EMT Airway Management Practice Test

These questions are part of the practice quiz. Start practicing

• Which of the following is NOT a typical method to verify King LT-D placement?
• Why is sterile technique important with suction equipment in prehospital airway management?
• An oropharyngeal airway is contraindicated in which patient scenario?
• Why is rapid desaturation a particular risk in pregnant patients during airway management?
• Hypoxia is most accurately defined as
• What is the primary purpose of suctioning?
• Which of the following is a late sign of hypoxia?
• Which statement about positive-pressure ventilation is correct?
• Which step should be performed before suctioning to minimize hypoxemia?
• What is the purpose of the pin-indexing system on compressed gas cylinders?
• What is a common risk associated with improper positive-pressure ventilation during intubation?
• During CPR, how can capnography help assess quality of chest compressions?
• Which of the following is a contraindication for nasal airway use?
• The pressure of gas in a full cylinder of oxygen is approximately ______ psi.
• How does pediatric airway anatomy differ from adults?
• What are signs of effective ventilation with a BVM?
• The EMT would most likely administer humidified oxygen for which condition?
• When a nasal airway is in place, what should you be careful to avoid?
• What is the MOST common cause of airway obstruction in an unconscious patient?
• When should you consider replacing a BVM with an advanced airway?
• Why is capnography a critical tool after airway placement?
• In facial trauma with airway compromise, which airway device is often preferred?
• Which statement correctly describes a nonrebreather mask with a good seal delivering high oxygen?
• Which device is used to protect an unconscious patient's airway and prevent tongue obstruction?
• Which is NOT a typical sign of airway obstruction in a conscious child?
• When would you use a nasopharyngeal airway over an oropharyngeal airway?
• During denture management for ventilation, which option correctly handles loose dentures?
• Which scenario best describes when an oropharyngeal airway is appropriate to use?
• In inhalation injury, what is a key element of the airway management plan?
• When is the head tilt-chin lift technique indicated?
• A patient who is suspected of being hypoxic and is breathing adequately should receive supplemental oxygen with which device?
• During BVM ventilation, which of the following indicates ongoing ventilation?
• Which statement describes an intermediate airway option before intubation in a difficult airway?
• Which statement about head position during BVM is most accurate?
• What does an ongoing capnography waveform indicate after airway placement?
• Which sign indicates impending upper airway edema?
• What is the primary goal of airway management in the EMS setting?
• Which substance reduces alveolar surface tension and helps prevent alveolar collapse?
• Which pair represents the alveolar partial pressures of oxygen and carbon dioxide?
• Which sign indicates effective ventilation when using a bag-valve mask?
• During pediatric foreign body airway obstruction, if a conscious infant under 1 year becomes unresponsive after initial relief measures, what is the recommended action?
• In a patient with inhalation injury and suspected airway edema, which management approach is recommended?
• Under what condition is an advanced airway typically considered when BVM ventilation is inadequate?
• Which of the following is a key step to confirm placement of a supraglottic airway device?
• Gas exchange in the lungs is facilitated by which factor?
• How does facial trauma affect airway management?
• Which sign during ventilation indicates effective ventilation after airway placement?
• In patients with COPD, how might SpO2 targets differ from typical targets?
• In a patient with suspected cervical spine injury, opening the airway should minimize movement.
• Capnography is used during airway management to verify:
• What technique helps minimize gastric inflation during BVM ventilation?
• How do you perform a pediatric jaw-thrust to open the airway?
• What is a common hemodynamic effect of positive-pressure ventilation?
• How is the appropriate pediatric endotracheal tube size estimated?
• Which statement best describes the use of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) and a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) regarding reflex suppression and usage?
• What is the initial management priority in suspected epiglottitis when airway instrumentation is not performed immediately?
• What SpO2 target is generally maintained for most adult patients in acute care with supplemental oxygen?
• Which statement about using a supraglottic airway device during EMS are true?
• If surfactant is deficient, what is the most likely consequence in the alveoli?
• Which information should be documented after airway management?
• What is the most significant complication associated with oropharyngeal suctioning?
• What are common signs of airway obstruction in a conscious child?
• During bag-mask ventilation, what finding most strongly indicates effective ventilation?
