EMT Exam 3 Study Questions
Which of the following findings would be LEAST suggestive of a head injury?
Briskly constricting pupils when exposed to light
The phrenic nerves control the diaphragm and exit the spinal cord at:
C3, C4, and C5
Which of the following is a severe burn in a 35-year-old patient?
Circumferential partial-thickness burn to the chest
Which of the following medications increases a person's risk of a heat-related emergency?
Diuretics
The cervical spine is MOST protected from whiplash-type injuries when the:
Headrest is properly positioned
Which of the following statements regarding the vitreous humor is correct?
It is a clear, jellylike fluid near the back of the eye that cannot be replaced if it is lost.
Which of the following organs would MOST likely bleed profusely when injured?
Liver
The mastoid process is located approximately:
1 inch posterior to the external opening of the ear.
An infant with a total blood volume of 800 mL would start showing signs of shock when as little as ______ of blood is lost.
100 mL
Femoral shaft fractures can result up to ____ mL of internal blood loss
1000
Following a head injury, a 20-year-old opens her eyes spontaneously, is confused, and obeys your commands to move her extremities. You assign her a GCS score of:
14
A 21-year-old male was working in an auto repair shop and sustained radiator burns to the anterior aspect of both arms and to his anterior chest. According to the rule of nines, this patient has burns that cover ____ of his BSA
18%
Which of the following interventions may be used to help reduce intracranial pressure?
30 degree elevation of the head
A 5-year-old female pulled a pot of boiling water from the stove. She has superficial and partial-thickness burns to her head, face, and anterior trunk. What percentage of her body surface area has been burned?
30%
What is the approximate blood volume of an 80-kg adult male?
5.60 L
During your assessment of a patient with a head injury, you note that he opens his eyes when you pinch his trapezius muscle, is mumbling, and has his arms curled in toward his chest. You should assign him a GCS score of:
7
During your assessment of a patient with head injury, you note that he opens his eyes when you pinch his trapezius muscle, is mumbling, and has his arm curled toward his chest. You should assign him a GCS score of:
7
Your patient has a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 13, a systolic blood pressure of 80 mm Hg, and a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. His Revised Trauma Score (RTS) is:
9
Hypothermia occurs when the core body temperature falls below:
95 F (35 C)
Which of the following scenarios is an example of a direct injury?
A passenger fractures her patella after it strikes the dashboard.
In which of the following patients should you remove an impaled object?
A pulseless and apneic patient with a knife impaled in the back
Which of the following injuries would MOST likely occur as a direct result of the third collision in a motor vehicle crash?
Aortic rupture
A patient is bleeding severely from a severed femoral artery high in the groin region. Which of the following would MOST likely control the bleeding?
Apply a topical hemostatic agent with direct pressure
Which of the following sets of vital signs depicts Cushing's triad?
Blood pressure, 190/110 mm Hg; 55 beats/min; respirations, 30 breaths/min
Of the following musculoskeletal injuries, which is considered to be the LEAST severe?
Non-displaced pelvic fracture
What types of motor vehicle collisions present the greatest potential for multiple impacts?
Rotational and rollover
Which of the following statements regarding severe burns is correct?
Severe burns are typically a combination of all degree burns
A _____ is a musculoskeletal injury in which there is partial or temporary separation of the bone ends as well as partial stretching or tearing of the supporting ligaments.
Sprain
During an altercation in a bar, two patrons got into a fist fight. The first patient, a 44-year-old female, who was struck in the mouth and refuses EMS care. The second patient, a 39-year-old, has a small laceration to her left knuckle and also refuses EMS care. Which of the following statements regarding this scenario is correct?
The 39-year-old female is at high risk of an infections
Which of the following statements regarding abdominal trauma is correct?
The absence of abdominal pain does not rule out intra-abdominal bleeding
Which of the following statements regarding a basilar skull fracture is correct?
The absence of raccoon eyes or Battle's signs does not rule it out.
Which of the following statements regarding low-energy penetrating injuries is correct?
