Exam 3 Questions
Which of the following occurs when a patient's respirations are shallow? • A. Chest rise will be easily noticeable. • B. Oxygenation occurs more efficiently. • C. Carbon dioxide elimination is increased. • D. Tidal volume is markedly reduced.
D. Tidal volume is markedly reduced.
When interviewing a patient, you can show him or her that you understand the situation by: • A. maintaining constant eye contact with him or her. • B. repeating statements back to him or her. • C. interrupting him or her as needed for clarification. • D. using medical terminology whenever possible.
B. repeating statements back to him or her.
In contrast to inhalation, exhalation: • A. is an active process caused by decreased intrathoracic pressure. • B. requires muscular effort to effectively expel air from the lungs. • C. is a passive process caused by increased intrathoracic pressure. • D. occurs when the diaphragm lowers and expels air from the lungs.
B. requires muscular effort to effectively expel air from the lungs.
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. insert a nasal airway and then suction her mouth. • B. roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway. • C. perform a finger sweep of her mouth. • D. remove the oral airway and suction her oropharynx.
B. roll her onto her side and remove the oral airway.
The pulse oximeter is an assessment tool used to evaluate the: • A. level of carbon dioxide. • B. saturation level of arterial blood. • C. amount of exhaled carbon dioxide. • D. quantity of red blood cells.
B. saturation level of arterial blood.
The pressure exerted against the walls of the artery when the left ventricle contracts is called the: • A. pulse pressure. • B. systolic pressure. • C. diastolic pressure. • D. apical pulse.
B. systolic pressure.
Temporary, widespread vasodilation and syncope caused by a sudden nervous system reaction MOST accurately describes: • A. neurogenic shock. • B. vasovagal shock. • C. neurologic shock. • D. psychogenic shock.
B. vasovagal shock.
The physical act of moving air into and out of the lungs is called: • A. respiration. • B. ventilation. • C. oxygenation. • D. diffusion.
B. ventilation.
The nasal cannula is MOST appropriately used in the prehospital setting: • A. if long-term supplemental oxygen administration is required. • B. when the patient cannot tolerate a nonrebreathing mask. • C. when the patient breathes primarily through his or her mouth. • D. if the patient's nasopharynx is obstructed by secretions.
B. when the patient cannot tolerate a nonrebreathing mask.
The normal respiratory rate for an adult should range from: • A. 24 to 28 breaths per minute. • B. 10 to 12 breaths per minute. • C. 12 to 20 breaths per minute. • D. 18 to 24 breaths per minute.
C. 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of adequately performed bag-mask ventilations in an apneic adult with a pulse? • A. Decreased compliance when squeezing the bag. • B. An adult's heart rate that is consistently increasing. • C. Adequate rise of the chest when squeezing the bag. • D. Twenty breaths/min being delivered to the adult.
C. Adequate rise of the chest when squeezing the bag.
An example of an anti-inflammatory is: • A. Narcan. • B. Nitroglycerin. • C. Aspirin. • D. Oxygen.
C. Aspirin.
When should you take standard precautions during an EMS call? • A. Immediately after completion of your primary assessment. • B. Before you load the patient into the ambulance. • C. Before exiting the ambulance and before actual patient contact. • D. After it has been determined that the patient is bleeding.
C. Before exiting the ambulance and before actual patient contact.
What part of the patient assessment process focuses on obtaining additional information about the patient's chief complaint and any medical problems he or she may have? • A. Primary assessment. • B. General impression. • C. History taking. • D. Secondary assessment.
C. History taking.
What maneuver should be used to open the airway of an unresponsive patient with suspected trauma? • A. Tongue-jaw lift maneuver. • B. Head tilt-neck lift maneuver. • C. Jaw-thrust maneuver. • D. Head tilt-chin lift maneuver.
