EMT Exam 1 Review

When should an OPA be used?

On an unresponsive patient without a gag reflex who cannot maintain their own airway.

How do you measure an OPA?

From the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw or from the earlobe to the corner of the mouth.

When should an OPA be removed?

If the patient develops a gag reflex.

When should an NPA NOT be used?

Suspected facial trauma or basilar skull fracture.

How do you measure an NPA?

From the tip of the nose to the earlobe (or tragus).

What do you need to insert an NPA?

A properly sized airway, water-soluble lubricant, and PPE.

What causes a partial airway obstruction?

A foreign object partially blocking the airway.

What airway sound is commonly heard with a partial airway obstruction?

Stridor.

How do you treat a responsive choking patient?

Perform abdominal thrusts.

How do you treat an unresponsive choking patient?

Begin CPR.

How do you open the airway in a trauma patient?

Jaw-thrust maneuver.

How do you open the airway in a non-trauma patient?

Head tilt-chin lift.

What indicates effective BVM ventilation?

Visible chest rise with a proper seal and adequate tidal volume.

What are normal adult respiratory rates?

12-20 breaths/min.

What are normal child respiratory rates?

12-40 breaths/min.

What are normal infant respiratory rates?

30-60 breaths/min.

How long should suctioning last for an adult?

15 seconds.

How long should suctioning last for a child?

10 seconds.

How long should suctioning last for an infant?

5 seconds.

What muscles are involved in breathing?

Diaphragm, intercostals, abdominal muscles, and pectoral muscles.

What is tidal volume?

The amount of air moved during one normal breath.

What is inspiratory reserve volume?

The deepest breath you can take after a normal breath.

What is expiratory reserve volume?

The maximum amount of air you can forcefully exhale after a normal breath.

What is residual volume?

The air remaining in the lungs after exhalation.

What covers the lungs?

The pleura (visceral and parietal pleura).

What is FiO₂?

The fraction of inspired oxygen (percentage of oxygen inhaled).

What is the adult CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio?

30:2.

What is the two-rescuer infant/child CPR ratio?

15:2.

Where are hands placed during CPR?

On the lower third of the sternum.

When should rescuers switch during CPR?

Every 2 minutes.

What makes CPR effective?

Deep compressions with minimal interruptions.

How long should you check a pulse?

At least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds.

How is CPR performed with an advanced airway?

Continuous compressions with one breath every 6 seconds.

What is the ventilation rate for adults with an advanced airway?

1 breath every 4-6 seconds.

What is the ventilation rate for children and infants with an advanced airway?

1 breath every 3-5 seconds.

What is a full oxygen tank pressure?

2000-2200 psi.

What is the safe residual oxygen tank pressure?

500 psi.

When should an oxygen tank be changed during use?

When it reaches about 200 psi.

How much oxygen does a nasal cannula deliver?

24-44%.

How much oxygen does a non-rebreather mask deliver?

Up to 95%.

How much oxygen does a pocket mask deliver?

About 55% with oxygen and about 16% without oxygen.

How much oxygen does a BVM deliver?

100% with oxygen and 21% without oxygen.

What should you do if a patient refuses a non-rebreather mask?

Use a nasal cannula.

How do you ensure the oxygen regulator fits the tank?

Use the Pin Index Safety System (PISS).

What are early signs of shock?

Anxiety, tachycardia, pale, cool skin.

What are late signs of shock?

Confusion, unresponsiveness, hypotension, mottled or blue-gray skin.

How is internal bleeding treated?

Maintain ABCs, provide high-flow oxygen, treat for shock, keep warm, and transport rapidly.

How do you control external bleeding?

Dressing → pressure bandage → tourniquet if needed.

What are the steps to control severe bleeding?

Apply a sterile dressing, add more dressings if soaked through, apply a pressure bandage, and use a tourniquet if bleeding continues.

What does arterial bleeding look like?

Bright red blood that spurts with each heartbeat.

What does venous bleeding look like?

Dark red blood that flows steadily.

What does capillary bleeding look like?

Slow, steady oozing of blood.

How do you treat an open chest wound?

Apply an occlusive dressing sealed on three sides.

What should you do if breathing becomes difficult after applying an occlusive dressing?

