Kettering airway Care Questions
With Complete Solutions
Course
Kettering airway Care
Question 1
A patient is unresponsive and has gurgling respirations. What should the respiratory therapist do
first?
A. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
B. Begin bag-mask ventilation
C. Suction the airway
D. Apply a non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C. Suction the airway
High Priority
Rationale
Gurgling respirations indicate secretions or fluid in the airway. The priority is to clear the airway
with suction before inserting adjuncts or providing positive-pressure ventilation.
Key Point
Airway obstruction from secretions must be relieved before effective ventilation can occur.
Question 2
A conscious patient with severe COPD has an SpO₂ of 84%. Which oxygen device is most
appropriate initially?
A. Nasal cannula at 1 L/min
B. Venturi mask at controlled FiO₂
C. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. No oxygen because of COPD
Correct Answer: B. Venturi mask at controlled FiO₂
Exam Favorite
Rationale
,A Venturi mask provides precise oxygen concentrations, which is useful for COPD patients who
require careful oxygen titration.
Why the others are wrong
A may not provide enough oxygen.
C may deliver excessive FiO₂ initially.
D is incorrect; hypoxemia must be treated.
Question 3
A patient suddenly develops stridor after extubation. What does stridor indicate?
A. Lower airway obstruction
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Upper airway obstruction
D. Bronchospasm
Correct Answer: C. Upper airway obstruction
Critical
Rationale
Stridor is a high-pitched inspiratory sound caused by obstruction of the larynx or upper airway.
Clinical Concern
Post-extubation stridor may indicate laryngeal edema and can progress to complete airway
obstruction.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of preoxygenation before intubation?
A. Increase CO₂ elimination
B. Prevent aspiration
C. Increase oxygen reserve during apnea
D. Reduce airway edema
Correct Answer: C. Increase oxygen reserve during apnea
Core Concept
Rationale
, Preoxygenation replaces nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen, creating a larger oxygen reservoir
and delaying desaturation during intubation attempts.
Question 5
A bag-mask ventilated patient shows poor chest rise. What should be checked first?
A. Arterial blood gas
B. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure
C. Mask seal and airway position
D. Ventilator settings
Correct Answer: C. Mask seal and airway position
First Check
Rationale
The most common causes of inadequate chest rise during bag-mask ventilation are:
Poor mask seal
Improper head position
Airway obstruction
Immediate Action
Reposition the airway and improve the mask seal.
Question 6
During suctioning of an intubated patient, the heart rate drops from 90 to 48 bpm. What is the
most likely cause?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Vagal stimulation
C. Hypercapnia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Vagal stimulation
Common Complication
Rationale
Deep or prolonged suctioning can stimulate the vagus nerve, causing bradycardia.
With Complete Solutions
Course
Kettering airway Care
Question 1
A patient is unresponsive and has gurgling respirations. What should the respiratory therapist do
first?
A. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
B. Begin bag-mask ventilation
C. Suction the airway
D. Apply a non-rebreather mask
Correct Answer: C. Suction the airway
High Priority
Rationale
Gurgling respirations indicate secretions or fluid in the airway. The priority is to clear the airway
with suction before inserting adjuncts or providing positive-pressure ventilation.
Key Point
Airway obstruction from secretions must be relieved before effective ventilation can occur.
Question 2
A conscious patient with severe COPD has an SpO₂ of 84%. Which oxygen device is most
appropriate initially?
A. Nasal cannula at 1 L/min
B. Venturi mask at controlled FiO₂
C. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
D. No oxygen because of COPD
Correct Answer: B. Venturi mask at controlled FiO₂
Exam Favorite
Rationale
,A Venturi mask provides precise oxygen concentrations, which is useful for COPD patients who
require careful oxygen titration.
Why the others are wrong
A may not provide enough oxygen.
C may deliver excessive FiO₂ initially.
D is incorrect; hypoxemia must be treated.
Question 3
A patient suddenly develops stridor after extubation. What does stridor indicate?
A. Lower airway obstruction
B. Pulmonary edema
C. Upper airway obstruction
D. Bronchospasm
Correct Answer: C. Upper airway obstruction
Critical
Rationale
Stridor is a high-pitched inspiratory sound caused by obstruction of the larynx or upper airway.
Clinical Concern
Post-extubation stridor may indicate laryngeal edema and can progress to complete airway
obstruction.
Question 4
What is the primary purpose of preoxygenation before intubation?
A. Increase CO₂ elimination
B. Prevent aspiration
C. Increase oxygen reserve during apnea
D. Reduce airway edema
Correct Answer: C. Increase oxygen reserve during apnea
Core Concept
Rationale
, Preoxygenation replaces nitrogen in the lungs with oxygen, creating a larger oxygen reservoir
and delaying desaturation during intubation attempts.
Question 5
A bag-mask ventilated patient shows poor chest rise. What should be checked first?
A. Arterial blood gas
B. Endotracheal tube cuff pressure
C. Mask seal and airway position
D. Ventilator settings
Correct Answer: C. Mask seal and airway position
First Check
Rationale
The most common causes of inadequate chest rise during bag-mask ventilation are:
Poor mask seal
Improper head position
Airway obstruction
Immediate Action
Reposition the airway and improve the mask seal.
Question 6
During suctioning of an intubated patient, the heart rate drops from 90 to 48 bpm. What is the
most likely cause?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Vagal stimulation
C. Hypercapnia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Vagal stimulation
Common Complication
Rationale
Deep or prolonged suctioning can stimulate the vagus nerve, causing bradycardia.
