EMT-B AAOS Final Test
What is the minimum number of chest compressions that should be delivered per minute to a 4-month-old infant? A. 100 B. 90 C. 110 D. 120
A. 100
A 37-year-old male is having a severe allergic reaction to penicillin. He does not have an epinephrine auto-injector and your protocols do not allow you to carry epinephrine on the ambulance. How should you proceed with the treatment of this patient? A. Administer oxygen, transport at once, and request a paramedic intercept. B. Remain at the scene with the patient and request a paramedic ambulance. C. Quickly determine if there are any bystanders who may carry epinephrine. D. Ask the patient if he has any diphenhydramine (Benadryl) tablets that you can administer.
A. Administer oxygen, transport at once, and request a paramedic intercept.
A 4-year-old male ingested an unknown quantity of acetaminophen (Tylenol). The child's mother states that the ingestion occurred approximately 20 minutes ago. The child is conscious and alert and in no apparent distress. After contacting medical control, you should: A. administer up to 25 g of activated charcoal. B. induce vomiting with syrup of ipecac. C. transport the child for definitive care. D. give the child cold milk to absorb the Tylenol.
A. administer up to 25 g of activated charcoal.
A 17-year-old male was shot in the right anterior chest during an altercation with a gang member. As your partner is applying 100% oxygen, you perform a rapid secondary assessment and find an open chest wound with a small amount of blood bubbling from it. You should: A. apply an occlusive dressing to the wound and continue your assessment. B. control the bleeding from the wound and prepare to transport at once. C. direct your partner to assist the patient's ventilations with a bag-mask device. D. place a sterile dressing over the wound and apply direct pressure.
A. apply an occlusive dressing to the wound and continue your assessment.
Febrile seizures: A. are usually benign but should be evaluated. B. are also referred to as petit mal seizures. C. often result in permanent brain damage. D. occur when a child's fever progressively rises.
A. are usually benign but should be evaluated.
Initial treatment to dislodge a severe foreign body airway obstruction in a responsive infant involves: A. back slaps. B. blind finger sweeps. C. oxygen. D. abdominal thrusts.
A. back slaps.
Advanced airway management techniques are performed ONLY after: A. basic airway techniques have been completed. B. the patient is assessed as being apneic. C. the upper airway has been thoroughly suctioned. D. the patient has been delivered to the hospital.
A. basic airway techniques have been completed.
You have been tasked by your medical director to assist in the development of your EMS agency's institutional standards. When developing these standards, it is important to: A. be reasonable and realistic to avoid overburdening your personnel. B. require personnel to transport all patients to the closest hospital. C. expect personnel to function beyond their scope of practice if needed. D. demand that all personnel consistently exceed the standard of care.
A. be reasonable and realistic to avoid overburdening your personnel.
You respond to the home of a 59-year-old man who is unconscious, has slow, shallow breathing, and has a weak pulse. The family states that the patient has terminal brain cancer and does not wish to be resuscitated. They further state that there is a DNR order for this patient; however, they are unable to locate it. You should: A. begin treatment and contact medical control as needed. B. transport the patient without providing any treatment. C. honor the patient's wishes and withhold all treatment. D. decide on further action once the DNR order is produced.
A. begin treatment and contact medical control as needed.
A 66-year-old woman presents with a stabbing pain in the middle of her chest that radiates to her back. She tells you that the pain suddenly began about 30 minutes ago and has been severe since the onset. She has a history of hypertension, but admits to being noncompliant with her antihypertensive medications. When you assess her, you find that her blood pressure is significantly higher in her left arm than it is in her right arm. What are her signs and symptoms MOST indicative of? A. dissecting aortic aneurysm B. hypertensive emergency C. AMI D. unstable angina
A. dissecting aortic aneurysm
A 6-year-old male presents with acute respiratory distress. His mother states that she saw him put a small toy into his mouth shortly before the episode began. The child is conscious, obviously frightened, and is coughing forcefully. You should: A. encourage him to cough, give oxygen as tolerated, and transport. B. deliver a series of five back blows and then reassess his condition. C. place the child in a supine position and perform abdominal thrusts. D. carefully look into his mouth and remove the object if you see it.
A. encourage him to cough, give oxygen as tolerated, and transport.
A 30-year-old male presents with acute shortness of breath, widespread hives, and facial swelling. He denies any past medical history and takes no medications. During your assessment, you hear wheezing over all lung fields. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 110 beats/min. In addition to giving him 100% oxygen, the MOST important treatment for this patient is: A. epinephrine. B. an antihistamine. C. albuterol. D. a beta-antagonist.
