Deck 10: Airway Management, Artificial Ventilation, and Oxygenation

Question 1

Your medical director is holding an in-service focusing on the prehospital management of adult patients with respiratory complaints. He asks the group to explain how they can determine if the patient is breathing adequately. Which one of the following responses is most appropriate?

A) "A patient is breathing adequately if the depth of breathing is shallow, but the rate is increased above normal."
B) "Checking the patient's breath sounds with a stethoscope is the best way to determine if a patient's breathing is adequate."
C) "For an adult patient to be breathing adequately, the rate should be within 8 to 24 breaths per minute with a full chest rise with each breath."
D) "The EMT can assume breathing is adequate if the patient has an open airway and a normal respiratory rate."

Answer 1

C

Question 2

Why is the jaw-thrust maneuver indicated for a patient with a possible spinal injury?

A) It is a permanent airway intervention that does not require a mechanical airway if performed correctly.
B) It manipulates the head and cervical spine less than the head-tilt, chin-lift.
C) It is less painful for the patient since he is already in pain from the injury.
D) It is the EMT's preference as to whether to use the head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

The EMT exhibits an accurate understanding of breathing when he states:

A) "When a person inhales, carbon dioxide is drawn into the lungs, and when he exhales, oxygen leaves the body."
B) "Respiration is best described as the process of moving air into and out of the body."
C) "Inhalation requires energy, while exhalation for most patients is a passive process."
D) "In between breaths, the epiglottis protectively closes over the trachea."

Answer 3

C

Question 4

You are assessing an unresponsive patient who overdosed on a narcotic pain medication. Given the situation, what is the greatest concern regarding potential airway occlusion?

A) Spasm of the epiglottis
B) Swelling of the carina
C) Collapse of the bronchi
D) Relaxation of the tongue

Question 5

Assessment findings on an elderly patient with congestive heart failure indicate that her failing heart is causing fluid to collect and fill her alveoli. Based on this pathophysiology, for which pulmonary complication should the EMT treat the patient?

A) Decreased blood pressure
B) Collapse of the bronchi
C) Swelling of the tongue
D) Decreased gas exchange

Question 6

Which one of the following statements indicates that the EMT has an accurate understanding of the bronchioles?

A) "They are large structures that pass oxygen from the lungs directly into the bloodstream."
B) "They are small air sacs located just before the alveoli."
C) "They are small passages located in the lower airway that have smooth muscle surrounding them."
D) "They are large airways located before the carina and are made of cartilage."

Question 7

You have arrived on the scene of an assault in which several people have been injured. You are directed to assist another crew with a patient who has been shot once. As you approach, you are told that the patient is breathing erratically and ineffectively. You observe the patient being ventilated with a bag-valve mask while another EMT maintains her airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver. Based on your observation, where might you expect that this patient was shot?

A) Head
B) Lower abdomen
C) Leg
D) Pelvis

Question 8

When a person's diaphragm contracts and the intercostal muscles pull the ribs upward, which one of the following will occur?

A) Oxygen will leave the body.
B) Air will flow into the lungs.
C) Pressure inside the chest will increase.
D) Carbon dioxide will be exhaled.

Question 9

You have been called for a patient who has overdosed on drugs and alcohol. The patient is responsive to painful stimuli and is breathing shallowly at 8 times per minute, but exhibits no cyanosis. You should recognize and do which one of the following?

A) Adequate breathing; administer oxygen at 15 lpm through a nonrebreather face mask.
B) Inadequate respirations; start positive pressure ventilation with supplemental oxygen.
C) Adequate breathing; initiate positive pressure ventilation with supplemental oxygen.
D) Inadequate breathing; administer oxygen at 15 lpm through a nonrebreather face mask.

Question 10

Which of the following statements regarding airway management in the trauma patient is correct?

A) The jaw-thrust is useful in the trauma patient, but only if he or she is complaining of head or neck pain.
B) Research has shown that the jaw-thrust is easier to perform and is therefore indicated for the more critical trauma patient.
C) Performing the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver on a patient with a possible spinal injury could further injure or paralyze the patient.
D) Trauma patients should always have their airway opened with the jaw-thrust while medical patients should receive the head-tilt, chin-lift.

Question 11

Which one of the following patients is most likely to lose neurological control and regulation of the respiratory system?