The area of injury is usually close to the path the object took through the body
Which of the following patients has experienced the MOST significant fall?
a 4'6" patient who fell 13 feet
You are assessing a 33-year-old male who complains of severe abdominal pain, weakness, and nausea. He tells you that he was gathering wood to build a fire when he felt a sudden, sharp pain on the back of his hand. Your assessment reveals that the patient's abdomen is rigid and painful to palpation. You should suspect:
a black widow spider bite
In order for electricity to flow through the body and cause damage:
a complete circuit must exist between the electrical source and the ground
Common signs and symptoms of a serious head injury include all of the following, EXCEPT:
a rapid, thready pulse
Compared to adults, infants and children are at higher risk for hypothermia for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT: -a smaller amount of body fat -a decreased ability to shiver -a smaller overall muscle mass -a relatively small surface area
a relatively small surface area
A reflex arc occurs when:
a sensory nerve detects an irritating stimulus and bypasses the brain by sending a direct message to the motor nerve
During your assessment of a patient who was shot in the abdomen, you notice a large entrance wound with multiple small puncture wounds surrounding it. This wound pattern is MOST consistent with a:
a shotgun
If direct pressure fails to immediately stop severe bleeding from an extremity, you should apply:
a tourniquet proximal to the injury
The MOST prominent symptom of decompression sickness is:
abdominal or joint pain
Blood stasis, changes in the vessel wall, and certain medications affect the:
ability of the blood to effectively clot
Which of the following open soft-tissue injuries is limited to the superficial layer of the skin and results in the least amount of blood loss?
abrasion
Pneumothorax is defined as:
accumulation of air in the pleural space
The meninges, along with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that circulates in between each meningeal layer, function by:
acting a shock absorber for the brain and spinal cord
A 39-year-old male was struck in the head by a baseball during a game. He is confused and has slurred speech. He has a large hematoma in the center of his forehead and cannot remember the events preceding the injury. After manually stabilizing his head and assessing his airway, you should:
administer high-flow oxygen
After being stung on the leg by a jellyfish, a man complains of severe pain to his leg, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. He has a red rash covering his trunk and his blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg. The EMT should:
administer oxygen and epinephrine and prepare for rapid transport
During your assessment of a 22-year-old male who was assaulted, you note widespread contusions and abrasions to his face, chest, and abdomen. His pulse is rapid and weak, and his skin is cool and clammy. You should:
administer oxygen and prepare for rapid transport
While jogging, a 19-year-old male experienced an acute onset of shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain. He is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. Your assessment reveals that he has diminished breath sounds over the left side of the chest. You should:
administer oxygen and transport to the hospital.
When immobilizing a seated patient with a short backboard or vest-style immobilization device, you should apply a cervical collar:
after assessing distal neurovascular functions
Subcutaneous emphysema is an indication that:
air is escaping into the chest wall from a damaged lung
Which of the following is a severe burn in a 2-year-old child?
any full-thickness burn, regardless of its location on the body
Which of the following injuries would MOST likely occur as a direct result of the third collision in a motor vehicle crash?
aortic rupture
A 17-year-old male was shot in the right anterior chest during an altercation. As your partner is applying oxygen, you perform a rapid assessment and find an open chest wound with a small amount of blood bubbling from it. You should:
apply an occlusive dressing to the wound and continue your assessment
An unresponsive trauma patient has a large open abdominal wound with massive external bleeding. You should:
apply direct pressure to the wound
Following direct trauma to the left upper back, a 44-year old male presents with diaphoresis and restlessness. His blood pressure is 100/50 mm Hg, his pulse rate is 120 beats/min and weak, and his respirations are 24 breaths/min and labored. Your assessment reveals abrasions and contusions over the left scapula. You should:
apply high-flow oxygen, consider spinal precautions, and transport without delay
A 76-year-old male experienced sudden pain to his left thigh when he was standing in line at the grocery store. Your assessment reveals ecchymosis and deformity to the distal aspect of his left femur, just above the knee. Distal circulation and sensory and motor functions are intact. You should:
apply padded board splints to both sides of the leg
A 54-year-old male experienced an avulsion to his penis when his foreskin got caught in the zipper of his pants. He was able to unzip his pants and remove the foreskin prior to your arrival. Your assessment reveals that he is in severe pain and that the avulsion is bleeding moderately. The MOST appropriate treatment for this patient includes:
applying direct pressure with a dry, sterile dressing
When evaluating the mechanism of injury of a car versus pedestrian collision, you should first:
approximate the speed of the vehicle that struck the pedestrian
A short backboard or vest-style immobilization device is indicated for patients who:
are in a sitting position and are clinically stable
After your partner assumes manual in-line stabilization of the patient's head, you should:
assess distal neurovascular status in the extremities
You receive a call to a local gymnasium for a basketball player with a dislocated shoulder. Upon arrival, you find the patient, a 17-year-old male, sitting on the ground. He is holding his left arm in a fixed position away from his body. There is an obvious anterior bulge to the area of injury. You should:
assess distal pulse, motor, and sensory function
You receive a call to a local gymnasium for a basketball player with a dislocated shoulder. Upon arrival, you find the patient, a 17-year-old male, sitting on the ground. He is holding his left arm in a fixed position away from his body. There is an obvious anterior bulge to the area of injury. You should: Correct!
