Airway formative exam

Question 1

What is the danger that an altered mental status can pose to a patient’s breathing?

A. Hyperoxia
B. Depressed alveolar function?
C. Bronchospasms
D. Loss of muscle tone and airway collapse

Answer 1

D. Loss of muscle tone and airway collapse

Question 2

Your patient is breathing 4 shallow breaths per minute due to overdosing on his pain medication but he has a palpable radial pulse. He vomited prior to your arrival and is choking. You should:

A. Perform chest thrusts to clear the lungs.
B. Insert an oropharyngeal airway and ventilate.
C. Move the patient to the ambulance and suction.
D. Roll him over onto his side to clear the airway.

Answer 2

D. Roll him over onto his side to clear the airway.

Question 3

You have performed a head tilt chin lift maneuver on a 17 month old boy and are attempting to ventilate him with a bag-valve mask. You are experiencing a lot of resistance with each breath and the chest is barely rising. Prior to attempting ventilations again, you should:

A. Finger sweep the airway.
B. Ease the head forward a little.
C. Tilt the head back further.
D. Perform chest thrusts.

Answer 3

B. Ease the head forward a little.

Question 4

Which of the following is the correct method of suctioning?

A. Suction continuously, both while inserting and withdrawing the suction tip or catheter.
B. Being suctioning as you insert the suction tip or catheter into the mouth.
C. Insert the catheter or tip to the desired depth prior to applying suction.
D. Suction intermittently, both while inserting and withdrawing the suction tip or catheter.

Answer 4

C. Insert the catheter or tip to the desired depth prior to applying suction.

Question 5

You are ventilating an 85-year old male without difficulty. A nurse tells you that he patient has dentures. To ensure a good mask seal, you should:

A. Leave the dentures in place.
B. Use an infant mask over the nose.
C. Tape the dentures in place.
D. Remove the dentures.

Answer 5

A. Leave the dentures in place.

Question 6

Which of the following is an disadvantage of oropharyngeal airways (OPA)?

A. They cannot be used in patient with a suspected skull fracture.
B. They require the us of water-soluble lubricant
C. They do no come in pediatric sizes.
D. They cannot be used in a patient with a gag reflex.

Answer 6

D. They cannot be used in a patient with a gag reflex.

Question 7

Which of the following patients should NOT have their airway opened using a head-tilt, chin lift maneuver?

A. A homeless person of undetermined age found lying unresponsive in an alley with no bystanders.
B. A 25-year old man who is still unresponsive after a grand mal seizure.
C. A 35-year old diabetic woman who is in the driver’s seat of the car in her driveway, who becomes unresponsive while speaking to her husband.
D. A 50-year old woman who choked on a piece of food while dining in a restaurant and was lowered to the floor by a waiter.

Answer 7

A. A homeless person of undetermined age found lying unresponsive in an alley with no bystanders.

Question 8

Which of the following should be kept in mind when assessing and managing the airway of a pediatric patient?

A. Due to short necks, pediatric patients require a greater degree of hyperextension to open the airway than do adults.
B. Gastric distention is unlikely.
C. The tongue is not as likely to obstruct the airway as in an adult.
D. The trachea is easily obstructed by swelling.

Answer 8

D. The trachea is easily obstructed by swelling.

Question 9

What is the sound of the soft tissue of the upper airway creating impedance or partial obstruction to the flow of air?

A. Stridor
B. Snoring
C. Gurgling
D. Hoarseness

Answer 9

B. Snoring

Question 10

When suctioning the airway, suction should never be applied for longer than _____ seconds.

A. 30
B. 60
C. 45
D. 10

Answer 10

D. 10

Question 11

Which of the following is true concerning the procedure for inserting a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?

A. The bevel should be turned toward the nasal septum.
B. The length of the device is not as important as it is with the oropharyngeal airways.
C. It can only be placed in the right nostril.
D. If a water-soluble lubricant is not available, a silicon spray can be substituted.

Answer 11

A. The bevel should be turned toward the nasal septum

Question 12

When inserting an oropharyngeal airway, how many degrees do you need to rotate the airway so the tip is pointing down into the patient’s pharynx?

A. 270
B. 90
C. 180
D. 45

Answer 12

C. 180

Question 13

Which of the following structures is found in the lower airway?

