Paramedics Exam Airway, Respiration & Ventilation 5

Question 1

A patient has a tracheostomy and is in respiratory arrest. Your initial attempt to ventilate via the stoma is unsuccessful. What is the next step?

Accepted Answer

Seal the stoma and ventilate via BVM applied to mouth and nose, then reattempt stoma ventilation

Answer

If stoma ventilation fails (e.g., mucus plug), occlude the stoma and attempt oral/nasal BVM ventilation; if that also fails, clear the stoma or insert a pediatric ETT into the stoma.

Question 2

Persistent ETCO2 above 50 mmHg in a mechanically ventilated patient most likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Hypoventilation — increase rate or tidal volume

Answer

Elevated ETCO2 above 45 mmHg indicates CO2 retention from hypoventilation; the ventilation rate or tidal volume should be increased.

Question 3

When sizing a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA), the correct method is:

Accepted Answer

Measure from the tip of the nose to the earlobe, and select diameter matching the patient's pinky finger

Answer

An NPA is sized by measuring from the tip of the nose to the earlobe for length, and choosing a diameter approximately equal to the patient's little finger.

Question 4

A drowning victim is unresponsive with agonal respirations. Which is true regarding ventilation priorities?

Accepted Answer

Early rescue breaths are particularly important in drowning as cardiac arrest is usually asphyxial

Answer

Drowning cardiac arrest is primarily asphyxial; early rescue breaths to correct hypoxia are especially important and should not be delayed.

Question 5

Which lung compliance finding is consistent with tension pneumothorax in a ventilated patient?

Accepted Answer

Sudden increase in peak airway pressures with decreased tidal volume delivery

Answer

Tension pneumothorax causes the affected lung to collapse and mediastinal shift, dramatically increasing airway resistance and peak pressures while reducing effective tidal volume.

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Airway, Respiration & Ventilation 5