A. epinephrine.
A 30-year-old female presents with severe acute pain to the left upper quadrant of her abdomen. During your assessment, she tells you that she has sickle cell disease. You should suspect that: A. her spleen is enlarged because of red blood cell engorgement. B. she is experiencing an aplastic crisis and needs a blood transfusion. C. she has gastrointestinal bleeding due to large blood vessel rupture. D. the pain in her abdomen is referred pain from an enlarged liver.
A. her spleen is enlarged because of red blood cell engorgement.
A 28-year-old female patient is found to be responsive to verbal stimuli only. Her roommate states that she was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and has had difficulty controlling her blood sugar level. She further tells you that the patient has been urinating excessively and has progressively worsened over the last 24 to 36 hours. On the basis of this patient's clinical presentation, you should suspect that she: A. is significantly hyperglycemic. B. has a low blood glucose level. C. has overdosed on her insulin. D. has a urinary tract infection.
A. is significantly hyperglycemic.
A 12-lead ECG: A. may identify myocardial ischemia or injury. B. is only performed in the hospital setting. C. does not indicate the heart's primary pacemaker. D. is used by the EMT to diagnose a heart attack.
A. may identify myocardial ischemia or injury.
A 60-year-old male presents with acute respiratory distress. He is conscious and alert, has pink and dry skin, and has respirations of 24 breaths/min with adequate depth. Which of the following treatment modalities is MOST appropriate for this patient? A. oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and a focused secondary assessment B. assisted ventilation with a bag-mask device and a head-to-toe exam C. oxygen via a nasal cannula, vital signs, and prompt transport to the hospital D. positive-pressure ventilations and immediate transport to the closest hospital
A. oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and a focused secondary assessment
A child who has no recent history of illness suddenly appears cyanotic and cannot speak after playing with a small toy. You should: A. perform abdominal thrusts. B. give oxygen and transport at once. C. perform a blind finger sweep. D. visualize the child's airway.
A. perform abdominal thrusts.
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. In addition to monitoring her ABCs, administering oxygen, and turning up the heat in the back of the ambulance, you should: A. place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling. B. apply the AED in case she develops cardiopulmonary arrest, cover her with layers of blankets, and transport carefully. C. cover her with warm blankets and let her move about on the stretcher in order to generate body heat and increase her temperature. D. sit her up and give her small sips of warm water to drink, place heat packs to her axillae and groin, and cover her with blankets.
A. place heat packs to her groin, axillae, and behind her neck; cover her with warm blankets; and avoid rough handling.
A 33-year-old woman who is 36 weeks pregnant is experiencing scant vaginal bleeding. During transport, you note that she suddenly becomes diaphoretic, tachycardic, and hypotensive. In addition to administering 100% oxygen, you should: A. place her in a left lateral recumbent position. B. position her supine and elevate her legs 12″. C. carefully place sterile gauze into her vagina. D. assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device.
A. place her in a left lateral recumbent position.
The EMT must assume that any unwitnessed water-related incident is accompanied by: A. possible spinal injury. B. alcohol intoxication. C. cold water immersion. D. an air embolism.
A. possible spinal injury.
A 30-year-old woman with a history of alcoholism presents with severe upper abdominal pain and is vomiting large amounts of bright red blood. Her skin is cool, pale, and clammy; her heart rate is 120 beats/min and weak; and her blood pressure is 70/50 mm Hg. Your MOST immediate action should be to: A. protect her airway from aspiration. B. keep her supine and elevate her legs. C. give her high-flow supplemental oxygen. D. rapidly transport her to the hospital.
A. protect her airway from aspiration.
An attack on an abortion clinic would MOST likely be carried out by a(n): A. single-issue group. B. extremist political group. C. violent religious group. D. doomsday cult.
A. single-issue group.
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 diminished breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's condition? A. spontaneous pneumothorax B. acute pulmonary embolism C. rupture of the diaphragm D. exacerbation of his COPD
A. spontaneous pneumothorax
While eating dinner, your partner suddenly grabs his throat and has a panicked look on his face. He has a weak cough, faint inspiratory stridor, and cyanosis around the lips. You should: A. stand behind him and administer abdominal thrusts. B. place him in a supine position and open his airway. C. deliver up to five back blows and reassess him. D. encourage him to cough as forcefully as he can.
