Chapter 9: Airway Management

Question 1

Metabolism that can proceed only in the presence of oxygen

Answer 1

aerobic metabolism

Question 2

occasional, gasping breaths that occur after the heart has stopped

Answer 2

agonal gasps

Question 3

The upper airway tract of the passage above the larynx, which includes the noes, mouth, and throat

Answer 3

airway

Question 4

The volume of air that reaches the alveoli. It is determined by subtracting the amount of dead space air from the tidal volume.

Answer 4

alveolar ventilation

Question 5

A safety system for large oxygen cylinders, designed to prevent the accidental attachment of a regulator to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas

Answer 5

American Standard System

Question 6

The metabolism that takes place in the absence of oxygen; the principle product is lactic acid

Answer 6

anerabic metabolism

Question 7

absence of spontaneous breathing

Answer 7

apnea

Question 8

In the context of airway, the introduction of vomitus or other foreign material into the lungs

Answer 8

aspiration

Question 9

Irregular, ineffective respirations that may or may not have an identifiable pattern

Answer 9

ataxic respirations

Question 10

A ventilation device attached to a control box that allows the variables of ventilation to be set. It frees the EMT to perform other tasks while the patient is being ventilated

Answer 10

automatic transport ventilator (ATV)

Question 11

A device with a one-way valve and a face mask attached to a ventilation bag; when attached to a reservoir and connected to oxygen, delivers more than 90% supplemental oxygen

Answer 11

bag-mask device

Question 12

A protective item, such as a pocket mask with a valve, that limits exposure to a patient’s body fluids

Answer 12

barrier device

Question 13

A body part or condition that appears on both sides of the midline

Answer 13

bilateral

Question 14

Subdivision of the smaller bronchi in the lungs; made of smooth muscle and dilate or constrict in response to various stimuli

Answer 14

bronchioles

Question 15

point at which the trachea bifurcates (divides) into the left and right mainstream bronchi

Answer 15

carina

Question 16

Monitor the levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid and then provide feedback to the respiratory centers to modify the rate and depth of breathing based on the body’s needs at any given time

Answer 16

chemoreceptors

Question 17

The ability of the alveoli to expand when air is drawn in during inhalation

Answer 17

compliance

Question 18

A method of ventilation used primarily in the treatment of critically ill patients with respiratory distress; can prevent the need for endotracheal intubation

Answer 18

continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)

Question 19

the portion of tidal volume that does not reach the alveoli and thus does not participate in gas exchange

Answer 19

dead space

Question 20

A process in which molecules move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration

Answer 20

diffusion

Question 21

shortness of breath

Answer 21

dyspnea

Question 22

The passive part of the breathing process in which the diaphragm and the intercostal muscles relax, forcing air out of the lungs

Answer 22

exhalation

Question 23

The exchange of gases between the lungs and the blood cells in the pulmonary capillaries; also called pulmonary respiration

Answer 23

external respiration

Question 24

A normal reflex mechanism that causes retching; activated by touching the soft palate or the back of the throat

Answer 24

gag reflex

Question 25

A condition in which air fills the stomach, often as a result of high volume and pressure during artificial ventilation

Answer 25

gastric distention

Question 26

The space in between the vocal cords that is the narrowest portion of the adult's airway; also called the glottic opening

Answer 26

glottis

Question 27

A term used to distinguish the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. With good air exchange, the patient is still conscious and able to cough forcefully, although wheezing may be hears

Answer 27

good air exchange

Question 28

A combination of two movements to open the airway by tilting the forehead back and lifting the chin; not used for trauma patients

Answer 28

head tilt-chin lift maneuver

Question 29

Increased carbon dioxide level in the bloodstream

Answer 29

hypercarbia

Question 30

A dangerous condition in which the body tissues and cells do not have enough oxygen

Answer 30

hypoxia

Question 31

A condition in which chronically low levels of oxygen in the blood stimulate the respiratory drive; seen in patients with chronic lung diseases

Answer 31

hypoxic drive

Question 32

The active, muscular part of breathing that draws air into the airway and lungs

Answer 32

inhalation

Question 33

The exchange of gases between the blood cells and tissues

Answer 33

internal respiration

Question 34

bypassing of oxygen-poor blood past nonfunctional alveoli to the left side of the heart

Answer 34

intrapulmonary shunting

Question 35

Technique to open the airway by placing the fingers behind the angle of the jaw and bringing the jaw forward; used for patients who may have a cervical spine injury

Answer 35

jaw-thrust maneuver

Question 36

breathing that requires greater than normal effort; may be slower or faster than normal and usually requires the use of accessory muscles

Answer 36

labored breathing

Question 37

A complete structure formed by many independent cartilaginous structures that all work together; where the upper airway ends and the lower airway begins; also called the voice box

Answer 37

larynx

Question 38

A fixed flow/rate ventilation device that delivers a breath every time its button is pushed; also referred to as a flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device

Answer 38

manually triggered ventilation device

Question 39

Space within the chest that contains the heart, major blood vessels, vagus nerve, trachea, major bronchi, and esophagus; located between the two lungs

