Paramedics Exam Airway, Respiration, and Ventilation 5

Question 1

A 6-year-old child in respiratory arrest requires BVM ventilation. What is the appropriate ventilation rate?

Accepted Answer

12-20 breaths/min

Answer

Children (1 year to puberty) without an advanced airway should be ventilated at 12-20 breaths per minute when they have a pulse but are apneic.

Question 2

Kussmaul respirations are characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Deep, rapid, labored breathing without pauses

Answer

Kussmaul respirations are deep, rapid, and labored — a physiologic response to severe metabolic acidosis, classically seen in diabetic ketoacidosis.

Question 3

A tension pneumothorax is BEST decompressed in the prehospital setting by:

Accepted Answer

Needle thoracostomy at the 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line

Answer

Needle thoracostomy (needle decompression) at the 2nd ICS midclavicular line is the standard prehospital treatment for tension pneumothorax.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a sign of adequate ventilation during BVM use?

Accepted Answer

Audible gurgling over the epigastrium

Answer

Gurgling over the epigastrium indicates air is entering the stomach, not the lungs — this signals improper ventilation and risk of aspiration.

Question 5

A patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction with severe bronchospasm and stridor. After epinephrine, the NEXT airway intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Oral intubation with RSI before swelling worsens

Answer

Rapidly progressing anaphylaxis with stridor requires early definitive airway management (RSI/intubation) before further swelling makes intubation impossible.

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Airway, Respiration, and Ventilation 5