A. Tonsils
B. Bronchi
C. Pharynx
D. Uvula

Answer 13

B. Bronchi

Question 14

You are ventilating a cardiac arrest patient when he begins to vomit copious amounts of large piece of undigested food. Which of the following would be most effective in clearing the airway?

A. Using a large bore suction tubing without a tip or catheter attached
B. Using a 14 French suction catheter
C. Irrigating the mouth with sterile water to dilute the material before suctioning
D. Using a rigid pharyngeal suction tip

Answer 14

A. Using a large bore suction tubing without a tip or catheter attached

Question 15

The high pitched sound cause by an upper airway obstruction is known as:

A. Rhonchi
B. Rales
C. Gurgling
D. Stridor

Answer 15

D. Stridor

Question 16

Perhaps the simplest way to determine if a patient has a patent airway is to:

A. Determine a respiratory rate.
B. Check for adequate chest rise.
C. Auscultate for breath sounds.
D. Say “hello.”

Answer 16

D. Say “hello.”

Question 17

On which of the following types of calls should you bring your portable suction unit to the patient’s side upon arrival on the scene?

A. Cardiac arrest
B. Seizure
C. Motor vehicle collision
D. All of the above

Answer 17

D. All of the above

Question 18

All of the following can result in airway obstructions, except:

A. Infections
B. Burns
C. Facial trauma
D. The tongue

Answer 18

D. The tongue

Question 18

Which of the following is a sign of an inadequate airway?

A. Typical skin coloration
B. Nasal flaring
C. Equal expansion of both sides of the chest when patient inhales
D. Regular chest movements

Answer 18

B. Nasal flaring

Question 19

The jaw-thrust maneuver is the only ________ airway procedure for an unconscious patient with possible head, neck, or spine injury or unknown mechanism of injury.

A. Prohibited
B. Forbidden
C. Recommended
D. Required

Answer 19

C. Recommended

Question 20

To be effective, a suction unit must be able to generate air flow of ______ liters per minute and create a vacuum of ______mmHg.

A. 30;300
B. 300;330
C. 300;30
D. 30;30

Answer 20

A. 30;300

Question 21

The trachea branches off at the ______and forms two mainstream bronchi.

A. Bronchioles
B. Alveoli
C. Carina
D. Pleura

Answer 21

C. Carina

Question 22

Which of the following is an advantage of using a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?

A. It may be tolerated by many patients with a gag reflex.
B. It eliminates the need for manual positioning of the patients head to keep the airway open.
C. It is ideal for patient’s with a suspected skull fracture.
D. All of the above

Answer 22

A. It is ideal for patient’s with a suspected skull fracture.

Question 23

Perhaps the simplest way to determine if a patient has a patent airway is to:

A. Auscultate for breath sounds.
B. Check for adequate chest rise
C. Say “hello”
D. Determine a respiratory rate.

Answer 23

C. Say “hello”

Question 24

Which of the following is true concerning the procedure for inserting a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?

A. The length of the device is not as important a it is with oropharyngeal airways.
B. It can only be placed in the right nostril
C. If a water soluble lubricant is not available, a silicon spray can be substituted.
D. The bevel should be turned toward the nasal septum

Answer 24

D. The bevel should be turned toward the nasal septum.

Question 25

The oxygen flow rate for a nasal cannula should not exceed ______liters per minute.

A. 6
B. 4
C. 2
D. 8

Answer 25

A. 6

Question 26

You have arrived at the scene of a call for “man down”. As you enter the residence you note that your patient is a male in his mid-60s who is awake but does not seem to acknowledge your presence. He is perspiring profusely, has cyanosis of his ears and lips, and has rapid, shallow respirations. Which of the following should you do first?

A. Listen to his lung sounds.
B. Check for a radial pulse.
C. Obtain the patient’s medical history
D. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask and supplemental oxygen.

Answer 26

D. Assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask and supplemental oxygen.

Question 27

______is NOT typically used in the prehospital setting for oxygen administration.

A. Regulator
B. Nasal cannula
C. Partial rebreather mask
D. Tracheostomy mask

Answer 27

C. Partial rebreather mask

Question 28

Which of the following is the best device to deliver high concentration oxygen to a breathing patient?