• Which statement best describes exhalation during normal breathing?
• What is a common limitation of supraglottic airways?
• During CPAP in severe respiratory distress, if heart rate increases and the patient becomes unresponsive, you should
• Structures of the lower airway include all of the following, EXCEPT which?
• In a patient with suspected spinal injury and airway obstruction, what is the recommended airway management sequence?
• A nasopharyngeal airway is contraindicated in which scenario?
• How should suctioning be performed to minimize hypoxia during airway clearance?
• The diaphragm is innervated by which nerve, enabling it to contract?
• A patient wearing dentures requires BVM ventilation. What is the recommended approach?
• Which device can deliver high concentrations of oxygen, typically 80–100%, at 12–15 L/min?
• In EMS, when should a King LT-D be used?
• Which sequence reflects an appropriate response when managing an airway in a combative patient?
• The nonrebreathing mask delivers up to ______% inspired oxygen when a good seal is maintained and a 15 L/min flow.
• Which tool besides age-based formula can be used to estimate pediatric airway size?
• Which of the following best addresses poor BVM ventilation when initial attempts fail?
• Which value is a typical alveolar PO2?
• A patient is not breathing but has a pulse. What is the recommended bag-valve-mask ventilation rate?
• Which patient would most likely require insertion of an oropharyngeal airway?
• Which action would NOT help minimize the risk of gastric distention when ventilating an apneic patient with a bag-mask device?
• Which method is essential to confirm endotracheal tube placement after insertion?
• If tidal volume is 750 mL, dead space is 150 mL, and respiratory rate is 12 breaths per minute, alveolar ventilation is:
• If you cannot ventilate with a BVM after several attempts, what is the recommended next step?
• What is the recommended approach to suctioning to minimize hypoxia?
• What is a common sign of an inadequate mask seal during ventilation?
• How do you size a nasopharyngeal airway?
• How can you confirm proper endotracheal tube placement in the field when waveform capnography is available?
• In trauma airway management, what is the primary rule regarding movement of the spine?
• Prior to applying a nonrebreathing mask to a patient, you must ensure that the
• At a flow rate of 6 L/min, a nasal cannula can deliver an approximate oxygen concentration up to which percentage?
• If a patient cannot tolerate a high-flow oxygen delivery device, what is a recommended alternative?
• Which structure is part of the lower airway?
• What is the initial step for airway management in a trauma patient with facial bleeding?
• Apneic oxygenation during intubation is best described as which practice?
• Which component is emphasized when managing inhalation injury with suspected edema?
• Which of the following is a reliable method to confirm ETT placement?
• Which airway device provides a definitive airway alternative when intubation is not possible?
• Which practice mitigates the risk of gastric insufflation during positive-pressure ventilation in intubation?
• What is the recommended two-person technique to optimize BVM ventilation?
• Intrapulmonary shunting occurs when
• Which airway adjunct is appropriate for an unconscious patient who lacks a gag reflex?
• The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the
• The hypoxic drive is influenced by which condition?
• To select the proper size of an oropharyngeal airway, you should measure from the
• An oxygen cylinder should be taken out of service and refilled when the pressure inside it is less than which value?
• In pediatric FBAO management, what technique is used for a conscious infant under 1 year?
• When ventilating a patient with a stoma and air escapes from the mouth and nose, what should you do?
• The presence of elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood is called.
• Which action best aligns with recommended initial airway management for a child with mild respiratory distress and risk of obstruction?
• Which airway adjunct is appropriate for an unresponsive patient with no gag reflex?
• In a patient with suspected spinal injury and no gag reflex, when is an oropharyngeal airway appropriate?
• In a patient with suspected basilar skull fracture, which airway adjunct is contraindicated?
• What is the two-person BVM technique?
• Which maneuver minimizes neck movement when opening the airway in suspected cervical spine injury?
• The cricoid cartilage is the firm ring that forms the inferior part of the larynx.
• What is an early sign of airway obstruction in edema or allergic reaction?
• Which devices are common supraglottic airway devices used by EMS?
• An unresponsive patient without a gag reflex. Which airway adjunct is appropriate to maintain patency?
• Which sign indicates that a supraglottic airway is not providing adequate ventilation?