C. Jaw-thrust maneuver.
While evaluating a patient with chest pain, your partner tells you that the patient's blood pressure is 140/94 mm Hg. The lower number represents the pressure from the: • A. atria relaxing. • B. ventricles relaxing. • C. atria contracting. • D. ventricles contracting.
D. ventricles contracting.
When is it MOST appropriate to consider requesting additional ambulances at an accident scene? • A. When all the deceased patients are accounted for. • B. After noncritical patients have been identified. • C. After you have triaged all the critical patients. • D. When you determine there are multiple patients.
D. When you determine there are multiple patients.
A nasopharyngeal airway is inserted: • A. with the bevel facing the septum if inserted into the right nare. • B. with the bevel pointing downward if inserted into the left nare. • C. into the smaller nostril with the tip following the roof of the nose. • D. into the larger nostril with the tip pointing away from the septum.
D. into the larger nostril with the tip pointing away from the septum.
Normal skin color, temperature, and condition should be: • A. flushed, cool, and dry. • B. pale, cool, and moist. • C. pink, warm, and moist. • D. pink, warm, and dry.
D. pink, warm, and dry.
If a patient develops difficulty breathing after your primary assessment, you should immediately: • A. begin assisting his or her breathing. • B. auscultate his or her breath sounds. • C. determine his or her respiratory rate. • D. reevaluate his or her airway status.
D. reevaluate his or her airway status.
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. continue to insert the airway as you suction her oropharynx. • B. insert the airway no further but leave it in place as a bite block. • C. select a smaller oropharyngeal airway and attempt to insert it. • D. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
D. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
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: • A. ask the family if the patient has a terminal disease. • B. notify dispatch and request a paramedic ambulance. • C. perform CPR and transport the patient immediately. • D. start CPR and attach the AED as soon as possible.
D. start CPR and attach the AED as soon as possible.
Reassessment is performed to determine all of the following, EXCEPT: • A. the nature of any newly identified problems. • B. the patient's response to your treatment. • C. whether or not the patient is deteriorating. • D. the reason why the patient called EMS.
D. the reason why the patient called EMS.
Prior to applying a nonrebreathing mask to a patient, you must ensure that the: • A. flow rate is set at 6 L/min. • B. patient has reduced tidal volume. • C. one-way valve is sealed. • D. reservoir bag is fully inflated.
D. reservoir bag is fully inflated.
Which of the following actions would NOT be performed during the scene size-up? • A. Asking a neighbor to secure the patient's dog. • B. Noting the position of a crashed motor vehicle. • C. Notifying the dispatcher to send fire personnel. • D. Rapidly assessing a patient's respiratory status.
A. Asking a neighbor to secure the patient's dog.
You are performing bag-mask ventilations with oxygen connected and set at a flow rate of 15 L/min. What percentage of oxygen are you delivering? • A. 55% • B. Nearly 100% • C. 65% • D. 45%
A. 55%.
During a 30-minute transport of a stable patient, you should reassess him or her at least _______ times. • A. 2 • B. 3 • C. 4 • D. 6
B. 3
Which of the following questions would you ask a patient to ascertain the "M" in the SAMPLE history? • A. "How much Tylenol do you take each day?" • B. "How long have you had your chest pain?" • C. "When was the last time you ate a meal?" • D. "Have you ever had any major surgeries?"
A. "How much Tylenol do you take each day?"
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of epinephrine? • A. Decreases heart rate and blood pressure. • B. Dilates passages in the lungs. • C. Secreted naturally by the adrenal glands. • D. Constricts the blood vessels.
A. Decreases heart rate and blood pressure.
To reverse the effects of a narcotic overdose you should administer: • A. Narcan. • B. Tylenol. • C. EpiPen. • D. Advil.
A. Narcan.
Which of the following statements regarding breathing adequacy is correct? • A. Patients breathing shallowly may require assisted ventilation despite a normal respiratory rate. • B. The single most reliable sign of breathing adequacy in the adult is his or her respiratory rate. • C. A patient with slow respirations and adequate depth will experience an increase in minute volume. • D. Patients with a grossly irregular breathing pattern usually do not require assisted ventilation.