A) 31-year-old with a severe injury to the head
B) 44-year-old who smokes and is nauseated
C) 56-year-old with heart problems and chest pain
D) 61-year-old newly diagnosed with diabetes

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the path that oxygen must travel to get into the cells of the body?

A) Nasopharynx, oropharynx, carina, trachea, alveoli
B) Oropharynx, larynx, trachea, carina, bronchioles
C) Nose, pharynx, esophagus, bronchi, alveoli
D) Pharynx, larynx, trachea, alveoli, bronchioles

Question 13

A 2-year-old boy who just seized must have his airway opened. When performing the head-tilt, chin-lift airway maneuver, the EMT must remember:

A) the head must be flexed forward.
B) the head must be hyperextended.
C) a towel roll should be placed under the head.
D) the head should only be slightly extended.

Question 14

If an injured patient has lost all use of his diaphragm, the EMT should recognize that the patient:

A) has lost a major portion of his ability to breathe.
B) is breathing adequately but most likely will be complaining of chest pain.
C) requires immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and frequent suctioning.
D) requires supplemental oxygen with a nonrebreather face mask.

Question 15

The EMT believes that a patient is mildly hypoxic based on findings from the primary assessment. What other sign could the EMT use to confirm his suspicion of mild hypoxia?

A) Cyanosis
B) Restlessness
C) Responsive to verbal stimuli
D) Sleepy appearance

Question 16

Which one of the following patients should the EMT recognize as being mildly hypoxic?

A) 24-year-old female breathing 8 times per minute with cyanosis to her lips
B) 36-year-old female with asthma, breathing 22 times per minute with cyanosis to her fingertips
C) 44-year-old male breathing 22 times per minute who is confused and has an SpO₂ at 97%
D) 18-year-old male who is restless and breathing shallowly at 16 times per minute with no cyanosis

Question 17

Which one of the following patients should the EMT recognize as having an actual or potential occlusion of the upper airway?

A) 3-year-old male with a fever and swelling of the larynx
B) 45-year-old female with spasm of the bronchioles
C) 61-year-old male with a piece of fruit stuck in his trachea
D) 78-year-old female with a large mucous plug in her bronchi

Question 18

When assessing the airway, breathing, and circulation, which one of the following best indicates that the patient has an open airway?

A) The patient is conscious.
B) The breath sounds are clear.
C) The respiratory rate is normal.
D) The patient speaks with ease.

Question 19

Which one of the following patients should benefit from the head-tilt, chin-lift manual airway maneuver?

A) 39-year-old male who just had a seizure and has snoring respirations
B) 45-year-old female who is alert and vomiting blood
C) 67-year-old female who fell down a flight of stairs and is unresponsive
D) 85-year-old female who hit her head on a tree limb and is now responsive to painful stimuli

Question 20

You have been called to a long-term nursing care facility for a 77-year-old female patient with Parkinson's disease. According to the nursing staff, she is more confused than normal and is to be transported to the emergency department for evaluation. Since the patient neither understands nor can answer any of your questions, which one of the following signs provides the best evidence that her breathing is adequate?

A) Respiratory rate of 18
B) Pulse oximeter reading at 98%
C) Clear breath sounds
D) Strong radial pulse

Question 21

While you are transporting a patient with altered mental status, he suddenly vomits partially digested food along with large blood clots. The vomitus is too big for the rigid suction catheter. The EMT should immediately place the patient on his side and:

A) use a soft suction catheter.
B) administer abdominal thrusts.
C) perform a finger sweep.
D) encourage the patient to cough.

Question 22

Which one of the following setups on the bag-valve mask (BVM) will enable the EMT to deliver the highest concentration of oxygen to the patient?

A) BVM with room-air oxygen being used by two EMTs
B) BVM attached to oxygen at 15 lpm
C) BVM with oxygen reservoir attached, receiving oxygen at 15 lpm
D) BVM with oxygen reservoir attached

Question 23

You have arrived next to a patient who reportedly had a seizure. Assessment reveals him to be apneic with vomitus in the airway. He has a radial pulse, and his skin is cool and diaphoretic. Which one of the following should you do immediately?

A) Start artificial ventilation.
B) Suction the airway.
C) Check breath sounds.
D) Apply a nonrebreather mask.

Question 24

Which one of the following tips should you give a new EMT about artificially ventilating a patient with the bag-valve mask?