• Which method best confirms endotracheal tube placement?
• Which statement describes when a nasopharyngeal airway is appropriate?
• How does obesity affect airway management in EMS?
• Which is a common contraindication to using a supraglottic airway in an awake patient?
• A conscious adult with a severe foreign body airway obstruction remains unable to cough. What is the recommended action?
• In trauma care, which airway maneuver is recommended as the first step when cervical spine injury is suspected?
• In the context of the hypoxic drive, exposure to high oxygen levels primarily affects which drive?
• What is the maximum suction time for a pediatric patient per attempt?
• How should you maintain a patent airway in a combative patient?
• How do you select the correct size for an adult OPA?
• What is a key consideration when selecting a suction catheter size for an adult airway?
• Which statement best describes the objective of preoxygenation before airway procedures?
• Which statement about breathing adequacy is correct?
• Capnography tells you about alveolar ventilation?
• To optimize bag-valve-mask ventilation in an unconscious patient, which technique is preferred?
• During bag-mask ventilation of an apneic patient with dentures that become loose, what should you do?
• What is the approximate pressure in a full oxygen cylinder?
• Which statement best describes a key advantage of supraglottic airway devices over bag-valve-mask ventilation alone?
• Central chemoreceptors, which regulate breathing, are located in which part of the brain?
• Which statement about nasal airways after removal of a BVM is true?
• A normal resting adult respiratory rate falls within which of the following ranges?
• Which statement is true regarding cyanosis and hypoxia?
• When bag-mask ventilating with oxygen connected at 15 L/min, what percentage of oxygen are you delivering?
• Which airway adjunct is appropriate for a semi-conscious patient with a gag reflex present but requiring airway support?
• Which of the following structures is NOT found in the upper airway?
• Which oxygen delivery method provides the highest FiO2 quickly when a definitive airway is not secured?
• In the context of inhalation injuries, which statement best describes the recommended initial airway management approach?
• What does capnography provide in non-intubated patients?
• In which scenario is the head-tilt-chin-lift maneuver contraindicated?
• What is the alveolar minute volume for a patient with a tidal volume of 500 mL, dead space of 150 mL, and a respiratory rate of 16 breaths per minute?
• What is the recommended action for an airway management plan in a patient with inhalation injury?
• Under what circumstance would you reuse a nasal airway after removal of the BVM?
• How does CPAP improve oxygenation and ventilation in patients with certain respiratory problems?
• Which device is most appropriate for long-term supplemental oxygen administration in the prehospital setting?
• Which device is considered a supraglottic airway?
• What is the correct technique to insert an OPA in an unconscious patient?
• First-line management for suspected epiglottitis without instrumenting the airway?
• When ventilating a patient with a stoma, to prevent air from escaping from the mouth and nose, you should:
• When testing a mechanical suctioning unit, you should turn on the device, clamp the tubing, and ensure that it generates a vacuum pressure of more than:
• What is the maximum suction time per pass for pediatric patients?
• Which action is essential to maintain oxygenation during suctioning?
• Which of the following is a common cause of poor BVM ventilation?
• Which of the following organs or tissues can survive the longest without oxygen?
• Which device is contraindicated in suspected basal skull fracture?
• Which patient should you place in the recovery position?
• What is the primary purpose of the alveolar sacs in gas exchange?
• In presence of oxygen, the cells convert glucose into energy through a process called:
• In pregnancy, which statements describe airway changes that can affect management?
• Which pediatric airway feature increases the risk of airway obstruction in children compared with adults?
• During pediatric rescue breathing, which element helps verify effective ventilation?
• If you suspect misplacement of an endotracheal tube, what should you do first?
• What does capnography help confirm during bag-valve-mask ventilation?
• Which statement about capnography during airway management is true?
• Which statement best describes endotracheal intubation for most EMTs?
• What is the recommended ventilatory rate with a bag-valve mask in an adult who is apneic but not in cardiac arrest?
• What FiO2 is typically delivered by a nonrebreather mask at 15 L/min?
• In an unresponsive patient with suspected cervical spine injury, what airway maneuver should you use first?
• Which statement correctly describes intrapulmonary shunting?
• Which statement best describes a supraglottic airway?