A. Simple face mask
B. Nonrebreather mask
C. Oropharyngeal airway
D. Nasal cannula

Answer 28

B. Nonrebreather mask

Question 29

What is NOT one of the basic parts of a bag-valve mask system?

A. Non-jam valve
B. Self-refilling shell
C. Be nonrebreathing
D. 15/22 respiratory fitting

Answer 29

D. 15/22 respiratory fitting

Question 30

Your patient is a 65-year old male with a history of COPD. He is sitting up and complaining of a severe shortness of breath. you should:

A. Administer a 4 LPM of oxygen via nasal cannula
B. Apply a nonrebreather mask giving 15 LPM of oxygen
C. Suction the airway with a rigid suction catheter
D. Insert a nasal airway and ventilate

Answer 30

B. Apply a nonrebreather mask giving 15 LPM of oxygen

Question 31

When does respiratory distress change to a respiratory failure?

A. When the compensatory mechanism is not longer needed and the patient goes into arrest.
B. When the respiratory challenge continues, the systems fail with the demand for oxygen, pupils dilate, and the skin becomes hot and dry.
C. When the patient who is short of breath, with noisy respiration, presents in the tripod position but then suddenly has the condition clear up and return to normal.
D. When the respiratory challenge continues, the systems cannot keep up with the demand, and skin color and mental status change.

Answer 31

D. When the respiratory challenge continues, the systems cannot keep up with the demand, and skin color and mental status change.

Question 32

Which of the following statements BEST describes the exchange of gas in the alveoli?

A. Air moves into the airway, blood arrives via the pulmonary veins, and osmosis occurs.
B. Blood moves from the left heart to the lungs, air arrives in the alveoli sacks, and diffusion occurs
C. Air moves into the alveoli, blood is transported by the pulmonary capillaries, and diffusion occurs.
D. Blood moves by the way of the pulmonary campillaries, air arrives at the alveoli, and osmosis occurs.

Answer 32

C. Air moves into the alveoli, blood is transported by the pulmonary capillaries, and diffusion occurs.

Question 33

A 16 year old patient presents with labored breathing and increased respiratory rate, increased heart rate, and leaning forward with his hands on his knees. His skin is pink and his accurate pulse oximetry is 96. This patient is suffering from respiratory:

A. Failure
B. Arrest
C. Distress
D. Hypoxia

Answer 33

C. Distress

Question 34

Why does a patient involved in an auto crash who has major internal abdominal bleeding require oxygen to maintain internal respirations?

A. The swelling of the abdominal space causes the diaphragm to be restricted, which will reduce the thorax space.
B. A lack of circulating volume decreases the oxygen and carbon dioxide transport capability
C. The red blood cells have a reduction of hemoglobin and that reduces the amount of oxygen that can be transported.
D. A lack of oxygen in he air decrease the oxygen diffused into the bloodstream, which creates and increase of carbon dioxide.

Answer 34

B. A lack of circulating volume decreases the oxygen and carbon dioxide transport capability

Question 35

You and your EMT partner are preparing to ventilate an elderly non-trauma patient who has a stoma. Your partner performs a head tilt chin lift maneuver and you ask him to return the patients head to a neutral position. “Why? This is not a pediatric patient!” your partner protests. What would you say?

A. Stoma breathers should only have their airways positioned after placement of the ventilation device.
B. It is not necessary to position the airway of a stoma breather when providing ventilations.
C. Elderly patients should never have their heads tilted back because spinal curvatures are common and can prevent airway positioning.
D. Using the Head-tilt chin-lift prior to clearing any mucus plugs from the stoma can cause airway occlusion.

Answer 35

B. It is not necessary to position the airway of a stoma breather when providing ventilation.

Question 36

In assessing a patient’s breathing, what is your first question?

A. Is he big sick or little sick?
B. Is he alive or dead?
C. Is his breathing adequate or inadequate?
D. Is he breathing?

Answer 36

D. Is he breathing?

Question 37

Why is inhalation described as an active process?