A. stand behind him and administer abdominal thrusts.
According to the START triage system, which of the following patients should be triaged as an immediate priority (red tag)? A. unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 34 breaths/min B. conscious with a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min C. conscious, in severe pain, with radial pulses present D. apneic, despite manually opening the airway
A. unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 34 breaths/min
A 26-year-old female presents with heavy vaginal bleeding. She is conscious, but restless. Her blood pressure is 84/54 mm Hg, her pulse is 120 beats/min and weak, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. She tells you that she inserted a tampon about 2 hours ago. You should: A. administer high-flow oxygen, perform a detailed assessment of her vaginal area for signs of trauma, place her on her side, and transport. B. assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device, place one sterile dressing into her vagina, perform a rapid secondary assessment, and transport. C. administer high-flow oxygen, ask her to remove the tampon, perform a detailed secondary assessment, and transport promptly. D. administer high-flow oxygen, place a sterile pad over her vagina, keep her warm, elevate her lower extremities, and transport without delay.
B. assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device, place one sterile dressing into her vagina, perform a rapid secondary assessment, and transport.
You are dispatched to a residence for a 56-year-old male with an altered mental status. Upon arrival at the scene, the patient's wife tells you that he complained of chest pain the day before, but would not allow her to call EMS. The patient is semiconscious; has rapid, shallow respirations; and has a thready pulse. You should: A. apply a nonrebreathing mask. B. begin ventilatory assistance. C. obtain baseline vital signs. D. attach the automated external defibrillator (AED) immediately.
B. begin ventilatory assistance.
A 39-year-old male accidentally cut his wrist while sharpening his hunting knife. He is conscious and alert with adequate breathing, but is bleeding significantly from the wound. You should: A. apply oxygen with a nonrebreathing mask. B. control the bleeding with direct pressure. C. apply a tourniquet proximal to the wound. D. ensure the patient has a patent airway.
B. control the bleeding with direct pressure.
Cardiogenic shock following AMI is caused by: A. widespread dilation of the systemic vasculature. B. decreased pumping force of the heart muscle. C. hypovolemia secondary to severe vomiting. D. a profound increase in the patient's heart rate.
B. decreased pumping force of the heart muscle.
Which of the following signs or symptoms would you NOT expect to encounter in a patient with congestive heart failure? A. hypertension and tachycardia B. hypotension and flat jugular veins C. trouble breathing while lying down D. the presence of rales in the lungs
B. hypotension and flat jugular veins
An acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs when: A. the heart muscle progressively weakens and dysfunctions. B. myocardial tissue dies secondary to an absence of oxygen. C. the entire left ventricle is damaged and cannot pump blood. D. coronary artery dilation decreases blood flow to the heart.
B. myocardial tissue dies secondary to an absence of oxygen.
After intubating a 44-year-old unconscious, apneic male, you place him on the ambulance stretcher and prepare to load him into the ambulance. After he is placed into the ambulance, you should: A. continue ventilations with an automatic ventilator. B. reconfirm that the ET tube is still correctly positioned. C. hyperventilate the patient for approximately 30 seconds. D. reassess the patient's vital signs and attach an AED.
B. reconfirm that the ET tube is still correctly positioned.
Signs of late heatstroke include: A. a change in behavior. B. a weak, rapid pulse. C. hot, moist skin. D. nausea and vomiting.
B. a weak, rapid pulse.
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: A. administer 100% supplemental oxygen. B. apply direct pressure to the wound. C. elevate his legs and keep him warm. D. ensure that his airway is patent.
B. apply direct pressure to the wound.
If gastric distention is interfering with your ability to adequately ventilate a patient, you may have to: A. insert an oropharyngeal airway adjunct. B. apply manual pressure to the abdomen. C. suction the airway for up to 45 seconds. D. increase the force of your ventilations.
B. apply manual pressure to the abdomen.
A 58-year-old male presents with confusion, right-sided weakness, and slurred speech. His wife is present and is very upset. As your partner is applying oxygen, it is MOST important for you to: A. administer glucose to rule out hypoglycemia. B. ask his wife when she noticed the symptoms. C. list all of the patient's current medications. D. obtain a complete set of baseline vital signs.
B. ask his wife when she noticed the symptoms.
A 49-year-old male presents with an acute onset of crushing chest pain and diaphoresis. You should: A. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin. B. assess the adequacy of his respirations. C. administer up to 324 mg of baby aspirin. D. obtain vital signs and a SAMPLE history.