• Which of the following is an appropriate approach to airway management in a combative patient?
• Which device delivers the highest FiO2 commonly available in EMS?
• Which airway device is appropriate for use in some patients who have a gag reflex but require nasal access?
• What does capnography indicate after airway placement?
• A patient who is not breathing but has a pulse should be ventilated with a bag-valve-mask at what rate?
• In a patient on CPAP who becomes unresponsive, the recommended action is to
• Irregular respirations characterized by an increasing rate and depth of breathing followed by periods of apnea are called which pattern?
• Which airway adjunct is preferred for a patient who is awake or semi-conscious with an intact gag reflex?
• What is the typical oxygen concentration delivered by a nasal cannula at its maximum flow?
• How should suctioning be performed to minimize airway trauma?
• Which statement best describes the nasal cannula's typical use?
• A flat capnography waveform after intubation may indicate which issues?
• Oxygen toxicity is a condition in which which occurs?
• How can you confirm endotracheal tube placement in the field when EtCO2 monitoring is available?
• Which oxygen delivery device is capable of delivering up to 90% inspired oxygen with a tight seal at high flow?
• Why is a two-handed mask grip recommended for BVM ventilation?
• In a pediatric patient with suspected airway obstruction during rescue breathing, what is the best ventilation approach?
• Which of the following factors will cause a reduction in minute volume in an adult?
• During airway management for an unresponsive patient with possible spinal injury, when should suctioning be performed?
• During preoxygenation for endotracheal intubation, high-flow nasal oxygen used to extend the apneic window is called what?
• The process of exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the blood of the capillaries is called
• In the context of obesity, what is a common ventilation challenge?
• What is the maximum suction time per attempt for an adult airway?
• Which statement best describes the use of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
• The nasal cannula is MOST appropriately used in the prehospital setting:
• What should you monitor after airway management to ensure continued airway patency?
• A 51-year-old female presents with sudden onset of difficulty breathing. She is conscious and alert and able to speak in complete sentences. Her respirations are 22 breaths/min and regular. What should you do?
• A patient with facial trauma and active bleeding. Which airway management step is most appropriate?
• What is the purpose of preoxygenation before airway manipulation?
• Which action is essential before transporting a patient with an airway device?
• Central chemoreceptors located in the medulla provide feedback to increase the rate and depth of breathing when they sense:
• Which device is most appropriate for delivering high concentrations of oxygen to a spontaneously breathing patient who is conscious and not in need of assisted ventilation?
• What practice should be avoided during pediatric rescue breaths to minimize complications?
• Head-tilt-chin-lift is contraindicated in which scenario?
• What is the first step in airway management for an unresponsive patient with suspected cervical spine injury?
• What is the primary indication for suctioning the airway?
• For inhalation injury, which statement best summarizes the recommended initial management?
• Which is an alternative supraglottic airway device besides King LT and LMA?
• What is a primary consideration when selecting a pediatric airway device in EMS?
• Which patient would NOT typically be placed in the recovery position?
• How do you determine the correct size for an oropharyngeal airway?
• What is the primary goal of manual inline stabilization during airway management?
• Which of the following is a primary challenge of pediatric airway management compared to adults?
• How should you verify King LT-D placement?
• Why is cricothyrotomy outside EMT scope of practice?
• Which structure is a primary site for gas exchange?
• During CPR, a rising end-tidal CO2 value indicates what about perfusion?
• After placing a King LT-D, what is an important step before transport?
• What is the recommended suction time for pediatric airway suction?
• What is a supraglottic airway device and when is it used in EMS?
• Which of the following oxygen flowmeters is NOT affected by gravity and can be used in any position when attached to an oxygen cylinder?
• Which of the following patients is breathing adequately?
• What is the term for elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood?
• When ventilating a child during CPR, what is the recommended rate?
• Which statement describes minimizing interruptions during BVM ventilation while avoiding hypoxia?
• How should suctioning be integrated into airway management to balance clearance and oxygenation?
• How do you ensure a proper mask seal during BVM ventilation?
• What are the typical maximum suction times per attempt for adults and pediatric patients?
• The head tilt-chin lift maneuver is MOST appropriate for which scenario?