UCLA EMT - Airway Exam Study
Guide Questions and Answers 100%
Pass
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli. - ✔✔Air
first enters the body through the nose or mouth and passes into the nasopharynx or
oropharynx. Then it goes to the oropharynx which forms the posterior portion of the
oral cavity. It goes into the larynx which marks the end of the upper airway and the
start of the lower airway. The lower airway functions to deliver oxygen to the alveoli.
After getting past the glottis and vocal cords, the air goes into the trachea (or windpipe)
as it is on its way to the lungs. Once in the thoracic cavity, the trachea divides at the
level of the carina (the internal ridge of the trachea) and into the two mainstream
bronchi. The hollow bronchi are supported by cartilage and distribute air into the right
and left lungs. Once the air enters the lungs, each bronchus divides into increasingly
smaller bronchi, which in turn subdivide into bronchioles. The smaller bronchioles
branch into alveolar ducts that end at the alveolar sacs. The alveoli is located at the end
of the airway and there are millions of these thin-walled, balloon-like sacs that serve as
the functional site for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs. - ✔✔Diffusion is when
molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
During inhalation, oxygen moves into the lungs and then crosses the alveolar
membrane into hemoglobin through diffusion. Red blood cells carry the hemoglobin
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, and therefore oxygen through the body, delivering it to capillaries to oxygenate the
body's cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide that is produced by the cells in the tissues
of the body moves from the blood into the alveoli by diffusion. The carbon dioxide then
leaves through exhalation.
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive and
unresponsive patients. - ✔✔If they are conscious, ask if they are choking and want help.
Grabbing of throat is universal sign of choking. Potential sounds of stridor. Use head tilt
chin lift to open the airway. This should only be done on unresponsive patients with
inadequate breathing who are not suspected of having spinal trauma. If there is possible
spinal trauma, use jaw thrust. large pieces of food, mucus, blood clots, and others
should be swept forward and out with a gloved index finger. If available, use a suction
to maintain a clear airway. Abdominal thrusts are most effective for conscious patients.
This is when residual air in the lungs are used and compressed so as to expel the object
out of the airway. If you can't reach around their body, or if they are pregnant, do
thrusts on their chest. Use abdominal thrusts until the object dislodges or the patient
becomes unconscious. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions. Follow the 30:2
ratio. Look at the back of the oropharynx for any foreign objects. If you can see it, try to
remove it with a gloved index finger or with suction. Do not blind sweep as it may push
the object farther down in the airway, making the obstruction worse. Once the object is
removed or nothing is seen in the airway yet, attempt to ventilate. Continue CPR. If you
cannot clear the airway with initial attempts, begin rapid transport and continue efforts
on the way to the hospital. If patient has mild or good air exchange, monitor closely for
deterioration of their condition. If patient is conscious, help to keep the airway position
that is most efficient and comfortable. Provide supplemental oxygen.
Describe the indications for suctioning and describe the technique for doing so. - ✔✔If
you hear gurgling, the patient needs suctioning. Turn on the unit and test the suction on
your gloves. Measure the catheter to the correct depth by measuring it from the corner
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Guide Questions and Answers 100%
Pass
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli. - ✔✔Air
first enters the body through the nose or mouth and passes into the nasopharynx or
oropharynx. Then it goes to the oropharynx which forms the posterior portion of the
oral cavity. It goes into the larynx which marks the end of the upper airway and the
start of the lower airway. The lower airway functions to deliver oxygen to the alveoli.
After getting past the glottis and vocal cords, the air goes into the trachea (or windpipe)
as it is on its way to the lungs. Once in the thoracic cavity, the trachea divides at the
level of the carina (the internal ridge of the trachea) and into the two mainstream
bronchi. The hollow bronchi are supported by cartilage and distribute air into the right
and left lungs. Once the air enters the lungs, each bronchus divides into increasingly
smaller bronchi, which in turn subdivide into bronchioles. The smaller bronchioles
branch into alveolar ducts that end at the alveolar sacs. The alveoli is located at the end
of the airway and there are millions of these thin-walled, balloon-like sacs that serve as
the functional site for the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
Define the process of diffusion and where it occurs in the lungs. - ✔✔Diffusion is when
molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration.
During inhalation, oxygen moves into the lungs and then crosses the alveolar
membrane into hemoglobin through diffusion. Red blood cells carry the hemoglobin
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, and therefore oxygen through the body, delivering it to capillaries to oxygenate the
body's cells. At the same time, carbon dioxide that is produced by the cells in the tissues
of the body moves from the blood into the alveoli by diffusion. The carbon dioxide then
leaves through exhalation.
List the steps in caring for a patient who is choking, including responsive and
unresponsive patients. - ✔✔If they are conscious, ask if they are choking and want help.
Grabbing of throat is universal sign of choking. Potential sounds of stridor. Use head tilt
chin lift to open the airway. This should only be done on unresponsive patients with
inadequate breathing who are not suspected of having spinal trauma. If there is possible
spinal trauma, use jaw thrust. large pieces of food, mucus, blood clots, and others
should be swept forward and out with a gloved index finger. If available, use a suction
to maintain a clear airway. Abdominal thrusts are most effective for conscious patients.
This is when residual air in the lungs are used and compressed so as to expel the object
out of the airway. If you can't reach around their body, or if they are pregnant, do
thrusts on their chest. Use abdominal thrusts until the object dislodges or the patient
becomes unconscious. Begin CPR starting with chest compressions. Follow the 30:2
ratio. Look at the back of the oropharynx for any foreign objects. If you can see it, try to
remove it with a gloved index finger or with suction. Do not blind sweep as it may push
the object farther down in the airway, making the obstruction worse. Once the object is
removed or nothing is seen in the airway yet, attempt to ventilate. Continue CPR. If you
cannot clear the airway with initial attempts, begin rapid transport and continue efforts
on the way to the hospital. If patient has mild or good air exchange, monitor closely for
deterioration of their condition. If patient is conscious, help to keep the airway position
that is most efficient and comfortable. Provide supplemental oxygen.
Describe the indications for suctioning and describe the technique for doing so. - ✔✔If
you hear gurgling, the patient needs suctioning. Turn on the unit and test the suction on
your gloves. Measure the catheter to the correct depth by measuring it from the corner
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