assess distal pulse, motor, and sensory functions
A young male sustained a gunshot wound to the abdomen during an altercation. As your partner is assessing and managing his airway, you should control the obvious bleeding and then:
assess for an exit wound
A 30-year-old male was rescued after being lost in the woods for approximately 18 hours. The outside temperature is 30 F (-1 C). He is immediately placed in the warmed ambulance, where you perform a primary assessment. He is unresponsive, pale, and apneic. You should:
assess for carotid pulse for up to 60 seconds
A 30-year-old male was rescued after being lost in the woods for approximately 18 hours. The outside temperature is 30°F (−1°C). He is immediately placed in the warmed ambulance, where you perform a primary assessment. He is unresponsive, pale, and apneic. You should:
assess for carotid pulse for up to 60 seconds
You have applied a zippered air splint to a patient's left arm. During transport, the patient complains of increased numbness and tingling in his left hand. You reassess distal circulation and note that it remains present. Your MOST appropriate action should be to:
assess the amount of air in the splint and let air out as necessary
You have applied a zippered air splint to a patient's left arm. During transport, the patient complains of increased numbness and tingling in his left hand. You reassess distal circulation and note that it remains present. Your MOST appropriate action should be to:
assess the amount of air in the splint and let out air as necessary
A young male was shot in the abdomen by an unknown type of gun. He was semiconscious, has shallow breathing, and is bleeding externally from the wound. As you control the external bleeding, your partner should:
assist the patient's ventilations
During your assessment of a patient with blunt chest trauma, you note that the patient has shallow breathing and paradoxical movement of the left chest wall. You should:
assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask
The body's functions that occur without conscious effort are regulated by the _________ nervous system.
autonomic
When controlling bleeding from a scalp laceration with a suspected underlying skull fracture, you should:
avoid excessive pressure when applying the bandage
When treating a patient who experienced a pulmonary blast injury, you should:
avoid giving oxygen under positive pressure
When treating a partial-thickness burn, you should:
avoid the use of creams, lotions, or antiseptics
An injury that separates various layers of soft tissue, resulting in complete detachment or a flap of skin, is called a(n):
avulsion
A man jumped from the roof of his house and landed on his feet. He complains of pain to his heels, knees, and lower back. This mechanism of injury is an example of:
axial loading
A 38-year-old male was electrocuted while attempting to wire a house. Your assessment reveals that he is unresponsive, pulseless, and apneic. A coworker has shut off the power to the house. You should:
begin CPR and apply the AED
When worn properly, a seat belt should lie:
below the ASIS of the pelvis and against the hip joints
An epidural hematoma is MOST accurately defined as:
bleeding between the skull and dura mater
Bone marrow produces:
blood cells
Following blunt trauma to the face, a 21 year old male complains of a severe headache and decreased ability to move his eyes. This patient's clinical presentation is MOST consistent with:
blowout fracture
An organ or tissue may be better able to resist damage from hypoperfusion if the:
body's temperature is considerable less than 98.6 F (37 C)
An organ or tissue may be better able to resist damage from hypoperfusion if the:
body's temperature is considerably less than 98.6 F
The diving reflex may allow a person to survive extended periods of submersion in cold water secondary to:
bradycardia and a slowing of the metabolic rate
The ______ is the best-protected part of the CNS and controls the functions of the cardiac and respiratory systems?
