22 Airway, Respiration & Ventilation Practice Questions & Answers
Every Airway, Respiration & Ventilation practice question from the EMT (NREMT) Practice Test, with the correct answer and a short explanation.
Start practice test →1. Which muscle is the primary muscle of respiration?
- A.Diaphragm✓ Answer
- B.Sternocleidomastoid
- C.Rectus abdominis
- D.Pectoralis major
The diaphragm contracts and flattens to enlarge the thoracic cavity, creating the negative pressure that draws air into the lungs; it performs most of the work of normal breathing, while the other muscles are only accessory.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Anatomy & Physiology of the Respiratory SystemReport a problem with this question
2. In which structures does gas exchange between air and blood take place?
- A.Trachea
- B.Bronchi
- C.Alveoli✓ Answer
- D.Larynx
The alveoli are thin-walled air sacs surrounded by capillaries; oxygen and carbon dioxide diffuse across the alveolar-capillary membrane, which is the only place where actual gas exchange occurs. The trachea and bronchi are conducting passages.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Respiratory Anatomy & PhysiologyReport a problem with this question
3. Which of the following structures is part of the UPPER airway?
- A.Bronchi
- B.Alveoli
- C.Pharynx✓ Answer
- D.Trachea
The upper airway consists of the structures above the larynx — the nose, mouth, and pharynx — whereas the trachea, bronchi, and alveoli make up the lower airway. Knowing the division guides where obstructions and interventions occur.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Airway AnatomyReport a problem with this question
4. How is an oropharyngeal airway (OPA) correctly sized?
- A.From the tip of the nose to the earlobe
- B.From the corner of the mouth to the angle of the jaw (or earlobe)✓ Answer
- C.From the chin to the sternal notch
- D.From the center of the lips to the thyroid cartilage
A properly sized OPA is measured from the corner of the patient's mouth to the angle of the jaw or earlobe. Correct sizing places the tip at the base of the tongue; too long pushes the tongue back, and too short is ineffective.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Airway Management — Airway AdjunctsReport a problem with this question
5. How is a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) correctly sized for length?
- A.From the corner of the mouth to the earlobe
- B.From the tip of the nose to the earlobe (or angle of the jaw)✓ Answer
- C.From one nostril to the other
- D.From the nose to the chin
An NPA length is measured from the tip of the nose to the earlobe, and its diameter should match the patient's nostril. Correct length places the distal tip in the posterior pharynx above the epiglottis.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Airway Management — Airway AdjunctsReport a problem with this question
6. An oropharyngeal airway (OPA) should NOT be used in a patient who:
- A.Is unresponsive with no gag reflex
- B.Has an intact gag reflex✓ Answer
- C.Is apneic (not breathing)
- D.Requires bag-valve-mask ventilation
An OPA stimulates the posterior pharynx, so a patient with an intact gag reflex may gag, vomit, and aspirate. It is used only in unresponsive patients who have no gag reflex.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Airway Adjuncts — Indications/ContraindicationsReport a problem with this question
7. Which finding is a contraindication to inserting a nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)?
- A.Snoring respirations
- B.Suspected basilar skull fracture or severe facial trauma✓ Answer
- C.A decreased level of consciousness
- D.The need for prolonged airway support
With a basilar skull fracture or severe midface trauma, an NPA can be inadvertently passed through the fracture into the cranial vault, so it is contraindicated when such head injury is suspected.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Airway Adjuncts — ContraindicationsReport a problem with this question
8. For an unresponsive patient with a suspected cervical-spine injury, which manual maneuver should be used to open the airway?
- A.Head-tilt/chin-lift
- B.Jaw-thrust without head tilt✓ Answer
- C.Hyperextension of the neck
- D.Turning the head to one side
The jaw-thrust maneuver lifts the mandible forward to open the airway without extending or moving the cervical spine, minimizing the risk of worsening a possible spinal injury.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Manual Airway ManeuversReport a problem with this question
9. What is the appropriate oxygen flow-rate range for a nasal cannula?
- A.1 to 6 L/min✓ Answer
- B.10 to 15 L/min
- C.15 to 25 L/min
- D.0.25 L/min only
A nasal cannula delivers roughly 24%–44% oxygen at 1–6 L/min. Flow above 6 L/min mainly dries and irritates the nasal mucosa without meaningfully increasing the oxygen concentration delivered.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Oxygen Delivery DevicesReport a problem with this question
10. At what minimum oxygen flow rate should a non-rebreather mask be run?
- A.2 L/min
- B.6 L/min
- C.At least 10 to 15 L/min✓ Answer
- D.1 L/min
The reservoir bag of a non-rebreather must stay inflated during inhalation; a flow of at least 10–15 L/min keeps the bag full so the patient breathes high-concentration oxygen rather than drawing in room air.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Oxygen Delivery DevicesReport a problem with this question
11. Approximately what oxygen concentration can a non-rebreather mask deliver at 10–15 L/min?
- A.About 21%
- B.About 40%
- C.Up to about 80–90%✓ Answer
- D.A guaranteed 100%
With a good mask seal and an inflated reservoir at 10–15 L/min, a non-rebreather delivers roughly 80%–90% oxygen. It cannot reliably reach 100% because small amounts of room air leak in around the mask edges.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Oxygen Delivery DevicesReport a problem with this question
12. A bag-valve-mask (BVM) with an attached reservoir and oxygen at 15 L/min delivers approximately what oxygen concentration?
