EMT EXAM AIRWAY AND BREATHING
1. You would most likely encounter agonal respirations in which of the
following patients?
A. A hypoxic patient who is in the early phase of compensation
B. A severely hypoxic patient who is in the later stages of compensation.
C. A patient who is in the midst of complete respiratory failure.
D. A semiconscious patient whose tongue in occluding the airway.
2. A young woman who has overdosed on a strong narcotic dry is uncon-
scious with slow, shallow breathing. As you attempt to insert an oropharyn-
geal airway, the patient begins to gag. You should next
A. remove the oropharyngeal airway and be prepared to suction the mouth.
B. remove the oropharyngeal airway and insert a nasopharyngeal airway.
C. suction the patient's oropharynx as you insert a nasopharyngeal airway.
D. make sure you are using the most appropriate size of oropharyngeal airway.
3. As you are ventilating an apneic patient using the one-person
bag-valve-mask technique, you note minimal rise of the chest each time you
squeeze the bag. You should
A. ensure that the reservoir is attached to the bag-valve-mask device.
B. squeeze the bag harder to ensure delivery of adequate tidal volume.
C. suction the patient's mouth for 15 seconds and reattempt ventilations.
D. evaluate the mask-to-face seal and the position of the patient's head.
4. After an adult cardiac arrest patient has been intubated by a paramedic,
you are providing ventilations as your partner performs chest compressions.
When ventilating the patient, you should
A. deliver 2 breaths during a brief pause in chest compressions.
B. deliver each breath over 1 second at a rate of 8 to 10 breaths/min
C. hyperventilate the patient to maximize carbon dioxide elimination.
D. deliver each breath over 2 seconds at a rate of 12 to 15 breaths/min.
5. When ventilating a patient with apnea with a pocket mask device, each
breath should be delivered over
A. 1 second
B. 2 seconds
C. 3 seconds
, D. 4 seconds
6. A 60-year old woman presents with acute respiratory distress. She is
alert and oriented, but restless. Her respiratory rate is 26 breaths/min with
adequate chest expansion and clear breath sounds. What is the most appro-
priate method of airway management for this patient?
A. Supplemental oxygen with a non-rebreathing mask
B. A nasopharyngeal airway and assisted ventilations
C. A nasopharyngeal airway and supplemental oxygen
D. A nasal cannula with the flowmeter set at 4 to 6 L/min
7. A semiconscious young man has shallow, gurgling respirations at a rate
of 10 breaths/min. Initial management should include
A. suctioning the oropharynx
B. inserting a nasopharyngeal airway
C. initiating positive pressure ventilations.
D. applying 100% oxygen with a nonrebreathing mask.
8. Which of the following airway sounds would most likely indicate a lower
airway obstruction?
A. Stridor
B. Crowing
C. Gurgling
D. Wheezing
9. Which of the following statements regarding the head tilt-chin lift maneu-
ver is MOST correct?
A. It can only be used in conjunction with an oropharyngeal airway
B. It can only be used temporarily and must be replaced by an airway adjunct
C. It should be used on all unresponsive patients that you encounter.
D. It is the technique of choice for patients with potential spinal injury.
10. In which of the following situations should the jaw-thrust maneuver
beused?
A. In any patient who is in cardiac arrest.
B. In a patient with apnea with no signs of trauma.
C. In a patient who is in need of frequent suctioning.
D. When the mechanism of injury is unclear.
1. You would most likely encounter agonal respirations in which of the
following patients?
A. A hypoxic patient who is in the early phase of compensation
B. A severely hypoxic patient who is in the later stages of compensation.
C. A patient who is in the midst of complete respiratory failure.
D. A semiconscious patient whose tongue in occluding the airway.
2. A young woman who has overdosed on a strong narcotic dry is uncon-
scious with slow, shallow breathing. As you attempt to insert an oropharyn-
geal airway, the patient begins to gag. You should next
A. remove the oropharyngeal airway and be prepared to suction the mouth.
B. remove the oropharyngeal airway and insert a nasopharyngeal airway.
C. suction the patient's oropharynx as you insert a nasopharyngeal airway.
D. make sure you are using the most appropriate size of oropharyngeal airway.
3. As you are ventilating an apneic patient using the one-person
bag-valve-mask technique, you note minimal rise of the chest each time you
squeeze the bag. You should
A. ensure that the reservoir is attached to the bag-valve-mask device.
B. squeeze the bag harder to ensure delivery of adequate tidal volume.
C. suction the patient's mouth for 15 seconds and reattempt ventilations.
D. evaluate the mask-to-face seal and the position of the patient's head.
4. After an adult cardiac arrest patient has been intubated by a paramedic,
you are providing ventilations as your partner performs chest compressions.
When ventilating the patient, you should
A. deliver 2 breaths during a brief pause in chest compressions.
B. deliver each breath over 1 second at a rate of 8 to 10 breaths/min
C. hyperventilate the patient to maximize carbon dioxide elimination.
D. deliver each breath over 2 seconds at a rate of 12 to 15 breaths/min.
5. When ventilating a patient with apnea with a pocket mask device, each
breath should be delivered over
A. 1 second
B. 2 seconds
C. 3 seconds
, D. 4 seconds
6. A 60-year old woman presents with acute respiratory distress. She is
alert and oriented, but restless. Her respiratory rate is 26 breaths/min with
adequate chest expansion and clear breath sounds. What is the most appro-
priate method of airway management for this patient?
A. Supplemental oxygen with a non-rebreathing mask
B. A nasopharyngeal airway and assisted ventilations
C. A nasopharyngeal airway and supplemental oxygen
D. A nasal cannula with the flowmeter set at 4 to 6 L/min
7. A semiconscious young man has shallow, gurgling respirations at a rate
of 10 breaths/min. Initial management should include
A. suctioning the oropharynx
B. inserting a nasopharyngeal airway
C. initiating positive pressure ventilations.
D. applying 100% oxygen with a nonrebreathing mask.
8. Which of the following airway sounds would most likely indicate a lower
airway obstruction?
A. Stridor
B. Crowing
C. Gurgling
D. Wheezing
9. Which of the following statements regarding the head tilt-chin lift maneu-
ver is MOST correct?
A. It can only be used in conjunction with an oropharyngeal airway
B. It can only be used temporarily and must be replaced by an airway adjunct
C. It should be used on all unresponsive patients that you encounter.
D. It is the technique of choice for patients with potential spinal injury.
10. In which of the following situations should the jaw-thrust maneuver
beused?
A. In any patient who is in cardiac arrest.
B. In a patient with apnea with no signs of trauma.
C. In a patient who is in need of frequent suctioning.
D. When the mechanism of injury is unclear.
