OFA Respiratory Emergencies & Airway Management 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which airway-opening technique is recommended for an unresponsive adult when NO spinal injury is suspected?
- Jaw thrust maneuver
- Head-tilt chin-lift (Correct answer)
- Chin-lift only
- Finger sweep
Correct answer: Head-tilt chin-lift
The head-tilt chin-lift is the standard first-aid technique for opening the airway of an unconscious patient without a suspected spinal injury.
Question 2: What is the normal resting respiratory rate for an adult?
- 6–10 breaths per minute
- 12–20 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- 22–28 breaths per minute
- 30–40 breaths per minute
Correct answer: 12–20 breaths per minute
A normal adult resting respiratory rate is 12–20 breaths per minute; rates outside this range may indicate a breathing problem.
Question 3: When a spinal injury is suspected in an unconscious worker, which airway technique should the first aider use?
- Head-tilt chin-lift
- Neck hyperextension
- Jaw thrust maneuver (Correct answer)
- Nasopharyngeal airway insertion
Correct answer: Jaw thrust maneuver
The jaw thrust moves the mandible forward to open the airway without extending the neck, making it the preferred method when spinal injury is possible.
Question 4: Which sign is most consistent with a COMPLETE airway obstruction?
- Audible snoring sounds
- Forceful, productive cough
- Unable to speak, cough, or breathe (Correct answer)
- Rapid, noisy breathing
Correct answer: Unable to speak, cough, or breathe
A victim with a complete obstruction cannot speak, cough, or move air and requires immediate intervention such as abdominal thrusts.
Question 5: Which breath sound indicates a partial UPPER airway obstruction?
- Wheezing
- Stridor (Correct answer)
- Gurgling
- Crackling
Correct answer: Stridor
Stridor is a high-pitched, harsh inspiratory sound caused by partial obstruction at the level of the larynx or trachea.
Question 6: The 'look, listen, and feel' assessment technique is used to evaluate which patient parameter?
- Adequacy of circulation
- Presence and adequacy of breathing (Correct answer)
- Level of consciousness
- Skin color and temperature
Correct answer: Presence and adequacy of breathing
Looking for chest rise, listening for breath sounds, and feeling for air movement against the cheek together confirm whether a patient is breathing adequately.
Question 7: A worker is unconscious and breathing with a gurgling sound. What does this most likely indicate?
- Normal snoring
- Fluid or secretions partially blocking the airway (Correct answer)
- Bronchospasm in the lower airways
- Complete airway obstruction
Correct answer: Fluid or secretions partially blocking the airway
Gurgling indicates fluid (blood, vomit, or secretions) in the upper airway, which requires positioning (recovery position) and suctioning if available.
OFA Respiratory Emergencies & Airway Management 1
Which airway-opening technique is recommended for an unresponsive adult when NO spinal injury is suspected?