Exam 3

Which of the following patient populations typically require a modified drug dose? A. Females B. Patients with asthma C. Middle adults D. Pediatric patients

D. Pediatric patients

A 37-year-old female with a history of type 1 diabetes presents with confusion and a fruity smelling breath. Her blood glucose level reads 424 mg/dL. If this patient's condition is not promptly treated, she will MOST likely develop: A. DKA. B. hypoxia and overhydration. C. severe insulin shock. D. HHS.

A. DKA.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of epinephrine? A. Decreases heart rate and blood pressure B. Constricts the blood vessels C. Dilates passages in the lungs D. Secreted naturally by the adrenal glands

A. Decreases heart rate and blood pressure

Which of the following is a metabolic cause of a seizure? A. Poisoning B. Brain tumor C. Head trauma D. Massive stroke

A. Poisoning

Which of the following is an example of a functional behavioral disorder? A. Schizophrenia B. Drug addiction C. Head trauma D. Alzheimer disease

A. Schizophrenia

The myocardium receives oxygenated blood from the __________, which originate(s) from the __________. A. coronary arteries, aorta B. coronary sinus, vena cava C. aorta, inferior vena cava D. vena cava, coronary veins

A. coronary arteries, aorta

Cardiogenic shock following AMI is caused by: A. decreased pumping force of the heart muscle. B. widespread dilation of the systemic vasculature. C. hypovolemia secondary to severe vomiting. D. a profound increase in the patient's heart rate.

A. decreased pumping force of the heart muscle.

During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should: A. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed. B. immediately determine the patient's blood glucose level. C. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and give oxygen via a nasal cannula. D. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke.

A. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.

Proper procedure for administering oral glucose to a patient includes all of the following, EXCEPT: A. ensuring the absence of a gag reflex. B. assessing the patient's mental status. C. obtaining proper medical authorization. D. checking the medication's expiration date.

A. ensuring the absence of a gag reflex.

The spinal cord exits the cranium through the: A. foramen magnum. B. foramen lamina. C. vertebral foramen. D. cauda equina.

A. foramen magnum.

A mucosal atomizer device (MAD) is used to deliver certain medications via the: A. intranasal route. B. transdermal route. C. inhalation route. D. sublingual route.

A. intranasal route.

The left ventricle has the thickest walls because it: A. pumps blood into the aorta and systemic circulation. B. uses less oxygen than other chambers of the heart. C. pumps blood to the lungs to be reoxygenated. D. receives blood directly from the systemic circulation.

A. pumps blood into the aorta and systemic circulation.

Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as: A. shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. B. a marked increase in the exhalation phase. C. a complete cessation of respiratory effort. D. labored breathing with reduced tidal volume.

A. shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.

Common signs and symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include: A. tachypnea and tingling in the extremities. B. unilateral paralysis and slurred speech. C. altered mental status and bradycardia. D. anxiety, dizziness, and severe bradypnea.

A. tachypnea and tingling in the extremities.

Which of the following assessment findings is MOST indicative of a cardiovascular problem? A. Use of the accessory muscles B. Jugular venous distention C. Palpable pain to the epigastrium D. Unequal breath sounds

B. Jugular venous distention

Which of the following medication routes has the slowest rate of absorption? A. Inhalation B. Oral C. Rectal D. Sublingual

B. Oral

How is nitroglycerin usually given by the EMT? A. Inhaled B. Sublingually C. Orally D. Injected

B. Sublingually

Which of the following statements regarding the epinephrine auto-injector is correct? A. The adult auto-injector delivers 0.5 to 1 mg of epinephrine. B. The epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount of the drug. C. The auto-injector delivers epinephrine via the subcutaneous route. D. EMTs should deliver the same dose regardless of patient age or size.

B. The epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount of the drug.

When auscultating the lungs of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear adventitious sounds. This means that the patient has: A. diminished breath sounds. B. abnormal breath sounds. C. an absence of breath sounds. D. normal breath sounds.

B. abnormal breath sounds.

While assisting a paramedic in the attempted resuscitation of a 55-year-old male in cardiac arrest, you should expect the paramedic to: A. withhold drug therapy until an intraosseous catheter is in place. B. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect. C. give the patient activated charcoal to rule out a drug overdose. D. give the patient nitroglycerin to increase his blood pressure.

B. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.

A 66-year-old female with a history of hypertension and diabetes presents with substernal chest pressure of 2 hours' duration. Her blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg, her pulse is 100 beats/min and irregular, her respirations are 22 breaths/min, and her oxygen saturation is 92%. The patient does not have prescribed nitroglycerin, but her husband does. You should: A. give her one nitroglycerin and reassess her systolic blood pressure. B. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin if appropriate, and assess her further. C. give her high-flow oxygen, attach the AED, and transport at once. D. obtain a SAMPLE history and contact medical control for advice.

B. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg of aspirin if appropriate, and assess her further.

An absence seizure is also referred to as a: A. grand mal seizure. B. total body seizure. C. petit mal seizure. D. generalized motor seizure.

C. petit mal seizure.

Ischemic heart disease is defined as: A. death of a portion of the heart muscle due to a decrease in oxygen. B. decreased blood flow to one or more portions of the myocardium. C. absent myocardial blood flow due to a blocked coronary artery. D. decreased blood flow to the heart muscle due to coronary dilation.

B. decreased blood flow to one or more portions of the myocardium.

When assessing for fluid collection in the lungs during auscultation of lung sounds, you should: A. pay special attention to the exhalation phase because this is when you will likely hear rales or rhonchi. B. start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start hearing clear breath sounds. C. auscultate the posterior chest first and compare the apex of one lung to the base of the opposite lung. D. note the presence of a high-pitched whistling sound, which is an indicator of fluid in the lungs.

B. start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start hearing clear breath sounds.

Ten days after treating a 34-year-old patient with tuberculosis, you are given a tuberculin skin test, which yields a positive result. This MOST likely indicates that: A. the disease is dormant in your body, but will probably never cause symptoms. B. you were exposed to another infected person prior to treating the 34-year-old patient. C. you are actively infected with tuberculosis and should be treated immediately. D. you contracted the disease by casual contact instead of exposure to secretions.

B. you were exposed to another infected person prior to treating the 34-year-old patient.

A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening of his dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your assessment reveals that he has a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally absent breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's condition? A. Exacerbation of his COPD B. Acute pulmonary embolism C. Spontaneous pneumothorax D. Rupture of the diaphragm

C. Spontaneous pneumothorax

Hyperventilation could be associated with all of the following, EXCEPT: A. high blood glucose levels. B. an overdose of aspirin. C. a narcotic overdose. D. a respiratory infection.

C. a narcotic overdose.

You receive a call for a 70-year-old female with respiratory distress. Her husband tells you that she has congestive heart failure; however, he does not think that she has been taking her medications as prescribed. The patient is laboring to breathe, appears tired, and has cyanosis around her lips. You should: A. conduct a physical assessment to see if her symptoms may have a traumatic cause. B. obtain a complete list of all of her medications. C. assist her ventilations with a bag-valve mask. D. apply a pulse oximeter and assess her vital signs.

C. assist her ventilations with a bag-valve mask.

A 62-year-old male is seen with crushing chest pain, which he describes as being the same kind of pain that he had with a previous heart attack. He has prescribed nitroglycerin but states that he has not taken any. After administering supplemental oxygen if needed and contacting medical control, you should: A. administer the nitroglycerin unless he has taken Viagra within the past 12 hours. B. begin immediate transport and request a rendezvous with a paramedic unit. C. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure causes the medication to be contraindicated. D. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin before assessing his blood pressure.

C. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure causes the medication to be contraindicated.

General guidelines for managing a patient with a behavioral emergency include: A. placing the patient between yourself and an exit. B. allowing the patient to be alone if he or she wishes. C. being prepared to spend extra time with the patient. D. firmly identifying yourself as an EMS provider.

C. being prepared to spend extra time with the patient.

In contrast to hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia: A. is rapidly reversible if oral glucose is given. B. commonly results in excess water retention. C. can only be corrected in the hospital setting. D. is a rapidly developing metabolic disturbance.

C. can only be corrected in the hospital setting.

After the AED has delivered a shock, the EMT should: A. assess for a carotid pulse. B. re-analyze the cardiac rhythm. C. immediately resume CPR. D. transport the patient at once.

C. immediately resume CPR.

The mental status of a patient who has experienced a generalized seizure: A. typically does not improve, even after several minutes. B. progressively worsens over a period of a few hours. C. is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes. D. is easily differentiated from that of acute hypoglycemia.

C. is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes.

To which of the following diabetic patients should you administer oral glucose? A. An unconscious 33-year-old male with cool, clammy skin B. A conscious 37-year-old female with nausea and vomiting C. A semiconscious 40-year-old female without a gag reflex D. A confused 55-year-old male with tachycardia and pallor

D. A confused 55-year-old male with tachycardia and pallor

Which of the following conditions or factors would be the LEAST likely to result in a change in behavior? A. Exposure to excess heat or cold B. Low blood glucose levels C. Inadequate blood flow to the brain D. Antihypertensive medications

D. Antihypertensive medications

Which of the following is required for an EMT to administer a drug to a patient? A. A patient with an altered level of consciousness B. An alert adult patient C. A patient with stable vital signs D. Correct medical direction

D. Correct medical direction

Which of the following is a genetic disorder that predisposes the patient to repeated lung infections? A. Severe acute respiratory syndrome B. Celiac sprue C. Multiple sclerosis D. Cystic fibrosis

D. Cystic fibrosis

An alert patient presents with a regular pattern of inhalation and exhalation and breath sounds that are clear and equal on both sides of the chest. These findings are consistent with: A. an obstructed airway. B. respiratory difficulty. C. respiratory insufficiency. D. adequate air exchange.