B. assess the adequacy of his respirations.
A 51-year-old female presents with a sudden onset of difficulty breathing. She is conscious and alert and able to speak in complete sentences. Her respirations are 22 breaths/min and regular. You should: A. perform a secondary assessment and then begin treatment. B. insert a nasal airway in case her mental status decreases. C. assist her breathing with a bag-mask device and 100% oxygen. D. administer 100% oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
D. administer 100% oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
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′. On assessment, you note that he has cyanosis around his lips and has pink froth coming from his nose and mouth. You should: A. position him supine with his head elevated 30°, suction his mouth and nose, hyperventilate him with a bag-mask device, and contact medical control for further guidance. B. suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, position him on his left side with his head down, and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility. C. suction his mouth and nose, keep him supine and elevate his legs to prevent air bubbles from entering his brain, administer high-flow oxygen, and transport to a hyperbaric chamber. D. place him in a semi-sitting position, suction his mouth and nose, apply a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, and transport to the closest emergency department.
B. suction his mouth and nose, apply high-flow oxygen, position him on his left side with his head down, and contact medical control regarding transport to a recompression facility.
After recognizing that an incident involves a hazardous material, you should contact the hazardous materials team and then: A. not allow anyone within 25′ to 50′ of the incident scene. B. take measures to ensure the safety of yourself and others. C. identify the chemical using the Emergency Response Guidebook. D. don standard equipment before gaining access to any patients.
B. take measures to ensure the safety of yourself and others.
A patient in respiratory arrest at the scene of a mass-casualty incident would typically be classified as a fourth priority (black tag; expectant) patient, unless: A. there are at least three other patients in respiratory arrest. B. there are enough resources to provide care for him or her. C. he or she has external signs of severe thoracic trauma. D. he or she has signs of an injury to the cervical spine.
B. there are enough resources to provide care for him or her.
The left and right bundle branches: A. cause a slight delay of the electrical impulse at the AV node. B. travel through the interventricular septum and lead to the Purkinje fibers. C. divide into the internodal pathways that stimulate the atria to contract. D. transmit the electrical impulses from the SA node to the AV node.
B. travel through the interventricular septum and lead to the Purkinje fibers.
A 19-year-old female was stung multiple times on the legs by fire ants. She states that she is allergic to fire ants, but does not carry her own epinephrine. The patient is conscious and alert and complains of pain to the area of the bites. Her blood pressure is 122/70 mm Hg, her pulse is 100 beats/min and strong, and her respirations are 18 breaths/min and unlabored. You should: A. advise her to see her physician as soon as possible. B. position her legs well above the level of her heart. C. request a paramedic unit to administer epinephrine. D. administer oxygen and transport her to the hospital.
D. administer oxygen and transport her to the hospital.
Braxton-Hicks contractions are characterized by: A. a rupture of the amniotic sac just before the contractions begin. B. pink or red bloody show in conjunction with the contractions. C. regular contractions of progressively increasing intensity. D. alleviation of pain with movement or changing positions.
D. alleviation of pain with movement or changing positions.
A 29-year-old male with a head injury opens his eyes when you speak to him, is confused as to the time and date, and is able to move all of his extremities on command. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is: A. 10. B. 12. C. 13. D. 14.
C. 13.
A patient with a head injury presents with abnormal flexion of his extremities. What numeric value should you assign to him for motor response? A. 5 B. 3 C. 2 D. 4
C. 2
A 23-year-old male experienced severe head trauma after his motorcycle collided with an oncoming truck. He is unconscious, has rapid and shallow breathing, and has copious bloody secretions in his mouth. How should you manage his airway? A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway and provide suction and assisted ventilations. B. Provide continuous ventilations with a bag-mask device to minimize hypoxia. C. Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning with 2 minutes of assisted ventilation. D. Suction his oropharynx with a rigid catheter until all secretions are removed.
C. Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning with 2 minutes of assisted ventilation.
Which of the following statements regarding nitroglycerin is correct? A. A maximum of five nitroglycerin doses should be given to a patient. B. The potency of nitroglycerin is increased when exposed to light. C. Nitroglycerin usually relieves anginal chest pain within 5 minutes. D. Nitroglycerin should be administered between the cheek and gum.
C. Nitroglycerin usually relieves anginal chest pain within 5 minutes.
A 47-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain of 3 hours' duration. His abdomen is distended and guarded. Your MOST important consideration for this patient should be to: A. transport him in a supine position. B. assess his blood pressure to determine perfusion adequacy. C. be alert for signs and symptoms of shock. D. determine the exact location and cause of his pain.