Peel back one edge to allow trapped air to escape.

How do you treat a neck wound?

Apply an occlusive dressing sealed on all four sides.

How do you treat an abdominal evisceration?

Cover with an occlusive dressing, do not push organs back inside, and cut clothing away from the wound.

How do you treat internal bleeding?

Maintain ABCs, provide high-flow oxygen, treat for shock, keep the patient warm, and transport rapidly.

What is an avulsion?

A soft tissue injury in which tissue is torn completely away or hangs as a flap.

How should an avulsed tooth be cared for?

Replace it in the socket if possible; otherwise place it in approved storage media and transport.

How do you treat an amputation?

Control bleeding, wrap the amputated part in moist sterile gauze, place it in a sealed plastic bag, and keep it cool on ice (not directly on ice).

What is the difference between a puncture wound and an impalement?

A puncture wound is caused by an object that does not remain in the body; an impaled object remains in place.

How are fractures splinted?

Splint the injury in the position found unless there is no distal pulse or other special circumstances.

What should you do if a fractured extremity has no pulse?

Continue to splint as indicated and transport promptly.

What is a flail chest?

Three or more adjacent ribs fractured in two or more places, causing paradoxical chest movement.

What is a first-degree burn?

A superficial burn involving only the epidermis.

What is a second-degree burn?

A partial-thickness burn involving the epidermis and part of the dermis with blistering.

What is a third-degree burn?

A full-thickness burn that destroys all layers of the skin.

What are the four major types of burns?

Thermal, chemical, electrical, and radiation.

What is the Rule of Nines?

A method used to estimate the percentage of total body surface area burned.

How do you treat dry chemical exposure?

Brush off dry chemicals before flushing with water, remove contaminated clothing, and irrigate with water for at least 20 minutes.

What is the first priority when treating an electrocution patient?

Ensure your own safety and make sure the power source is disconnected before touching the patient.

What causes injuries to the body?

An exchange of energy that exceeds the body's physiological tolerance or the sudden deprivation of vital elements.

What should you do with an impaled object?

Stabilize it in place and never remove it in the field.

How do you care for an open wound?

Control bleeding, cover with a sterile dressing, and bandage securely.

What is shock position?

Lay the patient supine and elevate the legs 6-12 inches if there are no contraindications.

What are early signs of shock?

Anxiety, tachycardia, pale cool clammy skin.

What are late signs of shock?

Confusion, unresponsiveness, hypotension, and mottled or blue-gray skin.

What does cyanosis indicate?

Inadequate oxygenation of the blood.

What skin findings suggest poor perfusion?

Pale, cool, clammy, mottled, or cyanotic skin.

How should bleeding from an amputation be controlled?

Apply direct pressure first, then use a tourniquet if severe bleeding cannot be controlled.

What are the three components of the cardiovascular system?

The heart, blood vessels, and blood.

What are the three parts of the perfusion triangle?

Heart (pump), blood vessels (container), and blood (contents).

What do arteries do?

Carry blood away from the heart (usually oxygenated).

What do veins do?

Carry blood toward the heart (usually deoxygenated).

Which arteries carry deoxygenated blood?

The pulmonary arteries.

Which veins carry oxygenated blood?

The pulmonary veins.

Where do the superior and inferior vena cava empty?

Into the right atrium.

What does the aorta do?

Carries oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to the body.

What surrounds the heart?

The pericardium.

What is the heart muscle called?

The myocardium.

What does the right atrium do?

Receives deoxygenated blood from the body and sends it to the right ventricle.

What does the right ventricle do?

Pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs.

What does the left atrium do?

Receives oxygenated blood from the lungs and sends it to the left ventricle.

What does the left ventricle do?

Pumps oxygenated blood to the entire body.

What is normal adult pulse rate?

60-100 beats per minute.

What is tachycardia?

A heart rate greater than 100 bpm.

What is bradycardia?

A heart rate less than 60 bpm.

What should you assess when taking a pulse?

Rate, rhythm (regularity), and quality.

What pulse qualities may be documented?

Strong, weak, thready, or bounding.

What is systolic blood pressure?

The peak pressure in the arteries when the heart contracts.