Equipment and Tools Flashcards

Which bag-valve-mask (BVM) reservoir volume is required to deliver approximately 21% oxygen without supplemental oxygen connected?

Answer: 0% — it delivers room air only

Without supplemental oxygen, a BVM delivers approximately 21% oxygen (room air) regardless of reservoir bag presence.

What is the primary purpose of the pop-off valve on a BVM device?

Answer: To release excess pressure and prevent barotrauma

The pop-off (pressure relief) valve releases at approximately 40 cmH2O to prevent lung barotrauma from excessive ventilation pressure.

An EMT selects a non-rebreather mask for a patient. At what minimum liter-per-minute oxygen flow should it be set to keep the reservoir bag inflated?

Answer: 10–15 LPM

Non-rebreather masks require 10–15 LPM to keep the reservoir bag adequately inflated and deliver 90–100% oxygen.

Which device is BEST suited for maintaining a patent airway in an unconscious patient who has an intact gag reflex?

Answer: Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)

The NPA is tolerated by patients with intact gag reflexes because it passes through the nose rather than stimulating the oropharynx.

When sizing an oropharyngeal airway (OPA), the correct measurement is from the:

Answer: Corner of the mouth to the earlobe

An OPA is sized by measuring from the corner of the patient's mouth to the earlobe (or center of mouth to angle of jaw).

A rigid suction catheter (Yankauer) is most appropriate for suctioning:

Answer: The oropharynx and large-volume secretions

The Yankauer catheter is rigid and large-bore, designed for oropharyngeal suctioning of blood, vomit, and thick secretions.

The maximum recommended suctioning duration per attempt for an adult patient is:

Answer: 15 seconds

Suctioning should be limited to 15 seconds per attempt in adults to minimize hypoxia caused by removing oxygen along with secretions.