C. be alert for signs and symptoms of shock.
An oropharyngeal airway should not be used in children who have ingested a caustic or petroleum-based product because it may: A. result in airway swelling. B. result in a soft-tissue injury. C. cause the child to vomit. D. depress the gag reflex.
C. cause the child to vomit.
A 19-year-old male complains of "not feeling right." His insulin and a syringe are on a nearby table. The patient says he thinks he took his insulin and cannot remember whether he ate. He is also unable to tell you the time or what day it is. The glucometer reads "error" after several attempts to assess his blood glucose level. In addition to administering oxygen, you should: A. transport only with close, continuous monitoring en route. B. assist him with his insulin injection and reassess him. C. contact medical control and administer oral glucose. D. request a paramedic ambulance to administer IV glucose.
C. contact medical control and administer oral glucose.
A 29-year-old male complains of a severe headache and nausea that has gradually worsened over the past 12 hours. He is conscious, alert, and oriented and tells you that his physician diagnosed him with migraine headaches. He further tells you that he has taken numerous different medications, but none of them seem to help. His blood pressure is 132/74 mm Hg, his pulse is 110 beats/min and strong, and his respirations are 20 breaths/min and adequate. In addition to high-flow oxygen, further treatment should include: A. placing him in a supine position and transporting with lights and siren to a stroke center. B. applying warm compresses to the back of his neck and transporting with lights and siren. C. dimming the lights in the back of the ambulance and transporting without lights and siren. D. assisting him with his migraine medication and transporting without lights and siren.
C. dimming the lights in the back of the ambulance and transporting without lights and siren.
A 37-year-old male has an apparent foreign body airway obstruction. He is conscious and alert and is coughing forcefully. His skin is pink, warm, and moist. The MOST appropriate treatment for this patient includes: A. performing a series of abdominal thrusts. B. finger sweeps to remove the obstruction. C. encouraging him to cough and transporting. D. a series of back blows and chest thrusts.
C. encouraging him to cough and transporting.
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should: A. immediately determine the patient's blood glucose level. B. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and assist ventilations. C. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed. D. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke.
C. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
A 27-year-old male was stabbed in the chest during a disagreement at a poker game. As you approach him, you see that a knife is impaled in his chest. Before you make physical contact with the patient, it is MOST important to: A. ask bystanders what happened. B. call for an ALS ambulance. C. follow standard precautions. D. form a general impression.
C. follow standard precautions.
A 71-year-old female slipped on a rug and fell. She is conscious and alert and complains of severe pelvic pain. Her respirations are 22 breaths/min with adequate depth and her heart rate is 120 beats/min. Which of the following would NOT be appropriate for this patient? A. 100% supplemental oxygen B. treating her for possible shock C. gentle palpation of the pelvis D. performing a full-body scan
C. gentle palpation of the pelvis
If hydroplaning of the ambulance occurs, the driver should: A. slowly pump the brakes until he or she regains vehicle control. B. slowly move the steering wheel back and forth. C. gradually slow down without jamming on the brakes. D. quickly jerk the steering wheel.
C. gradually slow down without jamming on the brakes.
A 17-year-old football player collided with another player and has pain to his left clavicular area. 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: A. straighten his arm and apply a board splint. B. perform a rapid secondary assessment. C. immobilize the injury with a sling and swathe. D. place a pillow under his arm and apply a sling.
C. immobilize the injury with a sling and swathe.
A major benefit when using a multilumen airway device is that: A. maintenance of a mask-to-face seal is not required. B. the airway is better protected than with an ET tube. C. it can be used on patients of any age and size. D. it can be visualized as it enters the esophagus.
C. it can be used on patients of any age and size.
The proper depth of chest compressions on a 9-month-old infant is: A. two thirds the diameter of the chest or about 2″. B. one half to two thirds the diameter of the chest. C. one third to one half the diameter of the chest. D. one half the diameter of the chest or about 1½″.
C. one third to one half the diameter of the chest.
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: A. apply a pressure dressing to the patient's arm. B. apply a cervical collar and suction his airway. C. open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver. D. tilt the patient's head back and lift up on his chin.
C. open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver.
An IO needle is inserted into the: A. distal femur. B. proximal fibula. C. proximal tibia. D. distal humerus.