A. Patients breathing shallowly may require assisted ventilation despite a normal respiratory rate.
A 25-year-old unrestrained female struck the steering wheel with her chest when her car hit a tree while traveling at a high rate of speed. She has signs and symptoms of shock, which you suspect are the result of intrathoracic bleeding. Which of the following interventions will provide this patient with the greatest chance for survival? • A. Rapid transport to a trauma center. • B. Full immobilization of her spine. • C. Intravenous fluid administration. • D. High-flow oxygen administration.
A. Rapid transport to a trauma center.
Which of the following abnormal breath sounds indicates obstruction of the upper airway? • A. Stridor. • B. Rales. • C. Crackles. • D. Rhonchi.
A. Stridor.
Which of the following is an example of a rules-based medication error? • A. The EMT administers the correct drug, but gives it by the wrong route. • B. The EMT accidentally gives a higher drug dose than what is indicated. • C. The EMT administers a drug that is not approved by the medical director. • D. The EMT administers a drug that is contraindicated for the patient.
A. The EMT administers the correct drug, but gives it by the wrong route.
Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct? • A. The purpose of the secondary assessment is to systematically examine every patient from head to toe, regardless of the severity of his or her injury. • B. A focused secondary assessment would be the most appropriate approach for a patient who experienced significant trauma to multiple body systems. • C. You may not have time to perform a secondary assessment if you must continually manage life threats that were identified during the primary assessment. • D. If your general impression of a patient does not reveal any obvious life threats, you should proceed directly to the secondary assessment.
A. The purpose of the secondary assessment is to systematically examine every patient from head to toe, regardless of the severity of his or her injury.
You are dispatched to a movie theater for a 39-year-old female with signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. As you are assessing her, she pulls an epinephrine auto-injector out of her purse and hands it to you. After confirming the drug's name and expiration date, you should: • A. contact medical control. • B. administer the drug. • C. request an ALS ambulance to administer the drug. • D. ask her if she takes other medications.
A. contact medical control.
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. follow standard precautions. • B. form a general impression. • C. call for an ALS ambulance. • D. ask bystanders what happened.
A. follow standard precautions.
The MOST significant complication associated with oropharyngeal suctioning is: • A. hypoxia due to prolonged suction attempts. • B. vomiting from stimulating the anterior airway. • C. clogging of the catheter with thick secretions. • D. oral abrasions from vigorous suctioning.
A. hypoxia due to prolonged suction attempts.
The goal of the primary assessment is to: • A. identify and rapidly treat all life-threatening conditions. • B. determine the need to perform a head-to-toe assessment. • C. determine if the patient's problem is medical or traumatic. • D. identify patients that require transport to a trauma center.
A. identify and rapidly treat all life-threatening conditions.
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: • A. immediately suction her oropharynx. • B. assist her breathing with a bag-valve mask. • C. assess the rate and quality of her pulse. • D. quickly insert an oropharyngeal airway.
A. immediately suction her oropharynx.
You are ventilating a 40-year-old uninjured man who is apneic but has a pulse. When your partner reassesses his blood pressure, she notes that he has decreased significantly from previous readings. You should: • A. increase the rate at which you are ventilating and reassess his blood pressure. • B. increase the volume of your ventilations and reassess his blood pressure. • C. perform a head-to-toe assessment to look for signs of bleeding. • D. reduce the rate or volume of the ventilations you are delivering.
A. increase the rate at which you are ventilating and reassess his blood pressure.
EMTs respond to a known heroin abuser who is unresponsive. If they give naloxone (Narcan) to this patient, the EMTs should recall that: • A. naloxone administration could cause seizures in this patient. • B. the effects of naloxone last longer than most opioid drugs. • C. naloxone should be administered in increments of 2 mg. • D. naloxone should not be given if the patient's breathing is slow.
