AEMT EXAM 1 HIGH-YIELD AIRWAY
MANAGEMENT, VITAL SIGNS, AND
EMERGENCY RESPONSE BASICS SUMMARY
2026
◉ What are signs of inadequate breathing.
Answer: Shallow respirations
Respiratory rate <10 or >20-24
Irregular breathing pattern
Poor chest rise
Diminished/absent breath sounds
Altered mental status
Cyanosis or low SpO2
◉ Oxygenation.
Answer: Getting O2 into the blood
- Treated with supplemental O2
◉ Ventilation.
Answer: Moving air in/out of lungs (CO2 removal)
- Treated with BVM/PPV
,◉ What is the priority if a patient has apnea.
Answer: Open airway immediately
Begin BVM ventilations with O2
Consider airway adjunct (OPA/NPA)
Check pulse
◉ Hypertonic solution.
Answer: A solution with a higher solute (electrolytes) concentration
compared with another solution
◉ Hypotonic solution.
Answer: A solution with a lower solute (electrolytes) concentration
compared with another solution
◉ Isotonic solution.
Answer: A solution in which there is an equal concentration of
solutes (electrolytes) and liquid on either side of the membrane
◉ Internal respirations.
Answer: Gas exchange between *systemic capillaries & body cells*
O2 moves from blood -> cells
, CO2 moves from cells -> blood
BLOOD <-> CELLS
◉ Key factors affecting internal respiration.
Answer: Adequate perfusion (blood flow)
Healthy capillary function
Cellular demand (metabolism)
◉ Clinical significance of Internal respirations.
Answer: Even if ventilation is normal, internal respiration can fail
due to:
- SHOCK (poor perfusion)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Cyanide poisoning
Results in *cellular hypoxia* despite normal SpO2
◉ External respirations.
Answer: LUNGS <-> BLOOD
◉ Components of minute volume.
Answer: Tidal Volume (TV): amount of air moved in 1 breath
(DEPTH)
MANAGEMENT, VITAL SIGNS, AND
EMERGENCY RESPONSE BASICS SUMMARY
2026
◉ What are signs of inadequate breathing.
Answer: Shallow respirations
Respiratory rate <10 or >20-24
Irregular breathing pattern
Poor chest rise
Diminished/absent breath sounds
Altered mental status
Cyanosis or low SpO2
◉ Oxygenation.
Answer: Getting O2 into the blood
- Treated with supplemental O2
◉ Ventilation.
Answer: Moving air in/out of lungs (CO2 removal)
- Treated with BVM/PPV
,◉ What is the priority if a patient has apnea.
Answer: Open airway immediately
Begin BVM ventilations with O2
Consider airway adjunct (OPA/NPA)
Check pulse
◉ Hypertonic solution.
Answer: A solution with a higher solute (electrolytes) concentration
compared with another solution
◉ Hypotonic solution.
Answer: A solution with a lower solute (electrolytes) concentration
compared with another solution
◉ Isotonic solution.
Answer: A solution in which there is an equal concentration of
solutes (electrolytes) and liquid on either side of the membrane
◉ Internal respirations.
Answer: Gas exchange between *systemic capillaries & body cells*
O2 moves from blood -> cells
, CO2 moves from cells -> blood
BLOOD <-> CELLS
◉ Key factors affecting internal respiration.
Answer: Adequate perfusion (blood flow)
Healthy capillary function
Cellular demand (metabolism)
◉ Clinical significance of Internal respirations.
Answer: Even if ventilation is normal, internal respiration can fail
due to:
- SHOCK (poor perfusion)
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
- Cyanide poisoning
Results in *cellular hypoxia* despite normal SpO2
◉ External respirations.
Answer: LUNGS <-> BLOOD
◉ Components of minute volume.
Answer: Tidal Volume (TV): amount of air moved in 1 breath
(DEPTH)