D. adequate air exchange.

When administering supplemental oxygen to a hypoxemic patient with a chronic lung disease, you should: A. recall that most patients with chronic lung diseases are stimulated to breathe by increased carbon dioxide levels. B. avoid positive-pressure ventilation because the majority of patients with chronic lung disease are at increased risk for lung trauma. C. begin with a low oxygen flow rate, even if the patient is unresponsive, because high-flow oxygen may depress his or her breathing. D. adjust the flow rate accordingly until you see symptom improvement, but be prepared to assist his or her ventilations.

D. adjust the flow rate accordingly until you see symptom improvement, but be prepared to assist his or her ventilations.

Febrile seizures: A. often result in permanent brain damage. B. are also referred to as absence seizures. C. occur when a child's fever rises slowly. D. are usually benign but should be evaluated.

D. are usually benign but should be evaluated.

A 58-year-old man complains of chest discomfort and nausea. He is conscious and alert; his blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg, his pulse is 104 beats/min, and his respirations are 16 breaths/min. Your partner has applied supplemental oxygen. Prior to assisting the patient with one of his prescribed nitroglycerin tablets, you ask him if he takes medication to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) and he tells you that he does. You should: A. avoid giving him nitroglycerin and transport him at once. B. recall that erectile ED drugs can cause significant hypertension. C. administer his nitroglycerin and then reassess his blood pressure. D. ask him what he takes, how much, and when he last took it.

D. ask him what he takes, how much, and when he last took it.

The head and brain receive their supply of oxygenated blood from the: A. subclavian arteries. B. iliac arteries. C. brachial arteries. D. carotid arteries.

D. carotid arteries.

Signs of excited delirium include: A. subdued behavior, crying, and suicidal thoughts. B. slurred speech, bradycardia, and a high fever. C. pallor, hypotension, and constricted pupils. D. diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hallucinations.

D. diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hallucinations.

You are treating a 40-year-old male with a documented blood sugar reading of 480 mg/dL. The patient is semiconscious and breathing shallowly, and is receiving assisted ventilation from your partner. You should recognize that definitive treatment for this patient includes: A. glucagon. B. dextrose. C. oxygen. D. insulin.

D. insulin.

In contrast to AMI, a dissecting aortic aneurysm: A. usually presents gradually, often over a period of hours. B. is typically preceded by other symptoms, such as nausea. C. is more commonly associated with pressure in the chest. D. often presents with pain that is maximal from the onset.

D. often presents with pain that is maximal from the onset

Common signs and symptoms of AMI include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. sudden unexplained sweating. B. shortness of breath or dyspnea. C. irregular heartbeat. D. pain exacerbated by breathing.

D. pain exacerbated by breathing.

The AED has delivered a shock to an elderly male in cardiac arrest. Following 2 minutes of CPR, you re-analyze the patient's cardiac rhythm and receive a "no shock advised" message. After further resuscitation, you restore a palpable carotid pulse. Your next action should be to: A. obtain a blood pressure and apply the pulse oximeter. B. place him in the recovery position and apply oxygen. C. transport at once and re-analyze his rhythm en route. D. reassess airway and breathing and treat accordingly.

D. reassess airway and breathing and treat accordingly.

A 31-year-old female is experiencing an acute asthma attack. She is conscious and alert, but in obvious respiratory distress. After assisting her with her prescribed MDI, you should: A. consider inserting an OPA. B. check the drug's expiration date to ensure that it is still current. C. contact medical control and apprise him or her of what you did. D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.

D. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.

Immediately after physically restraining a violent patient, the EMT should: A. advise the patient why restraint was needed. B. document the time the restraints were applied. C. inform medical control of the situation. D. reassess the patient's airway and breathing.

D. reassess the patient's airway and breathing.

When transporting a stable stroke patient with a paralyzed extremity, place the patient in a: A. recumbent position with the paralyzed side up. B. sitting position with the head at a 45° to 90° angle. C. supine position with the legs elevated 6 feet to 12 feet. D. recumbent position with the paralyzed side down.

D. recumbent position with the paralyzed side down.