Yes, “recovery position” is commonly used to describe how someone who is unresponsive and breathing should be placed so that their airway stays open and they can continue to breathe.
Yes, if you suspect a back or neck injury, you should still move them on to their side so they can keep breathing. Try to keep their spine in a straight line when turning them. If possible, get someone to help you turn them.
Yes, talk to them and reassure them. Even if they do not respond to you, they may still be able to hear what is going on.
Sometimes when a person is unresponsive their breathing may become noisy, irregular or gasping. This is usually a sign that their heart and lungs are not working properly and you should treat them as an unresponsive person who is not breathing.
If someone is feeling faint, tell them to lie down on their back and raise their legs. This will improve the blood flow to their brain.
Fainting is caused by a temporary reduction in the flow of blood to the brain and can result in them becoming unresponsive for a short time.
A person who has fainted should quickly become responsive again. If they don't, treat them as an unresponsive person.
Email us if you have any other questions about first aid for someone who is unresponsive and breathing.
Term All of the following will help minimize the risk of gastric distention when ventilating an apneic patient with a bag-mask device, EXCEPT: A. increasing the amount of delivered tidal volume. B. ventilating the patient at the appropriate rate. C. applying pressure to the cricoid cartilage D. ensuring the appropriate airway position. | | Definition A. increasing the amount of delivered tidal volume. | |
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Term The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the: A. apex of the lung B. alveolar sacs C. bronchioles D. pulmonary capillaries | | Definition |
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Term Tidal volume is defined as the volume of air that: A. moves into or out of the lungs in a single breath B. is moved through the lungs in a single minute C. is forced into the lungs as a result of positive pressure D. remains in the lungs following a complete exhalation | | Definition A. moves into or out of the lungs in a single breath | |
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Term Inhalation occurs when the: A. diaphragm and intercostal muscles ascend and cause an increase in the intrathoracic pressure. B. diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax and cause an increase in the intrathoracic pressure. C. diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and cause a decrease in the intrathoracic pressure D. diaphragm ascends and the intercostal muscles contract, causing a decrease in intrathoracic pressure. | | Definition C. diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract and cause a decrease in the intrathoracic pressure | |
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Term What occurs when a patient is breathing very rapidly and shallowly? A. Minute volume increases because of a marked increase in both tidal volume and respiratory rate. B. Air is forcefully drawn into the lungs due to the negative pressure created by the rapid respirations. C. The majority of tidal volume reaches the lungs and diffuses across the alveolar-capillary membrane. D. Air moves primarily in the anatomic dead space and does not participate in pulmonary gas exchange. | | Definition D. Air moves primarily in the anatomic dead space and does not participate in pulmonary gas exchange. | |
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Term The primary waste product of aerobic metabolism is: A. pyruvic acid B. adenosine triphosphate C. carbon dioxide D. lactic acid | | Definition |
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Term Which of the following structures is NOT found in the upper airway? A. larynx B. pharynx C. bronchus D. oropharynx | | Definition |
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Term Each cell of the body combines nutrients and oxygen and produces energy and waste products through a process called: A. ventilation B. metabolism C. respirations D. oxygenation | | Definition |
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Term You have inserted an oral airway and are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-mask device. She suddenly begins regurgitating large amounts of vomit. You should: A. ask your partner to apply cricoid pressure B. remove the oral airway and suction her oropharynx C. perform a finger sweep of her mouth. D. roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway | | Definition D. roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway | |
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Term The pressure of gas in a full cylinder of oxygen is approximately ________ pounds per square inch (psi). A. 1,000 B. 500 C. 1,500 D. 2,000 | | Definition |
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Term backup system to control respiration | | Definition |
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Term amount of air moved during one breath | | Definition |
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Term moves down slightly when it contracts | | Definition |
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Term raises ribs when it contracts | | Definition |
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Term exchange between the lungs and the environment | | Definition |
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Term | Definition |
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Term insufficient oxygen for cells and tissue | | Definition |
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Term irregular breathing pattern with increased rate and depth followed by apnea | | Definition |
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Term What percentage of the air we breathe is made up of oxygen? A. 78% B. 12% C. 16% D. 21% | | Definition |
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Term Regarding the maintenance of the airway in an unconscious adult, which of the following is FALSE? A. insertion of an oropharyngeal airway helps keep the airway open B. the head tilt-chin up maneuver should always be used to open the airway C. seceretions should be suctioned from the mouth, as neccessary D. inserting a rigid suction catheter beyond the tongue may cause gagging | | Definition B. the head tilt-chin up maneuver should always be used to open the airway | |