C. proximal tibia.
You are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-mask device. She has dentures, which are tight-fitting. Adequate chest rise is present with each ventilation, and the patient's oxygen saturation reads 96%. When you reassess the patency of her airway, you note that her dentures are now loose, although your ventilations are still producing adequate chest rise. You should: A. remove her dentures at once and increase the rate and volume of your ventilations. B. leave her dentures in place, but carefully monitor her for an airway obstruction. C. remove her dentures, resume ventilations, and assess for adequate chest rise. D. attempt to replace her dentures so that they fit tightly and resume ventilations.
C. remove her dentures, resume ventilations, and assess for adequate chest rise.
A 19-year-old female is found unconscious by her roommate. Your primary assessment reveals that her breathing is inadequate. As you insert an oropharyngeal airway, she begins to gag violently. You should: A. insert the airway no further but leave it in place as a bite block. B. select a smaller oropharyngeal airway and attempt to insert it. C. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx. D. continue to insert the airway as you suction her oropharynx.
C. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
You have assessed an unresponsive middle-aged female and determined that she is in cardiac arrest. When you apply the AED pads, you note that she has a medication patch over the same area where one of the AED pads will be placed. You should: A. continue CPR until you can determine the name of the medication contained in the patch. B. apply the AED pad at least 1″ away from the medication patch to avoid skin burns. C. remove the medication patch, wipe away any medication residue, and apply the AED pads. D. move the patch to another area of the patient's chest and then properly apply the AED pads.
C. remove the medication patch, wipe away any medication residue, and apply the AED pads.
A 19-year-old male was stung multiple times by fire ants. He is experiencing obvious signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock. You administer 100% oxygen and give him epinephrine via subcutaneous injection. Upon reassessment, you determine that his condition has not improved. You should: A. request a paramedic unit that is stationed approximately 15 miles away. B. consider that he may actually be experiencing an acute asthma attack. C. repeat the epinephrine injection after consulting with medical control. D. transport him immediately and provide supportive care while en route.
C. repeat the epinephrine injection after consulting with medical control.
You have inserted an oral airway and are ventilating an apneic woman with a bag-mask device. She suddenly begins regurgitating large amounts of vomit. You should: A. ask your partner to apply cricoid pressure. B. remove the oral airway and suction her oropharynx. C. roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway. D. perform a finger sweep of her mouth.
C. roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway.
Which of the following veins is located inferior to the trunk? A. axillary B. cephalic C. saphenous D. subclavian
C. saphenous
According to the JumpSTART triage system, infants or children not developed enough to walk or follow commands, including children with special needs: A. are initially triaged on the basis of whether or not they have distal pulses. B. are treated immediately in the primary triage area and then transported. C. should be taken to the treatment area for immediate secondary triage. D. are the first to be transported, regardless of the severity of their injuries.
C. should be taken to the treatment area for immediate secondary triage.
A 52-year-old male presents with a fever of 102.5°F and a severe headache. As you assess him, you note the presence of multiple blisters on his face and chest, which are all identical in shape and size. This patient's clinical presentation is MOST consistent with: A. cutaneous anthrax. B. yellow fever virus. C. smallpox. D. sarin toxicity.
C. smallpox.
A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory distress and an oxygen saturation of 82%. When you auscultate his lungs, you hear widespread rales. He is conscious and alert, is able to follow simple commands, and can only speak in two- to three-word sentences at a time. You should: A. place him in a position of comfort, deliver oxygen via nasal cannula, and closely monitor his breathing. B. force fluid from his alveoli by hyperventilating him with a bag-mask device at a rate of at least 20 breaths/min. C. place him in a supine position and assist his ventilations with a bag-mask device and high-flow oxygen. D. apply a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, monitor his blood pressure, and observe him for signs of improvement or deterioration.
D. apply a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, monitor his blood pressure, and observe him for signs of improvement or deterioration.
During the transport phase of an ambulance call, it is MOST important to: A. reassess unstable patients at least every 15 minutes. B. complete the run form before arrival at the hospital. C. reassess the patient only if he or she deteriorates. D. converse with the patient and provide reassurance.
D. converse with the patient and provide reassurance.
The body's natural cooling mechanism, in which sweat is converted to a gas, is called: A. convection. B. radiation. C. conduction. D. evaporation.
D. evaporation.
An EMT may injure his or her back, even if it is straight, if the: A. force is exerted straight down the spine. B. shoulder is aligned over the pelvis. C. back is bent forward at the hips. D. hands are held close to the legs.
D. hands are held close to the legs.
You are dispatched to a convenience store for a patient who passed out. Upon arriving at the scene, you find two bystanders performing CPR on the patient, a 58-year-old male. Your initial action should be to: A. quickly attach the AED and push the analyze button. B. assess the effectiveness of the bystanders' CPR. C. request a paramedic unit and quickly attach the AED. D. have the bystanders stop CPR and assess the patient.
