EMT Retest
A 60-year-old man complains of chest pain. He is conscious and alert and denies shortness of breath. Which of the following questions would be the MOST appropriate to ask him?
"Do you have any heart problems or take any medications?"
Which of the following medical history questions would be of LEAST pertinence in an acute situation?
"Does your mother have diabetes?"
Which of the following statements is NOT appropriate to document in the narrative section of a PCR?
"General impression revealed that the patient was intoxicated."
Which of the following questions would you ask a patient to ascertain the "M" in the SAMPLE history?
"How much Tylenol do you take each day?"
Which of the following patient responses would establish the "E" in the SAMPLE history?
"I was mowing the lawn when the pain began."
You are interviewing a 52-year-old man who complains of chest discomfort. The patient is a retired paramedic and is very anxious because he thinks he is having a heart attack. Which of the following statements would be appropriate to say?
"It is possible that you are experiencing a heart attack. I am going to give you four baby aspirin to chew and swallow."
Which of the following statements would NOT be appropriate to say to the family of a dying patient?
"Things will get better in time."
Common questions asked by patients with a serious illness or injury include all of the following, EXCEPT:
"What hospital am I going to?"
Which of the following questions is used to determine a patient's chief complaint?
"What seems to be the matter?"
Which of the following statements regarding the rapid extrication technique is correct?
- The rapid extrication technique is indicated if the scene is unsafe and the patient is not entrapped in his or her vehicle.
A folding or portable stretcher is MOST beneficial when
- a second patient must be transported on the squad bench of the ambulance.
Which of the following is the BEST example of gaining simple access to a patient?
- entering a vehicle through an open window
As you and your team are removing an unconscious patient from her wrecked car, you note that she has closed deformities to both of her legs and a deformity to her left humerus. You should
- support the injured extremities and continue removal.
A type _____ ambulance features a conventional, truck cab-chassis with a modular ambulance body that can be transferred to a newer chassis as needed
1
The distal cuff on an ET tube should be inflated with no more than ______ of air after it is placed into the trachea.
10 mL
At rest, the normal adult heart rate should not exceed:
100 beats/min.
Trench collapses usually involve large areas of falling dirt that weigh approximately _______ per cubic foot
100 lb
When parking your ambulance at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you should position the ambulance
100′ past the scene on the same side of the road.
The normal respiratory rate for an adult should range from:
12 to 20 breaths per minute.
Which of the following over-the-needle IV catheters has the largest diameter?
14-gauge
What percentage of exhaled oxygen is delivered during mouth-to-mask breathing without supplemental oxygen?
16%
During a 30-minute transport of a stable patient, you should reassess him or her at least ________ times.
2
Making eye contract, recognizing caregivers, and following a bright light with their eyes are initially noticed in what age group
2 to 6 months
How long should the EMT irrigate a burn to the eye caused by a strong acid or alkali?
20 minutes
A person is said to be obese when he or she is ________ over his or her ideal weight
20% to 30%
The air you breathe is _______ oxygen, and the air you exhale is _______ oxygen.
21%, 16%
When an ET tube is placed in an adult patient, the tube-to-teeth mark is usually around:
22 cm.
Which of the following IV catheters would deliver fluid at the slowest rate?
22-gauge
Once an IV solution is removed from its protective wrap, it must be used within:
24 hours.
If a mask cannot be placed on a coughing patient, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that you maintain a distance of at least ________ feet if possible.
3
Portable and mounted suction units must be powerful enough to generate a vacuum of at least ____ mm Hg when the tubing is clamped
300
In two-rescuer adult CPR you should deliver a compression to ventilation ratio of:
30:2
An unstable patient should be reassessed at least every:
5 minutes.
Common IV solutions used in the prehospital setting include all of the following EXCEPT:
5% albumin solution.
The average adult has approximately ___________ of blood in his or her body.
6 L
After ________ minutes without oxygen brain damage is likely:
6 minutes
Saying their first word, sitting without support, and teething are initially noticed in what age group
6 to 12 months
A microdrip administration set delivers 1 mL of fluid after every ______ drops.
60
For an adult, the normal resting pulse should be between:
60 and 100 beats/min.
The SA node normally paces at a rate of:
60 to 100/min.
The full-body scan of a patient that occurs following the primary assessment should take no longer than:
60 to 90 seconds.
In the adult, bradycardia is defined as a pulse rate less than _______ beats/min, and tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than _______ beats/min.
60, 100
What is the minimum size of a helicopter land zone
60x60
For which of the following patients would the use of a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device be of MOST benefit?
62-year-old man with severe respiratory distress, a history of congestive heart failure, and audible rhonchi in the lungs
Although you should carry a variety of endotracheal (ET) tube sizes a _____ ET tube will adequately fit most adults:
7.5-mm
At what systolic blood pressure should you recognize that an adult patient is in decompensated shock?
90 mm Hg
Which of the following statements regarding a 3-month-old infant is correct
A 3-month-old infant can distinguish a parent from a stranger
In which of the following situations is a pertinent negative identified?
A 59-year-old man complains of crushing chest pain but denies shortness of breath.
Which of the following statements regarding cervical collars is correct
A cervical collar is used in addition to not instead of manual immobilization
Which of the following statements regarding a patient refusal is MOST correct?
A mentally competent adult has the legal right to refuse EMS care and transport.
Which of the following general statements regarding consent is MOST correct?
A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated.
Which of the following statements regarding smooth muscle is correct?
A person has no voluntary control over smooth muscle.
Which of the following statements regarding a patient with a behavioral crisis is correct?
A quiet patient is not as likely to attack you as one who is screaming.
Which of the following skills or interventions is included at every level of prehospital emergency training?
AED
Which of the following statements regarding the use of the AED in children is correct?
AED use in children up to 8 years of age involves pediatric pads and an energy reduce
The only route of communication between the atria and the ventricles is/are the:
AV node.
Which of the following open soft-tissue injuries is limited to the superficial layer of the skin and results in the least amount of blood loss?
