Basic Airway
What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in an unconscious patient?
The tongue
How should you check a baby’s pulse if they are less than 1 year old?
Check the brachial pulse.
What is the first step in assessing a trauma patient?
ensuring scene safety.
What is the main organ of the circulatory system?
The heart
What age group is typically considered geriatric?
Adults aged 65 and older.
What does the “O” in the airway adjunct “OPA” stand for?
Oropharyngeal
When ventilating a pediatric patient with a BVM, how should the chest rise appear?
Gentle, visible chest rise—do not overinflate
What does “DCAP-BTLS” stand for?
Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.
What’s the first thing you check on a patient who may be in cardiac arrest?
Check for responsiveness and a pulse.
Why do elderly patients often have slower medication absorption?
Because of decreased liver and kidney function.
What is the purpose of the head-tilt, chin-lift maneuver?
To open the airway by moving the tongue away from the back of the throat.
What is the normal respiratory rate for a newborn?
30–60 breaths per minute.
What is the priority for a patient with severe bleeding?
Control the bleeding with direct pressure or a tourniquet if needed.
Which heart rhythm is treated with defibrillation?
Ventricular fibrillation (VF) or pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT).
What is one of the most common causes of injury in elderly patients?
Falls
When should you use a jaw-thrust maneuver instead of a head-tilt, chin-lift?
When a spinal injury is suspected.
What does a pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) evaluate?
Appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin.
What type of shock is caused by significant blood loss?
Hypovolemic shock
What does nitroglycerin do for a cardiac patient?
It dilates blood vessels to reduce chest pain and workload on the heart.
Why might vital signs in elderly patients be less reliable indicators of shock?
Their body’s compensatory mechanisms are often weaker or slower to respond.
What is the proper way to measure an oropharyngeal airway (OPA)?
From the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw (or earlobe).
What is the most common cause of cardiac arrest in children?
Respiratory failure.
What does “golden hour” refer to in trauma care?
The critical first hour after injury when prompt treatment greatly improves survival chances.
What is the difference between ventricular fibrillation and asystole?
Ventricular fibrillation is a chaotic rhythm with electrical activity; asystole is a flatline with no electrical activity.
What is polypharmacy, and why is it a concern in geriatric patients?
Polypharmacy is the use of multiple medications, which increases the risk of drug interactions and side effects.