EMT Basic Practice Exam
Airway/Respiration/Ventilation
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
Upon insertion of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA), the tip of the
device should be positioned in what anatomical space?
a. Oropharynx
b. Nasopharynx
c. Hyperpharynx
d. Laryngopharynx -
correct answer ✅Answer: D
The OPA works by lifting the base of the tongue off the posterior
pharynx. With proper insertion, the tip should rest in the
laryngopharynx so it can fully support the tongue.
The administration of a beta2-specific drug to a patient with
respiratory distress is done to effect a change to what portion of
the respiratory tree?
a. Alveoli
b. Vocal cords
c. Bronchioles
d. Mainstem bronchi -
correct answer ✅Answer: C
,EMT Basic Practice Exam
Airway/Respiration/Ventilation
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
A beta2-specific drug will relax smooth muscle, the kind that wraps
the bronchioles of the lungs. This relaxation will allow better airflow
to the alveoli for gas exchange.
Which of the following statements from the patient would BEST
indicate severe difficulty in breathing?
a. "I...can't...b-breathe."
b. "I feel like I'm breathing through a straw."
c. "I am struggling to catch my breath... real bad."
d. "I can't breathe regular 'cause my chest is hurting." -
correct answer ✅Answer: A
A key ability of the EMT is to recognize the difference between
adequate and inadequate breathing. A patient who can speak in full
sentences (multiple words in one breath) is typically breathing
adequately. A patient who cannot speak in full sentences (usually
less than two to three words per breath) is not breathing
adequately and will need oxygen (and probably PPV support).
, EMT Basic Practice Exam
Airway/Respiration/Ventilation
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
Which of the following patients in most likely about to lose total
airway patency, thereby requiring immediate intervention by the
EMT?
a. A ninety-eight-year-old female with brain cancer who is confused
b. A fifty-two-year-old male who is intoxicated and has recurrent
vomiting
c. A twenty-nine-year-old female in active labor who is complaining
of severe pain
d. A sixty-eight-year-old male seizing with sonorous sounds heard
with each breath -
correct answer ✅Answer: D
Airway potency us an absolute requirement for patient survival. An
indication of partial upper airway occlusion is sonorous breath
sounds (snoring). While the unresponsive female and intoxicated
male may deteriorate more, as of yet they are not showing
indications of partial airway occlusion. The active labor patient also
does not show indications of acute airway deterioration.
Upon assessment of the patient's airway, you note significant
gurgling with each breath. What would be the next appropriate
Airway/Respiration/Ventilation
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
Upon insertion of an oropharyngeal airway (OPA), the tip of the
device should be positioned in what anatomical space?
a. Oropharynx
b. Nasopharynx
c. Hyperpharynx
d. Laryngopharynx -
correct answer ✅Answer: D
The OPA works by lifting the base of the tongue off the posterior
pharynx. With proper insertion, the tip should rest in the
laryngopharynx so it can fully support the tongue.
The administration of a beta2-specific drug to a patient with
respiratory distress is done to effect a change to what portion of
the respiratory tree?
a. Alveoli
b. Vocal cords
c. Bronchioles
d. Mainstem bronchi -
correct answer ✅Answer: C
,EMT Basic Practice Exam
Airway/Respiration/Ventilation
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
A beta2-specific drug will relax smooth muscle, the kind that wraps
the bronchioles of the lungs. This relaxation will allow better airflow
to the alveoli for gas exchange.
Which of the following statements from the patient would BEST
indicate severe difficulty in breathing?
a. "I...can't...b-breathe."
b. "I feel like I'm breathing through a straw."
c. "I am struggling to catch my breath... real bad."
d. "I can't breathe regular 'cause my chest is hurting." -
correct answer ✅Answer: A
A key ability of the EMT is to recognize the difference between
adequate and inadequate breathing. A patient who can speak in full
sentences (multiple words in one breath) is typically breathing
adequately. A patient who cannot speak in full sentences (usually
less than two to three words per breath) is not breathing
adequately and will need oxygen (and probably PPV support).
, EMT Basic Practice Exam
Airway/Respiration/Ventilation
Questions & Answers (Grade A+)
Which of the following patients in most likely about to lose total
airway patency, thereby requiring immediate intervention by the
EMT?
a. A ninety-eight-year-old female with brain cancer who is confused
b. A fifty-two-year-old male who is intoxicated and has recurrent
vomiting
c. A twenty-nine-year-old female in active labor who is complaining
of severe pain
d. A sixty-eight-year-old male seizing with sonorous sounds heard
with each breath -
correct answer ✅Answer: D
Airway potency us an absolute requirement for patient survival. An
indication of partial upper airway occlusion is sonorous breath
sounds (snoring). While the unresponsive female and intoxicated
male may deteriorate more, as of yet they are not showing
indications of partial airway occlusion. The active labor patient also
does not show indications of acute airway deterioration.
Upon assessment of the patient's airway, you note significant
gurgling with each breath. What would be the next appropriate
