Breathing Assessment and Oxygen Therapy - NREMT: EMT Level
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Which airway adjunct is indicated when a patient has an intact gag reflex but needs an adjunct?
Which airway adjunct is indicated when a patient has an intact gag reflex but needs an adjunct?
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Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA). It bypasses the oral cavity to maintain patency without triggering gag in conscious or semi-conscious patients.
Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA). It bypasses the oral cavity to maintain patency without triggering gag in conscious or semi-conscious patients.
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What is the most reliable sign of adequate breathing in an adult during primary assessment?
What is the most reliable sign of adequate breathing in an adult during primary assessment?
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Adequate rate, depth, and regular pattern with good chest rise. These characteristics ensure sufficient tidal volume and oxygenation, reflecting effective respiratory function.
Adequate rate, depth, and regular pattern with good chest rise. These characteristics ensure sufficient tidal volume and oxygenation, reflecting effective respiratory function.
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What is the key difference between respiratory distress and respiratory failure?
What is the key difference between respiratory distress and respiratory failure?
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Failure has inadequate ventilation/oxygenation; distress still compensates. Distress involves compensatory mechanisms like tachypnea, while failure shows decompensation with hypoxia or altered mental status.
Failure has inadequate ventilation/oxygenation; distress still compensates. Distress involves compensatory mechanisms like tachypnea, while failure shows decompensation with hypoxia or altered mental status.
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Identify the term for abnormally slow breathing rate.
Identify the term for abnormally slow breathing rate.
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Bradypnea. It reflects reduced respiratory drive or effort, leading to potential CO2 retention and hypoxemia.
Bradypnea. It reflects reduced respiratory drive or effort, leading to potential CO2 retention and hypoxemia.
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Identify the term for abnormally fast breathing rate.
Identify the term for abnormally fast breathing rate.
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Tachypnea. It often compensates for hypoxia or metabolic acidosis but can lead to respiratory alkalosis if prolonged.
Tachypnea. It often compensates for hypoxia or metabolic acidosis but can lead to respiratory alkalosis if prolonged.
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What does shallow breathing with reduced tidal volume indicate in EMT terminology?
What does shallow breathing with reduced tidal volume indicate in EMT terminology?
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Hypoventilation. Reduced tidal volume impairs gas exchange, causing hypercapnia and acidosis in affected patients.
Hypoventilation. Reduced tidal volume impairs gas exchange, causing hypercapnia and acidosis in affected patients.
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What does rapid breathing that exceeds metabolic needs indicate in EMT terminology?
What does rapid breathing that exceeds metabolic needs indicate in EMT terminology?
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Hyperventilation. Excessive rate lowers CO2 levels, causing alkalosis and potential vasoconstriction or dizziness.
Hyperventilation. Excessive rate lowers CO2 levels, causing alkalosis and potential vasoconstriction or dizziness.
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Which breath sound is most consistent with lower-airway narrowing as seen in asthma?
Which breath sound is most consistent with lower-airway narrowing as seen in asthma?
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Wheezing. Bronchoconstriction in conditions like asthma produces this sound during expiration due to turbulent airflow.
Wheezing. Bronchoconstriction in conditions like asthma produces this sound during expiration due to turbulent airflow.
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What oxygen flow rate range is typically used with a nasal cannula?
What oxygen flow rate range is typically used with a nasal cannula?
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1–6 L/min. This range delivers 24-44% FiO2, suitable for mild hypoxemia without causing discomfort or drying.
1–6 L/min. This range delivers 24-44% FiO2, suitable for mild hypoxemia without causing discomfort or drying.
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What is the normal adult respiratory rate range (breaths/min) used in EMT assessment?
What is the normal adult respiratory rate range (breaths/min) used in EMT assessment?
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12–20 breaths/min. This range indicates normal ventilation in adults, allowing for adequate gas exchange without signs of distress or failure.
12–20 breaths/min. This range indicates normal ventilation in adults, allowing for adequate gas exchange without signs of distress or failure.
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What is the normal pediatric respiratory rate range (breaths/min) commonly used in EMT assessment?
What is the normal pediatric respiratory rate range (breaths/min) commonly used in EMT assessment?
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15–30 breaths/min. Children have higher metabolic rates, requiring faster breathing to maintain oxygenation and CO2 elimination.
15–30 breaths/min. Children have higher metabolic rates, requiring faster breathing to maintain oxygenation and CO2 elimination.
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What oxygen flow rate is typically used for a nonrebreather mask to keep the reservoir inflated?
What oxygen flow rate is typically used for a nonrebreather mask to keep the reservoir inflated?
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10–15 L/min. This rate ensures the bag remains inflated, preventing room air entrainment and maintaining high FiO2.
10–15 L/min. This rate ensures the bag remains inflated, preventing room air entrainment and maintaining high FiO2.
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Which oxygen device is appropriate for a patient who needs supplemental oxygen but cannot tolerate a mask?
Which oxygen device is appropriate for a patient who needs supplemental oxygen but cannot tolerate a mask?
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Nasal cannula. It provides low-flow oxygen comfortably through nasal prongs for patients with claustrophobia or mask intolerance.
Nasal cannula. It provides low-flow oxygen comfortably through nasal prongs for patients with claustrophobia or mask intolerance.
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Which oxygen-delivery choice is best for a patient with severe dyspnea who is breathing at 28/min with shallow breaths?