brainstem
Patients with rib fractures will commonly:
breathe rapidly and shallowly
When caring for a patient with a possible fracture of the scapula, the EMT should:
carefully assess the patient for breathing problems
A 50-year-old male was splashed in the eyes with radiator fluid when he was working on his car. During your assessment, he tells you that he wears soft contact lenses. You should:
carefully remove the contact lenses and then irrigate his eyes with saline
In contrast to animal bites, the bite of a human:
carries with it a wide variety of virulent bacteria and viruses
The venom of a brown recluse spider is cytotoxic, meaning that it:
causes severe local tissue damage
A temporary loss or alteration of part or all of the brain's abilities to function without physical damage to the brain MOST accurately describes a(n):
cerebral concussion
The MOST common and serious complication of a significant head injury is:
cerebral edema (brain swelling)
The ____ contain(s) about 75% of the brain's total volume
cerebrum
You are transporting a patient with blunt abdominal trauma. The patient is unstable and is experiencing obvious signs and symptoms of shock. Your estimated time of arrival at the hospital is less than 10 minutes. After treating the patient appropriately, you should:
closely monitor him and reassess frequently
When assessing a patient with a possible fracture of the leg, the EMT should:
compare it to the uninjured leg
A 30-year-old male experienced a crushing injury when his forearm was trapped between the back of a truck and a loading dock. Upon your arrival, the man's arm has been freed. Your assessment reveals that his arm is obviously deformed and swollen and is cold and pale. Further assessment reveals an absent radial pulse. You should be MOST concerned that this patient has:
compartment syndrome
Which of the following statements regarding compartment syndrome is correct?
compartment syndrome typically develops within 6 to 12 hours after an injury
Rapid deceleration of the head, such as when it impacts the windshield, causes:
compression injuries or bruising to the anterior portion of the brain and stretching or tearing to the posterior portion of the brain
A small compact car was involved in a rollover crash. As you are approaching the vehicle, you note that the roof is significantly collapsed. The patient, a 29-year-old male, is complaining of severe pain in his neck and to the top of his head as well as numbness and tingling in his extremities. Witnesses who removed the patient from the vehicle state that he was wearing his seatbelt. What injury mechanism is MOST likely responsible for this patient's condition?
compression of the head against the roof
The inner surface of the eyelids and the exposed surface of the eye itself are covered by a delicate membrane called the:
conjunctiva
A 30-year-old female presents with redness, inflammation, and pain to her left eye. During your assessment, you note that she is having difficulty keeping her eyes open. You should suspect that she is experiencing:
conjunctivitis
Which of the following nerves allow sensory and motor impulses to be sent from one nerve directly to another?
connecting
Your presence is requested by law enforcement to assess a 33-year-old female who was sexually assaulted. The patient is conscious and obviously upset. As you are talking to her, you note an impressive amount of blood on her clothes in the groin area. Her blood pressure is 98/58 mm Hg, her pulse is 130 beats/min, and her respirations are 24 breaths/min. You should:
control any external bleeding, administer oxygen, and transport at once
A closed soft-tissue injury characterized by swelling and ecchymosis is called a(n):
contusion
All of the following snakes are pit vipers, EXCEPT for the:
coral snake
Which of the following would MOST likely occur as the direct result of the second collision in a motor vehicle crash?
deformed steering wheel
Burns are classified according to:
depth and extent
A partial thickness burn involves outer layer of skin and a portion of the:
dermal layer
When assessing a conscious patient with an MOI that suggest spinal injury, you should:
determine if the strength in all extremities is equal
The thoracic cavity is separated from the abdominal cavity by the:
diaphragm
Bleeding from soft-tissue injuries to the face is MOST effectively controlled with:
direct pressure using dry, sterile dressings
The disruption of a joint in which the bone ends are no longer in contact is called a:
dislocation
In non-trauma patients, an early indicator of internal bleeding is:
dizziness upon standing
The tough fibrous outer meningeal layer is called the:
dura mater
The tough, fibrous outer meningeal layer is called the:
dura mater
When the body loses sweat it also loses:
electrolytes
A 12-year-old male jumped approximately 12 feet from a tree and landed on his feet. He complains of pain to his lower back. What injury mechanism is MOST likely responsible for his back pain?
energy transmission to the spine
Following a stab wound to the left anterior chest, a 25-year-old male presents with a decreased level of consciousness and signs of shock. Which of the following additional assessment findings should increase your index of suspicion for a cardiac tamponade?
engorged jugular veins
A(n) _____ fracture occurs in the growth section of a child's bone and may lead to bone growth abnormalities
epiphyseal
High humidity reduces the body's ability to lose heat through:
evaporation
Geriatric patients, newborns, and infants are especially prone to hyperthermia because they:
exhibit poor thermoregulation
In which of the following situations would external bleeding be the MOST difficult to control?
