Chapter 10 EMS Systems - Exam

Which of the following situations or conditions warrants immediate transport? Select one: A.Severe chest pain and cool, pale skin B.Ability to follow commands C.Decreased ability to move an extremity D.Mild pain in the lower abdomen

A.Severe chest pain and cool, pale skin

A 39-year-old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an altercation at a bar. As you approach the patient, you note that he is conscious, is screaming in pain, and is attempting to control the bleeding, which is bright red and spurting from his groin area. You should: Select one: A.apply direct pressure to the wound. B.elevate his legs and keep him warm. C.administer 100% supplemental oxygen. D.ensure that his airway is patent.

A.apply direct pressure to the wound.

External bleeding from an extremity can usually be controlled initially by: Select one: A.applying direct pressure. B.applying chemical ice packs. C.applying a tourniquet. D.elevating the extremity.

A.applying direct pressure.

When evaluating a patient with multiple complaints, the EMT's responsibility is to: Select one: A.determine which complaint poses the greatest threat to the patient's life. B.definitively rule out serious causes of each of the patient's complaints. C.assess each complaint based on the patient's perception of its seriousness. D.direct his or her attention to the most obvious signs and symptoms.

A.determine which complaint poses the greatest threat to the patient's life.

A 40-year-old male crashed his motorcycle into a tree. He is semiconscious, has snoring respirations, and has a laceration to the forearm with minimal bleeding. You should: Select one: A.open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver. B.tilt the patient's head back and lift up on his chin. C.apply a pressure dressing to the patient's arm. D.apply a cervical collar and suction his airway.

A.open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver.

During the primary assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing: Select one: A.pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition. B.blood pressure, pulse rate, and external bleeding. C.skin quality, blood pressure, and capillary refill. D.external bleeding, skin condition, and capillary refill.

A.pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition.

A crackling sound produced by air bubbles under the skin is called: Select one: A.subcutaneous emphysema. B.Korotkoff sounds. C.crepitus D.rhonchi.

A.subcutaneous emphysema.

A patient with spontaneous respirations is breathing: Select one: A.without assistance. B.at a normal rate. C.without difficulty. D.with shallow depth.

A.without assistance.

The rapid exam of a patient that occurs following the primary assessment should take no longer than: Select one: A.60 seconds. B.90 seconds. C.30 seconds. D.120 seconds.

B.90 seconds.

An injured patient is assigned a total score of 9 on the GCS. He is assigned a score of 2 for eye opening, a score of 3 for verbal response, and a score of 4 for motor response. Which of the following clinical findings is consistent with his GCS score? Select one: A.Opens eyes spontaneously, is confused when spoken to, exhibits abnormal flexion B.Opens eyes in response to pain, uses inappropriate words, withdraws from pain C.Opens eyes in response to voice, makes incomprehensible sounds, localizes pain D.Eyes remain closed, makes incomprehensible sounds, exhibits abnormal extension

B.Opens eyes in response to pain, uses inappropriate words, withdraws from pain

Poor peripheral circulation will cause the skin to appear: Select one: A.pink. B.ashen. C.cyanotic. D.flushed.

B.ashen.

A 50-year-old male is found unconscious in his car. There were no witnesses to the event. When gathering medical history information for this patient, the EMT should: Select one: A.wait for family members to arrive before asking any questions. B.determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card. C.ask law enforcement officials if they are familiar with the patient. D.defer SAMPLE history questions until you arrive at the hospital.

B.determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card.

Upon arriving at a potentially unsafe scene, you should first: Select one: A.remove all bystanders. B.ensure that you are safe. C.move the patient to safety. D.request another ambulance.

B.ensure that you are safe.

A patient is sitting in a chair, leaning forward on his outstretched arms. His head and chin are thrust forward. This position indicates that he: Select one: A.has a decreased level of consciousness. B.is experiencing difficulty breathing. C.has abdominal muscle spasms. D.is experiencing severe back pain.

B.is experiencing difficulty breathing.

The diastolic blood pressure represents the: Select one: A.difference in pressure between ventricular contraction and relaxation. B.minimum amount of pressure that is always present in the arteries. C.increased arterial pressure that occurs during ventricular contraction. D.average pressure against the arterial walls during a cardiac cycle.

B.minimum amount of pressure that is always present in the arteries.

Pain that moves from its point of origin to another body location is said to be: Select one: A.palliating. B.radiating. C.provoking. D.referred.

B.radiating.

Supplemental oxygen without assisted ventilation would MOST likely be administered to patients: Select one: A.who have accessory muscle use and slow breathing. B.with difficulty breathing and adequate tidal volume. C.with rapid respirations and a reduced tidal volume. D.who are semiconscious with shallow respirations.

B.with difficulty breathing and adequate tidal volume.

A patient in unstable condition should be reassessed at least every: Select one: A.15 minutes. B.10 minutes. C.5 minutes. D.20 minutes.

C.5 minutes.

Which of the following patients has signs of an altered mental status? Select one: A.A patient who overdosed and tells you he tried to kill himself B.A diabetic who has nausea and severe lightheadedness C.A patient with a head injury who is slow to answer questions D.A patient with an acute allergic reaction and dizziness

C.A patient with a head injury who is slow to answer questions

Which of the following factors would MOST likely cause a patient's pulse rate to be slower than normal? Select one: A.Lack of a regular exercise routine B.Anxiety or severe stress C.Beta blocker medications D.Internal bleeding from trauma

C.Beta blocker medications

Which of the following occurs when a patient's respirations are shallow? Select one: A.Carbon dioxide elimination is increased. B.Oxygenation occurs more efficiently. C.Tidal volume is markedly reduced. D.Chest rise will be easily noticeable.