Which oxygen-delivery choice is best for a patient with severe dyspnea who is breathing at 28/min with shallow breaths?
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BVM-assisted ventilations with supplemental oxygen. Shallow, rapid breaths indicate impending failure, requiring assisted ventilation to improve tidal volume and oxygenation.
BVM-assisted ventilations with supplemental oxygen. Shallow, rapid breaths indicate impending failure, requiring assisted ventilation to improve tidal volume and oxygenation.
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Identify the best immediate action when SpO2 is low but the pulse oximeter waveform is poor.
Identify the best immediate action when SpO2 is low but the pulse oximeter waveform is poor.
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Troubleshoot probe/perfusion; reassess clinically before changing therapy. Poor waveform suggests inaccurate reading due to motion or poor perfusion, necessitating verification before intervention.
Troubleshoot probe/perfusion; reassess clinically before changing therapy. Poor waveform suggests inaccurate reading due to motion or poor perfusion, necessitating verification before intervention.
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Which intervention is indicated for a breathing patient with inadequate tidal volume and poor chest rise?
Which intervention is indicated for a breathing patient with inadequate tidal volume and poor chest rise?
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Assist ventilations with a BVM and supplemental oxygen. Positive pressure assists in increasing tidal volume and oxygenation when spontaneous efforts are insufficient.
Assist ventilations with a BVM and supplemental oxygen. Positive pressure assists in increasing tidal volume and oxygenation when spontaneous efforts are insufficient.
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Which oxygen device is used to deliver humidified oxygen to a patient with a tracheostomy?
Which oxygen device is used to deliver humidified oxygen to a patient with a tracheostomy?
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Tracheostomy mask. It fits over the stoma to provide moist oxygen, preventing mucus drying and maintaining airway humidity.
Tracheostomy mask. It fits over the stoma to provide moist oxygen, preventing mucus drying and maintaining airway humidity.
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Which device is used to deliver a fixed, precise oxygen concentration for a breathing patient?
Which device is used to deliver a fixed, precise oxygen concentration for a breathing patient?
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Venturi mask. Adapters allow specific FiO2 settings by entraining room air, useful for COPD patients to avoid oxygen toxicity.
Venturi mask. Adapters allow specific FiO2 settings by entraining room air, useful for COPD patients to avoid oxygen toxicity.
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Which oxygen device is preferred for a breathing patient who requires high-concentration oxygen?
Which oxygen device is preferred for a breathing patient who requires high-concentration oxygen?
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Nonrebreather mask (NRB). It delivers up to 90-100% oxygen via a reservoir, ideal for hypoxemic patients needing maximal supplementation.
Nonrebreather mask (NRB). It delivers up to 90-100% oxygen via a reservoir, ideal for hypoxemic patients needing maximal supplementation.
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What does absent or markedly diminished breath sounds on one side most strongly suggest?
What does absent or markedly diminished breath sounds on one side most strongly suggest?
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Pneumothorax (or severe unilateral obstruction). Unilateral reduction indicates air trapping or collapse, requiring immediate assessment for tension pneumothorax.
Pneumothorax (or severe unilateral obstruction). Unilateral reduction indicates air trapping or collapse, requiring immediate assessment for tension pneumothorax.
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Which breath sound is high-pitched and suggests upper-airway obstruction?
Which breath sound is high-pitched and suggests upper-airway obstruction?
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Stridor. Partial blockage in the larynx or trachea generates turbulent inspiratory flow, signaling urgent intervention.
Stridor. Partial blockage in the larynx or trachea generates turbulent inspiratory flow, signaling urgent intervention.
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Which breath sound is most consistent with fluid in the lower airways or alveoli?
Which breath sound is most consistent with fluid in the lower airways or alveoli?
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Crackles (rales). Fluid accumulation disrupts air movement, creating bubbling sounds indicative of pulmonary edema or pneumonia.
Crackles (rales). Fluid accumulation disrupts air movement, creating bubbling sounds indicative of pulmonary edema or pneumonia.
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What is the normal infant respiratory rate range (breaths/min) commonly used in EMT assessment?
What is the normal infant respiratory rate range (breaths/min) commonly used in EMT assessment?
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25–50 breaths/min. Infants' immature respiratory systems and higher oxygen demands result in elevated baseline rates for effective gas exchange.
25–50 breaths/min. Infants' immature respiratory systems and higher oxygen demands result in elevated baseline rates for effective gas exchange.
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What is the preferred oxygen-delivery device for an apneic patient with a pulse?
What is the preferred oxygen-delivery device for an apneic patient with a pulse?
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Bag-valve mask (BVM) with supplemental oxygen. It provides positive pressure ventilation to support oxygenation and ventilation in non-breathing patients with circulation.
Bag-valve mask (BVM) with supplemental oxygen. It provides positive pressure ventilation to support oxygenation and ventilation in non-breathing patients with circulation.
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Which airway adjunct is indicated for an unconscious patient with no gag reflex?
Which airway adjunct is indicated for an unconscious patient with no gag reflex?
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Oropharyngeal airway (OPA). It maintains tongue position to prevent airway obstruction in unresponsive patients lacking protective reflexes.
Oropharyngeal airway (OPA). It maintains tongue position to prevent airway obstruction in unresponsive patients lacking protective reflexes.
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