EMT Chapter 13 - Respiratory
Emergencies Exam Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
What is dyspnea? - ✔✔Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
What are the structures that help us breath? - ✔✔Diaphragm, the muscles of the chest
wall, the accessory muscles of breathing, and the nerves from the brain & spinal cord.
What does the upper airway consist of? - ✔✔Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx,
and larynx. *Ends at the larynx*
What is respiration? - ✔✔It is the principal function of the lungs which is the exchange
of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What does the lower airway consist of? - ✔✔The trachea, the lungs, the bronchus (larger
airways), the bronchiles (smaller airway), and finally the alveoli
What are the two processes that occur during respiration? - ✔✔Inspiration and
Expiration
Through respiration, what does the brainstem sense in the arterial blood that controls
respiration? - ✔✔The level of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood stimulates a healthy
person to breath
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, What is carbon dioxide retention? - ✔✔It is a condition characterized by a chronically
high blood level of CO2 in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high
blood levels of CO2.
What is the hypoxic drive? - ✔✔It is a backup system to control respirations when
oxygen levels fall. *Secondary drive*
Why might it be dangerous to give too much oxygen to a patient with a chronic lung
disease? - ✔✔It is dangerous because patients with chronic lung diseases have
chronically high levels of CO2 in the blood, therefore, giving too much O2 can depress
or stop respirations.
What is hypoxia? - ✔✔It is a condition in which the body's cells and tissues do not have
enough oxygen.
What is atelectasis? - ✔✔It is the collapse of the alveolar air space of the lungs.
As you treat patients with disorder of the lungs, you should be aware that one or more
conditions exist: - ✔✔1)Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulm circulation is
obstructed by fluid or collapse of the alveoli
2)Alveoli are damaged
3)Air passages are obstructed (mucus, floppy air wall, spasm)
4)Blood flow is obstructed by blood clots
5)Pleural space is filled with air/fluid; lungs cannot expand
Signs of normal breathing - ✔✔1)12-20 breaths/min
2)Regular pattern of inhalation/exhalation
3)Clear & equal lung sounds on both sides
4)Regular & equal chest rise and fall
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
Emergencies Exam Questions and
Answers 100% Pass
What is dyspnea? - ✔✔Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
What are the structures that help us breath? - ✔✔Diaphragm, the muscles of the chest
wall, the accessory muscles of breathing, and the nerves from the brain & spinal cord.
What does the upper airway consist of? - ✔✔Nose, mouth, jaw, oral cavity, pharynx,
and larynx. *Ends at the larynx*
What is respiration? - ✔✔It is the principal function of the lungs which is the exchange
of oxygen and carbon dioxide.
What does the lower airway consist of? - ✔✔The trachea, the lungs, the bronchus (larger
airways), the bronchiles (smaller airway), and finally the alveoli
What are the two processes that occur during respiration? - ✔✔Inspiration and
Expiration
Through respiration, what does the brainstem sense in the arterial blood that controls
respiration? - ✔✔The level of carbon dioxide in the arterial blood stimulates a healthy
person to breath
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 1
, What is carbon dioxide retention? - ✔✔It is a condition characterized by a chronically
high blood level of CO2 in which the respiratory center no longer responds to high
blood levels of CO2.
What is the hypoxic drive? - ✔✔It is a backup system to control respirations when
oxygen levels fall. *Secondary drive*
Why might it be dangerous to give too much oxygen to a patient with a chronic lung
disease? - ✔✔It is dangerous because patients with chronic lung diseases have
chronically high levels of CO2 in the blood, therefore, giving too much O2 can depress
or stop respirations.
What is hypoxia? - ✔✔It is a condition in which the body's cells and tissues do not have
enough oxygen.
What is atelectasis? - ✔✔It is the collapse of the alveolar air space of the lungs.
As you treat patients with disorder of the lungs, you should be aware that one or more
conditions exist: - ✔✔1)Gas exchange between the alveoli and pulm circulation is
obstructed by fluid or collapse of the alveoli
2)Alveoli are damaged
3)Air passages are obstructed (mucus, floppy air wall, spasm)
4)Blood flow is obstructed by blood clots
5)Pleural space is filled with air/fluid; lungs cannot expand
Signs of normal breathing - ✔✔1)12-20 breaths/min
2)Regular pattern of inhalation/exhalation
3)Clear & equal lung sounds on both sides
4)Regular & equal chest rise and fall
COPYRIGHT © 2025 BY BRITTIE DONALD, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED 2