A. naloxone administration could cause seizures in this patient.
EMTs arrive at the scene of a patient who was "found down." A family member states that she gave naloxone (Narcan) to the patient before the ambulance arrived. The EMTs should suspect that the patient: • A. overdosed on an opioid drug. • B. experienced a prolonged seizure. • C. has a low blood glucose level. • D. has a history of allergic reactions.
A. overdosed on an opioid drug.
Pain that moves from its point of origin to another body location is said to be: • A. radiating. • B. palliating. • C. referred. • D. provoking.
A. radiating.
Clinical signs of labored breathing include all of the following, EXCEPT: • A. shallow chest movement. • B. gasping attempts to breathe. • C. supraclavicular retractions. • D. use of accessory muscles.
A. shallow chest movement.
Proper technique for suctioning the oropharynx of an adult patient includes: • A. suctioning while withdrawing the catheter from the oropharynx. • B. continuously suctioning patients with copious oral secretions. • C. suctioning for up to 1 minute if the patient is well oxygenated. • D. removing large, solid objects with a tonsil-tip suction catheter.
A. suctioning while withdrawing the catheter from the oropharynx.
When testing a mechanical suctioning unit, you should turn on the device, clamp the tubing, and ensure that it generates a vacuum pressure of more than: • A. 400 mm Hg. • B. 300 mm Hg. • C. 200 mm Hg. • D. 100 mm Hg.
B. 300 mm Hg.
In which of the following situations is a pertinent negative identified? • A. A 53-year-old man with dizziness also tells you that he has vomited three times. • B. A 50-year-old woman states that nothing makes her chest pain better or worse. • C. A 56-year-old woman states that her chest hurts when she takes a deep breath. • D. A 59-year-old man complains of crushing chest pain but denies shortness of breath.
B. A 50-year-old woman states that nothing makes her chest pain better or worse.
Which of the following patients has signs of an altered mental status? • A. A diabetic who has nausea and severe lightheadedness. • B. A patient who overdosed and tells you he tried to kill himself. • C. A patient with a head injury who is slow to answer questions. • D. A patient with an acute allergic reaction and dizziness.
B. A patient who overdosed and tells you he tried to kill himself.
Which of the following assessments would be the MOST useful in determining the possible cause of a patient's altered mental status? • A. Respiratory rate. • B. Blood glucose level. • C. Blood pressure. • D. Capillary refill time.
B. Blood glucose level.
Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to cause an altered level of consciousness? • A. Drug overdose. • B. Poisoning. • C. Acute anxiety. • D. Inadequate perfusion.
B. Poisoning.
Which of the following situations or conditions warrants immediate transport? • A. Ability to follow commands. • B. Severe chest pain and cool, pale skin. • C. Mild pain in the lower abdomen. • D. Decreased ability to move an extremity.
B. Severe chest pain and cool, pale skin.
Which of the following clinical signs would necessitate the administration of naloxone (Narcan) in a suspected narcotic overdose? • A. Extreme agitation. • B. Slow respirations. • C. Tachycardia. • D. Hypertension.
B. Slow respirations.
You are dispatched to a state park for a young female experiencing an allergic reaction. Your assessment reveals that her breathing is severely labored and her blood pressure is very low. You carry epinephrine auto-injectors on your ambulance and have been trained and approved by your medical director to administer them. As your partner gives the patient supplemental oxygen, you attempt to contact medical control but do not have a signal from your cell phone. You should: • A. immediately load the patient into the ambulance, begin transport, and reattempt to contact medical control when you receive a cell signal. • B. administer epinephrine to the patient, begin immediate transport, and attempt to contact medical control en route to the hospital. • C. place her in a supine position, keep her warm, begin transport to the hospital, and request a paramedic intercept en route. • D. notify dispatch and request that a para
B. administer epinephrine to the patient, begin immediate transport, and attempt to contact medical control en route to the hospital.
