Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

What should you do if you notice stomach distention while ventilating an apneic patient?

1. Increase the ventilatory pressure

2. Recheck and reposition his airway

3. Administer oxygen immediately

4. Stop ventilations and assess for signs of life

The correct answer is: Recheck and reposition his airway

In the context of ventilating an apneic patient, noticing stomach distention indicates that air is being introduced into the stomach rather than the lungs. This situation can occur if the airway is not positioned correctly, which can lead to ineffective ventilation and potential complications, including aspiration. Rechecking and repositioning the airway helps ensure that the airway is clear and that the ventilation is directed toward the lungs instead of the gastrointestinal tract. Common techniques include tilting the patient's head back slightly or performing a jaw thrust maneuver, especially in cases where there might be a spinal injury. Correct positioning can facilitate better lung expansion and improve the efficacy of the ventilations. Other options, while related to emergency response, do not address the immediate issue of ventilatory effectiveness in the presence of stomach distention. For instance, increasing ventilatory pressure could cause further distention or risk injury to the lungs if obstructions are present. Administering oxygen without addressing the ventilatory situation may not resolve the issue since it's critical to ensure effective ventilation before supplemental oxygen is helpful. Stopping ventilations and assessing for signs of life may be too passive a response if the immediate concern is effectively managing the patient's airway and ensuring adequate respiration. Thus, the appropriate course of action is to reassess and