femoral artery laceration and a blood pressure of 140/90 mm Hg
All of the following terms refer to a body part that is cold but not frozen, EXCEPT: -frostnip -frostbite -trench foot -immersion foot
frostbite
A 67-year-old male presents with weakness, dizziness, and melena that began approximately 2 days ago. He denies a history of trauma. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and his pulse is 120 beats/min and thready. You should be MOST suspicious that this patient is experiencing:
gastrointestinal bleeding
The eyeball itself is referred to as the:
globe
Contraction or tensing of the abdominal muscles in an effort to ease pain is called:
guarding
The skin and underlying tissues of the face:
have rich blood supply and bleed profusely
When the parasympathetic nervous system is activated:
heart rate decreases and blood vessels dilate
Common signs and symptoms of a chest injury include all of the following EXCEPT: -hematemesis -chest wall ecchymosis -tachypnea -localized pain
hematemesis
Gastrointestinal bleeding should be suspected if a patient presents with:
hematemesis
A sign of kidney damage following blunt trauma is:
hematuria
A 70-year-old man presents with a severe nosebleed. His medical history includes COPD, depression, and a hemorrhagic stroke 3 years ago. His BP is 190/110 mm Hg, his pulse is 100 beats/min, and his respirations are 24 breaths/min. His medications include albuterol, sertraline (Zoloft), and multivitamins. Which of the following is MOST likely causing his nosebleed today?
high blood pressure
Peritonitis usually occurs when:
hollow abdominal organs are damaged and spill their contents
You respond to a residence for a 40-year old female who was assaulted by her husband; the scene has been secured by law enforcement. Upon your arrival, you find the patient lying supine on the floor in the kitchen. She is semiconscious with severely labored breathing. Further assessment reveals a large bruise to the left anterior chest, jugular venous distention, and unilaterally absent breath sounds. As your partner is supporting her ventilations, you should:
immediately request ALS support
You respond to a residence for a 40-year-old female who was assaulted by her husband; the scene has been secured by law enforcement. Upon your arrival, you find the patient lying supine on the floor in the kitchen. She is semiconscious with severely labored breathing. Further assessment reveals a large bruise to the left anterior chest, jugular venous distention, and unilaterally absent breath sounds. As your partner is supporting her ventilations, you should:
immediately request ALS support
A 45-year-old male was working on his roof when he fell approximately 12 feet, landing on his feet. He is conscious and alert and complains of an ache in his lower back. He is breathing adequately and has stable vital signs. You should:
immobilize his spine and perform a focused secondary exam
A 17-year-old football player collided with another player and has pain to his left clavicle. He is holding his arm against his chest and refuses to move it. Your assessment reveals obvious deformity to the midshaft clavicle. After assessing distal pulse, sensory, and motor functions, you should:
immobilize the injury with a sling and swathe
When splinting an injury of the wrist, the hand should be placed:
in a functional position
Shivering is a mechanism in which the body generates heat by:
increasing the metabolic rate
In addition to external bleeding, the MOST significant risk that an open-soft tissue injury exposes a patient to is:
infection
The MOST critical treatment for a tension pneumothorax involves:
inserting a needle through the rib cage into the pleural space
During your primary assessment of a semiconscious 30-year-old female with closed head trauma, you note that she has slow, irregular breathing and a slow, bounding pulse. As your partner maintains manual in-line stabilization of her head, you should:
instruct him to assist her ventilations while you perform a rapid assessment
During your primary assessment of a semiconscious 30-year-old female with closed head trauma, you note that she has slow, irregular breathing and a slow, bounding pulse. As your partner maintains manual in-line-stabilization of her head, you should:
instruct him to assist her ventilations while you perform a rapid assessment
Following a blunt injury to the head, a 22-year-old female is confused and complains of a severe headache and nausea. On the basis of these signs and symptoms, you should be MOST concerned with the possibility of:
intracranial bleeding
In contrast to a cerebral concussion, a cerebral contusion
involves physical injury to the brain tissue
Which of the following breathing patterns is MOST indicative of increased intracranial pressure?
irregular rate, pattern, and volume of breathing with intermittent periods of apnea
Bleeding from the nose following head trauma:
is a sign of a skull fracture and should not be stopped
A tight-fitting motorcycle helmet should be left in place unless:
it interferes with your assessment of the airway
Which of the following statements regarding the first collision that occurs during a motor vehicle crash is correct?