Palliating factors regarding a patient's pain involve those that: • A. initiate the pain. • B. alleviate the pain. • C. change the pain. • D. worsen the pain.
B. alleviate the pain.
Patients develop septic shock secondary to: • A. a weak vessel tone caused by nervous system damage. • B. an infection that weakens cardiac contractions. • C. poor vessel function and severe volume loss. • D. failure of the blood vessels to adequately dilate.
B. an infection that weakens cardiac contractions.
External bleeding from an extremity can usually be controlled initially by: • A. applying chemical ice packs. • B. applying direct pressure. • C. elevating the extremity. • D. applying a tourniquet.
B. applying direct pressure.
You are dispatched to the county jail for an inmate who is "sick." When you arrive, you find the patient, a 33-year-old male, unresponsive. His airway is patent, and his respirations are rapid and shallow. Your initial action should be to: • A. request a paramedic unit. • B. assess his blood pressure. • C. assist his ventilations. • D. apply a pulse oximeter.
B. assess his blood pressure.
A construction worker fell approximately 30 feet. He is semiconscious with rapid, shallow respirations. Further assessment reveals deformity to the thoracic region of his spine. His blood pressure is 70/50 mm Hg, his pulse is 66 beats/min and weak, and his skin is warm and dry. In addition to spinal immobilization and rapid transport, the MOST appropriate treatment for this patient includes: • A. oxygen via nonrebreathing mask, thermal management, and elevation of his legs. • B. assisted ventilation, thermal management, and elevation of the lower extremities. • C. oxygen via nonrebreathing mask, blankets for warmth, and elevation of his head. • D. assisted ventilation, preventing hyperthermia, and elevating his lower extremities.
B. assisted ventilation, thermal management, and elevation of his legs.
The diastolic blood pressure represents the: • A. increased arterial pressure that occurs during ventricular contraction. • B. difference in pressure between ventricular contraction and relaxation. • C. minimum amount of pressure that is always present in the arteries. • D. average pressure against the arterial walls during a cardiac cycle.
B. difference in pressure between ventricular contraction and relaxation.
Subcutaneous injections deliver the medication: • A. between the skin and the muscle. • B. directly into the muscle tissue. • C. through the mucosa under the tongue. • D. below the first layer of muscle.
B. directly into the muscle tissue.
If you cannot palpate a pulse in an unresponsive patient whose collapse was not witnessed, you should: • A. palpate at another pulse site. • B. immediately begin CPR. • C. assess for adequate breathing. • D. apply an AED at once.
B. immediately begin CPR.
The chief complaint is MOST accurately defined as the: • A. condition that exacerbates an underlying problem. • B. most serious thing the patient is concerned about. • C. most life-threatening condition that you discover. • D. gross physical signs that you detect on assessment.
B. most serious thing the patient is concerned about.
A 59-year-old male presents with severe vomiting and diarrhea of 3 days' duration. He is confused and diaphoretic, and his radial pulses are absent. His blood pressure is 78/50 mm Hg. After applying supplemental oxygen, you should: • A. obtain a repeat blood pressure in 5 minutes. • B. prepare for immediate transport. • C. perform a head-to-toe exam. • D. allow him to drink plain water.
B. prepare for immediate transport.
During the primary assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing: • A. skin quality, blood pressure, and capillary refill. • B. pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition. • C. external bleeding, skin condition, and capillary refill. • D. blood pressure, pulse rate, and external bleeding.
B. pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition.
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. administer another treatment in 30 seconds if she is still in distress. • B. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication. • C. check the drug's expiration date to ensure that it is still current. • D. contact medical control and apprise him or her of what you did.
B. reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.
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. leave her dentures in place and increase the rate and volume of your ventilations. • B. remove her dentures, resume ventilations, and assess for adequate chest rise. • C. attempt to replace her dentures so that they fit tightly and resume ventilations. • D. leave her dentures in place, but carefully monitor her for an airway obstruction.
