Airway & breathing

Suctioning should be limited to a maximum of 15 seconds in adults because the process removes vital oxygen along with secretions, risking severe hypoxia. Suctioning for 60 seconds is far too long and can cause profound hypoxemia, while 5 seconds is often insufficient to clear thick blockages.

The recovery position helps maintain a clear airway and prevents aspiration in unresponsive patients who are breathing adequately on their own. It is contraindicated in cardiac arrest, where immediate CPR is required, and in trauma patients due to the risk of worsening spinal injuries.

A normal adult respiratory rate is typically between 12 and 20 breaths per minute at rest. A diagram for this topic isn't available yet — the worked example below walks the same reasoning step by step.

• !Read each option carefully — distractors on Airway & breathing are designed to look plausible.
• !Re-check the exact wording of the question stem before committing to an answer.
• !Watch the qualifiers ("always", "only", "except") that flip a correct-looking option.

Answer each from memory — you'll see instantly whether you're right and why.

Run a focused 10-question mini-mock on Airway & breathing and see it stick.