Abrasion
The most appropriate treatment for a patient with mild upper airway obstruction includes:
Administering oxygen and transporting immediately
Which of the following statements regarding agonal respirations is correct?
Agonal respirations are ineffective and need to be assisted.
Causes of delirium in the older patient include all of the following, EXCEPT
Alzheimer disease
Which of the following errors is an example of a knowledge-based failure?
An EMT administers the wrong drug to a patient because she did not know the pertinent information about the drug.
Which of the following statements regarding the EMS medical director and an EMT's scope of practice is correct?
An EMT's scope of practice may be expanded by the medical director after proper training and state approval.
Which of the following statements regarding anaerobic metabolism is correct?
Anaerobic metabolism produces lactic acid and occurs when cellular oxygen is limited.
Noncardiovascular causes of shock are respiratory failure and?
Anaphylaxis
Initial treatment to dislodge a severe foreign body airway obstruction in a responsive infant involves?
Back slaps
Which of the following statements is true regarding facial fractures
Be sure to remove and save any loose teeth or bone fragments from the mouth.
Which of the following statements regarding the blood pressure is correct?
Blood pressure is usually not measured in children younger than 3 years of age.
Which of the following pupillary changes would indicate depressed brain function?
Both pupils dilate with introduction of a bright light.
When assessing the pulse of and unresponsive infant you should palpate the _____ artery
Brachial
Which of the following is not an indication to stp CPR once you have started
Care is transferred to a bystander
You are dispatched to the scene of a building explosion. Upon arrival you see people frantically fling the building screaming "everyone is passing out" you should
Carefully assess the situation and ensure your own safety
Which of the following statements regarding a pediatric patient's anatomy is correct
Children have a larger, rounder occiput compared to adults.
Children with N meningitides would MOST likely present with
Children with N meningitides would MOST likely present with: cherry-red spots or a purplish rash
Which of the following statements regarding interaction with the caregiver of a child or adult with special health care needs is correct?
Communication with the patient's caregiver or family members is important because they are the most familiar with the patient's condition
Which of the following statements regarding crush syndrome is correct?
Compromised arterial blood flow leads to crush syndrome and can occur when an area of the body is trapped for longer than 4 hours.
When an eyeball has been displaced from its socket what should the EMT do.
Cover the eye. Stabilize the eye. Cover both eyes. (all of the above)
Your partner, a veteran EMT who you have worked with regularly for the past 4 years, seems unusually agitated during a call involving an elderly patient. Upon arrival back at your station, you note the obvious smell of alcohol on his breath. What should you do?
Discreetly report your suspicions to your supervisor.
With regard to the legal implications of child abuse:
EMTs must report all suspected cases of child abuse
ALS providers choose the type and size of the IV catheter based on all of the following factors
EXCEPT the:,gender of the patient.
Complications associated with endotracheal intubation include all of the following
EXCEPT:,left main stem bronchus intubation.
Which of the following areas of the body has the thinnest skin?
Ears
Which of the following statements regarding the cranium is correct
Eighty percent of the cranium is occupied by brain tissue
What should you do before attempting to access a patient trapped in a vehicle?
Ensure the vehicle is stable.
The sebaceous glands produce sebum a material that:
Entrance wounds are small relative to the amount of internal tissue damage.
Which of the following statements regarding electrical burns is correct?
Entrance wounds are small relative to the amount of internal tissue damage.
What layer of the skin forms a watertight protective seal for the body?
Epidermis
Which of the following statements regarding penetrating injuries is correct?
External bleeding may be minimal but internal injuries can be extensive.
Which of the following is the MOST effective strategy for managing stress?
Focus on delivering high-quality patient care.
Which of the following statements regarding trench rescue is correct?
Ground vibration is a primary cause of secondary collapse.
According to the American College of Surgeons an adult trauma patient meets Level I criteria if he or she
Has a GCS score of less than or equal to 8 with a mechanism attributed to trauma
You are transporting a 54-year-old male in cardiac arrest. An EMR is driving the ambulance as you and your partner attempt to resuscitate the patient. What is the MOST logical way of notifying the hospital?
Have the driver contact dispatch and relay the patient information to the hospital.
A 66-year-old male presents with dark red rectal bleeding and abdominal pain. He is conscious and alert; however his skin is cool and clammy and his heart rate is elevated. Further assessment reveals that his blood pressure is 112/60 mm Hg. Which of the following questions would be MOST pertinent to ask him?
Have you experienced recent abdominal trauma?,
___________ pressure is the pressure exerted by a liquid and occurs when blood is moved through the artery at relatively high pressures.
Hydrostatic
Which of the following statements regarding secondary brain injury is correct
Hypoxia and hypotension are the two most common causes of secondary brain injury
which of the following statements regarding the use of the warning lights and siren on the ambulance is correct
If it is necessary to use the siren, you should tell the patient beforehand.
In compensated shock the pulse of the patient usually:
Increases
It is 10:30 PM and you have requested air medical transport for a critically injured patient. When you arrive at the designated landing zone, you should
It is 10:30 PM and you have requested air medical transport for a critically injured patient. When you arrive at the designated landing zone, you should
Which of the following statements regarding a "dedicated line" is MOST correct?
It is a constantly open line of communication that cannot be accessed by outside users.
Which of the following statements regarding the heart is correct?
It is under control of the autonomic nervous system.
Which of the following statements regarding sinus bradycardia is correct?
It may be a normal variant in some individuals.
Which of the following statements regarding the Good Samaritan law is correct?
It will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.
Which of the following maneuvers should be used to open a patient's airway when a spinal injury is suspected?
Jaw thrust
Following blunt abdominal trauma a 30-year-old male complains of referred pain to the left shoulder. This finding is called the:
Kehr sign.
After taking standard precautions what should the EMT do to control epistaxis?
Lean the patient forward.
The impedance threshold device may improve circulation during CPR by:
Limiting the amount of air that enters the lungs during the recoil phase between chest compressions which result in negative intrathoracic pressure and improved cardiac filling
Which of the following skull fractures would be the LEAST likely to present with palpable deformity or other outward signs.
