Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Practice Test

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Prepare for the EMT Test with multiple-choice questions and explanations. Study with flashcards and access detailed resources to enhance your knowledge. Get set for a successful exam experience!

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What is the result of inadequate tidal volume and/or breathing rate in a patient?

Productive cough
Wheezing and rhonchi
Respiratory failure
Peripheral edema

The correct answer is: Respiratory failure

If the tidal volume (the amount of air moved in and out of the lungs with each breath) and/or breathing rate are inadequate, the patient may not be able to inhale enough oxygen and exhale enough carbon dioxide. This can lead to a decrease in the oxygen levels in the blood, which can ultimately result in respiratory failure. Productive cough (coughing up mucus) and wheezing and rhonchi (abnormal breath sounds) may occur as a result of increased secretion production and airway narrowing, but these are not direct results of inadequate tidal volume and/or breathing rate. Peripheral edema (swelling in the extremities) is also not a direct result of inadequate tidal volume and/or breathing rate.