A) "If the patient has dentures, they should be removed so a better mask-to-face seal can be achieved."
B) "It is important to maintain the head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver while ventilating the patient."
C) "To direct air into the lungs and away from the stomach, flex the patient's head forward when ventilating with the BVM."
D) "Always remove the oropharyngeal airway. If it is in place when you are ventilating with a BVM, it may be pushed deep into the airway."

Question 25

You must suction a male patient who has a decreased ability to swallow secondary to a previous stroke. He also has a history of smoking and lung cancer. Which one of the following represents the most appropriate personal protective equipment that you should use with this patient?

A) Gloves
B) Gloves and goggles
C) Gloves, mask with face shield
D) Gloves, gown, HEPA respirator mask

Question 26

A young child with multiple physical and developmental abnormalities has a severe nose bleed. You must suction his nasopharynx to decrease the amount of blood he is swallowing. Which of the following would be included in this care?

A) Insert a soft catheter into the nose the same length as the distance from the patient's nose to the tip of his ear.
B) Place the patient on his side and gently insert a rigid-tip catheter 1 inch into each nostril starting with the right.
C) Insert the soft catheter through the nose past the base of the tongue.
D) Irrigate the nostrils with water to thin and loosen the blood prior to suctioning with a rigid catheter.

Question 27

When using a pocket mask to ventilate an unresponsive adult patient, the EMT must remember to always:

A) deliver 1 breath every 3 seconds.
B) maintain the head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver.
C) ventilate at twice the patient's normal rate of breathing.
D) provide each breath over 3 seconds.

Question 28

The EMT is correctly performing the jaw-thrust airway maneuver when she:

A) places her hands on the side of the patient's head and lifts the jaw upward.
B) maintains the head in a neutral position and slightly tilts the head backward.
C) opens the airway by slightly extending the head and thrusting the jaw upward.
D) places one hand on the forehead and lifts the jaw upward with her other hand.

Question 29

You are assessing a young male patient who is responsive to painful stimuli and breathing agonally after being ejected from an automobile at a high rate of speed. His pulse is weak and thready, and his skin is cool and diaphoretic. When addressing his airway and breathing, the EMT must immediately:

A) administer oxygen at 15 lpm with a nonrebreather face mask.
B) perform the jaw-thrust and begin artificial ventilations with the bag-valve mask.
C) immobilize him to a long spine board, and then start positive pressure ventilation.
D) open the airway using the head-tilt, chin-lift and begin ventilations with the bag-valve mask.

Question 30

The EMT should use the jaw-thrust maneuver to open the airway for the patient with which one of the following?

A) Overdose with snoring respirations
B) Stroke with gurgling respirations
C) Cardiac arrest in bed
D) Unresponsive after falling from a porch

Question 31

You have opened the airway using a head-tilt, chin-lift and are ready to ventilate an apneic patient with a pocket mask. The first ventilation you attempt is unsuccessful. You should immediately:

A) reposition the head.
B) use a jaw-thrust maneuver.
C) ventilate over 3 seconds.
D) provide five abdominal thrusts.

Question 32

Which one of the following statements made by an EMT shows that she understands how to suction patients in a field setting?

A) "When caring for a young child, I suction for a minimum of 5 seconds."
B) "To thoroughly suction a patient, I insert the rigid-tip catheter past the base of the tongue and into the pharynx."
C) "It is helpful to pour sterile water into the patient's mouth to liquefy vomit and make it easier to suction."
D) "I only activate the suction device when I am withdrawing the suction catheter."

Question 33

Which one of the following statements about the bag-valve mask (BVM) is true?

A) Oxygen must be attached so that the squeezable bag will reinflate.
B) A 15/22 mm adapter allows the BVM to be attached to advanced airways such as the endotracheal tube.
C) The nonrebreather valve allows the patient to rebreathe air that he has exhaled.
D) The oxygen reservoir should deflate by one-third every time a breath is given.

Question 34

You arrive at a residence for a male patient who is unresponsive. As you enter the room, you observe an obese male lying on a recliner. His eyes are closed, and he has gurgling respirations. While your partner quickly performs a primary assessment, you should immediately prepare to:

A) auscultate breath sounds.
B) suction the airway.
C) administer high-concentration oxygen.
D) insert an oropharyngeal airway.

Question 35

Which one of the following statements shows that the EMT knows how to correctly position the BVM on the patient's face?