Linear
If the incident command system is already established at the scene of a WMD or terrorist attack the EMT you should
Locate the medical staging officer to obtain his or her assignment
Which of the following statements regarding autism is correct
Most cases of autism are diagnosed by 3 years of age
EMT training in nearly every state meets or exceeds the guidelines recommended by the:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Which of the following statements regarding nitroglycerin is correct?
Nitroglycerin usually relieves anginal chest pain within 5 minutes.
Which of the following statements regarding the hepatitis B vaccine is correct?
OSHA requires that your employer offer you the vaccine free of charge.
Immediately upon arriving at the scene of an emergency call involving a traumatic injury, you should notify the dispatcher of your arrival and then
Observe the scene for safety hazards
Which of the following statements regarding suicide in the older patient is correct
Older patients tend to use more lethal means than younger patients
which of the following items would MOST likely require special protocols in order to be carried on the ambulance
PASG
Which of the following statements regarding gastrostomy (gastric) tubes is correct?
Patients with a gastrostomy tube may still be at risk for aspiration.
Which of the following statements regarding patients with developmental disabilities is correct
Patients with developmental disabilities are susceptible to the same disease processes as other patients.
Nerve agents a class of chemicals called organophosphates were first discovered while in search of a superior
Pesticide
Which of the following is the MOST accurate guide to palpating a pulse?
Place the tips of your index and long fingers over the pulse point.
Which of the following statements regarding plasma is correct?
Plasma transports the blood cells and nutrients.
When arriving at the scene of an over turned tractor-trailer rig, you notice that a green cloud is being emitted from the crash vehicle. The driver is still in the truck; he is conscious but bleeding profusely from the head. After notifying the hazardous materials team, you should
Position the ambulance upwind
Pulmonary hemorrhage and inner ear damage are examples of ____ blast injuries
Primary
Which of the following statements regarding anthrax is correct
Pulmonary anthrax is the most deadly form.
Your partner is performing one-rescuer CPR on a middle aged woman in cardiac arrest: When you apply the AED pads you note that she has a medic ovation patch over the same area where one of the AED Pads will be placed:. you should.
Remove the medication patch wipe away and medication residue and apply the AED pads
Which of the following correctly describes the normal path of electricity through the cardiac conduction system?
SA node, internodal pathways, AV node, bundle of His, left and right bundle branches, Purkinje system
Signs and symptoms of exposure to a nerve agent include
Salivation, pinpoint pupils, and diarrhea
Your paramedic partner has just acquired a 12-lead ECG on a middle-aged man with chest discomfort. The patient is conscious, but anxious. His blood pressure is 140/84 mm Hg and his heart rate is 80 beats/min. He has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. Your partner states that she believes the patient is experiencing a myocardial infarction of the anterior wall. Which of the following is the MOST likely basis for her statement?
She has detected ST segment elevation in leads V3 and V4.
Which of the following statements regarding blast injuries is correct
Solid organs are relatively protected from shock wave injury but may be injured during the secondary or tertiary blast phase.
When treating a patient who exhibits signs and symptoms of shock which of the following actions would not be appropriate?
Splint all suspected extremity fractures.
Which of the following statements regarding standing orders is MOST correct?
Standing orders should be followed when physician contact is not possible.
Which of the following statements regarding communication with a child is MOST correct?
Standing over a child often increases his or her level of anxiety.
Which of the following statements regarding ventricular fibrillation is most correct?
Survival rates decrease by 7% to 10% for each minute that V-vin persists
During an altercation in a bar two patrons got into a fist fight. The first patient a 44-year-old female was struck in the mouth and refuses EMS care. The second patient a 39-year-old female has a small laceration to her left knuckle and also refuses EMS care. Which of the following statements regarding this scenario is MOST correct?
The 39-year-old female is at high risk for an infection.
Which of the following statements regarding the AED and defibrillation is correct?
The AED will not analyze the rhythm of a moving patient.
The MOST accurate method for determining if you are delivering adequate tidal volume to a child during bag-mask ventilations is to
The MOST accurate method for determining if you are delivering adequate tidal volume to a child during bag-mask ventilations is to
Which of the following statements regarding the rule of nines is correct?
The anterior trunk of an adult is equal to 18% of the BSA.
Which of the following statements regarding low-energy penetrating injuries is correct?
The area of injury is usually close to the path the object took through the body
Which of the following statements regarding the dermis is correct?
The dermis contains hair follicles sweat glands and nerve endings.
Which of the following processes occurs during the inflammation phase of the healing process?
The immune system releases histamines which cause vasodilation and increased capillary permeability resulting in local redness and swelling.
Which of the following observations or statements represents the "E" in the GEMS diamond?
The patient's residence is cold due to a malfunctioning heater.
Which of the following statements regarding abdominal eviscerations is correct?
The protruding organs should be kept warm and moist
Which of the following statements regarding gunshot wounds is correct?
The speed of a bullet has the greatest impact on producing injury.
Which of the following statements regarding the use of nasopharyngeal airways in children is correct
They are rarely used in infants younger than 1 year.
Which of the following statements regarding motor nerves is correct
They carry information from the CNS to the muscles
Which of the following statements regarding anterior nosebleeds is correct.
They usually originate from the septum area and bleed slowly.
Which of the following leads views the lateral wall of the left ventricle?
V5 and V6
Which of the following statements regarding multilumen airway devices is correct?
Ventilations can be provided whether the device is in the trachea or the esophagus.
What is a Volutrol and when should it be used?
Volutrol is a 100-mL calibrated drip chamber that can be shut off from the IV bag. It should be used to prevent fluid overload in pediatric and geriatric patients.
Which of the following statements regarding the King LT airway is correct:
When the King LT is properly placed in the esophagus one cuff is designed to seal the esophagus and the other cuff is designed to seal the oropharynx.
