Airway & Breathing
This two maneuvers, required of all Arizona EMTs, are used to open the airway without advanced devices.
What are the head-tilt–chin-lift and jaw-thrust?
These two vital signs should be monitored during ongoing reassessment for unstable patients—every 5 minutes—or every 15 minutes for stable patients.
What are vital signs (such as respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.)?
This condition often presents with chest pressure, diaphoresis, shortness of breath, nausea, and sometimes radiation of pain to the jaw or left arm.
What is acute coronary syndrome (ACS) / myocardial infarction?
This mechanism in the lungs allows oxygen to move from alveoli into capillaries and carbon dioxide to move out, based on differences in partial pressures.
What is diffusion?
A patient presents with a fever of 102°F, heart rate of 110 bpm, and low blood pressure. These vital signs are consistent with this potentially life-threatening systemic condition.
What is sepsis?
This intermediate airway adjunct, permitted to EMTs in Arizona, can be used alongside a BVM to maintain airway patency, without risk of aspiration.
What is a nasopharyngeal airway
In T3G’s secondary survey, EMS providers must collect this set of subjective patient information, including signs & symptoms, allergies, medications, past history, etc.
What is the SAMPLE history?
Patients with this respiratory condition may present with wheezing, prolonged expiratory phase, and accessory muscle use.
What is asthma?
This type of joint allows for the widest range of motion, including rotation, flexion, and extension.
What is a ball-and-socket joint?
On a trauma patient, you notice unequal pupils, bradycardia, and hypertension, classic signs of this critical condition.
What is increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
With structured training, Arizona EMT-I and above may use this noninvasive positive-pressure airway support.
What is CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure)?
T3G emphasizes using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle during pediatric evaluation, comprising appearance, work of breathing, and this third component.
What is circulation to skin (i.e., pale/mottled/cyanotic skin)? — the third side of the Pediatric Assessment Triangle
Polyuria, polydipsia, fruity breath odor, Kussmaul respirations, and altered mental status are common findings in this endocrine emergency.
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
During shock, the body compensates by constricting these blood vessels to maintain perfusion to vital organs.
What are the arterioles or peripheral blood vessels?
A patient has a respiratory rate of 8/min, oxygen saturation of 85%, and altered mental status. These assessment findings indicate this critical problem.
What is respiratory failure / hypoxia?
When managing a suspected pediatric foreign body airway obstruction with ineffective coughing, EMTs should perform this intervention first.
What are back blows and chest thrusts (infant) or abdominal thrusts (child)?
Under Arizona T3G, termination of resuscitation in the field may only occur when EMS meets these two conditions.
What are: (1) following the regionally approved termination of resuscitation protocol, and (2) authorization from on-line medical direction (if required)?
Fever, nuchal rigidity (stiff neck), photophobia, and altered mental status are the classic triad of this potentially life-threatening infection.
What is meningitis?
This type of muscle is involuntary, found in the walls of hollow organs like the intestines and blood vessels, and helps move substances through the body.
What is smooth muscle?
A trauma patient presents with HR 130 bpm, BP 70/50 mmHg, RR 32/min, and decreased breath sounds on one side. These vital signs and findings suggest this problem.
What is tension pneumothorax?
Under Arizona paramedic T3G protocol, this is one of the final airway interventions used when BVM, NIPPV, and supraglottic devices fail—and it’s within the paramedic’s authorized scope
What is a cricothyroidotomy?
According to Arizona T3G, if a patient refuses treatment or transport, EMS must ensure these two elements are documented before honoring the refusal.
What are decision-making capacity and informed refusal (including risks explained and understood)?
This condition can present with tearing chest pain radiating to the back, unequal blood pressures between arms, and may mimic a heart attack.
What is an aortic dissection?
Sudden-onset severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and neck stiffness are classic symptoms of this neurologic emergency.
What is subarachnoid hemorrhage?
A pediatric patient presents with HR 180 bpm, BP 70/40 mmHg, RR 35/min, poor capillary refill, and lethargy. These findings indicate this critical pediatric condition.
What is pediatric shock (e.g., hypovolemic or septic)?