A) "I place the narrow part of the mask over the bridge of the nose, and the bottom part in the cleft above the chin."
B) "If two rescuers are using the BVM, the mask only needs to be placed over the mouth and the nose pinched closed."
C) "The wide portion of the mask is place at the top of the nose and the narrow part below the lower lip."
D) "The mask is properly positioned when the top portion lies over the bridge of the nose and the lower portion below the chin."

Question 36

You are teaching a group of firefighters who are in class to become Emergency Medical Responders. The topic is artificial ventilation with the bag-valve mask (BVM). Which one of the following points related to using the BVM should you emphasize?

A) It is better to ventilate too quickly as opposed to too slowly.
B) Maintaining a good mask-to-face seal is difficult.
C) The BVM is useless unless it is hooked to supplemental oxygen.
D) The bag must be fully squeezed in order to give the proper amount of volume with each breath.

Question 37

You must suction frothy secretions from the mouth and pharynx of a 31-year-old male patient whose respiration rate is 4 breaths per minute. Which one of the following interventions is most appropriate given the patient's condition?

A) Suction for no more than 15 seconds at a time followed by 2 minutes of positive pressure ventilation.
B) Forego suctioning and continue to provide positive pressure ventilation.
C) Place the patient into a side-lying position and alternate 30 seconds of suctioning and ventilation.
D) Use a soft-tip catheter and suction for no more than 30 seconds before providing additional oxygen with a nonrebreather face mask.

Question 38

Which one of the following statements made by an EMT shows he understands the use of the pocket mask?

A) "Although the pocket mask is very effective at ventilating a patient, the EMT is directly exposed to secretions from the patient."
B) "In comparison to the bag-valve mask, the pocket mask can deliver a just as good, if not better, tidal volume."
C) "When using the pocket mask to ventilate a patient, the EMT must make sure that the reservoir bag is in place."
D) "The EMT must remove the oral airway and replace it with a nasal airway when ventilating with a pocket mask."

Question 39

A 52-year-old male with a brain tumor has gone into respiratory arrest. You assign the task of artificially ventilating the patient with the bag-valve mask to a new Emergency Medical Responder. How will you instruct him to ventilate the patient?

A) Deliver 1 breath every 5 to 6 seconds, with each ventilation lasting 1 second.
B) Give the patient 20 breaths per minute, with each breath lasting 1.5 seconds.
C) Administer 10 breaths per minute, with each ventilation lasting 2 seconds.
D) Give the patient 24 breaths per minute, with special attention to allowing for adequate exhalation.

Question 40

You are caring for a 46-year-old male patient who is unresponsive. Which one of the following statements made by your partner indicates the need to immediately stop suctioning the patient's airway and resume positive pressure ventilation?

A) "He is starting to have gurgling respirations."
B) "His heart rate is 48 beats per minute."
C) "You have been suctioning now for 10 seconds."
D) "He is biting down on the rigid-tip catheter."

Question 41

The EMT should recognize that the oropharyngeal airway has been appropriately inserted when:

A) it cannot be dislodged by the EMT.
B) the respiratory rate returns to normal.
C) vomiting is no longer occurring.
D) its flange rests on the teeth.

Question 42

Which one of the following best describes oxygen?

A) A gas classified as a drug
B) A highly flammable substance
C) An odorless cloudy gas when pressurized
D) A moist gas that supports combustion

Question 43

Which one of the following statements about ventilation of a nonbreathing patient through a stoma is true?

A) The EMT should ventilate through the stoma with a child-sized face mask attached to a bag-valve mask.
B) A head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust airway maneuver is still needed to open the airway.
C) Mouth-to-stoma ventilation is an easy and safe procedure to perform on a nonbreathing patient.
D) A nasal airway should be inserted into the stoma prior to any attempt at ventilating the patient.

Question 44

Which one of the following statements about the flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device is true?

A) "It can be used to ventilate spontaneously breathing patients."
B) "It is an effective tool by which children can be ventilated."
C) "It has a safety valve that prevents lung damage from overinflation."
D) "It is very easy to use and has virtually no complications associated with its use."

Question 45

You arrive at a residence to assist another crew with a patient in cardiac arrest. As you enter the room, a brand new EMT informs you that he is having difficulty maintaining the mask seal to the patient's face while ventilating with the BVM. Which one of the following responses shows that you understand and can help with the problem?