B. remove her dentures, resume ventilations, and assess for adequate chest rise.
While providing CPAP to a patient in severe respiratory distress, you note that his heart rate has increased by 20 beats/min. He is conscious, but is no longer following verbal commands. You should: • A. decrease the amount of pressure that the CPAP device is delivering. • B. remove the CPAP device and ventilate him with a bag-mask device. • C. increase the amount of pressure that the CPAP device is delivering. • D. remove the CPAP device and apply oxygen by nonrebreathing mask.
B. remove the CPAP device and ventilate him with a bag-mask device.
How is nitroglycerin usually given by the EMT? • A. Injected. • B. Inhaled. • C. Sublingually. • D. Orally.
C. Sublingually.
In the presence of oxygen, the cells convert glucose into energy through a process called: • A. respiration. • B. anaerobic metabolism. • C. aerobic metabolism. • D. perfusion.
C. aerobic metabolism.
You are transporting a 33-year-old male who was involved in a major motor vehicle crash. You have addressed all immediate and potentially life-threatening conditions and have stabilized his condition with the appropriate treatment. With an estimated time of arrival at the hospital of 20 minutes, you should: • A. repeat your secondary assessment. • B. reassess his condition in 5 minutes. • C. arrange for an ALS rendezvous. • D. take his vital signs in 15 minutes.
C. arrange for an ALS rendezvous.
Supplemental oxygen without assisted ventilation would MOST likely be administered to patients: • A. who have accessory muscle use and slow breathing. • B. who are semiconscious with shallow respirations. • C. with difficulty breathing and adequate tidal volume. • D. with rapid respirations and a reduced tidal volume.
C. with difficulty breathing and adequate tidal volume.
A 74-year-old woman complains of heaviness in her chest, nausea, and sweating that suddenly began about an hour ago. She is conscious and alert, but anxious. Her blood pressure is 144/84 mm Hg and her heart rate is 110 beats/min. She took two of her prescribed nitroglycerin (0.4-mg tablets) before your arrival but still feels heaviness in her chest. You should: • A. give her high-flow oxygen, avoid giving her any more nitroglycerin because it may cause a drop in her blood pressure, and transport. • B. recall that geriatric patients often take multiple medications and that interactions can occur with potentially negative effects. • C. assist her in taking one more of her nitroglycerin tablets, reassess her blood pressure, and contact medical control for further instructions. • D. transport her at once and wait at least 20 minutes before you consider assisting her with a third dose of her prescribed nitroglycerin.
C. assist her in taking one more of her nitroglycerin tablets, reassess her blood pressure, and contact medical control for further instructions.
When assessing a patient with signs and symptoms of shock, it is important to remember that: • A. the patient's respirations are deep during the early stages of shock. • B. irreversible shock often responds well to a prompt blood transfusion. • C. blood pressure may be the last measurable factor to change in shock. • D. multiple fractures are the most common cause of hypovolemic shock.
C. blood pressure may be the last measurable factor to change in shock.
The jaw-thrust maneuver is used to open the airway of patients with suspected: • A. mandibular fractures. • B. upper airway swelling. • C. cervical spine injuries. • D. copious oral secretions.
C. cervical spine injuries.
You are treating a middle-aged man with chest discomfort. He has a history of three previous heart attacks and takes nitroglycerin as needed for chest pain. You have standing orders to administer aspirin to patients with suspected cardiac-related chest pain or discomfort. While your partner is preparing to give oxygen to the patient, you should: • A. assist the patient in taking one of his prescribed nitroglycerins, assess his vital signs, and give him aspirin if he is still experiencing chest discomfort. • B. confirm that the patient is not allergic to aspirin, give him the appropriate dose of aspirin, and document the time and dose given. • C. contact medical control, apprise him or her of the patient's chief complaint and vital signs, and request permission to give him aspirin. • D. ensure that the patient's systolic blood pressure is at least 100 mm Hg because aspirin dilates the blood vessels and can cause a dr
C. contact medical control, apprise him or her of the patient's chief complaint and vital signs, and request permission to give him aspirin.
