UCLA EMT - Airway Exam Study Guide
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER -
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 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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
of the mouth to the edge of the earlobe or angle of the jaw. Insert the tip of the catheter to the
depth measured and apply suction in a circular motion as you take it out of the mouth. Do not
suction for more than 15 seconds (10 for children and 5 for infants). Do not ventilate until you
suction the secretions as it could lead to aspiration (secretions go into lungs).
Contrast the rigid suction and soft suction catheter including when to use each. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Soft catheters (French tip) are used to suction the nose, suctioning in the trachea,
and in situations you cannot use a rigid catheter, such as for a patient with a stoma. A rigid
catheter (Yankauer) could also break a patient's tooth, whereas the soft catheter may be inserted
along the cheeks without injury.
List the indications for the head tilt chin-lift and jaw thrust maneuvers. - CORRECT
ANSWER - When doing a head tilt chin lift, the patient is in a supine position and you are
beside the patient's head. Place the heel of one hand on the patient's forehead and push it back to
tilt their head. This extension of the neck will move the tongue forward and away from the back
of the throat, and keep it from blocking the airway. Place the fingertips of your other hand under
the lower jaw (do not compress the soft tissue under the chin as this may block the airway), and
lift the chin upward to bring the entire jaw up with the rest of the head, helping to tilt the head
back. Lift so that the teeth are nearly brought together but avoid closing the mouth completely.
Use the jaw thrust maneuver if you suspect the person has a cervical spine injury. Kneel above
the patient's head and place your fingers behind the angles of the lower jaw, and move it upward.
Use your thumbs to help position the lower jaw to allow breathing through the mouth and nose.
The airway should open with the mouth slightly open and the jaw jutting forward. Both are used
to open patient's airway, and it is used on unconscious patients. It can also be used to open the
airway and relieve an obstruction and maybe allow it to come up more easily.
UPDATED ACTUAL Exam Questions and
CORRECT Answers
Describe the pathway of oxygen as it enters the body and gets to the alveoli. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT ANSWER -
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 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. - CORRECT ANSWER - 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. - CORRECT
ANSWER - 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
of the mouth to the edge of the earlobe or angle of the jaw. Insert the tip of the catheter to the
depth measured and apply suction in a circular motion as you take it out of the mouth. Do not
suction for more than 15 seconds (10 for children and 5 for infants). Do not ventilate until you
suction the secretions as it could lead to aspiration (secretions go into lungs).
Contrast the rigid suction and soft suction catheter including when to use each. - CORRECT
ANSWER - Soft catheters (French tip) are used to suction the nose, suctioning in the trachea,
and in situations you cannot use a rigid catheter, such as for a patient with a stoma. A rigid
catheter (Yankauer) could also break a patient's tooth, whereas the soft catheter may be inserted
along the cheeks without injury.
List the indications for the head tilt chin-lift and jaw thrust maneuvers. - CORRECT
ANSWER - When doing a head tilt chin lift, the patient is in a supine position and you are
beside the patient's head. Place the heel of one hand on the patient's forehead and push it back to
tilt their head. This extension of the neck will move the tongue forward and away from the back
of the throat, and keep it from blocking the airway. Place the fingertips of your other hand under
the lower jaw (do not compress the soft tissue under the chin as this may block the airway), and
lift the chin upward to bring the entire jaw up with the rest of the head, helping to tilt the head
back. Lift so that the teeth are nearly brought together but avoid closing the mouth completely.
Use the jaw thrust maneuver if you suspect the person has a cervical spine injury. Kneel above
the patient's head and place your fingers behind the angles of the lower jaw, and move it upward.
Use your thumbs to help position the lower jaw to allow breathing through the mouth and nose.
The airway should open with the mouth slightly open and the jaw jutting forward. Both are used
to open patient's airway, and it is used on unconscious patients. It can also be used to open the
airway and relieve an obstruction and maybe allow it to come up more easily.
