Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
A child in respiratory distress may grunt as the child breathes. This
is a result of
(A) increase tidal volume.
(B) an increased respiratory rate.
(C) creating pressure to help maintain open airways.
(D) an indication that the child is tired and will progress to
respiratory arrest. -
correct answer ✅C. Grunting involves exhaling against a partially
closed glottis. This creates pressure to help maintain open lower
airways similar to pursed-lip breathing in adults with COPD. This
short low-pitched sound is often mistaken for whimpering and
suggests severe hypoxia.
Respiratory acidosis is caused by
(A) an excess of bicarbonate.
(B) excess carbon dioxide retention.
(C) a loss of bicarbonate.
,Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
(D) excess carbon dioxide excretion. -
correct answer ✅B. Respiratory acidosis is caused by excess
carbon dioxide retention.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to
assist for proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
The absence of carbon dioxide in exhaled air indicates the
endotracheal tube has been
(A) placed in the right mainstem bronchus.
(B) correctly placed in the trachea.
(C) placed in the esophagus.
(D) placed in the left mainstem bronchus. -
correct answer ✅C. The absence of carbon dioxide likely indicates
that the endotracheal tube has been placed in the esophagus.
,Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
Verifying correct endotracheal tube placement is absolutely
essential. ETCO2 is only one method to assist in verification.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to
assist for proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
Your next action is to
(A) deflate the cuff, pull the endotracheal tube back 2 cm, and
reassess placement.
(B) secure the endotracheal tube and confirm correct placement by
auscultation.
(C) inflate the distal cuff with 7-10 cc of air and secure the
endotracheal tube.
(D) remove the endotracheal tube and provide several ventilations
prior to attempting intubation again. -
, Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
correct answer ✅D. The endotracheal tube is likely placed in the
esophagus. Your next action is to remove the endotracheal tube
and provide several ventilations with supplemental oxygen prior to
attempting another intubation.
Which of the following drugs is used for rapid sequence intubation?
(A) Vecuronium
(B) Succinylcholine
(C) Lidocaine and atropine
(D) All of the above -
correct answer ✅D. All of the above. Vecuronium is a common
nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker. Lidocaine is commonly
used in RSI to prevent dysrhythmias associated with stimulation of
the glottis associated with intubation. Atropine is often
administered to decrease the incidence of bradycardia associated
with the administration of succinylcholine.
You are called for a 54-year-old woman who is unconscious. Your
assessment reveals the patient to be apneic and pulseless. Initial
management of this patient's airway should include
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
A child in respiratory distress may grunt as the child breathes. This
is a result of
(A) increase tidal volume.
(B) an increased respiratory rate.
(C) creating pressure to help maintain open airways.
(D) an indication that the child is tired and will progress to
respiratory arrest. -
correct answer ✅C. Grunting involves exhaling against a partially
closed glottis. This creates pressure to help maintain open lower
airways similar to pursed-lip breathing in adults with COPD. This
short low-pitched sound is often mistaken for whimpering and
suggests severe hypoxia.
Respiratory acidosis is caused by
(A) an excess of bicarbonate.
(B) excess carbon dioxide retention.
(C) a loss of bicarbonate.
,Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
(D) excess carbon dioxide excretion. -
correct answer ✅B. Respiratory acidosis is caused by excess
carbon dioxide retention.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to
assist for proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
The absence of carbon dioxide in exhaled air indicates the
endotracheal tube has been
(A) placed in the right mainstem bronchus.
(B) correctly placed in the trachea.
(C) placed in the esophagus.
(D) placed in the left mainstem bronchus. -
correct answer ✅C. The absence of carbon dioxide likely indicates
that the endotracheal tube has been placed in the esophagus.
,Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
Verifying correct endotracheal tube placement is absolutely
essential. ETCO2 is only one method to assist in verification.
Scenario:
You are using an end-tidal carbon dioxide detector as a tool to
assist for proper endotracheal intubation placement.
Question:
Your next action is to
(A) deflate the cuff, pull the endotracheal tube back 2 cm, and
reassess placement.
(B) secure the endotracheal tube and confirm correct placement by
auscultation.
(C) inflate the distal cuff with 7-10 cc of air and secure the
endotracheal tube.
(D) remove the endotracheal tube and provide several ventilations
prior to attempting intubation again. -
, Paramedic Exam Study Prep - Airway
and Breathing Questions & Answers
(Grade A+)
correct answer ✅D. The endotracheal tube is likely placed in the
esophagus. Your next action is to remove the endotracheal tube
and provide several ventilations with supplemental oxygen prior to
attempting another intubation.
Which of the following drugs is used for rapid sequence intubation?
(A) Vecuronium
(B) Succinylcholine
(C) Lidocaine and atropine
(D) All of the above -
correct answer ✅D. All of the above. Vecuronium is a common
nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocker. Lidocaine is commonly
used in RSI to prevent dysrhythmias associated with stimulation of
the glottis associated with intubation. Atropine is often
administered to decrease the incidence of bradycardia associated
with the administration of succinylcholine.
You are called for a 54-year-old woman who is unconscious. Your
assessment reveals the patient to be apneic and pulseless. Initial
management of this patient's airway should include