- A.About 21%
- B.About 50%
- C.Nearly 100%✓ Answer
- D.About 35%
A BVM with a reservoir and 15 L/min of oxygen delivers nearly 100% oxygen, which is why it is the preferred device for delivering positive-pressure ventilation to a patient in respiratory failure or arrest.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Artificial Ventilation — Bag-Valve-MaskReport a problem with this question
13. How often should you ventilate an ADULT who is in respiratory arrest but still has a pulse?
- A.1 breath every 5 to 6 seconds✓ Answer
- B.1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds
- C.1 breath every 10 seconds
- D.1 breath every 1 to 2 seconds
For an adult with a pulse who is not breathing adequately, deliver one breath every 5 to 6 seconds (about 10–12 per minute). Ventilating faster raises airway pressure, causing gastric distention and reducing venous return.
Source: AHA 2020 Guidelines for CPR & ECC — Rescue Breathing (Adult); National EMS Education Standards, Artificial VentilationReport a problem with this question
14. For an INFANT or CHILD in respiratory arrest with a pulse, ventilations should be delivered at approximately:
- A.1 breath every 5 to 6 seconds
- B.1 breath every 2 to 3 seconds✓ Answer
- C.1 breath every 10 seconds
- D.1 breath every 15 seconds
Current guidelines call for one breath every 2 to 3 seconds (about 20–30 per minute) for an infant or child with a pulse, reflecting their higher metabolic rate and oxygen demand compared with adults.
Source: AHA 2020 Guidelines for CPR & ECC — Pediatric Rescue BreathingReport a problem with this question
15. What is the maximum time you should apply suction in an adult's airway during a single attempt?
- A.5 seconds
- B.15 seconds✓ Answer
- C.30 seconds
- D.60 seconds
Suctioning removes oxygen along with secretions, so a single suction attempt in an adult should not exceed 15 seconds to avoid causing hypoxia; the patient should be re-oxygenated between attempts.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Suctioning — Technique & DurationReport a problem with this question
16. When suctioning the oropharynx with a rigid (Yankauer) catheter, when should suction be applied?
- A.While inserting the catheter
- B.Only while withdrawing the catheter✓ Answer
- C.Continuously for 60 seconds
- D.Before the catheter enters the mouth
The catheter is inserted to the base of the tongue WITHOUT suction so oxygen is not removed and tissue is not injured; suction is then applied only while withdrawing the catheter to clear the airway.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Suctioning TechniqueReport a problem with this question
17. An unresponsive patient has snoring respirations. What is the most likely cause and the appropriate first action?
- A.Fluid in the airway; suction immediately
- B.The tongue is partially blocking the airway; reposition the head or insert an airway adjunct✓ Answer
- C.Bronchospasm; assist with a bronchodilator
- D.Upper-airway swelling; prepare for a surgical airway
Snoring is produced when the tongue partially occludes the pharynx in an unresponsive patient; a head-tilt/chin-lift (or jaw-thrust) and/or an airway adjunct such as an OPA relieves the obstruction.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Airway Obstruction — AssessmentReport a problem with this question
18. Gurgling sounds heard during breathing indicate what, and what is the appropriate action?
- A.The tongue is obstructing the airway; insert an OPA
- B.Fluid such as secretions, blood, or vomit in the airway; suction it✓ Answer
- C.Narrowed lower airways; assist ventilations
- D.Normal breathing; no action is needed
Gurgling is caused by liquid — secretions, blood, or vomitus — in the airway. Suctioning clears the fluid to prevent it from being aspirated into the lungs.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Airway Sounds — AssessmentReport a problem with this question
19. A pulse oximetry (SpO2) reading below which value generally indicates hypoxia that warrants supplemental oxygen?
- A.Below 99%
- B.Below 94%✓ Answer
- C.Below 80%
- D.Below 70%
A normal SpO2 is about 94%–100%. Readings below 94% indicate the blood is inadequately saturated with oxygen, so supplemental oxygen is generally indicated, with the level titrated to the patient's condition.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Pulse Oximetry InterpretationReport a problem with this question
20. Which of the following is typically an EARLY sign of hypoxia?
- A.Cyanosis (bluish skin)
- B.Restlessness and anxiety✓ Answer
- C.Cardiac arrest
- D.Unresponsiveness
Early hypoxia produces restlessness, anxiety, and a rising heart rate as the body compensates for falling oxygen. Cyanosis, altered mental status, and bradycardia are late signs of severe oxygen deprivation.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Signs of HypoxiaReport a problem with this question
21. Which finding indicates INADEQUATE breathing that requires assisted ventilation?
- A.A regular rate of 16 breaths/min with good chest rise
- B.Speaking in full sentences without difficulty
- C.A rate of 6 breaths/min with shallow chest movement✓ Answer
- D.Warm, pink, dry skin
A respiratory rate that is too slow (or too fast) combined with reduced tidal volume — shown here by shallow chest movement — cannot move enough air for adequate gas exchange and requires positive-pressure ventilation.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Adequate vs. Inadequate BreathingReport a problem with this question
22. What is the normal (adequate) respiratory rate range for an adult at rest?
- A.4 to 8 breaths/min
- B.12 to 20 breaths/min✓ Answer
- C.25 to 40 breaths/min
- D.40 to 60 breaths/min
A normal adult breathes about 12–20 times per minute with adequate depth. Rates outside this range, especially when combined with shallow depth or abnormal effort, suggest respiratory compromise.
Source: National EMS Education Standards (DOT HS 811 077E), Normal Respiratory RatesReport a problem with this question
Practice questions modeled on the National EMS Education Standards and NREMT cognitive-exam content areas. Not medical advice and not affiliated with or endorsed by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) or NHTSA. Always follow your instructor, medical director, and local protocols. Study the official materials at nremt.org. Official NREMT →