A. It uses oxygen to assist chest muscles to contract, creating a negative pressure.
B. It requires chest muscles to relax and use energy to move, creating a positive pressure
C. It requires the diaphragm to relax and use energy to move, creating a positive pressure
D. It requires chest muscles to contract and use energy to move, creating a negative pressure

Answer 37

It requires chest muscles to contract and use energy to move, creating a negative pressure.

Question 38

Venturi masks are designed to mix oxygen with:

A. Carbon monoxide
B. Nitrogen
C. Inhaled air
D. Humidified air

Answer 38

C. Inhaled air

Question 39

What device is used to perform mouth-to-mask ventilations?

A. Bag-valve mask
B. Stoma
C. Automatic transport ventilator
D. Pocket face mask

Answer 39

D. Pocket face mask

Question 40

You are aggressively ventilating an adult patient with a bag-valve mask when you notice that his previously strong pulse is getting weaker. You should:

A. Reduce the volume of ventilations
B. Increase the concentration of oxygen
C. Reduce the concentration of oxygen
D. Begin chest compressions

Answer 40

A. Reduce the volume of the ventilations.

Question 41

Which of the following patients does NOT require the administration of supplemental oxygen?

A. A 6-year old male with a history of asthma whose breath sounds are silent and who is drowsy
B. A 24-year old woman who is breathing 28 times per minute after being in and argument with her husband
C. A 60-year old woman with a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who can speak two or three word at a time without a breath
D. A 31-year old male who is unresponsive due to an overdose of narcotics

Answer 41

B. A 24-year old woman who is breathing 28 times per minute after being in an argument with her husband.

Question 42

Which of these patients would require a tracheostomy mask for supplemental oxygen administration?

A. A patient with upper airway inflammation
B. A patient with chronic bronchitis
C. A patient with quadriplegia
D. A patient with stoma

Answer 42

D. A patient with a stoma

Question 43

You are attempting to replace the oxygen cylinder in your truck. After removing the regulator from the old cylinder, removing the old cylinder, and placing the new cylinder in the oxygen compartment, you attempt to connect the regulator. The new cylinder has a yellow stripe around it instead of a green one but was stored with the green cylinders. You are unable to get the regulator to seat properly and it will not turn on. you should:

A. Replace the oxygen regulator with a new one.
B. Put the old cylinder back on the truck
C. Attempt to force the regulator onto the cylinder
D. Remove the cylinder and get a green cylinder.

Answer 43

D. Remove the cylinder and get a green cylinder.

Question 44

The normal stimulus to breath is stimulated by the chemoreceptors that measure he change of what tow gases?
A. High carbon monoxide and low oxygen
B. High hydrogen and low carbon dioxide
C. High carbon dioxide and low oxygen
D. Low hydrogen and high carbon monoxide

Answer 44

C. High carbon dioxide and low oxygen

Question 45

Which of the following is necessary to deliver oxygen to a patient at a safe pressure?

A. Flow meter
B. Float balls
C. Regulator
D. Filter

Answer 45

C. Regulator

Question 46

What is the relatively rare condition that can cause respiratory depression?

A. High concentration of oxygen can depress breathing when the patient has an allergic reaction from the oxygen.
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has changed the stimulus to breathe to the hypoxic drive and high concentration can depress breathing.
C. The eyes can develop scar tissue on the retina from a high concentration of oxygen.
D. Lungs can react unfavorably to oxygen when the concentration is too high for a long period of time and this can depress breathing.

Answer 46

B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) has changed the stimulus to breathe to the hypoxic drive and high concentration can depress breathing.

Question 47

The process of air moving in and out of the chest is called:

A. Inhalation
B. Respiration
C. Ventilation
D. Tidal volume

Answer 47

C. Ventilation

Question 48

For life to be maintained, a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide is needed. The condition when oxygen levels are low is called:

A. Hypotension
B. Hypercarbia
C. Hypoxia
D. Hyperventilation

Answer 48

C. Hypoxia

Question 49

Concerning the use of humidified oxygen, which of the following is true?

A. It should only be used when assisting ventilation with a bag-valve device
B. It is not of great benefit during short transports but can make the patient more comfortable
C. The water in the reservoir should be treated with chlorine tablets to prevent the growth of bacteria
D. The water reservoir should be changed on a weekly basis

Answer 49

B. It is not of great benefit during short transports but can make the patient more comfortable.