Which of the following patients would MOST likely demonstrate typical signs of infection, such as a fever?
a 17-year-old male with depression and anxiety
Which of the following scenarios does NOT involve the presence of any symptoms?
a 61-year-old female who is unconscious with facial cyanosis
Which of the following scenarios does NOT involve the administration of ALS?
a 64-year-old cardiac arrest patient who is defibrillated with an automated external defibrillator (AED)
In order for electricity to flow through the body and cause damage:
a complete circuit must exist between the electrical source and the ground.
Negative pressure breathing involves:
a drop in pressure within the chest cavity.
Vasovagal reactions that occur in patients receiving IV therapy are MOST often the result of:
a fear of needles or the sight of blood.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is a term used to describe:
a group of symptoms that are caused by myocardial ischemia.
When a patient has one pupil larger than the other the EMT should suspect.
a head injury.
A decrease in the blood pressure may indicate:
a loss of vascular tone.
Which of the following situations would require the use of a specialized rescue team
a patient trapped in a cave or a confined space
Which of the following patients does NOT have an altered mental status?
a patient with an acute allergic reaction and dizziness
Compression injuries to the abdomen that occur during a motor vehicle crash are typically the result of:
a poorly placed lap belt.
Information included in a radio report to the receiving hospital should include all of the following, EXCEPT:
a preliminary diagnosis of the patient's problem.
A flail chest occurs when
a segment of the chest wall is detached from the thoracic cage
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert for:
a seizure
Which of the following descriptions MOST accurately portrays emergency medical services (EMS)?
a team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured
What is the "halo test"?
a test for cerebrospinal fluid in the blood
Movement or motion away from the body's midline is called:
abduction
An infant with severe dehydration would be expected to present with
absent urine output
The final stage of death and dying is MOST commonly displayed as:
acceptance.
The femoral head forms a ball-and-socket joint with the:
acetabulum.
You are transporting an elderly woman who has possibly experienced a stroke. She is obviously scared but is unable to talk and cannot move the entire right side of her body. In addition to providing the medical care that she needs, you should:
acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you are going to take good care of her.
Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to cause an altered level of consciousness?
acute anxiety
Prior to performing orotracheal intubation in a cardiac arrest patient it is MOST important to:
adequately preoxygenate with a bag-mask device.
a 39 year old male was struck in the head by a baseball during a game. he is confused has a large hematoma in the center of his forehead and cannot remember the events preceding the injury. after manually stabilizing his head and assessing his airway you should
administer high flow oxygen
While jogging a 19-year-old male experienced an acute onset of shortness of breath and pleuritic chest pain. He is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. Your assessment reveals that he has diminished breath sounds over the left side of the chest. You should
administer oxygen and transport to the hospital
Medical control gives you an order that seems inappropriate for the patient's condition. After confirming that you heard the physician correctly, you should:
advise the physician that the order is unclear and ask for clarification.
A 15-year-old boy was killed when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He has numerous disfiguring injuries and has been placed in the back of the ambulance to shield him from curious bystanders. When the child's parents arrive at the scene, they demand to see him. You should:
advise them that their son had severely disfiguring injuries and ask them if there is anyone they would like you to contact first.
When immobilizing a seated patient with a short backboard or vest-style immobilization device you should apply a cervical collar
after assessing distal neurovascular functions
When functioning at the scene of a motor vehicle crash in which a patient will require complex extrication, you should enter the vehicle and provide care to the patient
after receiving approval from the extrication officer.
A normal level of consciousness in an infant or child is characterized by
age-appropriate behavior, good muscle tone, and good eye contact
Elderly patients with abdominal problems may not exhibit the same pain response as younger patients because of:
age-related deterioration of their sensory systems.
A 37-year-old male was pinned between a flatbed truck and a loading dock. On exam you find bruising to the chest distended neck veins bilaterally diminished breath sounds and bilateral scleral hemorrhaging. You should
aggressively manage his airway
An open pneumothorax occurs when
air enters the pleural space from outside the body
An elderly patient has fallen and hit her head. You assess her level of consciousness as unresponsive using the AVPU scale. Your initial care should focus on:
airway, breathing, and circulation.
Submersion injuries in the adolescent age group are MOST commonly associated with
alcohol
According to the Emergency Medical Treatment and Active Labor Act (EMTALA):
all health care facilities must provide a medical assessment and required treatment, regardless of the patient's ability to pay.
Palliating factors regarding a patient's pain involve those that:
alleviate the pain.
During your assessment of a 20-year-old man with a severe headache and nausea, you ask him when his headache began, but he does not answer your question immediately. You should:
allow him time to think about the question and respond to it.
When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should:
allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.
During the attempted resuscitation of an infant with suspected SIDS
allow the family to observe if they wish
The purpose of the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) is to
allow you to rapidly and visually form a general impression of the child.
Cross-contamination occurs when
an EMT is exposed to a victim who has not yet been decontaminated.
A single ECG complex consists of all of the following components, EXCEPT:
an R-R interval.
Any unresponsive trauma patient should be assumed to have
an accompanying spinal injury
Common causes of depression in the elderly include all of the following, EXCEPT:
an acute onset of dementia.
Approximately 20 minutes after initiating an IV line of normal saline, your patient complains of generalized itching and develops a generalized rash. These are signs and symptoms of:
an allergic reaction.
A 73-year-old female experienced a syncopal episode while watching TV. She is now conscious, but is diaphoretic, tachycardic, and hypotensive. Your assessment reveals abdominal tenderness and a pulsating mass to the left of her umbilicus. You should be MOST suspicious for
an aortic aneurysm
A normal sinus rhythm (NSR) is characterized by all of the following, EXCEPT:
an irregular heart rate.
You and your partner respond to the residence of a 66-year-old male with shortness of breath. As you are assessing the patient, his wife tells you that he was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. The patient is verbally abusive and tells you that failure of the health care system caused his disease. What stage of the grieving process is this patient's behavior consistent with?
anger
Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via:
animals or insects.
Points of distribution (PODs) are strategically placed facilities where
antidotes, antibiotics, and vaccines are distributed.
A disease vector is defined as:
any agent that acts as a carrier or transporter.
