Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

A 72-year-old male with a tracheal stoma requires ventilatory assistance. However, when you attempt to ventilate, you meet resistance. You should:

1. Adjust the ventilatory pressure

2. Suction the stoma and mouth

3. Administer oral airway

4. Call for additional help

The correct answer is: Suction the stoma and mouth

In this scenario, the correct action is to suction the stoma and mouth because the presence of resistance during ventilation suggests that there may be an obstruction or buildup of secretions that is impeding airflow. In patients with a tracheal stoma, it's crucial to ensure that the airway is clear prior to attempting ventilation. Suctioning both the stoma and the mouth can help to remove any obstructive secretions or debris that may have accumulated. This helps to restore patency to the airway and enables more effective ventilation. Given the patient's age and potential concerns with respiratory function, ensuring the airway is clear is a priority in the management of this patient. While adjusting the ventilatory pressure could be an option in certain circumstances, it does not address the underlying issue of potential obstruction. Administering an oral airway would not be appropriate here because the patient already has a stoma; inserting an oral airway could cause further issues. Calling for additional help may be warranted, but the immediate priority should be addressing the potential obstruction to ensure adequate ventilation.