CPR Airway & Breathing Management 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When using a bag-mask device with two rescuers, one person should:
- Maintain a tight mask seal while the other squeezes the bag (Correct answer)
- Squeeze the bag with both hands alone
- Hold the head still without sealing
- Perform compressions and ventilations together
Correct answer: Maintain a tight mask seal while the other squeezes the bag
Two-rescuer bag-mask ventilation works best with one maintaining the seal and the other squeezing the bag.
Question 2: What does the 'E-C clamp' technique refer to in bag-mask ventilation?
- Hand position forming E and C to seal the mask (Correct answer)
- A type of oral airway
- A chest compression depth marker
- An electrode placement pattern
Correct answer: Hand position forming E and C to seal the mask
The E-C clamp uses the thumb and index finger as a 'C' to hold the mask and remaining fingers as an 'E' to lift the jaw.
Question 3: Excessive ventilation during CPR is harmful primarily because it:
- Increases intrathoracic pressure and reduces blood return to the heart (Correct answer)
- Cools the victim too quickly
- Causes the AED to malfunction
- Strengthens the pulse
Correct answer: Increases intrathoracic pressure and reduces blood return to the heart
Over-ventilation raises chest pressure, decreasing venous return and cardiac output.
Question 4: An oropharyngeal (OPA) airway should only be used in a patient who is:
- Unresponsive with no gag reflex (Correct answer)
- Awake and talking
- Coughing forcefully
- Able to follow commands
Correct answer: Unresponsive with no gag reflex
An OPA can trigger vomiting or laryngospasm if a gag reflex is present, so it is only for unresponsive patients.
Question 5: How is the proper size of an oropharyngeal airway estimated?
- Corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw/earlobe (Correct answer)
- Tip of nose to chin
- Length of the index finger
- Width of two fingers
Correct answer: Corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw/earlobe
OPA size is measured from the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw or earlobe.
Question 6: Once an advanced airway is in place, rescuers should give ventilations at a rate of:
- 1 breath every 6 seconds (Correct answer)
- 1 breath every 2 seconds
- 2 breaths every 30 compressions
- 1 breath every 15 seconds
Correct answer: 1 breath every 6 seconds
With an advanced airway, give continuous compressions and one breath every 6 seconds (10 per minute).
Question 7: A nasopharyngeal airway is most appropriate for a patient who:
- Has an intact gag reflex but needs airway support (Correct answer)
- Has a suspected skull base fracture
- Is fully alert and breathing normally
- Has severe facial trauma
Correct answer: Has an intact gag reflex but needs airway support
An NPA is tolerated by patients with a gag reflex but should be avoided with suspected basal skull fractures.
CPR Airway & Breathing Management 3
When using a bag-mask device with two rescuers, one person should: