Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Study for the EMT Intermediate Exam. Access detailed flashcards and multiple-choice questions that come with hints and explanations. Prepare comprehensively for your EMT certification!

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When is gastric distention most likely to occur during ventilation?

If ventilations are too slow
If ventilations are too forceful
If the patient is conscious
If supplemental oxygen is used

The correct answer is: If ventilations are too forceful

Gastric distention is most likely to occur when ventilations are too forceful because excessive pressure can force air into the stomach instead of the lungs. This happens because when ventilations are delivered with high force, it increases the likelihood of the esophagus opening, allowing air to escape into the stomach. Understanding the mechanics of ventilation is essential; the goal is to provide enough volume to expand the lungs without causing excessive pressure that could lead to complications like distention. In contrast, slow ventilations do not provide enough force to push air effectively into the lungs, and while a conscious patient may still experience some level of air exchange, the risk of gastric distention is minimized compared to forceful ventilations. The use of supplemental oxygen does not directly impact the issue of gastric distention, as it is related more to the method and force of ventilation rather than the presence of oxygen.