D. have the bystanders stop CPR and assess the patient.
A 45-year-old male was working on his roof when he fell approximately 12′,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: A. perform a rapid head-to-toe exam and immobilize his spine. B. allow him to refuse transport if his vital signs remain stable. C. obtain a Glasgow Coma Score value and give him oxygen. D. immobilize his spine and perform a focused secondary exam.
D. immobilize his spine and perform a focused secondary exam.
A nuchal cord is defined as an umbilical cord that: A. has separated from the placenta. B. is lacerated due to a traumatic delivery. C. has abnormally developed blood vessels. D. is wrapped around the baby's neck.
D. is wrapped around the baby's neck.
A 22-year-old male with a history of clinical depression called 9-1-1 and stated that he has attempted to kill himself. Your unit and law enforcement officers arrive at the scene simultaneously. You find the patient lying supine on the living room floor. He is unconscious and cyanotic. An empty bottle of hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is found on an adjacent table. You should: A. wait for the police to examine him before providing care. B. ask the police to handcuff the patient for safety purposes. C. provide care after determining what Dilaudid is used for. D. open the patient's airway and assess his respirations.
D. open the patient's airway and assess his respirations.
Your EMS team is performing CPR on a 60-year-old male in cardiac arrest. You connect the AED, push the analyze button, and receive a "no shock advised" message. You should: A. immediately assess the patient's airway. B. reanalyze the patient's cardiac rhythm. C. determine if a palpable pulse is present. D. perform CPR for 2 minutes and reassess.
D. perform CPR for 2 minutes and reassess.
You and your partner arrive at the side of a 60-year-old woman who suddenly collapsed about 7 minutes ago. She is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. You should: A. immediately apply the AED and analyze her cardiac rhythm. B. begin CPR at a compression to ventilation ratio of 15:2. C. apply the AED if there is no response after 10 cycles of CPR. D. perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for about 2 minutes and then apply the AED.
D. perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for about 2 minutes and then apply the AED.
After sliding the piercing spike of the administration set into the IV bag port, you should next: A. ensure that the drip chamber is only half filled. B. adjust the drip chamber until fluid slowly drains. C. remove the protective cap and allow air to escape. D. prime the line and flush the air out of the tubing.
D. prime the line and flush the air out of the tubing.
A 22-year-old female patient is complaining of dyspnea and numbness and tingling in her hands and feet after an argument with her fiancé. Her respirations are 40 breaths/min. You should: A. position her on her left side and transport at once. B. request a paramedic to give her a sedative drug. C. have her breathe into a paper or plastic bag. D. provide reassurance and give oxygen as needed.
D. provide reassurance and give oxygen as needed.
A 29-year-old female presents with confusion and disorientation. Her respirations are rapid and shallow and her pulse is 120 beats/min and thready. She is markedly diaphoretic and has an oxygen saturation of 89%. You should: A. transport immediately. B. treat her for hyperglycemia. C. administer oral glucose. D. provide ventilatory support.
D. provide ventilatory support.
You suspect that a 6-year-old girl has broken her leg after falling from a swing at a playground. Shortly after you arrive, the child's mother appears and refuses to allow you to continue treatment. You should: A. use your authority under the implied consent law. B. ask the mother to sign a refusal form and then leave. C. tell the mother that her refusal is a form of child abuse. D. try to persuade the mother that treatment is needed.
D. try to persuade the mother that treatment is needed.
A 19-year-old male is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless after being struck in the center of the chest with a softball. Based on the mechanism of injury, what MOST likely occurred? A. asystole secondary to massive intrathoracic hemorrhage due to traumatic rupture of the aorta B. fracture of the sternum that caused a rupture of the myocardium and led to a cardiac dysrhythmia C. collapse of both lungs due to fractured ribs that perforated the lung tissue and caused cardiac arrest D. ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the cardiac cycle
D. ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the cardiac cycle
If you properly assess and stabilize a patient at the scene, driving to the hospital with excessive speed: A. increases the patient's chance for survival. B. is allowable according to state law. C. is often necessary if the patient is critical. D. will decrease the driver's reaction time.