A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is MOST accurately defined as
any agent used to bring about mass death, casualties, or massive infrastructural damage.
The major artery that supplies all other arteries with blood is the:
aorta
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:,reconfirm that the ET tube is still correctly positioned.
You are transporting a 40-year-old male with respiratory distress. The patient tells you that he recently had a positive tuberculosis (TB) skin test and is currently being evaluated for possible TB. You should:
apply a nonrebreathing mask on the patient and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on yourself.
A young female was involved in a motor vehicle crash. She complains of pain to her left eye which appears to have a piece of glass impaled in it. Further assessment reveals a large laceration to her left forearm with active venous bleeding. As your partner manually stabilizes the patient's head you should.
apply direct pressure to her arm wound
If gastric distention is so severe that is makes positive-pressure ventilation extremely difficult or impossible you may have to:
apply manual pressure to the abdomen
Most cases of external bleeding from an extremity can be controlled by.
applying local direct pressure
Common activities that occur while you and your partner are en route to the scene of an emergency call include all of the following, EXCEPT
apprising the medical director of the nature of the call
When a helicopter must land on a grade (uneven ground), you should
approach the aircraft from the downhill side.
A short backboard or vest-style immobilization device is indicated for patients who.
are in a sitting position and are clinically stable
During your monthly internal quality improvement (QI) meeting, you review several patient care reports (PCRs) with the staff of your EMS system. You identify the patient's name, age, and sex, and then discuss the treatment that was provided by the EMTs in the field. By taking this approach to the QI process, you:
are in violation of HIPAA because you did not remove the PHI from the PCR beforehand.
Unlike viruses and bacteria, neurotoxins:
are not contagious
Under what circumstances is a left ventricular assist device used
as a bridge to heart transplantation while a donor heart is being located
You are assessing a 75-year-old woman with mild shortness of breath. As you are asking her questions regarding her chief complaint and medical history, you progressively move closer and closer to her. In doing this, it is important to remember that:
as you physically get closer to the patient, a greater and greater sense of trust must be established.
Poor peripheral circulation will cause the skin to appear:
ashen
Despite numerous, sincere efforts to convince a 40-year-old man to consent to EMS treatment and transport, he refuses. After explaining the potential consequences of his refusal and determining that he has decision-making capacity, you ask him to sign an EMS refusal form, but he refuses to do that as well. You should:
ask a family member, law enforcement officer, or bystander to sign the form verifying that the patient refused to sign.
When assessing a 78-year-old female who complains of shortness of breath, the EMT should
ask her how many pillows she uses when she sleeps
Your unit has been dispatched to stand by at the scene of a structure fire. There are no injuries of which you are aware. Upon arriving at the scene, you should
ask the incident commander where the ambulance should be staged.
You are attempting to gain access to a patient who was injured when his truck struck another vehicle from behind. The patient is conscious and alert, but is screaming in pain. You try to open the door, but it is locked. You should
ask the patient if he can unlock the door.
When assessing arm movement of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
When interacting with a developmentally disabled patient, the best approach is to:
ask your team members to wait until you can establish a rapport with the patient
Which of the following medications is commonly given to patients with chest pain to prevent blood clots from forming or getting bigger?
aspirin
You have applied a dressing and roller-gauze bandage to a laceration on the arm of a young female. During transport she begins to complain of numbness and tingling in her hand. You should:
assess distal circulation and readjust the bandage as needed.
After your partner assumes manual in-line stabilization of the patient's head you should
assess distal neurovascular status in the extremities
Upon arriving at the residence of a patient with a possible cardiac problem, it is MOST important to:
assess the scene for potential hazards.
A patient regains consciousness en route from his office to the emergency department. The patient tells you that he feels fine and does not want to go to the hospital. Under these circumstances, you should:
assess whether or not the patient's mental condition is impaired.
According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an EMT should be able to:
assist a patient with certain prescribed medications.
After eating at a local restaurant, a 20-year-old male complains of blurred vision, difficulty speaking, and difficulty breathing. He is conscious; however, his respirations are profoundly labored and producing minimal tidal volume. You should
assist his ventilations with 100% oxygen
A 20-year-old male was accidentally shot in the right upper abdominal quadrant with an arrow during an archery contest. Prior to your arrival the patient removed the arrow. Your assessment reveals that he is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. The entrance wound is bleeding minimally and appears to be superficial. You should:
assume that the arrow injured an internal organ.
Which of the following cardiac arrhythmias is characterized by a complete absence of myocardial electrical and mechanical activity?
asystole
Minimum staffing in the patient compartment of a basic life support (BLS) ambulance includes:
at least one EMT
Narrowing of the coronary arteries due to a buildup of fatty deposits is called:
atherosclerosis.
Multiple people in a small town began experiencing abdominal cramps, excessive salivation and urination, and muscle twitching shortly after a small crop duster plane made several passes over the community. As you are assessing the patients, you further determine that most of them are bradycardic and have miosis. In addition to 100% oxygen, the MOST important treatment for these patients includes
atropine and pralidoxime chloride (2-PAM).
A 2-year-old female has experienced a seizure. When you arrive at the scene, the child is conscious, crying, and clinging to her mother. Her skin is hot and moist. The mother tells you that the seizure lasted approximately 5 minutes. She further tells you that her daughter has no history of seizures, but has had a recent ear infection. You should
attempt cooling measures, offer oxygen, and transport
Because of the complexity of the older patient and the vagueness of his or her complaint, you should
attempt to differentiate between chronic and acute problems
Which of the following situations requires you to notify the appropriate authorities?
attempted suicide
Which of the following is the MOST effective method of assessing the quality of air movement in the lungs?
auscultating breath sounds with a stethoscope
The ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract spontaneously without a stimulus from a nerve source is called:
automaticity
When documenting a case of suspected elder abuse, it is MOST important for the EMT to
avoid documenting any unsupported opinions.
When treating a patient who experienced a pulmonary blast injury you should
avoid giving oxygen under positive pressure
When documenting a call involving a female patient who was sexually assaulted the EMT should:
avoid speculation and document only factual data.
