NREMT AEMT Level Flashcards: Respiratory And Cardiac Medical Emergencies

What this deck covers

This deck focuses on Respiratory And Cardiac Medical Emergencies, giving you a quick way to review the definitions, rules, and examples that matter most for NREMT AEMT Level.

How to use these flashcards

Work through these flashcards in short sessions. Try to answer each prompt before flipping the card, then revisit any cards you miss until the explanation feels automatic.

Flashcard 1: Which medication is used for chest pain suspected to be ischemic when systolic BP is adequate and no contraindications exist?

Answer: Nitroglycerin per protocol. Causes vasodilation to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve coronary perfusion.

Flashcard 2: What breath sound is most consistent with fluid in the alveoli, such as in CHF or pulmonary edema?

Answer: Crackles (rales). Reflects fine, discontinuous sounds from air moving through fluid-filled alveoli, typical in congestive conditions.

Flashcard 3: What is the most reliable field indicator of ventilation and airway patency during assisted breathing?

Answer: Waveform capnography (EtCO$2$) if available. Monitors end-tidal CO2 levels to confirm tube placement and assess ventilation adequacy in real time.

Flashcard 4: What oxygen flow rate is typically used for an adult nasal cannula in prehospital care?

Answer: Nasal cannula: $1$–$6$ L/min. Provides low-flow oxygen delivery suitable for patients with mild hypoxia, delivering approximately 24-44% FiO2 depending on the rate.

Flashcard 5: Which rhythm is treated with immediate defibrillation in an unresponsive, pulseless adult?

Answer: Ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. These shockable rhythms respond to electrical cardioversion to restore organized cardiac activity.

Flashcard 6: What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for $2$-rescuer adult CPR without an advanced airway?

Answer: Ratio: $30:2$. Balances circulation and ventilation in basic life support to minimize interruptions.

Flashcard 7: Which medication is indicated for suspected anaphylaxis with respiratory compromise or hypotension?

Answer: Epinephrine IM per protocol. Counteracts severe allergic reactions by causing vasoconstriction and bronchodilation to stabilize vital signs.

Flashcard 8: What is the typical oxygen flow rate for a nebulizer driven by oxygen?

Answer: Nebulizer: $6$–$8$ L/min. Ensures adequate aerosolization of medication without excessive flow that could reduce drug delivery efficiency.

Flashcard 9: Which rhythm requires immediate high-quality CPR and epinephrine rather than defibrillation?

Answer: Asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Non-shockable rhythms require circulation support and vasopressors to address underlying causes.

Flashcard 10: What is the typical target EtCO$2$ range for a ventilated adult with adequate perfusion?

Answer: EtCO$2$: $35$–$45$ mmHg. Represents normal range for eucapnia, guiding ventilation to avoid hypo- or hyperventilation complications.

Flashcard 11: What is the recommended adult chest compression rate during CPR?

Answer: Compression rate: $100$–$120$/min. Optimizes cardiac output by balancing speed and quality, per AHA resuscitation guidelines.

Flashcard 12: What is the key treatment priority for acute pulmonary edema with severe dyspnea and hypertension?

Answer: CPAP if not contraindicated, plus oxygenation/ventilation support. Applies positive pressure to reduce preload and afterload, improving oxygenation in cardiogenic pulmonary edema.

Flashcard 13: What is the recommended adult chest compression depth during CPR?

Answer: Depth: $2$–$2.4$ inches ($5$–$6$ cm). Ensures adequate cardiac output by compressing the heart sufficiently against the spine.

Flashcard 14: What is the standard adult rate for bag-valve-mask ventilation without an advanced airway?

Answer: Ventilate $1$ breath every $5$–$6$ seconds. Prevents hyperventilation in respiratory arrest, providing 10-12 breaths per minute to maintain normal CO2 levels.

Flashcard 15: Which medication is commonly given for suspected cardiac chest pain if not contraindicated?

Answer: Aspirin per protocol (if no allergy or active bleeding). Inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce thrombus formation in acute coronary syndromes.

Flashcard 16: Which assessment finding best indicates inadequate ventilation requiring assisted ventilations?

Answer: Altered mental status with poor tidal volume or slow rate. Signals hypoventilation leading to hypercapnia and acidosis, requiring intervention to ensure gas exchange.

Flashcard 17: What is the preferred initial medication for bronchospasm in asthma or COPD with wheezing?

Answer: Inhaled beta-$2$ agonist (albuterol) per protocol. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle to alleviate wheezing and improve airflow in reactive airway diseases.

Flashcard 18: What is the most reliable field indicator of oxygenation when a good waveform is present?

Answer: Pulse oximetry (SpO$2$) with reliable pleth waveform. Measures hemoglobin oxygen saturation noninvasively, with waveform confirming accuracy in perfusion assessment.

Flashcard 19: What is the standard adult rate for bag-valve-mask ventilation with an advanced airway in place?

Answer: Ventilate $1$ breath every $6$ seconds ($10$/min). Maintains adequate ventilation during CPR without causing hyperventilation, aligning with AHA guidelines for advanced airways.

Flashcard 20: What is the first-line prehospital treatment for suspected opioid-induced respiratory depression?

Answer: Ventilate with BVM; give naloxone per protocol. Reverses opioid-induced hypoventilation by antagonizing mu-receptors while supporting airway and breathing.

Flashcard 21: What clinical finding most strongly suggests upper airway obstruction rather than lower airway disease?

Answer: Stridor. Indicates high-pitched sound from turbulent airflow in narrowed upper airways, distinguishing it from wheezing in lower airways.

Flashcard 22: What oxygen flow rate is typically used for an adult nonrebreather mask (NRB)?

Answer: NRB: $10$–$15$ L/min. Delivers high-flow oxygen up to 90-100% FiO2 when the reservoir bag is inflated, ideal for severe hypoxia.