Firefighter Emergency Medical Care 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: An adult is choking, conscious, and cannot speak or cough. What is the correct intervention?
- Back blows only
- Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver) (Correct answer)
- Chest compressions on the floor
- A finger sweep of the mouth
Correct answer: Abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
For a conscious adult with complete airway obstruction, perform abdominal thrusts until the object clears.
Question 2: A choking victim becomes unresponsive. What should you do next?
- Continue abdominal thrusts on the ground
- Lower the patient and begin CPR, checking the mouth before breaths (Correct answer)
- Perform a blind finger sweep
- Wait for EMS to arrive
Correct answer: Lower the patient and begin CPR, checking the mouth before breaths
Once unresponsive, begin CPR and look in the mouth for the object before giving breaths.
Question 3: What is the most reliable sign of adequate airway in a responsive patient?
- Pink skin color
- The ability to speak clearly (Correct answer)
- A strong radial pulse
- Equal pupil size
Correct answer: The ability to speak clearly
A patient who can speak clearly has a patent, protected airway with adequate air movement.
Question 4: Which airway maneuver is preferred for an unresponsive patient with suspected spinal injury?
- Head-tilt chin-lift
- Jaw-thrust maneuver (Correct answer)
- Hyperextension of the neck
- Recovery position roll
Correct answer: Jaw-thrust maneuver
The jaw-thrust opens the airway without moving the cervical spine.
Question 5: When is an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) appropriate?
- In any patient who is breathing
- Only in an unresponsive patient with no gag reflex (Correct answer)
- In a conscious choking victim
- In a patient with a strong gag reflex
Correct answer: Only in an unresponsive patient with no gag reflex
An OPA is used only in unresponsive patients lacking a gag reflex, or it may induce vomiting.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of placing a breathing, unresponsive patient in the recovery position?
- To improve circulation to the brain
- To keep the airway clear and allow drainage of fluids (Correct answer)
- To reduce shock
- To immobilize the spine
Correct answer: To keep the airway clear and allow drainage of fluids
The recovery position keeps the airway open and lets vomit or secretions drain out.
Question 7: A patient presents with stridor and increasing difficulty breathing. This most likely indicates what?
- Lower airway constriction
- Upper airway obstruction (Correct answer)
- Normal exertional breathing
- Hyperventilation
Correct answer: Upper airway obstruction
Stridor is a high-pitched sound caused by partial obstruction of the upper airway.
Firefighter Emergency Medical Care 3
An adult is choking, conscious, and cannot speak or cough.
What is the correct intervention?