NERMT Practice

Question 1

An oral and nasal airway should be:

Answer 1

Used to keep the tongue from blocking the airway

EXP: When a patient is unconscious, the tongue tends to fall back in the mouth and block the airway. An Oral or Nasal Airway is used to prevent this.

Question 2

What is the maximum flow rate for a nasal cannula?

Answer 2

6 LPM

EXP: A nasal cannula is used to administer O2 at flow rates of 2-6 LPM, delivering an O2 concentration of 24-44% of inspired oxygen.

Question 3

What airway opening maneuver should be used on a patient that has fallen off a ladder and is suffering from respiratory distress?

Answer 3

Jaw Thrust Maneuver

EXP: The jaw thrust maneuver should be used to open the airway of any patient who has suffered a traumatic injury to decrease cervical spine movement.

Question 4

The anatomy of the airway consists of the upper and lower airways. The upper airway starts at the mouth and nares and ends at the _________?

Answer 4

Cricoid Cartilage

EXP: The airway is divided into two different anatomical locations; the upper and lower airway.

Question 5

The tongue is often a source of airway obstruction; it falls back and occludes the _________?

Answer 5

Pharynx (throat)

EXP: The pharynx is often occluded by the tongue falling back and obstructing air flow.

Question 6

To create negative pressure in the thorax (chest cavity) the diaphragm contracts and moves _____________. This action expands the volume of the thorax, allowing air to rush into the lungs.

Answer 6

Downward

EXP:The diaphragm is a thin, tough muscle that separates the thorax and abdomen. The diaphragm is domed upward in its relaxed state, so when it contracts the diaphragm flattens out, causing the thorax volume to increase.

Question 7

Which of the following ventilatory techniques is likely to yield the LOWEST tidal volumes?

Answer 7

One-Person Bag-Valve-Mask

EXP: One-person bag-valve-mask usage is difficult to master, as the single rescuer must maintain a manual airway maneuver, an adequate mask seal, and squeeze the bag simultaneously.

Question 8

SCENARIO: You are transporting a 48 year old male patient between medical facilities..

While obtaining the patient’s history, you learn that the patient was involved in a fall at work and suffered a hip fracture and a head injury. The patient is now presenting with labored breathing at 30/min that has progressively worsened over the last 24 hours, a heart rate of 104, and a blood pressure of 98/70. On auscultation, you hear diffuse rales. The patient denies any complaints of pain other than those related to his recent fall.

What is the most likely cause of the patient’s respiratory distress?

Answer 8

Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome

EXP: Adult respiratory distress syndrome involves non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema that presents 12-72 hours post-injury or surgery. Flash pulmonary edema has a rapid onset and deterioration over as little as 30 minutes and is associated with renal dysfunction. Congestive heart failure and cardiogenic shock, while they may occur from the ARDS, have an initial cardiac compromise.

Question 9

What structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing?

Answer 9

Epiglottis

EXP:The epiglottis is the leaf-shaped structure that closes off the trachea during swallowing.