When treating a partial-thickness burn you should:
avoid the use of creams lotions or antiseptics.
An injury that separates various layers of soft tissue resulting in complete detachment or a flap of skin is called a(n):
avulsion.
Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver that is located in a fixed location is called a:
base station.
Advanced airway management techniques should performed ONLY after:
basic airway techniques have been completed.
An adult patient who is NOT experiencing difficulty breathing will:
be able to speak in complete sentences without unusual pauses.
Regardless of where portable and mounted oxygen cylinders are stored in the ambulance, they must
be capable of delivering oxygen at 1 to 15 L/min.
When assessing or providing care to a patient with a developmental disability, you should
be observant for signs of fear or reluctance from the patient.
An 8-year-old female with a history of asthma continues to experience severe respiratory distress despite being given multiple doses of her prescribed albuterol by her mother. She is conscious, but clearly restless. Her heart rate is 130 beats/min and her respiratory rate is 30 breaths/min. She is receiving high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. You should
be prepared to assist her ventilations, transport at once, and request an ALS intercept en route to the hospital
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:
be reasonable and realistic to avoid overburdening your personnel.
When transporting a patient to the hospital, you should:
be safe and get the patient to the hospital in the shortest practical time.
When you shine a light into one pupil, the normal reaction of the other pupil should be to:
become smaller.
A 38-year-old male was electrocuted while attempting to wire a house. Your assessment reveals that he is unresponsive pulseless and apneic. A coworker has shut off the power to the house. You should:
begin CPR and apply the AED.
A 60-year-old male is found to be unresponsive pulseless and apneic. You should:
begin CPR until an AED is available
When faced with a situation in which a patient is in cardiac arrest, and a valid living will or DNR order cannot be located, you should:
begin resuscitation at once.
When you and your partner arrive at the residence of a man in cardiac arrest, you immediately recognize the patient as the drunk driver who killed your brother several years earlier. A backup ambulance is en route to the scene. You should:
begin two-rescuer CPR and apply the automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible.
When a patient is dying, he or she may experience regression. This is MOST accurately defined as:
behavior consistent with an earlier developmental stage.
Carbon monoxide blocks the ability of the blood to oxygenate the body because it:
binds with the hemoglobin in the red blood cells.
Other than personal safety equipment, which of the following should be the MOST readily accessible item in the back of an ambulance
bleeding control supplies
Death caused by shaken baby syndrome is usually the result of
bleeding in the brain
When ventilating a pediatric patient with a bag-mask device, the EMT should
block the pop-off valve if needed to achieve adequate chest rise
When an electrical impulse reaches the AV node, it is slowed for a brief period of time so that:
blood can pass from the atria to the ventricles.
Intrapulmonary shunting occurs when:
blood coming from the right side of the heart bypasses nonfunctional alveoli and returns to the left side of the heart in an unoxygenated state.
Which of the following sets of vital signs depicts Cushing's triad.
blood pressure 190/110 mm Hg; pulse 55 beats/min; respirations 30 breaths/min
A football player was struck by another player in the right flank area just below the posterior rib cage. He complains of severe pain and point tenderness to the area. Your assessment reveals that there is a small amount of blood in his underwear. You should be MOST suspicious for:
blunt injury to the kidney.
The MOST ominous sign of impending cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children is
bradycardia
The central nervous system (CNS) is composed of the
brain and spinal cord.
Cerebral palsy is a condition that results from damage or injury to the
brain.
The autonomic nervous system controls all of the following functions, EXCEPT:
breath holding.
When performing a full-body scan on a trauma patient, you note the presence of Battle's sign. This is defined as:
bruising behind the ear.
When caring for a patient whose arm is covered with a dry chemical you should:
brush away the chemical before flushing with water.
Which of the following statements regarding severe burns is correct?
brush away the chemical before flushing with water.
You respond to a construction site where a steel girder collapsed on a 22-year-old male's chest. Coworkers removed the girder prior to your arrival. Your assessment reveals that he is unconscious and apneic
but has a pulse. You should:,maintain stabilization of his head, open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver ventilate with a bag-mask device and prepare to intubate him.
In what manner should you act and speak with a patient?
calm and confident
The exchange of oxygen and nutrients for waste products of metabolism occurs at the cellular level in the:
capillaries
Hazards that are associated with a structural fire include all of the following, EXCEPT:
carbon dioxide deficiency.
Which of the following incidents does NOT require a report to be filed with local authorities?
cardiac arrest
A collection of fluid between pericardial sac and myocardium caused by blunt force trauma to chest/ type of obstructive shock
cardiac tamponade/pericardial tamponade
While using lights and siren, most state laws permit an ambulance to
carefully exceed the posted speed limit.
Several attempts to adequately open a trauma patient's airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver have been unsuccessful You should:
carefully perform the head tilt-chin lift maneuver
The spread of HIV and hepatitis in the health care setting can usually be traced to:
careless handling of sharps.
In contrast to animal bites the bite of a human:
carries with it a wide variety of virulent bacteria and viruses.
Local reactions associated with IV therapy include all of the following, EXCEPT:
catheter shear.
Syncope in the older patient is
caused by an interruption of blood flow to the brain.
Regulation of blood flow is determined by?
cellular need
Which part of the central nervous system is responsible for coordinating bodily movements such as writing or sewing?
cerebellum
The three major parts of the brain are the:
cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
Nuerogenic shock usually develops from damage to spinal cord at the:
cervical level
The five sections of the spinal column in descending order are the
cervical thoracic lumbar sacral and coccygeal
When would it be MOST appropriate for a patient to take his or her prescribed nitroglycerin?
chest pain that does not immediately subside with rest
Which of the following techniques should you use to dislodge a foreign body airway obstruction in a patient who is in an advanced stage of pregnancy or who is very obese?
chest thrusts
With regard to the assessment of a patient's cardiovascular status, capillary refill time is MOST reliable in:
children who are younger than 6 years of age.
