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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When suctioning pediatric patients, what is the maximum recommendation for suctioning time?

3 seconds
5 seconds
10 seconds
15 seconds

The correct answer is: 5 seconds

For pediatric patients, the recommended maximum suctioning time is 5 seconds. This time limit is crucial because pediatric patients, especially infants and young children, can have delicate airways and may become easily hypoxic if suctioning is prolonged. Keeping the suctioning time to just 5 seconds minimizes the risk of complications such as inadequate oxygenation, airway trauma, and discomfort for the patient. The ability to quickly and effectively clear an airway is a vital skill for EMTs, and this guideline ensures that suctioning is performed safely without compromising the child's respiratory status. After suctioning, it is also important to allow the patient time to recover before attempting to suction again if needed.