NREMT
Emergency Medical Cheat Sheets
for
Various Conditions and Treatments
EMT Basic (EMTS Academy)
,Airway Management Cheat Sheet for NREMT Basic Exam
AIRWAY ANATOMY
• Upper Airway: Nose, mouth, pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx,
laryngopharynx), larynx.
• Lower Airway: Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.
AIRWAY ASSESSMENT
1. Is the airway open?
• Look for visible obstructions.
• Listen for abnormal sounds (snoring, gurgling, stridor, wheezing).
• Feel for airflow.
2. Signs of Airway Compromise:
• Altered mental status.
• Cyanosis.
• Inability to speak.
• Accessory muscle use.
3. Level of Consciousness (LOC):
• Responsive = Patient likely can maintain their airway.
• Unresponsive = High risk for airway obstruction.
AIRWAY OPENING TECHNIQUES
1. Head-Tilt Chin-Lift:
• Use if no spinal injury is suspected.
• Lifts the tongue away from the airway.
2. Jaw-Thrust Maneuver:
• Use if spinal injury is suspected.
• Moves the jaw forward without tilting the neck.
,AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
1. Conscious Patient:
• Adult/Child: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).
• Infant: 5 back slaps + 5 chest thrusts.
2. Unconscious Patient:
• Begin CPR.
• Check the mouth for visible obstructions.
3. Stridor or Partial Obstruction:
• High-flow oxygen, position of comfort, and prepare for further airway
management.
SUCTIONING
1. Indications:
• Gurgling sounds.
• Visible blood, vomit, or secretions in the airway.
2. Procedure:
• Measure catheter from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe.
• Suction on the way out (no longer than):
• Adults: 15 seconds.
• Children: 10 seconds.
• Infants: 5 seconds.
AIRWAY ADJUNCTS
1. Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA):
• Indication: Unresponsive patients without a gag reflex.
• Contraindication: Responsive patient or gag reflex.
• Insertion: Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe. Insert
upside down, then rotate 180°.
, 2. Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA):
• Indication: Semi-conscious or unconscious patients with a gag reflex.
• Contraindication: Suspected head injury or facial trauma.
• Insertion: Lubricate and insert into the larger nostril with the bevel toward
the septum.
OXYGEN DELIVERY METHODS
Device Flow Rate (L/min) Oxygen Delivered Indications
Nasal Cannula 1-6 L/min 24-44% Mild hypoxia, stable patients.
Non-Rebreather Mask 10-15 L/min Up to 90% Moderate to severe hypoxia. Bag-Valve Mask
(BVM) 15 L/min Nearly 100% Apnea, inadequate breathing. CPAP Varies 100% Severe
respiratory distress, CHF, COPD.
VENTILATION TECHNIQUES
1. Bag-Valve Mask (BVM):
• Use with unresponsive patients with inadequate or absent breathing.
• Two-person technique preferred for an effective seal.
2. Ventilation Rates:
• Adult: 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
• Child/Infant: 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths/min).
• Newborn: 1 breath every 1-1.5 seconds (40-60 breaths/min). 3.
Ensure Effective Ventilations:
• Look for chest rise and fall.
• Avoid excessive ventilation (can cause gastric distension).
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. Stoma or Tracheostomy Patients:
• Ventilate through the stoma using a BVM.
• If the stoma is blocked, suction it.
2. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in Infants:
• Perform back slaps and chest thrusts.
Emergency Medical Cheat Sheets
for
Various Conditions and Treatments
EMT Basic (EMTS Academy)
,Airway Management Cheat Sheet for NREMT Basic Exam
AIRWAY ANATOMY
• Upper Airway: Nose, mouth, pharynx (nasopharynx, oropharynx,
laryngopharynx), larynx.
• Lower Airway: Trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli.
AIRWAY ASSESSMENT
1. Is the airway open?
• Look for visible obstructions.
• Listen for abnormal sounds (snoring, gurgling, stridor, wheezing).
• Feel for airflow.
2. Signs of Airway Compromise:
• Altered mental status.
• Cyanosis.
• Inability to speak.
• Accessory muscle use.
3. Level of Consciousness (LOC):
• Responsive = Patient likely can maintain their airway.
• Unresponsive = High risk for airway obstruction.
AIRWAY OPENING TECHNIQUES
1. Head-Tilt Chin-Lift:
• Use if no spinal injury is suspected.
• Lifts the tongue away from the airway.
2. Jaw-Thrust Maneuver:
• Use if spinal injury is suspected.
• Moves the jaw forward without tilting the neck.
,AIRWAY OBSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT
1. Conscious Patient:
• Adult/Child: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).
• Infant: 5 back slaps + 5 chest thrusts.
2. Unconscious Patient:
• Begin CPR.
• Check the mouth for visible obstructions.
3. Stridor or Partial Obstruction:
• High-flow oxygen, position of comfort, and prepare for further airway
management.
SUCTIONING
1. Indications:
• Gurgling sounds.
• Visible blood, vomit, or secretions in the airway.
2. Procedure:
• Measure catheter from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe.
• Suction on the way out (no longer than):
• Adults: 15 seconds.
• Children: 10 seconds.
• Infants: 5 seconds.
AIRWAY ADJUNCTS
1. Oropharyngeal Airway (OPA):
• Indication: Unresponsive patients without a gag reflex.
• Contraindication: Responsive patient or gag reflex.
• Insertion: Measure from the corner of the mouth to the earlobe. Insert
upside down, then rotate 180°.
, 2. Nasopharyngeal Airway (NPA):
• Indication: Semi-conscious or unconscious patients with a gag reflex.
• Contraindication: Suspected head injury or facial trauma.
• Insertion: Lubricate and insert into the larger nostril with the bevel toward
the septum.
OXYGEN DELIVERY METHODS
Device Flow Rate (L/min) Oxygen Delivered Indications
Nasal Cannula 1-6 L/min 24-44% Mild hypoxia, stable patients.
Non-Rebreather Mask 10-15 L/min Up to 90% Moderate to severe hypoxia. Bag-Valve Mask
(BVM) 15 L/min Nearly 100% Apnea, inadequate breathing. CPAP Varies 100% Severe
respiratory distress, CHF, COPD.
VENTILATION TECHNIQUES
1. Bag-Valve Mask (BVM):
• Use with unresponsive patients with inadequate or absent breathing.
• Two-person technique preferred for an effective seal.
2. Ventilation Rates:
• Adult: 1 breath every 5-6 seconds (10-12 breaths/min).
• Child/Infant: 1 breath every 3-5 seconds (12-20 breaths/min).
• Newborn: 1 breath every 1-1.5 seconds (40-60 breaths/min). 3.
Ensure Effective Ventilations:
• Look for chest rise and fall.
• Avoid excessive ventilation (can cause gastric distension).
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
1. Stoma or Tracheostomy Patients:
• Ventilate through the stoma using a BVM.
• If the stoma is blocked, suction it.
2. Foreign Body Airway Obstruction in Infants:
• Perform back slaps and chest thrusts.