Vagal nerve stimulators may be an alternative treatment to medication for patients with
chronic seizure disorders
Which of the following is a severe burn in a 35-year-old patient?
circumferential partial-thickness burn to the chest
What three bones make up the shoulder girdle?
clavicle, scapula, humerus
The process of removing dirt, dust, blood, or other visible contaminants from a surface or equipment is called
cleaning.
The most distal four spinal vertebrae, which are fused together, form the:
coccyx
The chief component of connective tissues and bones that deteriorates as people age is called
collagen.
Signs and symptoms of a tension pneumothorax include all of the following EXCEPT
collapsed jugular veins
The germinal layer of the epidermis contains pigment granules that are responsible for skin:
color.
The descending aorta branches into the:
common iliac arteries.
Which of the following is an example of a primary prevention strategy?
community awareness programs that emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving
A 30-year-old male experienced a crushing injury when his arm was trapped between the back of a truck and a loading dock. Upon your arrival the man's arm has been freed. Your assessment reveals that his arm is obviously deformed and swollen and is cold and pale. Further assessment reveals an absent radial pulse. You should be MOST concerned that this patient has:
compartment syndrome.
When assessing breathing for a patient in shock an increased respiratory rate can be a sign of:
compensated shock
Your EMS system uses a computerized PCR in which you fill in the information electronically and then send it to the emergency department via a secure Internet server. The PCR has a comprehensive series of drop-down boxes, which are used to identify your assessment findings and specify the treatment that you provided; it also has a section for your narrative. When completing your PCR after a call, you should:
complete a thorough and accurate narrative because drop-down boxes cannot provide all of the information that needs to be documented.
You should deliver chest compressions to an unconscious adult patient in cardiac arrest by:
compressing the sternum between the nipples
While en route to the scene of a shooting, the dispatcher advises you that the caller states that the perpetrator has fled the scene. You should:
confirm this information with law enforcement personnel at the scene.
Immediately after being dispatched to a residence for an elderly patient with diabetic complications, you should:
confirm with dispatch that you received the call information.
Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience during the postictal state that follows a seizure?
confusion and fatigue
Which of the following nerves allow sensory and motor impulses to be sent from one nerve directly to another.
connecting
A 4-year-old boy had an apparent seizure. He is conscious and calm and is sitting on his mother's lap. His father is sitting in a nearby chair. The child's mother suddenly begins crying uncontrollably, which causes the child to start crying. You should:
consider asking the father to hold the child so you can assess him while your partner tries to calm the mother.
Ethnocentrism is defined as:
considering your own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture.
When you inspect a patient's pupils with a penlight, the pupils should normally react to the light by:
constricting.
The purpose of a jump kit is to
contain anything that you might need during the first 5 minutes of patient care.
While transporting a stable patient with chest pain to the hospital, you come across a major motor vehicle crash involving several critically injured patients. Your MOST appropriate action should be to:
continue transporting your patient and notify the dispatcher of the crash.
The patient care report (PCR) ensures:
continuity of care.
Your presence is requested by law enforcement to assess a 33-year-old female who was sexually assaulted. The patient is conscious and obviously upset. As you are talking to her you note an impressive amount of blood on her clothes in the groin area. Her blood pressure is 98/58 mm Hg her pulse is 130 beats/min and her respirations are 24 breaths/min. You should:
control any external bleeding administer oxygen and transport at once
A closed soft-tissue injury characterized by swelling and ecchymosis is called a(n):
contusion.
During the transport phase of an ambulance call, it is MOST important to:
converse with the patient and provide reassurance.
Hemoptysis is defined as
coughing up blood
When palpating a patient's pulse, you note that it is grossly irregular. You should:
count the pulse rate for a full minute to obtain an accurate reading.
What is another name for the skull.
cranium
You are assessing a woman who was thrown from her horse. She is located in a large field and you can see that a thunderstorm is rapidly approaching. Suddenly, you feel your skin begin to tingle and the hair on your arms stands on end. The ambulance is located about 30 yards away. You should:
crouch down in a position so that only your feet are touching the ground.
What type of stress reaction occurs when an EMT is exposed to many insignificant stressors over a period of several months or years?
cumulative stress reaction
When assessing the skin of an unconscious patient, you note that it has a bluish tint to it. This finding is called:
cyanosis.
Putrefaction is defined as:
decomposition of the body's tissues.
In the prehospital setting, gastric tubes are used primarily to:
decompress the stomach.
It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease
decontaminate
Air bags are designed to:
decrease the severity of deceleration injuries
Ischemic heart disease is MOST accurately defined as:
decreased blood flow to one or more portions of the myocardium.
Cyanosis of the skin is caused by:
decreased blood oxygen.
Determination of exposure is an important component of an infection control plan because it:
defines who is at risk for contact with blood and body fluids and which tasks pose a risk of exposure.
The slow onset of progressive disorientation, shortened attention span, and loss of cognitive function is known as
dementia
You are caring for a 35-year-old female with pregnancy-related complications. She is clearly experiencing significant stress and is crying uncontrollably. Your MOST appropriate action would be to:
demonstrate courtesy and speak with a professional tone of voice.
Which of the following is considered an obvious sign of death and would not require the initiation of CPR?
dependent blood pooling
You arrive at the scene of an apparent death. When evaluating the patient, which of the following is a definitive sign of death?
dependent lividity
Which of the following findings would be LEAST suggestive of the presence of high-energy trauma?
deployment of the air bag
Burns are classified according to:
depth and extent.
a partial thickness burn involves the outer layer of the skin and a portion of the
dermal layer
A partial-thickness burn involves the outer layer of skin and a portion of the:
dermal layer.
A 50-year-old male is found unconscious in his car. There were no witnesses to the event. When gathering medical history information for this patient, the EMT should:
determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card.
When assessing a conscious patient with an MOI that suggests spinal injury you should
determine if the strength in all extremities is equal.
When communicating with a visually impaired patient, you should:
determine the degree of the patient's impairment.