D. will decrease the driver's reaction time.
Which patient is breathing adequately? a. 43 year old male, respirations are 15/min, regular chest motions b. 18 year old male, respirations are 28/min, shallow chest movements c. 7 year old female, respirations are 12/min, irregular rhythm, using diaphragm primarily d. 3 month old male; Respirations 62/min, using diaphragm and muscles in chest and neck
a. 43 year old male, respirations are 15/min, regular chest motions
Which patient is most likely to have a barrel chest? a. 58 year old male, history of emphysema and years of smoking b. 10 month old male, premature birth and history of respiratory problems c. 70 year old female, recent history of pneumonia and bronchitis d. 6 year old female, history of asthma and frequent respiratory problems
a. 58 year old male, history of emphysema and years of smoking
An 11 month old crying female has swallowed a piece of a hot dog. She is coughing and you can hear a high pitched sound coming from the throat. You should: a. administer back blows and chest thrusts b. provide high concentration of oxygen by blow by mask c. perform a blind finger sweep to attempt removal of the object d. provide ventilations by BVM and oxygen
b. provide high concentration of oxygen by blow by mask
In an unconscious patient, the most common airway obstruction is caused by: a. oral secretions b. dentures c. the tongue d. foreign objects
c. the tongue
A microdrip administration set delivers 1 mL of fluid after every ______ drops. A. 80 B. 60 C. 40 D. 20
B. 60
You have just delivered a baby boy. His body is pink, but his hands and feet are blue. His heart rate is approximately 110 beats/min and his respirations are rapid and irregular. He has a weak cry when stimulated and resists attempts to straighten his legs. His Apgar score is: A. 9 B. 8 C. 7 D. 6
B. 8
You have just delivered a full-term infant. His respirations are rapid and irregular, and he has a strong cry. What should you do next? A. Allow the mother to hold her baby. B. Assess the brachial or umbilical pulse. C. Clamp and cut the umbilical cord. D. Begin assisting the newborn's breathing.
B. Assess the brachial or umbilical pulse.
A tour bus has overturned, resulting in numerous patients. When you arrive, you are immediately assigned to assist in the triage process. Patient 1 is a middle-aged male with respiratory distress, chest pain, and a closed deformity to his right forearm. Patient 2 is a young female who is conscious and alert, but has bilateral femur fractures and numerous abrasions to her arms and face. Patient 3 is an older woman who complains of abdominal pain and has a history of cardiovascular disease. Patient 4 is unresponsive, is not breathing, has a weak carotid pulse, and has a grossly deformed skull. What triage categories should you assign to these patients? A. Patient 1, delayed (yellow); Patient 2, immediate (red); Patient 3, delayed (yellow); Patient 4, immediate (red) B. Patient 1, immediate (red); Patient 2, minimal (green); Patient 3, delayed (yellow); Patient 4, expectant (black) C. Patient 1, immediate (red); Patient 2, delayed (yellow); Patient 3, immediate (red); Patient 4, expectant (black) D. Patient 1, delayed (yellow); Patient 2, delayed (yellow); Patient 3, minimal (green); Patient 4, immediate (red)
C. Patient 1, immediate (red); Patient 2, delayed (yellow); Patient 3, immediate (red); Patient 4, expectant (black)
In which of the following situations would a direct ground lift be the MOST appropriate method of moving a patient? A. an unconscious patient with a possible ischemic stroke B. a pedestrian with back pain after being struck by a car C. a conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain D. a patient who complains of hip pain following a fall
C. a conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a term used to describe: A. the warning signs that occur shortly before a heart attack. B. a severe decrease in perfusion caused by changes in heart rate. C. a group of symptoms that are caused by myocardial ischemia. D. the exact moment that a coronary artery is completely occluded.
C. a group of symptoms that are caused by myocardial ischemia.
Characteristics of a safe ambulance operator include: A. realizing that lights and siren will be effective traffic tools. B. an offensive attitude about driving during an emergency call. C. a positive attitude about the ability to tolerate other drivers. D. the ability to operate an ambulance at a high rate of speed.
C. a positive attitude about the ability to tolerate other drivers.
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, and her respirations are 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. The patient does not have prescribed nitroglycerin, but her husband does. You should: A. give her 100% oxygen, attach the AED, and transport immediately. B. give her one nitroglycerin and reassess her systolic blood pressure. C. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg aspirin, and assess her further. D. obtain a SAMPLE history and contact medical control for advice.
C. administer oxygen, give her 324 mg aspirin, and assess her further.
A history of pelvic inflammatory disease or tubal ligations increases a woman's risk for: A. placenta previa. B. preeclampsia. C. an ectopic pregnancy. D. gestational diabetes.
C. an ectopic pregnancy.