A) "I will check breath sounds to see if air is reaching the lungs."
B) "Why don't you try using a larger adult mask and flex the head forward?"
C) "I will administer some cricoid pressure. That should help."
D) "Let me maintain the face-to-mask seal while you squeeze the bag."

Question 46

You are observing an EMT insert an oropharyngeal airway into the airway of a 36-year-old male who has overdosed on a street drug. Which one of the following observations indicates correct technique?

A) The airway is inserted into the mouth upside-down and is then turned 180 degrees once it contacts the soft palate.
B) The EMT uses a tongue depressor to press the back of the tongue downward, and then inserts the oral airway upside-down.
C) The airway is inserted in its normal anatomic position until the flange of the airway is 1 cm above the lips.
D) The oral airway is introduced sideways into the mouth, and then rotated 180 degrees once it has reached the base of the tongue.

Question 47

While the EMT is inserting an oropharyngeal airway, the patient gags. The EMT should:

A) remove the airway and maintain the head-tilt, chin-lift.
B) lubricate the oropharyngeal airway and reattempt insertion.
C) reattempt insertion using a smaller oropharyngeal airway.
D) use a tongue depressor to better place the oral airway.

Question 48

You must transport a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning to a specialized facility for treatment. Transport time is estimated at an hour and a half. The patient is on a nonrebreather face mask with a continuous oxygen flow of 15 lpm. On the ambulance, you have a G tank with 1,100 psi inside. Knowing that the cylinder constant is 2.41, what action should the EMT take in relation to the amount of available oxygen and transport time?

A) Replace the G cylinder with a full D cylinder.
B) Decrease the oxygen flow to 10 lpm for the transport.
C) Apply a nasal cannula at 8 lpm for the transport.
D) Replace the G cylinder after the transport.

Question 49

For which one of the following patients is placement of an oropharyngeal airway indicated?

A) Responsive but confused patient with stridorous respirations
B) Patient who responds to painful stimuli by moaning and has vomited
C) Unresponsive patient who has no gag or cough reflex
D) Patient with snoring respirations who coughs as the oral airway is placed into his mouth

Question 50

The EMT is appropriately sizing the nasal airway when she measures the:

A) distance from the mouth to the angle of the jaw.
B) diameter of the larger nostril.
C) distance from the nose to earlobe.
D) diameter of the patient's little finger.

Question 51

The EMT shows that he is correctly using the flow-restricted, oxygen-powered ventilation device when he:

A) stops ventilating as soon as the patient's chest begins to rise.
B) administers each ventilation over a 2- to 3-second period.
C) ventilates the patient at a rate of 20 breaths per minute.
D) increases pressure if the air enters the stomach instead of the lungs.

Question 52

You are artificially ventilating an adult male patient who is in respiratory arrest with a bag-valve mask. Which one of the following shows that you are ventilating this patient properly?

A) Adequate chest rise and fall
B) Ability to fully deflate the self-inflating bag
C) Clear and equal breath sounds
D) Ventilation rate of 20 breaths per minute

Question 53

You are having a difficult time getting air from the bag-valve mask to pass into the patient's lungs. Your first action should be to:

A) perform a finger sweep of the airway.
B) administer abdominal thrusts.
C) turn the patient on his side and try ventilations again.
D) perform the head-tilt, chin-lift again.

Question 54

Which one of the following statements about different sizes of oxygen cylinders is true?

A) H tanks are the smallest oxygen cylinders.
B) D cylinders hold the most oxygen.
C) G and E tanks have the same psi when full.
D) M tanks are the easiest to carry on the stretcher.

Question 55

The EMT shows that she understands how to use an oropharyngeal airway when she states:

A) "Once it has been placed, the head-tilt, chin-lift is no longer needed."
B) "If it is too small, it could push the epiglottis over the opening of the trachea."
C) "It protects the patient from aspirating vomit or other secretions."
D) "I must watch the patient for vomiting or spasm of the vocal cords even with proper insertion."

Question 56

When inserting a nasopharyngeal airway, the EMT should remember that the:

A) patient cannot be responsive nor have a gag reflex.
B) oil-based lubricant is needed for smooth insertion.
C) head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust is not needed after insertion.
D) nasal mucosa may bleed even with proper insertion.

Question 57

While a 61-year-old female in cardiac arrest receives emergency care, you note that her abdomen grows larger with each ventilation provided from a bag-valve mask. What instructions should you provide?

