist for
proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
Your next action is to
(A) deflate the cuff, pull the endotracheal tube back 2 cm, and reassess
placement.
(B) secure the endotracheal tube and confirm correct placement by
auscultation.
(C) inflate the distal cuff with 7-10 cc of air and secure the endotracheal
tube.
(D) remove the endotracheal tube and provide several ventilations prior to
attempting intubation again. - ✔✔D. The endotracheal tube is likely placed
in the esophagus. Your next action is to remove the endotracheal tube and
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©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
, provide several ventilations with supplemental oxygen prior to attempting
another intubation.
Which of the following drugs is used for rapid sequence intubation?
(A) Vecuronium
(B) Succinylcholine
(C) Lidocaine and atropine
(D) All of the above - ✔✔D. All of the above. Vecuronium is a common
nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker. Lidocaine is commonly used in
RSI to prevent dysrhythmias associated with stimulation of the glottis
associated with intubation. Atropine is often administered to decrease the
incidence of bradycardia associated with the administration of
succinylcholine.
You are called for a 54-year-old woman who is unconscious. Your
assessment reveals the patient to be apneic and pulseless. Initial
management of this patient's airway should include
(A) assisted ventilation with a bag-valve device at 6-10 LPM.
(B) assisted ventilation with a nonrebreather mask at 10-15 LPM.
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©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
and Breathing Questions and Answers
100% Pass
A child in respiratory distress may grunt as the child breathes. This is a
result of
(A) increase tidal volume.
(B) an increased respiratory rate.
(C) creating pressure to help maintain open airways.
(D) an indication that the child is tired and will progress to respiratory
arrest. - ✔✔C. Grunting involves exhaling against a partially closed glottis.
This creates pressure to help maintain open lower airways similar to
pursed-lip breathing in adults with COPD. This short low-pitched sound is
often mistaken for whimpering and suggests severe hypoxia.
Respiratory acidosis is caused by
(A) an excess of bicarbonate.
1
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
,(B) excess carbon dioxide retention.
(C) a loss of bicarbonate.
(D) excess carbon dioxide excretion. - ✔✔B. Respiratory acidosis is caused
by excess carbon dioxide retention.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to assist for
proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
The absence of carbon dioxide in exhaled air indicates the endotracheal
tube has been
(A) placed in the right mainstem bronchus.
(B) correctly placed in the trachea.
(C) placed in the esophagus.
(D) placed in the left mainstem bronchus. - ✔✔C. The absence of carbon
dioxide likely indicates that the endotracheal tube has been placed in the
2
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
,esophagus. Verifying correct endotracheal tube placement is absolutely
essential. ETCO2 is only one method to assist in verification.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to assist for
proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
Your next action is to
(A) deflate the cuff, pull the endotracheal tube back 2 cm, and reassess
placement.
(B) secure the endotracheal tube and confirm correct placement by
auscultation.
(C) inflate the distal cuff with 7-10 cc of air and secure the endotracheal
tube.
(D) remove the endotracheal tube and provide several ventilations prior to
attempting intubation again. - ✔✔D. The endotracheal tube is likely placed
in the esophagus. Your next action is to remove the endotracheal tube and
3
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
, provide several ventilations with supplemental oxygen prior to attempting
another intubation.
Which of the following drugs is used for rapid sequence intubation?
(A) Vecuronium
(B) Succinylcholine
(C) Lidocaine and atropine
(D) All of the above - ✔✔D. All of the above. Vecuronium is a common
nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker. Lidocaine is commonly used in
RSI to prevent dysrhythmias associated with stimulation of the glottis
associated with intubation. Atropine is often administered to decrease the
incidence of bradycardia associated with the administration of
succinylcholine.
You are called for a 54-year-old woman who is unconscious. Your
assessment reveals the patient to be apneic and pulseless. Initial
management of this patient's airway should include
(A) assisted ventilation with a bag-valve device at 6-10 LPM.
(B) assisted ventilation with a nonrebreather mask at 10-15 LPM.
4
©JOSHCLAY 2024/2025. YEAR PUBLISHED 2024.
