UCLA EMT- Airway Exam Questions and
Answers
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli
CORRECT ANSWERS air travels through the trachea into each lung, passing through
the main stem bronchus through the bronchioles and finally to the alveoli
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs CORRECT ANSWERS
Diffusion- movement of gas from an area of high concentration to lower concentration
- O2 enters the alveoli from inhalation through the alveolar walls into the capillaries
surrounding it
>>> O2 bonds w hemoglobin in RBCs and carries it to the heart (now oxygenated)
>>>CO2 diffuses out of alveoli and travels up bronchial tree then out upper airway
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive and
unresponsive patients. CORRECT ANSWERS h
Describe the indications for suctioning and describe the technique for doing so
CORRECT ANSWERS -if the airway is not clear; gurgling sounds; these fluids and
secretions must be removed so they don't go into the lungs
1. turn on suction
2. clamp tubing
3. measure from corner of the jaw to the mouth
4. turn the patients head to the side
5. suction in circular motion
- suction the airway for up to 15 seconds
- ensure patient oxygenation
- rinse the catheter and tubing between suction attempts
Contrast the rigid suction and soft suction catheter including when to use each
CORRECT ANSWERS RIGID
1. Yankauer tips
2. DuCanto
- rigid so it doesn't collapse
-for tonsil areas
NONRIGID
1. french / whistle-tip catheters
- suction nose & thin secretions in back of mouth
, List the indications for the head tilt chin-lift and jaw thrust maneuvers CORRECT
ANSWERS head tilt chin lift- used for most patients to simply open the airway and
relieve an obstruction
jaw thrust maneuver- use for patients w suspected c. spinal injuries
>> place finger son angle of jaw, move it upward and hold position
Describe the technique for applying an oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway
CORRECT ANSWERS OPA
- keeps the tongue from blocking airway; suction oropharynx more easily
>>DON'T USE W GAG REFLEX PATIENTS
---useful for patient who stops breathing (apneic) thats alr using a BVM
-insert; rotate 180 degree angle once u feel resistance
NPA
>> for patient w gag reflex
- coat it w lube first!!!
---measure tip of nose to earlobe; lube it; insert in nose; when u feel resistance rotate it
180 degrees
Nasal Cannula CORRECT ANSWERS - patients w mild hypoxia
- flow rate: 1 to 6 L/min
- 24-44% O2 delivered
Nonrebreathing mask CORRECT ANSWERS -hypoxemic (Low O2 in blood) patients
who are otherwise breathing adequately
- flow rate:10 to 15 L/min
- 90% O2 delivered
BVM (bag-valve mask) CORRECT ANSWERS - 15 L/min
- nearly 100% of O2
- patients w respiratory arrest & failure and cardiac failure ; Cyanotic; <10 or >30 bpm
-squeeze bag enough to see rise and fall in chest (if using high flow O2)
- need NPA or OPA
- squeeze every 6 seconds adults; 2-3 seconds children -absent lung sounds!
Pertussis CORRECT ANSWERS -whooping cough
- Fever
-Kids under age of 6
CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) CORRECT ANSWERS - respiratory
distress; crackles
-MUST be alert (conscious)!!!
- SpO2 <90%
- prevents alveolar collapse
Answers
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli
CORRECT ANSWERS air travels through the trachea into each lung, passing through
the main stem bronchus through the bronchioles and finally to the alveoli
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs CORRECT ANSWERS
Diffusion- movement of gas from an area of high concentration to lower concentration
- O2 enters the alveoli from inhalation through the alveolar walls into the capillaries
surrounding it
>>> O2 bonds w hemoglobin in RBCs and carries it to the heart (now oxygenated)
>>>CO2 diffuses out of alveoli and travels up bronchial tree then out upper airway
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive and
unresponsive patients. CORRECT ANSWERS h
Describe the indications for suctioning and describe the technique for doing so
CORRECT ANSWERS -if the airway is not clear; gurgling sounds; these fluids and
secretions must be removed so they don't go into the lungs
1. turn on suction
2. clamp tubing
3. measure from corner of the jaw to the mouth
4. turn the patients head to the side
5. suction in circular motion
- suction the airway for up to 15 seconds
- ensure patient oxygenation
- rinse the catheter and tubing between suction attempts
Contrast the rigid suction and soft suction catheter including when to use each
CORRECT ANSWERS RIGID
1. Yankauer tips
2. DuCanto
- rigid so it doesn't collapse
-for tonsil areas
NONRIGID
1. french / whistle-tip catheters
- suction nose & thin secretions in back of mouth
, List the indications for the head tilt chin-lift and jaw thrust maneuvers CORRECT
ANSWERS head tilt chin lift- used for most patients to simply open the airway and
relieve an obstruction
jaw thrust maneuver- use for patients w suspected c. spinal injuries
>> place finger son angle of jaw, move it upward and hold position
Describe the technique for applying an oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airway
CORRECT ANSWERS OPA
- keeps the tongue from blocking airway; suction oropharynx more easily
>>DON'T USE W GAG REFLEX PATIENTS
---useful for patient who stops breathing (apneic) thats alr using a BVM
-insert; rotate 180 degree angle once u feel resistance
NPA
>> for patient w gag reflex
- coat it w lube first!!!
---measure tip of nose to earlobe; lube it; insert in nose; when u feel resistance rotate it
180 degrees
Nasal Cannula CORRECT ANSWERS - patients w mild hypoxia
- flow rate: 1 to 6 L/min
- 24-44% O2 delivered
Nonrebreathing mask CORRECT ANSWERS -hypoxemic (Low O2 in blood) patients
who are otherwise breathing adequately
- flow rate:10 to 15 L/min
- 90% O2 delivered
BVM (bag-valve mask) CORRECT ANSWERS - 15 L/min
- nearly 100% of O2
- patients w respiratory arrest & failure and cardiac failure ; Cyanotic; <10 or >30 bpm
-squeeze bag enough to see rise and fall in chest (if using high flow O2)
- need NPA or OPA
- squeeze every 6 seconds adults; 2-3 seconds children -absent lung sounds!
Pertussis CORRECT ANSWERS -whooping cough
- Fever
-Kids under age of 6
CPAP (Continuous positive airway pressure) CORRECT ANSWERS - respiratory
distress; crackles
-MUST be alert (conscious)!!!
- SpO2 <90%
- prevents alveolar collapse
