ACCS Airway Care exam questions and
answers 2024
Describe serial cough - ANSWERSsmall breath & cough, large breath & cough, then
deep breath & hard cough
Describe huff cough and which patients is it most effective for? - ANSWERScoughing
with open glottis.
More effective for patients with COPD and head trauma to prevent increased ICP
Name the top 2 diseases that may required bronchial hygiene such as postural
drainage? - ANSWERSCF and Bronchiectasis
List 4 contraindications/hazards of bronchial hygiene therapy - ANSWERSunstable
cardiovascular system
unstable pulmonary system
unstable post-op status
untreated TB
List at least 4 contraindications for chest percussion - ANSWERSsoft tissue trauma
Rib cage trauma/fractured ribs
hemoptysis / pulmonary hemorrhage
metastatic conditions
How is PEP therapy different that the flutter or acapella? - ANSWERSIt does not
oscillate
When should PEP therapy be discontinued? - ANSWERSIf pt has sinusitis, epistaxis,
middle ear infection
If CPT, cough, and postural drainage is not working, what therapy should be
recommended next? - ANSWERSPEP therapy
What is the appropriate expiratory pressure for PEP therapy? How long should the
treatment last? How many times per day should it be scheduled? - ANSWERS10-20
cmH20
15-20 minutes
3-4 times per day
What are the positive effects of PEP therapy? - ANSWERSimprove secretion clearance
reduce FRC
What is the technique for PEP therapy? - ANSWERSTake a bigger than normal breath,
exhale (but not forcefully), exhalation should be 2-3 times longer than inspiration
, How should the RT teach breathing techniques for autogenic drainage? -
ANSWERSbreathe smaller than normal breaths, increase to normal VT, then breathe
bigger and higher volumes
What is the appropriate hertz, duration of therapy, and frequency for external
percussive devices? - ANSWERS2-25 (300-1500 cycles/min)
30 minutes
1-6 times per day
IPV is more expensive, but describe the theory of operation. - ANSWERSimproves
ventilation past obstructions
delivers more aerosol to distal airways
coughing helps remove secretions
improves ventilation
What is the recommending starting psi for IPV? What does it regulate? - ANSWERS30
psi
regulates velocity of percussive pulses
What should be suctioned first, the oral airway or ETT? - ANSWERSETT first then
mouth
What are the appropriate suction pressures for the adult? - ANSWERS100-120 mmHg
How should the RT suction the left mainstem bronchus? - ANSWERScoude tip
What is the formula for calculating suction catheter size? For a size 8 ETT what is the
correct suction size? - ANSWERSCatheter size = (ID size/2) x 3
(8/2) x 3
4x3 = 12 FR
What is the calculation for determining ETT size for adults?
What is the recommended size for adult females and males? - ANSWERSETT size =
kg/10
7.5-8.5 males
6.5-8.0 females
For oral and nasal intubations, what is the cm mark and location? - ANSWERSoral
intubation: 21-25 cm
Nasal intubation: 26-29 cm
What should cuff pressures never exceed? - ANSWERS25 cmH20
20 mmHg
answers 2024
Describe serial cough - ANSWERSsmall breath & cough, large breath & cough, then
deep breath & hard cough
Describe huff cough and which patients is it most effective for? - ANSWERScoughing
with open glottis.
More effective for patients with COPD and head trauma to prevent increased ICP
Name the top 2 diseases that may required bronchial hygiene such as postural
drainage? - ANSWERSCF and Bronchiectasis
List 4 contraindications/hazards of bronchial hygiene therapy - ANSWERSunstable
cardiovascular system
unstable pulmonary system
unstable post-op status
untreated TB
List at least 4 contraindications for chest percussion - ANSWERSsoft tissue trauma
Rib cage trauma/fractured ribs
hemoptysis / pulmonary hemorrhage
metastatic conditions
How is PEP therapy different that the flutter or acapella? - ANSWERSIt does not
oscillate
When should PEP therapy be discontinued? - ANSWERSIf pt has sinusitis, epistaxis,
middle ear infection
If CPT, cough, and postural drainage is not working, what therapy should be
recommended next? - ANSWERSPEP therapy
What is the appropriate expiratory pressure for PEP therapy? How long should the
treatment last? How many times per day should it be scheduled? - ANSWERS10-20
cmH20
15-20 minutes
3-4 times per day
What are the positive effects of PEP therapy? - ANSWERSimprove secretion clearance
reduce FRC
What is the technique for PEP therapy? - ANSWERSTake a bigger than normal breath,
exhale (but not forcefully), exhalation should be 2-3 times longer than inspiration
, How should the RT teach breathing techniques for autogenic drainage? -
ANSWERSbreathe smaller than normal breaths, increase to normal VT, then breathe
bigger and higher volumes
What is the appropriate hertz, duration of therapy, and frequency for external
percussive devices? - ANSWERS2-25 (300-1500 cycles/min)
30 minutes
1-6 times per day
IPV is more expensive, but describe the theory of operation. - ANSWERSimproves
ventilation past obstructions
delivers more aerosol to distal airways
coughing helps remove secretions
improves ventilation
What is the recommending starting psi for IPV? What does it regulate? - ANSWERS30
psi
regulates velocity of percussive pulses
What should be suctioned first, the oral airway or ETT? - ANSWERSETT first then
mouth
What are the appropriate suction pressures for the adult? - ANSWERS100-120 mmHg
How should the RT suction the left mainstem bronchus? - ANSWERScoude tip
What is the formula for calculating suction catheter size? For a size 8 ETT what is the
correct suction size? - ANSWERSCatheter size = (ID size/2) x 3
(8/2) x 3
4x3 = 12 FR
What is the calculation for determining ETT size for adults?
What is the recommended size for adult females and males? - ANSWERSETT size =
kg/10
7.5-8.5 males
6.5-8.0 females
For oral and nasal intubations, what is the cm mark and location? - ANSWERSoral
intubation: 21-25 cm
Nasal intubation: 26-29 cm
What should cuff pressures never exceed? - ANSWERS25 cmH20
20 mmHg
