Airway, Respiration, and Ventilation Flashcards

A patient with a suspected cervical spine injury requires airway management. Which technique is preferred to open the airway?

Answer: Jaw-thrust maneuver

The jaw-thrust maneuver opens the airway without moving the cervical spine, making it the preferred technique when spinal injury is suspected.

When assessing a patient's respiratory rate, you count 8 breaths per minute in an adult. This finding is best described as:

Answer: Bradypnea

Bradypnea is an abnormally slow respiratory rate, defined as fewer than 12 breaths per minute in adults.

Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of proper endotracheal tube placement?

Answer: End-tidal CO2 waveform capnography

Continuous waveform capnography (EtCO2) is the gold standard for confirming and monitoring endotracheal tube placement.

A patient is found apneic with a pulse. After opening the airway you should:

Answer: Provide rescue breathing at 10-12 breaths/min

An apneic patient with a pulse requires rescue breathing (assisted ventilations) at 10-12 breaths per minute, not CPR.

Which lung sound is characterized by a high-pitched, musical wheeze heard on expiration associated with bronchospasm?

Answer: Wheezing

Wheezing is a high-pitched musical sound caused by air moving through narrowed lower airways, typically associated with bronchospasm.

A nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) is contraindicated in which of the following situations?

Answer: Patient with suspected basilar skull fracture

An NPA is contraindicated with suspected basilar skull fracture due to risk of the device entering the cranial vault.

During BVM ventilation, you notice gastric distension developing. What is the BEST corrective action?

Answer: Apply cricoid pressure (Sellick maneuver)

Cricoid pressure compresses the esophagus against the vertebrae, reducing air entry into the stomach during BVM ventilation.