A) "Try delivering each ventilation over 3 seconds, and let's slow down the rate."
B) "The ventilation rate and force of ventilation need to be increased so air goes into the lungs."
C) "Let's slow the ventilation rate to 10 per minute, providing each breath over 1 second."
D) "I need another rescuer to apply firm pressure over the stomach, while we ventilate this patient."

Question 58

You are transferring an unresponsive patient from her house to the ambulance on the stretcher. An oral airway has been placed and ventilations with the bag-valve mask are being administered. Suddenly, the patient regains consciousness and starts to gag. Your immediate action should be to:

A) leave the airway in but stop ventilations.
B) remove the oral airway.
C) suction the airway.
D) reassure and calm the patient.

Question 59

The EMT has just placed an oropharyngeal airway in a patient. By doing so, which one of the following has the EMT accomplished?

A) Protected the airway from vomit or other secretions
B) Secured the tongue away from the back of the airway
C) Obtained a patent airway by preventing closure of the mouth
D) Minimized the risk of vomiting by closing off the esophagus

Question 60

Which one of the following statements shows that the EMT knows how to properly size an oral airway prior to placement?

A) "It is better to have an oral airway that is too large, rather than one that is too small."
B) "To select an appropriately sized oral airway, you must estimate the patient's height and weight."
C) "The airway should approximate the distance from the front teeth to the angle of the jaw."
D) "An appropriately sized oral airway can be selected by looking in the patient's mouth and estimating the length of the tongue."

Question 61

Which one of the following statements about an automatic transport ventilator (ATV) is true?

A) It can help minimize gastric distention associated with positive pressure ventilation.
B) When it is in use, there is no need for a face-to-mask seal.
C) It eliminates the need for a head-tilt, chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuver.
D) The EMT has greater ease is determining an increase or decrease in lung compliance.

Question 62

Despite coaching and explaining the benefits of a nonrebreather face mask, a moderately short of breath and hypoxic patient with lung cancer states that she cannot tolerate the mask over her face. The more that she panics, the worse the shortness of breath becomes. Your best course of action is to:

A) remove the nonrebreather mask and apply a simple face mask.
B) decrease the oxygen flow rate entering the nonrebreather face mask.
C) disconnect the nonrebreather and replace it with a nasal cannula.
D) discontinue oxygen therapy and continually monitor breath sounds during transport.

Question 63

When monitoring a patient receiving oxygen through a nasal cannula, which one of the following observations warrants immediate intervention?

A) Oxygen flow rate of 15 liters per minute
B) Prongs in the nostrils curving posteriorly into the nose
C) Tubing positioned over the ears and under the chin
D) Breathing normally with the nasal cannula in place

Question 64

Which one of the following actions should you perform when attaching a therapy regulator to a new oxygen tank?

A) Open the cylinder valve for 1 second prior to attaching the regulator.
B) Tighten the regulator to the oxygen cylinder with an oxygen wrench.
C) Stand the tank upright on the floor for 2 minutes prior to attaching the regulator.
D) Lubricate the stem of the cylinder with oil prior to attaching the regulator.

Question 65

Which one of the following oxygen administration systems will provide the patient with the greatest amount of oxygen?

A) Nasal cannula at 15 liters per minute of oxygen
B) Simple face mask at 12 liters per minute of oxygen
C) Nonrebreather face mask at 15 liters per minute of oxygen
D) Venturi face mask set to deliver 40% oxygen

Question 66

When providing oxygen via nonrebreather face mask, which one of the following is essential for the EMT to have?

A) Oxygen humidifier
B) Therapy regulator
C) D or E oxygen cylinder
D) High-pressure regulator

Question 67

You arrive at work and note that the portable oxygen tanks in the ambulance are now yellow instead of green as during the previous shift. As a knowledgeable EMT you should:

A) remove the tank and retrieve a green cylinder.
B) recognize the addition of more effective synthetic oxygen.
C) determine that your service has switched to the new lightweight oxygen tanks.
D) realize that a yellow color indicates new tanks that hold more oxygen.

Question 68

An elderly male who is short of breath is on home oxygen. He is wearing a nasal cannula connected to an oxygen tank with the flow regulator set to 3 liters per minute. As a knowledgeable EMT, you should recognize that the patient is getting approximately what percentage of oxygen with each breath?

