OCEMT Airway Exam Study Guide
Questions and Answers
Preferred suction catheter for suctioning the "oropharynnx" - Answer-rigid tip, tonsil tip, yankauer
catheter
How do we measure for placement of an OPA - Answer-from earlobe to corner of mouth
What is the proper sequence for suctioning of a patient's airway ? - Answer-properly assembled,
measure, turn patient to the side, suction in a circular motion no more than 15 secs, need good
ventilation
Understand the etiology of wheezing. What part of your lungs are obstructed? - Answer-lower airway
obstruction, constriction and/or inflammation of the bronchus, asthma, COPD
Understand the etiology of snoring. What part of your lungs are obstructed? - Answer-Upper airway
obstruction, oropharynx, result of tongue obstruction
What is most likely the cause of snoring respirations? - Answer-partial upper airway obstruction
How do we open a patient's airway when we are NOT concerned with a cervical injury? - Answer-head-
tilt chin lift
, how do we open a patient's airway when we ARE concerned with a cervical injury? - Answer-Jaw-thrust
maneuver
Indications and contraindications: OPA - Answer-Indications: unresponsive patient with out a gag reflex,
apnetic patient, ventilated with a BVM
Contradictions: conscious patient: patient with a gag reflex
Indications and contraindications: NPAS - Answer-indications: semiconscious or unconscious with a gag
reflex, will not tolerate OPA
Contradictions: severe head injury with blood draining from nose, history of fractured nasal bone
What are we looking for while assessing a patient's respiratory effort? - Answer-respiratory rate, regular
inhalation and exhalation, clear equal lung sounds, equal chest rise and fall, adequate depth
most likely cause of airway obstruction in an adult - Answer-tongue
if we encounter a conscious adult patient that appears to be choking, he is able to speak but is coughing,
how should we proceed? - Answer-encourage to continue coughing
Best suction catheter for adult patient that is choking on pureed food? - Answer-rigid tip, tonsil tip,
yankauer catheter
signs of upper airway obstruction? how will the patient be positioned? - Answer-bubbling, gurgling,
snoring, stridor or tripod position
What is the time limit for suctioning of a patient's airway before reattempting oxygenation? - Answer-
15 seconds
Questions and Answers
Preferred suction catheter for suctioning the "oropharynnx" - Answer-rigid tip, tonsil tip, yankauer
catheter
How do we measure for placement of an OPA - Answer-from earlobe to corner of mouth
What is the proper sequence for suctioning of a patient's airway ? - Answer-properly assembled,
measure, turn patient to the side, suction in a circular motion no more than 15 secs, need good
ventilation
Understand the etiology of wheezing. What part of your lungs are obstructed? - Answer-lower airway
obstruction, constriction and/or inflammation of the bronchus, asthma, COPD
Understand the etiology of snoring. What part of your lungs are obstructed? - Answer-Upper airway
obstruction, oropharynx, result of tongue obstruction
What is most likely the cause of snoring respirations? - Answer-partial upper airway obstruction
How do we open a patient's airway when we are NOT concerned with a cervical injury? - Answer-head-
tilt chin lift
, how do we open a patient's airway when we ARE concerned with a cervical injury? - Answer-Jaw-thrust
maneuver
Indications and contraindications: OPA - Answer-Indications: unresponsive patient with out a gag reflex,
apnetic patient, ventilated with a BVM
Contradictions: conscious patient: patient with a gag reflex
Indications and contraindications: NPAS - Answer-indications: semiconscious or unconscious with a gag
reflex, will not tolerate OPA
Contradictions: severe head injury with blood draining from nose, history of fractured nasal bone
What are we looking for while assessing a patient's respiratory effort? - Answer-respiratory rate, regular
inhalation and exhalation, clear equal lung sounds, equal chest rise and fall, adequate depth
most likely cause of airway obstruction in an adult - Answer-tongue
if we encounter a conscious adult patient that appears to be choking, he is able to speak but is coughing,
how should we proceed? - Answer-encourage to continue coughing
Best suction catheter for adult patient that is choking on pureed food? - Answer-rigid tip, tonsil tip,
yankauer catheter
signs of upper airway obstruction? how will the patient be positioned? - Answer-bubbling, gurgling,
snoring, stridor or tripod position
What is the time limit for suctioning of a patient's airway before reattempting oxygenation? - Answer-
15 seconds
