EMT UCLA BLOCK 2 - Patient Assessment, Airway
Management, Communication and Documentation
Exam Questions and Answers
Assessment findings for an alert and oriented patient complaining of shortness of breath
reveal an open airway, respiratory rate of 24, and strong radial pulse accompanied by
skin that is cool and diaphoretic. The depth of respirations is adequate and breath
sounds include wheezing throughout the lungs. Vital signs are a pulse of 124,
respiratory rate of 24, and blood pressure of 146/82 mmHg. He has a history of asthma
for which he takes medications. How would you administer oxygen to this patient? -
Answer-Nonrebreather mask
/.A 50-year-old male presents with an altered mental status. His wife tells you that he
had a "small stroke" 3 years ago but has otherwise been in good health. The patient is
responsive but unable to follow commands. After administering oxygen, you should: -
Answer-prepare for immediate transport
/.A 43-year-old male has called 911 with the complaint of difficulty breathing. On scene,
you note him to be breathing at a rate of 18 breaths per minute. Additionally, he exhibits
intercostal retractions and nasal flaring. The EMT would document this breathing as: -
Answer-Dyspneic
/.You have arrived by the side of a cyanotic patient who is responsive to painful stimuli
and exhibiting stridorous respirations. Which of the following would be most
appropriate? - Answer-Provide positive pressure ventilation with supplemental oxygen
/.How does CPAP improve oxygenation and ventilation in patients with certain
respiratory problems? - Answer-It forces the alveoli open and pushes more oxygen
across the alveolar membrane
/.You are dispatched to the county jail for an inmate who is "sick." When you arrive, you
find the patient, a 33-year-old male, unresponsive. His airway is patent and his
respirations are rapid and shallow. Your initial action should be to: - Answer-provide
assisted ventilation
/.When assessing a conscious trauma patient's circulation during the primary
assessment, the EMT's assessment would include: - Answer-Radial pulse, skin
temperature, presence of external bleeding
/.Family states that their 16-year-old daughter has a history of asthma and has been
complaining of shortness of breath for the past two days. She has been taking her
metered dose inhaler with some relief, but today, when she didn't get out of bed, they
found her lethargic and struggling to breath. Your assessment reveals her to be
,responsive to verbal stimuli with a patent airway and respirations of 36 a minute and
diminished tidal volume. Your immediate action in caring for this patient would be -
Answer-Positive pressure ventilation
/.A hazard that makes most scenes potentially dangerous to the EMT is - Answer-blood
and body fluids.
/.When ventilating an adult with a BVM device connected to oxygen, the volume
delivered with each breath should be approximately - Answer-6 - 7 ml/kg
/.The main advantage of the Venturi mask is: - Answer-the use of its fine adjustment
capabilities in the long-term management of physiologically stable patients
/.You are assessing a patient with congestive heart failure, and you determine that her
failing heart is causing fluid to collect and fill her alveoli. Based on this pathophysiology,
which of the following ventialtion / perfusion (V/Q) problems should the EMT assume
and treat the patient for? - Answer-Decreased gas exchange
/.When using a therapy regulator on the oxygen tank, which of the following can be
readily observed? - Answer-Flow rate of oxygen leaving the oxygen cylinder
/.For which of the following would CPAP be appropriate? - Answer-A patient with
emphysema and breathing is adequate but distressed.
/.A ventilation/perfusion (V/Q ratio) mismatch occurs when: - Answer-a disruption in
blood flow inhibits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, even though
the alveoli are filled with fresh oxygen.
/.A 23-year-old male experienced severe head trauma after his motorcycle collided with
an oncoming truck. He is unconscious, has rapid and shallow breathing, and has
copious bloody secretions in his mouth. How should you manage his airway? - Answer-
Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning w/ 2 minutes of assisted ventilation
/.You are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-mask device. She has dentures,
which are tight-fitting. Adequate chest rise is present with each ventilation, and the
patient's oxygen saturation reads 96%. When you reassess the patency of her airway,
you note that her dentures are now loose, although your ventilations are still producing
adequate chest rise. You should: - Answer-remove her dentures, resume ventilations,
and assess for adequate chest rise.
/.Which of the following statements regarding positive-pressure ventilation is correct? -
Answer-With positive-pressure ventilation, more volume is required to have the same
effects as normal breathing
/.Gas exchange in the lungs is facilitated by: - Answer-adequate amounts of surfactant.
