WEST COAST EMT BLOCK 2 2026
PREHOSPITAL CARE ASSESSMENT STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ Tidal volume. Answer: the amount of air (in mL) that is moved in
or out of the lungs during one breath
◉ Residual volume. Answer: the air that remains in the lungs after
maximal expiration
◉ Minute volume. Answer: the volume of air moved through the
lungs in 1 minute; calculated by Tidal volume X respiratory rate
◉ Dead space. Answer: the portion of the tidal volume that does not
reach alveoli and thus does not participate in gas exchange
◉ Metabolism (cellular respiration). Answer: The biochemical
processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within
the cells.
◉ Respiration. Answer: the process of exchanging oxygen and
carbon dioxide. Occurs by diffusion, in which a gas moves from an
area of greater concentration to an area of lower concentration
,◉ External Respiration (pulmonary respiration). Answer: the
process of breathing fresh air into the respiratory system and
exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the
blood in the pulmonary capillaries
◉ Surfactant. Answer: A liquid protein substance that coats the
alveoli in the lungs, decreases surface tension and keeps the alveoli
expanded to make gas exchange easier
A low level in the premature infant contributes to respiratory
distress syndrome
◉ anaerobic respiration. Answer: Respiration in the absence of
oxygen. This produces lactic acid, and can't meet the metabolic
demands of the cell
◉ aerobic respiration. Answer: Respiration that requires oxygen,
where cells convert glucose into energy
◉ Ventilation/Perfusion Ratio and Mismatch. Answer: Air and blood
flow must be directed to the same place at the same time
(ventilation aka air flow, V and perfusion aka blood flow, Q must be
matched)
,When ventilation is compromised but perfusion continues, blood
passes over some alveolar membranes without gas exchange taking
place. Carbon dioxide is recirculated within the blood stream, which
could lead to hypoxemia
When blood flow is compromised, less oxygen is absorbed in the
blood stream and less carbon dioxide is removed
◉ Intrapulmonary shunting. Answer: blood entering the lungs from
the right side of the heart bypasses the alveoli and returns to the left
side of the heart in an unoxygenated state
◉ Respiratory compromise. Answer: The inability of the body to
move gas effectively.
◉ Epiglottis. Answer: A flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and
prevents food from entering.
◉ Pharynx. Answer: throat; passageway for food to the esophagus
and air to the larynx
Composed of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx
, ◉ nasopharynx. Answer: filters out dust and small particles,
humidifies air as it enters the body
◉ oropharynx. Answer: entrance for respiratory and digestive
system
◉ what is in the lower airway. Answer: trachea (esophagus and
epiglottis), bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, cricoid cartilage,
cricothyroid membrane
◉ what does the Coronary artery supply?. Answer: Supplies the
heart
◉ What does the Carotid artery supply?. Answer: supplies the head
◉ What does the hepatic artery supply?. Answer: Supplies the liver
◉ What do the renal arteries supply?. Answer: Supplies the kidneys
◉ what do the mesenteric arteries supply?. Answer: Supplies the
digestive system
◉ what do the Pulmonary arteries supply?. Answer: Carrie's oxygen
poor blood to the lungs
PREHOSPITAL CARE ASSESSMENT STUDY
GUIDE COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
◉ Tidal volume. Answer: the amount of air (in mL) that is moved in
or out of the lungs during one breath
◉ Residual volume. Answer: the air that remains in the lungs after
maximal expiration
◉ Minute volume. Answer: the volume of air moved through the
lungs in 1 minute; calculated by Tidal volume X respiratory rate
◉ Dead space. Answer: the portion of the tidal volume that does not
reach alveoli and thus does not participate in gas exchange
◉ Metabolism (cellular respiration). Answer: The biochemical
processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within
the cells.
◉ Respiration. Answer: the process of exchanging oxygen and
carbon dioxide. Occurs by diffusion, in which a gas moves from an
area of greater concentration to an area of lower concentration
,◉ External Respiration (pulmonary respiration). Answer: the
process of breathing fresh air into the respiratory system and
exchanging oxygen and carbon dioxide between the alveoli and the
blood in the pulmonary capillaries
◉ Surfactant. Answer: A liquid protein substance that coats the
alveoli in the lungs, decreases surface tension and keeps the alveoli
expanded to make gas exchange easier
A low level in the premature infant contributes to respiratory
distress syndrome
◉ anaerobic respiration. Answer: Respiration in the absence of
oxygen. This produces lactic acid, and can't meet the metabolic
demands of the cell
◉ aerobic respiration. Answer: Respiration that requires oxygen,
where cells convert glucose into energy
◉ Ventilation/Perfusion Ratio and Mismatch. Answer: Air and blood
flow must be directed to the same place at the same time
(ventilation aka air flow, V and perfusion aka blood flow, Q must be
matched)
,When ventilation is compromised but perfusion continues, blood
passes over some alveolar membranes without gas exchange taking
place. Carbon dioxide is recirculated within the blood stream, which
could lead to hypoxemia
When blood flow is compromised, less oxygen is absorbed in the
blood stream and less carbon dioxide is removed
◉ Intrapulmonary shunting. Answer: blood entering the lungs from
the right side of the heart bypasses the alveoli and returns to the left
side of the heart in an unoxygenated state
◉ Respiratory compromise. Answer: The inability of the body to
move gas effectively.
◉ Epiglottis. Answer: A flap of tissue that seals off the windpipe and
prevents food from entering.
◉ Pharynx. Answer: throat; passageway for food to the esophagus
and air to the larynx
Composed of the nasopharynx, oropharynx, and laryngopharynx
, ◉ nasopharynx. Answer: filters out dust and small particles,
humidifies air as it enters the body
◉ oropharynx. Answer: entrance for respiratory and digestive
system
◉ what is in the lower airway. Answer: trachea (esophagus and
epiglottis), bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, cricoid cartilage,
cricothyroid membrane
◉ what does the Coronary artery supply?. Answer: Supplies the
heart
◉ What does the Carotid artery supply?. Answer: supplies the head
◉ What does the hepatic artery supply?. Answer: Supplies the liver
◉ What do the renal arteries supply?. Answer: Supplies the kidneys
◉ what do the mesenteric arteries supply?. Answer: Supplies the
digestive system
◉ what do the Pulmonary arteries supply?. Answer: Carrie's oxygen
poor blood to the lungs