A) 20%
B) 24%
C) 32%
D) 40%

Question 69

Assessment findings for an alert and oriented patient complaining of shortness of breath reveal an open airway and strong radial pulse, accompanied by skin that is cool and diaphoretic. The depth of respirations is adequate, and breath sounds include wheezing throughout the lungs. Vital signs are a pulse of 124, respiratory rate of 24, blood pressure of 146/82 mmHg, and SpO₂ 93%. The patient has a history of asthma for which he takes medications. How should you administer oxygen to this patient?

A) Nonrebreather mask
B) Venturi mask
C) Nasal cannula
D) Bag-valve mask

Question 70

Which one of the following actions indicates that the EMT is correctly using a nonrebreather face mask on an adult patient?

A) He ensures that the reservoir fully collapses with each breath.
B) He instructs the patient to take deeper breaths when the mask is on.
C) He sets the oxygen flow rate to between 6 and 16 liters per minute.
D) He fully inflates the reservoir prior to placing it on the patient.

Question 71

You are watching an EMT prepare the ambulance for the upcoming shift. In regards to oxygen cylinders and equipment, which one of the following requires immediate intervention?

A) He lays tanks on the floor when removed from the ambulance.
B) He cleans a dirty oxygen tank with a petroleum-based agent.
C) He ensures that the temperature in the oxygen storage room is under 100°F.
D) He makes certain that all valves on the empty oxygen tanks are closed.

Question 72

When using a nonrebreather face mask, the EMT recognizes which one of the following?

A) The air exhaled by the patient will be recycled with oxygen.
B) The mask is comfortable and well tolerated by all patients when properly applied.
C) Approximately 90% of the patient's tidal volume will be oxygen.
D) Oxygen is delivered into the lungs even when the patient is not inhaling.

Question 73

You are assessing a patient with altered mental status. Which assessment finding contraindicates the use of the nonrebreather face mask?

A) Confusion
B) Respiratory rate of 18, with poor tidal volume
C) Clear and equal breath sounds
D) Respiratory rate of 24 breaths per minute

Question 74

What is the preferred method of providing high-concentration oxygen in the prehospital setting?

A) Nasal cannula
B) Nonrebreather face mask
C) Simple face mask
D) Venturi mask

Question 75

When using a therapy regulator, which one of the following can be readily observed?

A) Temperature of oxygen in the cylinder
B) Liters of oxygen remaining in the oxygen cylinder
C) Concentration of oxygen received by the patient
D) Flow rate of oxygen leaving the oxygen cylinder

Question 76

Which one of the following statements indicates that the EMT has a correct understanding of the use of oxygen in the prehospital setting?

A) "Oxygen should be withheld from a patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease."
B) "If the patient has a poor tidal volume, oxygen should be administered at 15 lpm through a nonrebreather mask."
C) "Oxygen should never, ever be withheld from a patient you think may need it ."
D) "If providing positive pressure ventilation, lower concentrations of oxygen may be used."

Question 77

A paramedic has asked you to place the patient on a nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute. To administer oxygen at this flow rate, you should:

A) attach a high-pressure regulator to the oxygen cylinder.
B) adjust the tank pressure to 15 pounds per square inch (psi).
C) slowly decrease the tank pressure valve until 15 psi is achieved.
D) select 15 on the oxygen therapy regulator.

Question 78

Which one of the following statements about a nasal cannula is true?

A) "I can adjust the oxygen flow rate anywhere from 1 to 8 lpm, depending on how much oxygen the patient needs."
B) "When the nasal cannula is set to the highest appropriate oxygen flow rate, a large portion of the air inspired by the patient is ambient air."
C) "The nasal cannula is preferred over the nonrebreather mask because it gives the oxygen through the nose instead of the mouth."
D) "It is best to see how the patient tolerates the nasal cannula before attempting to place a nonrebreather mask on the patient."

Question 79

You are using an automatic transport ventilator (ATV) for a patient who has a poor respiratory effort. Which one of the following is the best indicator of adequate ventilation?

A) The preset tidal and minute volumes on the ATV are being used.
B) There is no air leak between the mask and the patient's face.
C) The inspiratory to expiratory ratio is 2 seconds to 1 second.
D) The chest rises and falls.

Question 80

You are checking the D oxygen tank in the ambulance and note that the reading on the pressure regulator reads 1,000 psi. You should recognize that the tank is:

A) leaking.
B) overfilled.
C) half full.
D) almost empty.