it is the most dramatic part of the collision and may make extrication difficult
When opening the airway of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, you should use the:
jaw-thrust maneuver
A 17-year-old female dislocated her patella while playing soccer. Her knee is flexed and she complains of severe pain. You should:
keep her knee flexed and secure it with padded boarded splints
The energy of a moving object is called:
kinetic energy
Which of the following is of LEAST importance when initially assessing the severity of the burn? -past medical history -area(s) burned -known drug allergies -age of the patient
known drug allergies
A hematoma develops when:
large blood vessels beneath the skin are damages
Following direct trauma to the upper part of the anterior neck, a young male presents with labored breathing, loss of voice, and subcutaneous emphysema in the soft tissues around his neck. You should suspect a(n):
laryngeal fracture
Which of the following statements regarding drowning is correct?
laryngospasm following submersion in water makes rescue breathing difficult
Approximately 25% of severe injuries to the aorta occur during:
lateral collisions
A 29-year-old male has an anterior nosebleed after he was accidentally elbowed in the nose. He is conscious and alert with adequate breathing. The MOST appropriate care for this patient includes:
leaning him forward and pinching his nostrils together
While assessing a 21-year-old female who struck a tree head-on with her small passenger car, you note that her air bag deployed. You should:
lift the air bag and look for deformity to the steering wheel
Which of the following statements regarding lightning strikes is correct?
lightning strikes may cause cardiac dysrhythmias that spontaneously resolve
All of the following body structures are lined with mucous membranes, EXCEPT for the: -lips -anus -nose -mouth
lips
Bruising to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen following blunt trauma is MOST suggestive of injury to the:
liver
Which of the following is an early sign of pit viper envenomation?
local swelling and ecchymosis
Which of the following organs or structures does NOT reside within the mediastinum? -trachea -lungs -vena cava -esophagus
lungs
The lower jawbone is called the:
mandible
The upper jawbones are called the:
maxillae
Lacerations to the scalp:
may be an indicator of deeper, more serious injuries
If a person's tidal volume decreases, but his or her respiratory rate remains unchanged:
minute volume will decrease
A frostbitten foot can be identified by the presence of:
mottling and blisters
A rapid, irregular pulse following blunt trauma to the chest is MOST suggestive of a:
myocardial contusion
The venom of a black widow spider is toxic to the:
nervous system
During the normal wound healing process, bleeding may occur from even a minor injury because:
new capillaries that stem from intact capillaries are delicate and take time to become as stable as the preexisting capillaries
An abdominal evisceration:
occurs when organs protrude through an open wound
Facial injuries should be identified and treated as soon as possible because:
of the risk of airway problems
When assessing an elderly patient who fell, it is important to remember that:
osteoporosis can cause a fracture as a result of a fall from standing position
A 44-year-old male sustained a laceration to his left ear during a minor car accident. Your assessment reveals minimal bleeding. Appropriate care for this injury includes:
padding between the ear and the scalp
Early signs and symptoms of intra-abdominal bleeding include:
pain and distention
Signs and symptoms of an air embolism include all of the following except: -dysphasia -joint pain -pale skin -dizziness
pale skin
Signs and symptoms of an air embolism include all of the following, EXCEPT: -pale skin -dysphasia -dizziness -joint pain
pale skin
You have sealed the open chest wound of a 40-year-old male who was stabbed in the anterior chest. Your reassessment reveals that he is experiencing increasing respiratory distress and tachycardia, and is developing cyanosis. You should:
partially remove the dressing
Burns to pediatric patients are generally considered more serious than burns to adults because:
pediatric patients have more surface area relative to total body mass
Which of the following musculoskeletal injuries would pose the greatest threat to a patient's life?