, /.You and your partner are caring for a critically injured patient. Your partner is
controlling severe bleeding from the patient's lower extremities as you attempt
ventilations with a bag-mask device. After repositioning the mask several times, you are
unable to effectively ventilate the patient. You should: - Answer-begin ventilations using
the mouth-to-mask technique
/.Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of adequately performed bag-
mask ventilations in an apneic adult with a pulse? - Answer-adequate rise of the chest
when squeezing the bag
/.While eating dinner, your partner suddenly grabs his throat and has a panicked look on
his face. He has a weak cough, faint inspiratory stridor, and cyanosis around the lips.
You should: - Answer-stand behind him and administer abdominal thrusts.
/.The __________ cartilage is a firm ring that forms the inferior part of the larynx. -
Answer-cricoid
/.What occurs when a patient is breathing very rapidly and shallowly? - Answer-Air
moves primarily in the anatomic dead space and does not participate in pulmonary gas
exchange.
/.An unconscious patient found in a prone position must be placed in a supine position
in case he or she: - Answer-requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
/.The hypoxic drive—the primary stimulus to breathe for patients with certain chronic
respiratory diseases—is influenced by: - Answer-low blood oxygen levels.
/.Inhalation occurs when the: - Answer-diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and
cause a decrease in intrathoracic pressure
/.You are ventilating a 40-year-old uninjured man who is apneic but has a pulse. When
your partner reassesses his blood pressure, he notes that it has decreased significantly
from previous readings. You elevate the patient's legs, but this action has no effect. You
should: - Answer-reevaluate the rate and volume of your ventilations
/.You have inserted an oral airway and are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-
mask device. She suddenly begins regurgitating large amounts of vomit. You should: -
Answer-roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway.
/.What is the minute volume of a patient with a tidal volume of 500 mL, a dead space
volume of 150 mL, and a respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min? - Answer-5600 mL
(500-150) x 16
/.A 51-year-old female presents with a sudden onset of difficulty breathing. She is
conscious and alert and able to speak in complete sentences. Her respirations are 22
Management, Communication and Documentation
Exam Questions and Answers
Assessment findings for an alert and oriented patient complaining of shortness of breath
reveal an open airway, respiratory rate of 24, and strong radial pulse accompanied by
skin that is cool and diaphoretic. The depth of respirations is adequate and breath
sounds include wheezing throughout the lungs. Vital signs are a pulse of 124,
respiratory rate of 24, and blood pressure of 146/82 mmHg. He has a history of asthma
for which he takes medications. How would you administer oxygen to this patient? -
Answer-Nonrebreather mask
/.A 50-year-old male presents with an altered mental status. His wife tells you that he
had a "small stroke" 3 years ago but has otherwise been in good health. The patient is
responsive but unable to follow commands. After administering oxygen, you should: -
Answer-prepare for immediate transport
/.A 43-year-old male has called 911 with the complaint of difficulty breathing. On scene,
you note him to be breathing at a rate of 18 breaths per minute. Additionally, he exhibits
intercostal retractions and nasal flaring. The EMT would document this breathing as: -
Answer-Dyspneic
/.You have arrived by the side of a cyanotic patient who is responsive to painful stimuli
and exhibiting stridorous respirations. Which of the following would be most
appropriate? - Answer-Provide positive pressure ventilation with supplemental oxygen
/.How does CPAP improve oxygenation and ventilation in patients with certain
respiratory problems? - Answer-It forces the alveoli open and pushes more oxygen
across the alveolar membrane
/.You are dispatched to the county jail for an inmate who is "sick." When you arrive, you
find the patient, a 33-year-old male, unresponsive. His airway is patent and his
respirations are rapid and shallow. Your initial action should be to: - Answer-provide
assisted ventilation
/.When assessing a conscious trauma patient's circulation during the primary
assessment, the EMT's assessment would include: - Answer-Radial pulse, skin
temperature, presence of external bleeding
/.Family states that their 16-year-old daughter has a history of asthma and has been
complaining of shortness of breath for the past two days. She has been taking her
metered dose inhaler with some relief, but today, when she didn't get out of bed, they
found her lethargic and struggling to breath. Your assessment reveals her to be
,responsive to verbal stimuli with a patent airway and respirations of 36 a minute and
diminished tidal volume. Your immediate action in caring for this patient would be -
Answer-Positive pressure ventilation
/.A hazard that makes most scenes potentially dangerous to the EMT is - Answer-blood
and body fluids.
