North Carolina EMT State Practice Exam

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Prepare for the North Carolina EMT State Exam with interactive quizzes and comprehensive explanations. Master your skills and gain confidence by reviewing key topics before test day!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What is the effect of gastric distention during ventilation?

Improves ventilation
Causes discomfort
Interferes with ventilation
Indicates proper technique

The correct answer is: Interferes with ventilation

Gastric distention occurs when air enters the stomach during the process of artificial ventilation. This is often a result of improper technique, such as using excessive pressure when providing breaths or delivering breaths too quickly. The presence of gastric distention can interfere with ventilation because it increases pressure inside the abdomen, which may compress the diaphragm and impede its movement. As the diaphragm is essential for effective breathing, any restriction in its motion can diminish the effectiveness of the ventilations being delivered to the lungs. In addition, gastric distention can lead to complications such as regurgitation, which poses an aspiration risk, further compromising the patient's airway. Thus, understanding the impact of gastric distention is crucial for EMTs to ensure that ventilation is conducted effectively and safely.