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Term The normal respiratory rate for an adult is: A. about equal to the person's heart rate B. 12 to 20 breaths/min C. faster when the person is sleeping D. same as in infant and children | | Definition |
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Term All of the following are signs of hypoxia EXCEPT: A. tachycardia B. dehydration C. cyanosis D. weak pulse | | Definition |
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Term The brain stem normally triggers breathing by increasing respirations when: A. carbon dioxide levels increase B. oxygen levels increase C. carbon dioxide levels decrease D. nitrogen levels decrease | | Definition A. carbon dioxide levels increase | |
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Term Which of the following is NOT a sign of abdnormal breathing? A. warm, dry skin B. Speaking in a two-or-three- word sentences C. unequal breath sounds D. Skin pulling in around the ribs during inspiration | | Definition |
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Term The proper technique for sizing an oropharyngeal airway before insertion is to measure the device from: A. the tip of the nose to the earlobe B. the bridge of the nose to the tip of the chin C. the corner of the mouth to the earlobe D. the center of the jaw to the earlobe | | Definition C. the corner of the mouth to the earlobe | |
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Term What is the most common problem you may encounter when using a bag-mask device? A. volume of the bag-mask device B. positioning of the patient's head C. environmental conditons D. maintaining an airtight seal | | Definition D. maintaining an airtight seal | |
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Term When ventilating a patient with a bag mask device, you should: A. look for inflation of the cheeks B. look for signs of patientbreathing on his or her own C. look for rise and fall of the chest D. listen for gurgling | | Definition C. look for rise and fall of the chest | |
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Term Suctioning the oral cavity of an adult should be accomplished within: A. 5 seconds B. 10 seconds C. 15 seconds D. 20 seconds | | Definition |
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Term Which of the following is the preferred method of assisting ventilations? A. mouth-to-mask with one way valve B. two-person bag mask device with reservoir and supplemental oxygen C. Flow-restricted, oxygen-powerd ventilation device D. one-person bag mask device with reservoir and supplemental oxygen | | Definition A. mouth-to-mask with one way valve | |
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Term When a person goes ________ minutes without oxygen, brain damage is very likely. A. 0 to 4 B. 4 to 6 C. 6 to 10 D. more than 10 | | Definition |
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Term If your partner, while examining a patient, states that the patient's lungs are equal and bilateral, you would understand your partner to mean that: A. both lungs have labored breathing B. both lungs are equally bad C. the patient is not breathing D. ther sounds on both sidese are clear and equal lung | | Definition D. ther sounds on both sidese are clear and equal lung | |
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Term What are agonal gasps? A. Occasional gasping breaths, but adequate to maintain life B. Occasional gasping breaths, unable to maintain life C. Painful respirations due to broken ribs D. Another name for ataxic respirations | | Definition B. Occasional gasping breaths, unable to maintain life | |
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Term You come upon an unresponsive patient who is not injured and is breathing on her own with a normal rate and an adequate tidal volume. What would be the advantage of placing her in the recovery position? A. It's the preferred position of comfort for patients B. It helps to protect their cervical spine when injuries are hidden C. it helps to maintain a clear airway D. it's easier to load them onto the cot from this position | | Definition C. it helps to maintain a clear airway | |
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Term True or False Nasal airways keep the tongue from blocking the upper airway and facilitate suctioning of the oropharynx. | | Definition |
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Term True or False Nasal cannulas can deliver a maximum of 44% oxygen at 6 L/min. | | Definition |
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Term True or False Oral airways should be measured from the tip of the nose to the earlobe. | | Definition |
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Term True or False Compressed gas cylinders pose no unusual risk. | | Definition |
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Term True or False The pin-indexing system is used to ensure compatibility between pressure regulators and oxygen flowmeters. | | Definition |
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Term Fill-in-the-Blank Air enters the body through the _______ _____ _______. | | Definition |
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Term Fill-in-the-Blank In exhalation, air pressure in the lungs is _________ than the pressure outside. | | Definition |
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Term Fill-in-the-Blank The air we breathe contains _________ percent oxygen and _________ percent nitrogen. | | Definition |
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Term Fill-in-the-Blank The primary mechanism for triggering breathing is the level of ________ _______ in the blood. | | Definition |
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Term Fill-in-the-Blank During inhalation, the _________ and _________ ________ contract, causing the thorax to enlarge. | | Definition diaphragm and intercostal muscles | |
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Term Fill-in-the-Blank Continuous _______ Airway ________ has proven to be immensely beneficial to patients experiencing respiratory distress from acute pulmonary edema or obstructive pulmonary disease. | | Definition |
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Term Fill-in-the-Blank Insufficient oxygen in the cells and tissues is called __________ | | Definition |
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