Evergreen Fire EMT CE Refresher Airway Management and Pharmacology Jan-22-2026
After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will understand the need for proper airway management, including recognizing and measuring adequate and inadequate breathing, maintaining an open airway, and providing artificial ventilation. Students will be able to demonstrate basic competency in applying these concepts to appropriate care through the use of airway adjuncts, suction equipment, oxygen equipment and delivery systems, pulse oximetry, continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), and resuscitation devices.
After students complete this chapter and the related course work, they will understand the significance and characteristics of general pharmacology and will be able to identify, describe, and demonstrate the steps for assisting/administering medications carried by the EMT.
Target Audience
Evergreen EMS providers
Learning Objectives
1. Describe the major structures of the respiratory system. (pp 418–423)
2. Discuss the physiology of breathing. (pp 423–428)
3. Give the signs of adequate breathing. (p 432)
4. Give the signs of inadequate breathing. (pp 432–434)
5. Describe the assessment and care of a patient with apnea. (p 434)
6. Explain how to assess for adequate and inadequate respiration, including the use of pulse oximetry. (pp 434–439)
7. Explain how to assess for a patent airway. (pp 439–440)
8. Describe how to perform the head tilt–chin lift maneuver. (pp 440–441)
9. Describe how to perform the jaw-thrust maneuver. (pp 441–442)
10. Explain the importance and techniques of suctioning. (pp 442–446)
11. Explain how to measure and insert an oropharyngeal (oral) airway. (pp 446–448)
12. Describe how to measure and insert a nasopharyngeal (nasal) airway. (p 449)
13. Explain the use of the recovery position to maintain a clear airway. (pp 449–451)
14. Describe the importance of giving supplemental oxygen to patients who are hypoxic. (p 451)
15. Discuss the basics of how oxygen is stored and the various hazards associated with its use. (pp 451–457
1. Define the terms pharmacodynamics, therapeutic effects, indications, adverse effects, pharmacokinetics, onset of action, peak, duration, elimination, unintended effects, and untoward effects. (pp 495–497
2. Explain medication contraindications; include an example. (p 497)
3. Explain the differences between a generic medication name and a trade medication name; provide an example of each. (p 497)
4. Differentiate enteral and parenteral routes of medication administration. (p 498)
5. Describe rectal, oral, intravenous, intraosseous, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intranasal, inhalation, sublingual, and transcutaneous routes of medication administration; include the rates of absorption. (pp 498–500)
Primary Instructors
Annie Dorchak, Course Coordinator, completed CO EMS edu admin class & EMS Primary Instructor, EMS Capt.
Quatro (Dorrence) Roderick - unknown if completed CO EMS edu admin class, EMS Primary instructor, EMS Capt.
Sarah Provins - EMS Primary instructor, Paramedic/Community Paramedic
Julian Masnicki - EMS Primary instructor, Paramedic
Tony Shepperdson - EMS Primary instructor, Paramedic
EMS Continuing Education approved by the State of Colorado through Common Spirit Prehospital Services Training Center and Group # CO 039 (SAH), #CO 040 (PSF)
Available Credit
- 3.00 Airway, Ventilation, Respiratory

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