PMT pretests

Oxygen and ventilation test 1

This test includes a number of questions about oxygenation and ventilation (airway management). This material is generally presented and explained after a classroom course or ACLS textbook has gone through the ACLS basics.

Note: Answers to this test are available here.

1. All of the following statements about using a Combitube are false except for:

  1. Inserting the Combitube requires direct visualization of the patient’s airway.

  2. One of the risks associated with the Combitube is that there is the possibility of esophageal trauma.

  3. Patient ventilation through the tracheal tube should begin after the Combitube has been positioned.

  4. The Combitube is available in different sizes so it can be used on all sizes of patients.

2. Situation: A patient tells you she is experiencing shortness of breath. The patient is 65 years old.

To identify the issue, you apply a cardiac monitor and a pulse oximeter. If the patient’s SpO2 reading suggests mild hypoxia, which of the following readings do you see for this patient:

  1. An SpO2 reading of 91 to 95 percent.

  2. An SpO2 reading of 88 to 91 percent.

  3. An SpO2 reading of 94 to 98 percent.

  4. An SpO2 reading of 98 to 100 percent.

3. Assuming a nasal cannula provides one to six L per minute of oxygen, what oxygen concentration can it deliver?

  1. 40 to 60 percent

  2. 17 to 21 percent

  3. 25 to 45 percent

  4. 60 to 100 percent

4. Which of the following statements about an oral airway is true?

  1. Before insertion, a petroleum-based lubricant should be applied to the airway

  2. If it is not inserted improperly, the airway may result in an obstruction

  3. They are tolerated with relative ease by responsive or semiresponsive patients

  4. They are accepted as the ideal way to manage the airway during a cardiac arrest

Questions 5 through 9 are based on the following scenario:

A man who is 72 years old is reported by one of his family members to have just stopped breathing. Upon further examination, the patient is supine in bed and has closed eyes, plus he does not notice as you approach him. He has no noticeable chest movement and pale skin.

5. Complete the following items from the information provided above.

  1. Circulation:

  2. Appearance:

  3. Breathing:

6. Using the information provided above, would you say that the patient is sick or not sick? Accordingly, how should you proceed to handle this situation?

7. Assume you’re now right next to the patient. He gives no response to painful stimulus or your voice. How should you proceed now that you’ve identified that the patient is unresponsive?

  1. Start chest compressions

  2. Apply a cardiac monitor and a pulse oximeter

  3. Use a combination head-tilt and chin lift to open the patient’s airway

  4. Get the patient’s medical background information from his wife

8. How should you proceed after further assessment shows that patient has gurgling respirations of about 4 per minute?

  1. Apply suction to the patient’s upper airway

  2. Start chest compressions to clear an airway obstruction

  3. Use the pulse oximeter to check the patient’s oxygen saturation

  4. Apply AED pads to the patient’s chest

9. Continuing from the previous question, assume the patient’s respirations continue at the same rate, with barely visible chest movement during each of his breaths. All of the following devices for delivering oxygen would be undesirable to use in this situation except:

  1. Nasal cannula (4 L/minute)

  2. Simple face mask ( 4 L/minute)

  3. Nonrebreather mask (15 L/minute)

  4. Bag mask device with supplemental oxygen and reservoir (15 L/minute)

View the answers to this test here.