EMT Airway and Breathing Practice Test 3

Question 1

You arrive at the scene of an elderly woman who has fallen and injured her ribs. She is breathing very rapidly at a rate of 40 and shallow. How is this a serious life threat?

Accepted Answer

Her minute volume may be diminished

Answer

Minute volume is the total amount of air moved in and out of the lungs per minute (respiratory rate x tidal volume). Rapid, shallow breathing, even at a high rate, often results in a significantly reduced tidal volume, meaning less air reaches the alveoli for gas exchange. This leads to a diminished minute volume and inadequate ventilation, which is a serious life threat.

Question 2

The endotracheal tube is primarily intended to:

Accepted Answer

Be inserted into the trachea

Answer

The primary purpose of an endotracheal tube (ET tube) is to establish a secure and patent airway by being inserted directly into the trachea. This allows for direct ventilation of the lungs, protection against aspiration, and efficient delivery of oxygen and medications (though medication delivery is a secondary use). It is crucial that it is placed in the trachea and not the esophagus.

Question 3

The Sellick's maneuver is designed to:

Accepted Answer

Reduce the risk of vomiting

Answer

The Sellick's maneuver, also known as cricoid pressure, involves applying firm pressure to the cricoid cartilage. This maneuver is intended to compress the esophagus against the cervical vertebrae, thereby reducing the risk of gastric insufflation and regurgitation of stomach contents into the airway during positive pressure ventilation or intubation.

Question 4

After placing an endotracheal tube and performing an auscultation, you notice lung sounds on the right are present, but lung sounds on the left are absent or diminished. What should you do?

Accepted Answer

Deflate the cuff and back the Endotracheal tube out 3-4 cm

Answer

Absent or diminished lung sounds on one side, especially the left, after intubation often indicates a right mainstem bronchus intubation. The ET tube has advanced too far, entering the right main bronchus and blocking airflow to the left lung. To correct this, the cuff should be deflated, and the tube gently withdrawn 3-4 cm, then the cuff reinflated and lung sounds rechecked.

Question 5

Medical control has ordered you to assist a patient with a metered dose inhaler. Before assisting this patient, you must ensure what

Accepted Answer

It is their medication and is within the expiration date

Answer

Before assisting a patient with their metered dose inhaler, it is crucial to confirm that it is indeed the patient's prescribed medication and that it has not expired. Administering the wrong medication or an expired one can be ineffective or harmful. While other factors are important, medication verification is a fundamental safety step.

NREMT Practice Test

NREMT Practice Test

EMT Airway and Breathing Practice Test 3