pelvic fracture with hypotension
The _____ nervous system consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves
peripheral
When a person is exposed to a cold environment:
peripheral vessels constrict and divert blood away from the skin
A 43-year-old man is experiencing a severe nosebleed. His blood pressure is 190/110 mm Hg and his heart rate is 90 beats/min and bounding. Preferred treatment for this patient includes:
pinching then patient's nostrils and having him lean forward
Your assessment of a 23-year-old female reveals a core body temperature of 93.4 F (34 C). She is conscious, answers your questions appropriately, is shivering, and complains of nausea. Her skin is cold and pale, her muscles appear rigid, and her respirations are rapid. You should:
place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling
Irritation or damage to the pleural surfaces that causes sharp chest pain during inhalation is called:
pleurisy
The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by:
possible spinal injury
A 28-year-old male was struck in the chest with a baseball bat during an altercation. He is conscious and alert and complains of severe chest pain. Your assessment reveals a large area of ecchymosis over the sternum and a rapid, irregular pulse. In addition to providing supplemental oxygen, you should:
prepare for immediate transport
A 22-year-old male was kicked in the abdomen multiple times during an assault. He is conscious but restless and his pulse is rapid. Your assessment reveals a large area of bruising to the right upper quadrant of his abdomen. The MOST appropriate treatment for this patient includes:
preparing for immediate transport
The primary purpose for splinting a musculoskeletal injury is to:
prevent further injury
You are transporting a 28-year-old man with a frostbitten foot. The patient's vital signs are stable and he denies any other injuries or symptoms. The weather is treacherous and your transport time to the hospital is approximately 45 minutes. During transport, you should:
protect the affect part from further injury
You are transporting a 28-year-old man with a frostbitten foot. The patient's vital signs are stable and he denies any other injuries or symptoms. The weather is treacherous and your transport time to the hospital is approximately 45 minutes. During transport, you should:
protect the foot from further injury
Which of the following statements regarding abdominal eviscerations is correct?
protruding organs should be kept warm and moist
When activated, the sympathetic nervous system produces all of the following effects, EXCEPT:
pupillary constriction
When the speed of a motor vehicle doubles, the amount of kinetic energy:
quadruples
A utility worker was trimming branches and was electrocuted when he accidentally cut a high-power line. He fell approximately 20 feet and is lying unresponsive on the ground; the power line is lying across his chest. You should:
rapidly assess the patient after ensuring that the power line is not live
Applying ice to and elevating an injured extremity are performed in order to:
reduce pain and swelling
When assessing a patient with a closed soft-tissue injury, it is MOST important to:
remain alert for severe underlying injuries
When a motor vehicle strikes a tree while traveling at 40 mph, the unrestrained occupant:
remains in motion until acted upon by an external force
When caring for an occupant inside a motor vehicle equipped with an air bag that did not deploy upon impact, you should:
remember that it could still deploy and seriously injure you
A patient with a chest injury has a blood pressure of 100/60 mm Hg and a pulse rate of 120 beats/min. Which of the following additional findings should make you suspect a pericardial tamponade?
repeat BP of 90/68 mm Hg
During transport of a 40-year-old female with acute abdominal pain, you note that she has stopped talking to you and has become extremely diaphoretic. You should:
repeat the primary assessment
An 8-year-old male was bitten by a stray dog. He has a large laceration to the back of his left hand, which your partner covered with a sterile dressing and bandage. In addition to transporting the child to the hospital, you should:
report the incident to the appropriate authorities
A patient who presents with profound cyanosis following a chest injury:
requires prompt ventilation and oxygenation
When assessing a patient with a head injury, you note the presence of thin, bloody fluid draining from his right ear. This indicates: Correct!
rupture of the tympanic membrane following diffuse impact to the head
When assessing a patient with a head injury, you note the presence of think, bloody fluid draining from his right ear. This indicates:
rupture of the tympanic membrane following diffuse impact to the head
The pectoral girdle consists of the:
scapulae and clavicles
A 20-year-old male collided with another player during a hockey game and complains of severe pain to the left shoulder. Assessment reveals that the clavicle is bulging anteriorly at the shoulder. The EMT should suspect:
separation of the acromioclavicular joint
Factors that should be considered when assessing a patient who has fallen include all of the following, EXCEPT: -the speed of the fall -the surface struck -the primary impact point -the height of the fall
speed of the fall
Significant trauma to the face should increase the EMT's index of suspicion for a(n):
spinal column injury
Following blunt trauma to the abdomen, a 21-year-old female complains of diffuse abdominal pain and pain to the left shoulder. Your assessment reveals that her abdomen is distended and tender to palpation. On the bases of these findings, you should be MOST suspicious of injury to the:
spleen
Internal bleeding into a fractured extremity is MOST often controlled by:
splinting the extremity
Internal bleeding into a fractured extremity is MOST often controlled by:
splinting the injury
A 22-year-old female was ejected from her car after striking a tree head-on. As you approach her, you note obvious closed deformities to both of her femurs. She is not moving and does not appear to be conscious. You should:
stabilize her head and perform a primary assessment
During your secondary assessment of a 30-year-old male who fell 25 feet, you note crepitus when palpating his pelvis. Your partner advises you that the patient's blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 120 beats/min and weak. After completing your assessment, you should:
stabilize the pelvis with a pelvic binder and protect the spine
If a person is standing near a building that explodes, which of the following injuries would he or she MOST likely experience as a result of the pressure wave? Correct!
