Airway Anatomy
This structure prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing.
What is the epiglottis?
The oxygen flow rate range for a non-rebreather mask.
What is 10-15 L/min?
The three main types of shock encountered in trauma patients.
What are hypovolemic, obstructive, and neurogenic shock?
The two main structures of the central nervous system.
What are the brain and spinal cord?
A 30-year-old male was stabbed in the right upper chest. He has diminished breath sounds on that side, tachypnea, and JVD. What life-threatening condition do you suspect?
What is tension pneumothorax?
The primary site of gas exchange in the lungs.
What are the alveoli?
The "Six Rights" of medication administration include right patient, right medication, right dose, right route, right time, and this.
What is right documentation?
Flail chest is caused by fractures in this many ribs.
What is two or more ribs in two or more places?
This neurotransmitter is primarily responsible for muscle contraction and is released at neuromuscular junctions.
What is acetylcholine?
A 56-year-old female with congestive heart failure (CHF) presents with severe shortness of breath, pink frothy sputum, and crackles in both lungs. What prehospital treatment should be prioritized?
What is CPAP and nitroglycerin?
This nerve is the primary motor control for the diaphragm.
What is the phrenic nerve?
This drug is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis and must be administered intramuscularly.
What is epinephrine 1:1,000 IM?
This brain injury involves bleeding between the dura mater and the skull, often caused by arterial damage.
What is an epidural hematoma?
The three protective layers that surround the brain and spinal cord.
What are the meninges? – dura mater, arachnoid mater, pia mater
A 72-year-old female presents with slurred speech, right-sided weakness, and facial droop. The symptoms began 45 minutes ago. What is your priority intervention?
What is rapid transport to a stroke center?
These small airway structures lack cartilage and lead directly to the alveolar ducts.
What are the bronchioles?
A tourniquet should be placed this far above a traumatic bleeding wound.
What is 2-3 inches proximal to the wound?
The "DCAP-BLS TIC" mnemonic is used during a head-to-toe assessment. What does it stand for?
What is Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Lacerations, Swelling, Tenderness, instability, and Crepitus?
The longest and most widely distributed cranial nerve, controlling autonomic functions of the heart, lungs, and digestive system.
What is the vagus nerve (Cranial Nerve X)?
A 70-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of dyspnea, tachypnea, and pleuritic chest pain after a long flight. His SpO2 is 88% on room air, and he has a normal lung exam. What condition do you suspect?
What is pulmonary embolism?
The structure located between the base of the tongue and the epiglottis that paramedics often target during intubation.
What is the vallecula?
When intubating, paramedics must confirm tube placement using this gold standard method.
What is waveform capnography?
This breathing pattern, characterized by irregular gasping, is seen in severe brain injuries.
What is Cheyne-Stokes respiration?
A life-threatening increase in intracranial pressure characterized by hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.
What is Cushing’s Triad?
A 50-year-old male is found confused, lethargic, and breathing deeply with a fruity odor on his breath. His blood sugar is 520 mg/dL. What is the diagnosis, and what acid-base imbalance does it cause?
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and metabolic acidosis?