C.Tidal volume is markedly reduced.

An elderly patient has fallen and hit her head. You assess her level of consciousness as unresponsive using the AVPU scale. Your initial care should focus on: Select one: A.providing immediate transport. B.gathering medical history data. C.airway, breathing, and circulation. D.obtaining baseline vital signs.

C.airway, breathing, and circulation.

When palpating the carotid pulse of a responsive patient, you should: Select one: A.avoid gentle pressure so that weak pulses can be detected. B.ensure that his or her head is in a hyperextended position. C.avoid compressing both carotid arteries simultaneously. D.firmly compress the artery because the pulse is often weak.

C.avoid compressing both carotid arteries simultaneously.

When you shine a light into one pupil, the normal reaction of the other pupil should be to: Select one: A.dilate. B.not react. C.become smaller. D.become larger.

C.become smaller.

When approaching a 32-year-old male who is complaining of traumatic neck pain, you should: Select one: A.assess his mental status by having him move his head. B.approach him from behind and ask him not to move. C.ensure that the patient can see you approaching him. D.stand behind him and immediately stabilize his head.

C.ensure that the patient can see you approaching him.

You respond to a call for a female pedestrian who has been struck by a car. As your partner maintains manual stabilization of her head, you perform a primary assessment. She is unconscious, has ineffective breathing, and has bloody secretions in her mouth. You should: Select one: A.assist her breathing with a bag-valve mask. B.quickly insert an oropharyngeal airway. C.immediately suction her oropharynx. D.assess the rate and quality of her pulse.

C.immediately suction her oropharynx.

In infants and small children, skin color should be assessed on the: Select one: A.chest and abdomen. B.underside of the arms. C.palms and soles. D.forehead.

C.palms and soles.

You are assessing a 72-year-old man with abdominal pain. The patient is sitting in a chair; he is conscious, alert, and calm. As you are talking to the patient, your partner discreetly directs your attention to a handgun, which is located on a nearby table. You should: Select one: A.direct your partner to move the gun to a safe area and then advise the patient that his weapon has been secured. B.document the presence of the weapon, including its specific location, and continue your assessment of the patient. C.position yourself in between the patient and the gun and ask your partner to request law enforcement assistance. D.immediately cease all patient care, carefully back out of the residence, and request law enforcement assistance.

C.position yourself in between the patient and the gun and ask your partner to request law enforcement assistance.

A palpable pulse is created by: Select one: A.the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart. B.the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the veins. C.pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction. D.electrical conduction in the heart producing contraction of the atria.

C.pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.

A patient who moves and cries out only when you pinch his or her trapezius muscle is said to be: Select one: A.conscious and alert. B.responsive to verbal stimuli. C.responsive to painful stimuli. D.completely unresponsive.

C.responsive to painful stimuli.

You respond to the residence of a 62-year-old male who is unresponsive. Your primary assessment reveals that he is apneic and pulseless. You should: Select one: A.notify dispatch and request a paramedic ambulance. B.ask the family if the patient has a terminal disease. C.start CPR and attach the AED as soon as possible. D.perform CPR and transport the patient immediately.

C.start CPR and attach the AED as soon as possible.

The "Golden Hour" begins when an injury occurs and ends when: Select one: A.the patient is admitted to the ICU. B.you depart the scene for the hospital. C.the patient receives definitive care. D.you arrive at the emergency department.

C.the patient receives definitive care.

When assessing a 62-year-old female with crushing chest pain, you note that her pulse is rapid and irregular. You should administer supplemental oxygen if needed and then: Select one: A.document your findings and perform a detailed assessment. B.apply the AED and analyze her cardiac rhythm. C.transport at once and consider requesting a paramedic unit. D.conclude that the irregular pulse is normal based on her age.

C.transport at once and consider requesting a paramedic unit.

The normal respiratory rate for an adult should range from: Select one: A.18 to 24 breaths per minute. B.24 to 28 breaths per minute. C.10 to 12 breaths per minute. D.12 to 20 breaths per minute.

D.12 to 20 breaths per minute.

What maneuver should be used to open the airway of an unresponsive patient with suspected trauma? Select one: A.Head tilt-chin lift maneuver B.Head tilt-neck lift maneuver C.Tongue-jaw lift maneuver D.Jaw-thrust maneuver

D.Jaw-thrust maneuver

When assessing the skin of an unresponsive patient, you note that it has a bluish tint to it. This finding is called: Select one: A.mottling. B.pallor. C.flushing. D.cyanosis.

D.cyanosis.

A decrease in blood pressure may indicate: Select one: A.arterial constriction. B.forceful cardiac contraction. C.increased blood volume. D.loss of vascular tone.

D.loss of vascular tone.

If a patient develops difficulty breathing after your primary assessment, you should immediately: Select one: A.auscultate his or her breath sounds. B.determine his or her respiratory rate. C.begin assisting his or her breathing. D.reevaluate his or her airway status.

D.reevaluate his or her airway status.

Clinical signs of labored breathing include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A.use of accessory muscles. B.gasping attempts to breathe. C.supraclavicular retractions. D.shallow chest movement.

D.shallow chest movement.

When assessing motor function in a conscious patient's lower extremities, you should expect the patient to: Select one: A.feel you touching the extremity. B.identify different types of stimuli. C.note any changes in temperature. D.wiggle his or her toes on command.

D.wiggle his or her toes on command.