EMT Test Prep: Mastering Airway, Respiration & Ventilation – 15 Practice Questions
Airway, Respiration & Ventilation represents 18-22% of the NREMT EMT exam and forms the foundation of emergency medical care through the critical “A” component of the ABC assessment priority system. This domain encompasses essential life-saving skills including basic airway maneuvers, oxygen delivery systems, bag-valve-mask ventilation, and recognition of respiratory emergencies that EMTs encounter daily in the field. Mastery of airway management techniques such as head-tilt/chin-lift positioning, jaw-thrust maneuvers, and proper insertion of oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways can mean the difference between life and death for patients experiencing respiratory compromise. Understanding oxygen delivery devices ranging from nasal cannulas delivering 1-6 liters per minute to nonrebreather masks providing up to 95% oxygen concentration is crucial for treating patients with varying degrees of respiratory distress. EMTs must also demonstrate proficiency in bag-valve-mask ventilation techniques, including proper mask seal, appropriate ventilation rates, and recognition of adequate chest rise to ensure effective artificial ventilation. The ability to quickly identify and differentiate between respiratory distress and respiratory failure, recognize abnormal breath sounds like wheezing or stridor, and understand when to implement supraglottic airway devices represents advanced-level competencies that separate skilled EMTs from novice providers. Knowledge of respiratory anatomy, including understanding how conditions like asthma, COPD, and pneumonia affect gas exchange, enables EMTs to make informed treatment decisions and provide appropriate interventions. This topic area directly correlates with hands-on psychomotor skills testing, making theoretical knowledge and practical application equally important for certification success. EMTs who thoroughly understand airway management principles are better prepared to handle complex scenarios involving unconscious patients, trauma victims with potential spinal injuries, and pediatric emergencies where airway anatomy differs significantly from adults. The integration of airway assessment with other vital signs and patient presentation creates a comprehensive approach to emergency care that reflects real-world EMS practice. Consistent practice with airway management scenarios and oxygen delivery calculations will significantly improve both written exam performance and practical skills demonstration during NREMT testing.
Practice Questions
1. What is the correct flow rate range for a nasal cannula?
A) 10-15 liters per minute
B) 1-6 liters per minute
C) 8-12 liters per minute
D) 15-25 liters per minute
2. Which airway maneuver should be used for a patient with suspected spinal injury?
A) Head-tilt/chin-lift
B) Jaw-thrust maneuver
C) Neck extension
D) Head rotation
3. What percentage of oxygen can a nonrebreather mask deliver when properly applied?
A) 35-50%
B) 50-70%
C) 80-95%
D) 21-35%
4. An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) should only be used in patients who are:
A) Conscious and alert
B) Semiconscious with intact gag reflex
C) Unconscious without gag reflex
D) Conscious but confused
5. What is the appropriate ventilation rate for an adult patient during bag-valve-mask ventilation?
A) 8-10 breaths per minute
B) 20-24 breaths per minute
C) 12-20 breaths per minute
D) 6-8 breaths per minute
6. Stridor is a high-pitched sound that indicates:
A) Lower airway obstruction
B) Upper airway obstruction
C) Fluid in the lungs
D) Normal breathing
7. When measuring an oropharyngeal airway, it should extend from the:
A) Nose to the earlobe
B) Corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw
C) Lips to the chin
D) Center of the mouth to the ear
8. What is the primary indication for using a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
A) Patient is unconscious without gag reflex
B) Patient has semiconscious state with intact gag reflex
C) Patient is fully conscious
D) Patient has facial trauma
9. Which oxygen delivery device provides the most precise oxygen concentration?
A) Nasal cannula
B) Simple face mask
C) Venturi mask
D) Nonrebreather mask
10. Signs of adequate artificial ventilation include:
A) Visible chest rise and fall
B) Improving skin color
C) Heart rate returning toward normal
D) All of the above
11. What is the minimum oxygen flow rate for a nonrebreather mask?
A) 6 liters per minute
B) 10 liters per minute
C) 15 liters per minute
D) 2 liters per minute
12. Cyanosis around the lips and mouth is called:
A) Peripheral cyanosis
B) Central cyanosis
C) Circumoral cyanosis
D) Digital cyanosis
13. The jaw-thrust maneuver is performed by:
A) Tilting the head back and lifting the chin
B) Placing fingers behind the angles of the jaw and lifting forward
C) Pushing the jaw downward
D) Rotating the head to one side
14. When should you suspect respiratory failure rather than respiratory distress?
A) Patient is anxious and restless
B) Patient has altered mental status and decreased respiratory effort
C) Patient is sitting upright
D) Patient is speaking in full sentences
15. What is the proper technique for ventilating with a bag-valve-mask?
A) Squeeze the bag as hard as possible
B) Deliver breaths over 2-3 seconds watching for chest rise
C) Ventilate as fast as possible
D) Use only one hand on the mask
Answer Key
1. B) 1-6 liters per minute – Nasal cannulas deliver low-flow oxygen at 1-6 L/min providing approximately 24-44% oxygen concentration.
2. B) Jaw-thrust maneuver – The jaw-thrust maintains cervical spine alignment while opening the airway in trauma patients.
3. C) 80-95% – A properly fitted nonrebreather mask with adequate flow can deliver up to 95% oxygen concentration.
4. C) Unconscious without gag reflex – OPAs can only be tolerated by patients without an intact gag reflex to prevent vomiting.
5. A) 8-10 breaths per minute – Adult artificial ventilation should be performed at 8-10 breaths per minute to avoid hyperventilation.
6. B) Upper airway obstruction – Stridor indicates partial upper airway obstruction and requires immediate intervention.
7. B) Corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw – Proper OPA sizing prevents airway obstruction or inadequate positioning.
8. B) Patient has semiconscious state with intact gag reflex – NPAs are better tolerated by patients with some level of consciousness.
9. C) Venturi mask – Venturi masks use air entrainment to deliver precise oxygen concentrations regardless of patient breathing patterns.
10. D) All of the above – Adequate ventilation produces visible chest movement, improved oxygenation signs, and stabilized vital signs.
11. C) 15 liters per minute – Nonrebreathers require high flow rates to prevent rebreathing of exhaled carbon dioxide.
12. C) Circumoral cyanosis – Cyanosis around the mouth area indicates significant hypoxemia requiring immediate oxygen therapy.
13. B) Placing fingers behind the angles of the jaw and lifting forward – This technique opens the airway without moving the cervical spine.
14. B) Patient has altered mental status and decreased respiratory effort – Respiratory failure presents with decreased mental status and inadequate breathing effort.
15. B) Deliver breaths over 2-3 seconds watching for chest rise – Proper BVM technique requires slow, steady breaths that produce visible chest rise without excessive pressure.