Answer 39

mediastinum

Question 40

The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells

Answer 40

metabolism (cellular respiration)

Question 41

occurs when a foreign body partially obstructs the patient's airway. The patient is able to move adequate amounts of air, but still experiences some degree of respiratory distress

Answer 41

mild airway obstruction

Question 42

The volume of air moved through the lungs in 1 minute minus the dead space; calculated by multiplying tidal volume (minus dead space) and respiratory rate; also referred to as minute volume

Answer 42

minute ventilation

Question 43

An oxygen delivery device in which oxygen flows through two small, tubelike prongs that fit into the patient's nostrils; delivers 24%-44% supplemental oxygen, depending on the flow rate

Answer 43

nasal cannula

Question 44

Airway adjunct inserted into the nostril of an unresponsive patient, or a patient with an altered level of consciousness who is unable to maintain airway patency independently

Answer 44

nasopharyngeal (nasal) airway

Question 45

The nasal cavity; formed by the union of facial bones and protects the respiratory tract from contaminants

Answer 45

nasopharynx

Question 46

A combination mask and reservoir bag system that is the preferred way to give oxygen in the prehospital setting; delivers up to 90% inspired oxygen and prevents inhaling the exhaled gases (carbon dioxide)

Answer 46

nonrebreathing mask

Question 47

Airway adjunct inserted into the mouth of an unresponsive patient to keep the tongue from blocking the upper airway and to facilitate suctioning the airway, if necessary

Answer 47

oropharyngeal (oral) airway

Question 48

Forms the posterior portion of the oral cavity, which is bordered superiorly by the hard and soft palates, laterally by the cheeks, and inferiorly by the tongue

Answer 48

oropharynx

Question 49

The process of delivering oxygen to the blood by diffusion from the alveoli following inhalation into the lungs

Answer 49

oxygenation

Question 50

Thin membrane that lines the chest cavity

Answer 50

parietal pleura

Question 51

The term used to describe the amount of gas in air or dissolved in fluid, such as blood

Answer 51

partial pressure

Question 52

open, clear of obstruction

Answer 52

patent

Question 53

Nerve that innervates the diaphragm; necessary for adequate breathing to occur

Answer 53

phrenic nerve

Question 54

A system established for portable cylinders to ensure that a regulator is not connected to a cylinder containing the wrong type of gas

Answer 54

pin-indexing system

Question 55

A partial or complete accumulation of air in the pleural space

Answer 55

pneumothorax

Question 56

A term used to describe the degree of distress in a patient with a mild airway obstruction. The patient often has a weak, ineffective cough, increased difficulty breathing, or possible cyanosis and may produce a high-pitched noise during inhalation (stridor)

Answer 56

poor air exchange

Question 57

mechanical maintenance of pressure in the airway at the end of expiration to increase the volume of gas remaining in the lungs

Answer 57

positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)

Question 58

An assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds

Answer 58

pulse oximetry

Question 59

A side-lying position used to maintain a clear airway in unconscious patients without injuries who are breathing adequately

Answer 59

recovery position

Question 60

The air that remains in the lungs after maximal expiration

Answer 60

residual volume

Question 61

the process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide

Answer 61

respiration

Question 62

movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration

Answer 62

retractions

Question 63

occurs when a foreign body completely obstructs the patient's airways. Patients cannot breathe, talk, or cough.

Answer 63

severe airway obstruction

Question 64

An opening through the skin and into an organ or other structure

Answer 64

stoma

Question 65

A high-pitched noise heard primarily on inspiration

Answer 65

stridor

Question 66

A hollow, cylindrical device used to remove fluid from the patient's airway

Answer 66

suction catheter

Question 67

A liquid protein substance that coats the alveoli in the lungs, decreases alveolar surface tension, and keeps the alveoli expanded; a low level in a premature infant contributes to respiratory distress syndrome

Answer 67

surfactant

Question 68

A life-threatening collection of air within the pleural space; the volume and pressure have both collapsed the involved lung and caused a shift of the mediastinal structures to the opposite side

Answer 68

tension pneumothorax

Question 69

The amount of air (in mL) that is moved in or out of the lungs during one breath

Answer 69

tidal volume

Question 70

large, semirigid suction tips recommended for suctioning the pharynx; also called Yankauer tips

Answer 70

tonsil tips

Question 71

Surgical opening into the trachea

Answer 71

tracheostomy

Question 72

exchange of air between the lungs and the environment, spontaneously by the patient or with assistance from another person, such as an EMT

Answer 72

ventilation

Question 73

Thin membrane that covers the lungs

Answer 73

visceral pleura

Question 74

The amount of air that can be forcibly expelled from the lungs after breathing in as deeply as possible

Answer 74

vital capacity

Question 75

Thin white bands of tough muscular tissue that are lateral borders of the glottis and serve as the primary center for speech production

Answer 75

vocal cords

Question 76

The production of whistling sounds during expiration such as occurs in asthma and bronchiolitis

Answer 76

wheezing