When assessing the skin of an unresponsive patient, you note that it has a bluish tint to it. This finding is called: • A. pallor. • B. flushing. • C. cyanosis. • D. mottling.
C. cyanosis.
When approaching a 32-year-old male who is complaining of traumatic neck pain, you should: • A. stand behind him and immediately stabilize his head. • B. approach him from behind and ask him not to move. • C. ensure that the patient can see you approaching him. • D. assess his mental status by having him move his head.
C. ensure that the patient can see you approaching him.
Upon arriving at a potentially unsafe scene, you should first: • A. remove all bystanders. • B. request another ambulance. • C. ensure that you are safe. • D. move the patient to safety.
C. ensure that you are safe.
A blood pressure cuff that is too small for a patient's arm will give a: • A. falsely high systolic and diastolic reading. • B. falsely low systolic and diastolic reading. • C. falsely low systolic but high diastolic reading. • D. falsely high systolic but low diastolic reading.
C. falsely low systolic but high diastolic reading.
You should suspect that a patient is experiencing respiratory failure if he or she: • A. is anxious, tachycardic, and leaning forward. • B. has an increased heart rate and retractions. • C. is restless and is working hard to breathe. • D. has bradycardia and diminished muscle tone.
C. is restless and is working hard to breathe.
Shortly after assisting a 65-year-old female with her prescribed nitroglycerin, she begins complaining of dizziness and experiences a drop of 30 mm Hg in her systolic blood pressure. The patient remains conscious and her breathing is adequate. You should: • A. assist ventilations with a bag-valve mask. • B. wait 5 minutes and reassess her blood pressure. • C. place her in a supine position. • D. transport her in a sitting position.
C. place her in a supine position.
The "Golden Hour" begins when an injury occurs and ends when: • A. you arrive at the emergency department. • B. the patient is admitted to the ICU. • C. the patient receives definitive care. • D. you depart the scene for the hospital.
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: • A. apply the AED and analyze her cardiac rhythm. • B. document your findings and perform a detailed assessment. • 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.
Which of the following questions is used to determine a patient's chief complaint? • A. "When did the chest pain begin?" • B. "Do you have a history of diabetes?" • C. "Are you having trouble breathing?" • D. "What seems to be the matter?"
D. "What seems to be the matter?"
For an adult, the normal resting pulse should be between: • A. 100 and 110 beats/min. • B. 40 and 50 beats/min. • C. 50 and 60 beats/min. • D. 60 and 100 beats/min.
D. 60 and 100 beats/min.
In which of the following patients would the head tilt-chin lift maneuver be the MOST appropriate method of opening the airway? • A. A 50-year-old male who is unconscious following head trauma. • B. A 24-year-old male who is found unconscious at the base of a tree. • C. A 45-year-old male who is semiconscious after falling 20 feet. • D. A 37-year-old female who is found unconscious in her bed.
D. A 37-year-old female who is found unconscious in her bed.
Which of the following patients should you place in the recovery position? • A. A 24-year-old unconscious female who overdosed and has a reduced tidal volume. • B. A 19-year-old conscious male with a closed head injury and normal respirations. • C. A 31-year-old semiconscious male with low blood sugar and adequate breathing. • D. A 40-year-old conscious female with a possible neck injury and regular respirations.
D. A 40-year-old conscious female with a possible neck injury and regular respirations.
Which of the following patients would MOST likely require insertion of an oropharyngeal airway? • A. A 64-year-old conscious patient with rapid and deep respirations. • B. A 51-year-old confused patient with severely labored respirations. • C. A 33-year-old semiconscious patient with reduced tidal volume. • D. A 40-year-old unconscious patient with slow, shallow respirations.
