Airway, Respiration & Ventilation Flashcards
7 cards from real Paramedics Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Airway, Respiration & Ventilation flashcards as text
A patient on CPAP for pulmonary edema suddenly deteriorates with decreased LOC and apnea. What is your next step?
Answer: Remove CPAP and initiate BVM ventilation with consideration for intubation
A patient on CPAP who deteriorates to apnea requires removal of CPAP and transition to BVM ventilation, with preparation for RSI if the patient cannot protect the airway.
Which anatomical landmark differentiates the upper from the lower airway?
Answer: The vocal cords (glottis)
The glottis (vocal cords) marks the division between the upper and lower airways; structures above are upper airway, below (trachea, bronchi, lungs) are lower airway.
Which sign most specifically suggests right mainstem bronchus intubation after ETT placement?
Answer: Absent breath sounds on the left with present sounds on the right
Unilateral absent breath sounds (typically left side) after intubation indicates right mainstem intubation because the right mainstem bronchus is shorter and more aligned with the trachea.
When using a video laryngoscope, the paramedic obtains an excellent view of the glottis but cannot pass the ETT. What is the most likely reason?
Answer: The tube is not following the line of sight of the camera angle
Video laryngoscopes create a hyperangulated view; the ETT must be angled with a stylet to match the camera's curved line of sight, not the direct line of vision.
A patient with a GCS of 6 is breathing at 24/min with shallow respirations. What ventilation strategy is most appropriate?
Answer: Assisted ventilation via BVM at 10–12 breaths/min coordinated with patient's efforts
A GCS of 6 with inadequate ventilation warrants assisted BVM ventilation; over-ventilation (hyperventilation) is harmful unless herniation is suspected.
Which of the following is the correct sequence of events confirming ETT placement?
Answer: Direct visualization through cords → bilateral breath sounds → chest rise → waveform capnography
Best practice: visualize ETT passing through the cords, then confirm with chest rise, bilateral breath sounds, and continuous waveform capnography.
A patient with Ludwig's angina presents with a rapidly swelling floor of the mouth and muffled voice. Which airway approach carries the highest risk of complete obstruction?
Answer: RSI with succinylcholine and direct laryngoscopy
RSI with paralytics in Ludwig's angina risks loss of the airway without guaranteed ability to intubate, as swelling distorts anatomy; if intubation fails post-paralysis, rescue is extremely difficult.