EMT Chapter 11 Airway
Management Comprehensive
Questions and Answers with
Detailed Solutions
Prepared for EMT Training and Certification Studies
August 29, 2025
This document provides 100 comprehensive questions and answers on airway
management, with detailed solutions to support EMT learning.
,Contents
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Questions and Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4 Glossary of Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5 Review Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
1
, 1 Introduction
This document is a comprehensive resource for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
studying airway management. It includes 100 questions and answers focusing on airway
anatomy, breathing assessment, oxygen delivery, ventilation techniques, and special con-
siderations. Each question is accompanied by a detailed solution to explain the reasoning,
avoiding unnecessary jargon for clarity. The content aligns with EMT training standards
and includes practical scenarios to enhance understanding. The document is designed to
span approximately 60 pages when formatted, ensuring depth and thoroughness.
2 Questions and Answers
Below are 100 questions on airway management, each with a concise answer and a detailed
solution to provide in-depth understanding. The questions cover core concepts, practical
applications, and special situations encountered in the field.
Question 1: What is the primary goal of airway management in EMT care?
Answer: Ensure an open path for air to reach the lungs.
Detailed Solution: Airway management is the first priority in emergency care
because without a patent airway, oxygen cannot reach the lungs, leading to hy-
poxia and potential organ failure. This involves assessing airway patency, removing
obstructions (e.g., tongue, fluids), and maintaining an open airway through posi-
tioning (head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw thrust), airway adjuncts (oropharyngeal or na-
sopharyngeal airways), or advanced techniques if within scope. Immediate action
prevents brain damage, which can occur within 4-6 minutes without oxygen.
Question 2: What device should be used to deliver oxygen to a patient with suspected
low oxygen levels who is breathing adequately?
Answer: Nonrebreathing mask.
Detailed Solution: A nonrebreathing mask delivers high oxygen concentrations
(up to 90%) to patients who are breathing adequately but show signs of hypoxia
(e.g., low oxygen saturation, fast breathing). It features a reservoir bag that fills
with oxygen and one-way valves to prevent inhalation of room air, ensuring maximal
oxygen delivery. Nasal cannulas provide lower concentrations (24-44%), while bag-
mask devices are for patients requiring assisted ventilation. The mask should be
set at 10-15 L/min with a tight seal.
Question 3: A 51-year-old woman has sudden breathing difficulty. She is awake,
alert, and speaks in full sentences with a respiratory rate of 22 breaths
per minute. What is the best action?
Answer: Administer oxygen via nonrebreathing mask.
Detailed Solution: The patients respiratory rate is slightly above normal (12-20
2
Management Comprehensive
Questions and Answers with
Detailed Solutions
Prepared for EMT Training and Certification Studies
August 29, 2025
This document provides 100 comprehensive questions and answers on airway
management, with detailed solutions to support EMT learning.
,Contents
Contents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
1 Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2 Questions and Answers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
3 Case Studies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
4 Glossary of Key Terms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
5 Review Quizzes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
6 Conclusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
1
, 1 Introduction
This document is a comprehensive resource for Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
studying airway management. It includes 100 questions and answers focusing on airway
anatomy, breathing assessment, oxygen delivery, ventilation techniques, and special con-
siderations. Each question is accompanied by a detailed solution to explain the reasoning,
avoiding unnecessary jargon for clarity. The content aligns with EMT training standards
and includes practical scenarios to enhance understanding. The document is designed to
span approximately 60 pages when formatted, ensuring depth and thoroughness.
2 Questions and Answers
Below are 100 questions on airway management, each with a concise answer and a detailed
solution to provide in-depth understanding. The questions cover core concepts, practical
applications, and special situations encountered in the field.
Question 1: What is the primary goal of airway management in EMT care?
Answer: Ensure an open path for air to reach the lungs.
Detailed Solution: Airway management is the first priority in emergency care
because without a patent airway, oxygen cannot reach the lungs, leading to hy-
poxia and potential organ failure. This involves assessing airway patency, removing
obstructions (e.g., tongue, fluids), and maintaining an open airway through posi-
tioning (head-tilt/chin-lift or jaw thrust), airway adjuncts (oropharyngeal or na-
sopharyngeal airways), or advanced techniques if within scope. Immediate action
prevents brain damage, which can occur within 4-6 minutes without oxygen.
Question 2: What device should be used to deliver oxygen to a patient with suspected
low oxygen levels who is breathing adequately?
Answer: Nonrebreathing mask.
Detailed Solution: A nonrebreathing mask delivers high oxygen concentrations
(up to 90%) to patients who are breathing adequately but show signs of hypoxia
(e.g., low oxygen saturation, fast breathing). It features a reservoir bag that fills
with oxygen and one-way valves to prevent inhalation of room air, ensuring maximal
oxygen delivery. Nasal cannulas provide lower concentrations (24-44%), while bag-
mask devices are for patients requiring assisted ventilation. The mask should be
set at 10-15 L/min with a tight seal.
Question 3: A 51-year-old woman has sudden breathing difficulty. She is awake,
alert, and speaks in full sentences with a respiratory rate of 22 breaths
per minute. What is the best action?
Answer: Administer oxygen via nonrebreathing mask.
Detailed Solution: The patients respiratory rate is slightly above normal (12-20
2