stomach rupture
If a person is standing near a building that explodes, which of the following injuries would he or she MOST likely experience as a result of the pressure wave? -stomach rupture -fractured bones -impaled objects -severe burns
stomach rupture
You and your partner are preparing to apply a traction splint to a patient's deformed thigh. As you apply manual traction, the patient resists your efforts and states that the pain is getting worse. You should:
stop and splint the leg in the deformed position
skeletal muscle is also referred to as ______ muscle
striated
Frequent reassessments of the patient with face or neck injuries are MOST important because:
such injuries can affect the respiratory system
A 30-year-old female was robbed and assaulted as she was leaving a nightclub. She has massive facial trauma and slow, gurgling respirations. As your partner manually stabilizes her head, you should:
suction her oropharynx for 15 seconds
You respond to a local lake where a diver complains of difficulty breathing that occurred immediately after rapidly ascending from a depth of approximately 30 feet. On assessment, you note that he has cyanosis around his lips and has pink froth coming from his nose and mouth. You should:
suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, monitor the patient's breath sounds for a pneumothorax, and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility
A burn that is characterized by redness and pain is classified as a:
superficial burn
A 31-year-old male was bitten on the leg by an unidentified snake. The patient is conscious and alert and in no apparent distress. Your assessment of his leg reveals two small puncture marks with minimal pain and swelling. In addition to administering oxygen and providing reassurance, further care for this patient should include:
supine positioning, splinting the leg, and transporting
Hypovolemic shock occurs when:
the body cannot compensate for rapid fluid loss
Internal injuries caused by gunshot wounds are difficult to predict because:
the bullet may tumble or ricochet within the body
An air embolism associated with diving occurs when:
the diver holds his or her breathe during a rapid ascent
Which of the following body systems or components is the LEAST critical for supplying and maintaining adequate blood flow to the body? -adequate blood in the vasculature -an effectively pumping heart -an intact system of blood vessels -the filtering of blood in spleen cells
the filtering of blood in spleen cells
The ideal procedure for moving an injured patient from the ground to a backboard is:
the four-person log roll
Which of the following processes occurs during the inflammation phase of the healing process?
the immune system releases histamines, which cause vasodilation and increased capillary permeability, resulting in local redness and swelling
Patients with full-thickness (third-degree) burns generally do not complain of pain because:
the nerve endings have been destroyed
An open fracture is MOST accurately defined as a fracture in which:
the overlying skin is no longer in tact
When immobilizing a trauma patient's spine, the EMT manually stabilizing the head should not let go until:
the patient has been completely secured to the backboard
If a dislocated shoulder has spontaneously reduced before your arrival, the only way to confirm the injury is by noting:
the patient history
you arrive at the home of a 50-year-old female with severe epistaxis. As you are treating her, it is MOST important to recall that:
the patient is at risk for vomiting and aspiration.
Whether you are using a commercial device or a stick and triangular bandage as a tourniquet, it is important to remember that:
the tourniquet should only be removed at the hospital because bleeding may return if the tourniquet is released
Very young children tend to breathe predominantly with their diaphragm because:
their intercostal muscles are not fully developed
When transporting a patient with a facial injury, it is MOST important to be as descriptive as possible with the hospital regarding the patient's injuries because:
they may need to call a specialist to see the patient
Which of the following statements regarding anterior nosebleeds is correct?
they usually originate from the septum area and bleed slowly
According to the Association of Air Medical Services, you should consider air medical transport of a trauma patient if:
traffic conditions hamper the ability to get the patient to a trauma center by ground within the ideal time frame for the best clinical outcome
The driver of a sport utility vehicle lost control and struck a utility pole head-on. The driver was killed instantly. The passenger, a young female is conscious and alert and has several small abrasions and lacerations to her left forearm. Treatment for the passenger should include:
transport to a trauma center
External bleeding from a vein is relatively easy to control because:
veins are under a lower pressure
Rough handling of a hypothermic patient with a pulse may cause:
ventricular fibrillation
Pleural fluid is contained between the:
visceral and parietal pleurae
The sebaceous glands produce sebum, a material that:
waterproofs the skin and keeps it supple