/.When ventilating an adult with a BVM device connected to oxygen, the volume
delivered with each breath should be approximately - Answer-6 - 7 ml/kg
/.The main advantage of the Venturi mask is: - Answer-the use of its fine adjustment
capabilities in the long-term management of physiologically stable patients
/.You are assessing a patient with congestive heart failure, and you determine that her
failing heart is causing fluid to collect and fill her alveoli. Based on this pathophysiology,
which of the following ventialtion / perfusion (V/Q) problems should the EMT assume
and treat the patient for? - Answer-Decreased gas exchange
/.When using a therapy regulator on the oxygen tank, which of the following can be
readily observed? - Answer-Flow rate of oxygen leaving the oxygen cylinder
/.For which of the following would CPAP be appropriate? - Answer-A patient with
emphysema and breathing is adequate but distressed.
/.A ventilation/perfusion (V/Q ratio) mismatch occurs when: - Answer-a disruption in
blood flow inhibits the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the lungs, even though
the alveoli are filled with fresh oxygen.
/.A 23-year-old male experienced severe head trauma after his motorcycle collided with
an oncoming truck. He is unconscious, has rapid and shallow breathing, and has
copious bloody secretions in his mouth. How should you manage his airway? - Answer-
Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning w/ 2 minutes of assisted ventilation
/.You are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-mask device. She has dentures,
which are tight-fitting. Adequate chest rise is present with each ventilation, and the
patient's oxygen saturation reads 96%. When you reassess the patency of her airway,
you note that her dentures are now loose, although your ventilations are still producing
adequate chest rise. You should: - Answer-remove her dentures, resume ventilations,
and assess for adequate chest rise.
/.Which of the following statements regarding positive-pressure ventilation is correct? -
Answer-With positive-pressure ventilation, more volume is required to have the same
effects as normal breathing
/.Gas exchange in the lungs is facilitated by: - Answer-adequate amounts of surfactant.
, /.You and your partner are caring for a critically injured patient. Your partner is
controlling severe bleeding from the patient's lower extremities as you attempt
ventilations with a bag-mask device. After repositioning the mask several times, you are
unable to effectively ventilate the patient. You should: - Answer-begin ventilations using
the mouth-to-mask technique
/.Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of adequately performed bag-
mask ventilations in an apneic adult with a pulse? - Answer-adequate rise of the chest
when squeezing the bag
/.While eating dinner, your partner suddenly grabs his throat and has a panicked look on
his face. He has a weak cough, faint inspiratory stridor, and cyanosis around the lips.
You should: - Answer-stand behind him and administer abdominal thrusts.
/.The __________ cartilage is a firm ring that forms the inferior part of the larynx. -
Answer-cricoid
/.What occurs when a patient is breathing very rapidly and shallowly? - Answer-Air
moves primarily in the anatomic dead space and does not participate in pulmonary gas
exchange.
/.An unconscious patient found in a prone position must be placed in a supine position
in case he or she: - Answer-requires cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
/.The hypoxic drive—the primary stimulus to breathe for patients with certain chronic
respiratory diseases—is influenced by: - Answer-low blood oxygen levels.
/.Inhalation occurs when the: - Answer-diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and
cause a decrease in intrathoracic pressure
/.You are ventilating a 40-year-old uninjured man who is apneic but has a pulse. When
your partner reassesses his blood pressure, he notes that it has decreased significantly
from previous readings. You elevate the patient's legs, but this action has no effect. You
should: - Answer-reevaluate the rate and volume of your ventilations
/.You have inserted an oral airway and are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-
mask device. She suddenly begins regurgitating large amounts of vomit. You should: -
Answer-roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway.
/.What is the minute volume of a patient with a tidal volume of 500 mL, a dead space
volume of 150 mL, and a respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min? - Answer-5600 mL
(500-150) x 16
/.A 51-year-old female presents with a sudden onset of difficulty breathing. She is
conscious and alert and able to speak in complete sentences. Her respirations are 22