D. A 40-year-old unconscious patient with slow, shallow respirations.
Which of the following statements regarding stridor is correct? • A. It suggests the presence of fluid in the lungs. • B. It is a whistling sound heard in the lower airway. • C. It is caused by incorrect airway positioning. • D. It is a high-pitched, crowing upper airway sound.
D. It is a high-pitched, crowing upper airway sound.
A 56-year-old male is found semiconscious by his wife. Your assessment reveals that his respirations are rapid and shallow, his pulse is rapid and irregular, and his blood pressure is low. The patient's wife states that he complained of left arm pain and nausea the day before, but would not allow her to call 9-1-1. The MOST likely cause of this patient's present condition is: • A. dehydration from GI virus. • B. a ruptured aortic aneurysm. • C. severe septic hypoperfusion. • D. acute myocardial infarction.
D. acute myocardial infarction.
You and your partner are treating a 66-year-old man who experienced a sudden onset of respiratory distress. He is conscious but is unable to follow simple verbal commands. Further assessment reveals that his breathing is severely labored and his oxygen saturation is 80%. You should: • A. attempt to insert an oropharyngeal airway. • B. assist his ventilations with a bag-mask device. • C. apply high-flow oxygen via nonrebreathing mask. • D. administer continuous positive airway pressure.
D. administer continuous positive airway pressure.
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. give the patient nitroglycerin to increase his blood pressure. • C. give the patient activated charcoal to rule out a drug overdose. • D. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.
D. administer drugs via the IV route to achieve the fastest effect.
The actual exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide occurs in the: • A. bronchioles. • B. pulmonary capillaries. • C. apex of the lung. • D. alveolar sacs.
D. alveolar sacs.
You respond to a residence for a patient with a severe leg injury following an accident with a chainsaw. When you arrive, you find the patient, a 44-year-old male, lying supine in the backyard. He has a partial amputation of his right lower leg that is actively bleeding. The patient is conscious and breathing adequately; however, he is restless and his skin is diaphoretic. You should: • A. assess the rate and quality of his pulse. • B. administer 100% supplemental oxygen. • C. immediately evaluate his airway. • D. apply direct pressure to the wound.
D. apply direct pressure to the wound.
Poor peripheral circulation will cause the skin to appear: • A. cyanotic. • B. pink. • C. flushed. • D. ashen/pale.
D. ashen/pale.
A 49-year-old male with an extensive cardiac history presents with 2 hours of crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. He is pale and diaphoretic and tells you that he feels like he is going to die. His medications include nitroglycerin, sildenafil (Viagra), and enalapril (Vasotec). His blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg and his heart rate is 110 beats/min. In addition to administering supplemental oxygen if needed, you should: • A. obtain physician approval to give the nitroglycerin. • B. administer one nitroglycerin and call medical control. • C. place him in a supine position and transport at once. • D. ask him if he took his Viagra within the past 24 hours.
D. ask him if he took his Viagra within the past 24 hours.
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 yet. After administering supplemental oxygen, if needed, and contacting medical control, you should: • A. administer the nitroglycerin unless he has taken Viagra within the past 72 hours. • B. administer up to three doses of nitroglycerin before assessing his blood pressure. • C. begin immediate transport and request a rendezvous with a paramedic unit. • D. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg.
D. assist him with his nitroglycerin unless his systolic blood pressure is less than 100 mm Hg.
When you inspect a patient's pupils with a penlight, the pupils should normally react to the light by: • A. enlarging. • B. dilating. • C. fluttering. • D. constricting.
D. constricting.
To select the proper size oropharyngeal airway, you should measure from the: • A. angle of the jaw to the center of the mouth. • B. center of the mouth to the posterior ear. • C. corner of the mouth to the superior ear. • D. corner of the mouth to the earlobe.
D. corner of the mouth to the earlobe.
