TL;DR
Master airway assessment, management techniques, and respiratory emergency interventions. Airway management is the highest priority in patient care and a critical exam topic.
Free Advanced Airway (ET/Supraglottic) Practice Questions
NREMT Paramedic Certification · Airway & Ventilation (Advanced)
This module covers Advanced Airway (ET/Supraglottic) as part of the Airway & Ventilation (Advanced) section, testing your understanding of core concepts and their practical application.
| Exam | NREMT Paramedic Certification |
| Pass Rate | 67% |
| Duration | 150 minutes |
| Module | Advanced Airway (ET/Supraglottic) |
Why Advanced Airway (ET/Supraglottic) matters
Advanced Airway (ET/Supraglottic) is the most critical clinical skill because airway compromise is the fastest pathway to patient death.
Sample Practice Questions (5)
1. A 45-year-old male with severe facial burns, stridor, and carbonaceous sputum has an SpO2 of 88% on high-flow oxygen. You attempt intubation but encounter significant laryngeal edema, making glottic visualization impossible. A supraglottic airway also fails to provide adequate ventilation. What is the MOST appropriate next intervention?
- Perform a surgical cricothyrotomy
- Continue BVM ventilation and transport emergently
- Administer nebulized racemic epinephrine to reduce edema
- Reattempt intubation with a smaller ET tube
2. During transport of an intubated patient, the ventilator alarms with high peak inspiratory pressures. The patient's SpO2 drops from 98% to 85% over 30 seconds. Using the DOPE mnemonic, you check for displacement first and confirm the tube depth is unchanged with good ETCO2. What should you assess NEXT?
- Obstruction — pass a suction catheter through the ET tube
- Pneumothorax — auscultate and assess for tracheal deviation
- Equipment — check the ventilator circuit for disconnection
- Repeat laryngoscopy to confirm tube position
3. A patient with a known history of laryngeal cancer presents with complete upper airway obstruction. You note a well-healed tracheostomy scar on the anterior neck but no stoma is patent. All standard airway interventions have failed. What is the MOST important anatomical consideration when performing emergency cricothyrotomy on this patient?
- Prior surgery may have altered the anatomy of the cricothyroid membrane and surrounding structures
- The cricothyroid membrane is always in the same position regardless of surgical history
- The previous tracheostomy site should be used instead of the cricothyroid membrane
- Laryngeal cancer patients cannot undergo cricothyrotomy under any circumstances
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Start practicing free →4. You are called to a 30-year-old male with anaphylaxis who has severe angioedema of the tongue and oropharynx. His voice is muffled, SpO2 is 82%, and he is becoming obtunded. You administer IM epinephrine. Your first intubation attempt fails due to massive tongue swelling obscuring all landmarks. A King LT also fails to ventilate. BVM with two-person technique provides minimal chest rise. What is the BEST course of action?
- Perform surgical cricothyrotomy immediately
- Administer a second dose of IM epinephrine and wait for swelling to reduce
- Attempt nasotracheal intubation
- Place the patient prone and attempt ventilation
5. You have successfully placed a King LT airway in a cardiac arrest patient. On ventilation, you notice significant air leak and the chest is not rising adequately. What should you do FIRST?
- Add air to the pilot balloon to increase cuff pressure
- Remove the King LT and insert an endotracheal tube
- Reposition the King LT by withdrawing it 2 cm
- Switch to BVM ventilation immediately
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