When assessing a geriatric patient who has possibly experienced an acute ischemic stroke, it is MOST important to
determine the onset of the patient's symptoms
When evaluating a patient with multiple complaints, the EMT's responsibility is to:
determine which complaint poses the greatest threat to the patient's life.
Which of the following MOST accurately defines negligence?
deviation from the standard of care that may result in further injury
Difficulty breathing and a sunken appearance of the anterior abdominal wall is MOST indicative of a ruptured:
diaphragm.
Nitroglycerin relieves cardiac-related chest pain by:
dilating the coronary arteries and improving cardiac blood flow.
External bleeding from an extremity can usually be controlled by a combination of:
direct pressure and elevation.
Bleeding from soft-tissue injuries to the face is MOST effectively controlled with.
direct pressure using dry sterile dressings.
Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you find a single patient still seated in his car. There are no scene hazards. As you approach the vehicle, you note that the patient is semiconscious and has a large laceration to his forehead. You should
direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head.
Upon arriving at the residence of an elderly female who apparently fainted, you find the patient lying supine on her living room floor. She is not moving and her eyes are closed. A neighbor tells you that she found the patient this way, but did not move her. When you gently tap the patient, she does not respond. You should
direct your partner to manually stabilize her head while you quickly visualize her chest for signs of breathing.
During the alert and dispatch phase of EMS communications, the dispatcher's responsibilities include all of the following, EXCEPT:
discouraging the caller from providing care until the EMS unit arrives.
The means by which a terrorist will spread a particular agent is called
dissemination.
Accumulation of blood in the abdominal cavity will MOST likely cause:
distention.
An older patient with significant dehydration would MOST likely present with
dizziness or fainting upon standing.
You are dispatched to the residence of an Asian family for a child with a high fever. When you assess the child, you note that he has numerous red marks on his back. The child's parents explain that these marks represent coining—a traditional Asian healing practice in which hot coins are rubbed on the back. You should:
document this on your patient care report and advise the emergency department staff of what the child's parents told you.
A disadvantage of the King LT airway is that it:
does not completely protect the airway from aspiration
The Centennial Park bombing during the 1996 Summer Olympics is an example of
domestic terrorism.
During your assessment of a patient who experienced a blast injury you note that he has a depressed area to the front of his skull. This injury MOST likely occurred
during the tertiary phase
A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing:
dysarthria
The pulse oximeter is an assessment tool used to evaluate the:
effectiveness of oxygenation.
A P wave is created when:
electricity travels through the atria.
Communicating with hearing-impaired patients can be facilitated by doing all of the following, EXCEPT:
elevating the tone of your voice and exaggerating word pronunciation.
Phases of an ambulance call include all of the following activities, EXCEPT
emergency care provided at the scene.
If a patient is being adequately ventilated with a bag-mask device attached to high-flow oxygen:
endotracheal intubation may not be necessary.
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should:
ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
You are dispatched to an office building for a 49-year-old male with chest pain. When you arrive at the scene, you find the patient to be conscious and alert, but in obvious pain. He tells you that he did not call 9-1-1; a coworker did. He further states that he does not want to be treated or transported to the hospital. You should:
ensure that he is aware of the risks of refusing medical care.
A 50-year-old female is found semiconscious by her son. Your assessment reveals that her respirations are slow and shallow and there is vomitus draining from her mouth. When you attempt to suction her oropharynx, she begins to gag. You should:
ensure that her airway is clear, attempt to insert a nasopharyngeal airway, and assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device.
The rescue team is in the process of extricating a 40-year-old male from his truck. The patient's wife, who was uninjured in the crash, is calmly observing the extrication and asks you if her husband will be all right. You should
ensure that she is in a safe area, away from the scene.
An IV line is not running as fast as it should be. There are no signs of infiltration. You should:
ensure that the tourniquet has been released.
After opening a patient's airway, you should:
ensure the airway is clear.
The leaf-shaped flap of tissue that prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing is called the:
epiglottis.
Hemoglobin is a molecule that attaches to ___________ and carries oxygen.
erythrocytes
When performing his or her duties, the EMT is generally expected to:
exercise reasonable care and act prudently.
A spontaneous pneumothorax would MOST likely occur as the result of
exertion of a person with a congenital lung defect
To date, the preferred weapons of mass destruction for terrorists have been
explosive weapons
What type of consent is involved when a 39-year-old mentally competent female with a severe headache asks you to take her to the hospital?
expressed
You suspect that a pregnant 16-year-old girl has a broken leg after she was hit by a car. You explain that you plan to splint her leg, and she agrees to treatment. What type of consent is her agreement considered?
expressed
Risk factors for AMI that cannot be controlled include:
family history
Which of the following is of LEAST pertinence when obtaining medical history information from a patient complaining of chest discomfort?
family history of hypertension
When considering his or her personal life, it is important for the EMT to realize that:
family or friends may not understand the stress associated with EMS.
Which of the following groups of people is associated with the lowest risk of meningitis
females
when assessing the heart rate of a 6 month old infant, you should palpate the brachial or ______ artery
femoral
Symptoms of both inhaled and ingested ricin include
fever and headache.
As red blood cells begin to clump together to form a clot __________ reinforces the clumped red blood cells.
fibrinogen
The atlas is the:
first cervical vertebra, which articulates with the skull.
A burn that is characterized by redness and pain is classified as a:
first-degree burn.
Together, the right and left lungs contain how many lobes?
five
Peritonitis may result in shock because:
fluid shifts from the bloodstream into body tissues.
Most cases of anthrax begin with:
flulike symptoms.
A patient with high blood pressure would be expected to have skin that is:
flushed and red.
A 39-year-old male sustained a large laceration to his leg during an accident with a chainsaw and is experiencing signs and symptoms of shock. You should
follow appropriate standard precautions.
The brain connects to the spinal cord through a large opening at the base of the skull called the:
foramen magnum.
Which of the following findings indicates that your patient has a patent airway?
forceful coughing
General communication techniques with the elderly include
frequently asking the patient if he or she understands
As the first arriving emergency responder at the scene of a suspected terrorist or WMD incident, you should request additional resources as needed and then
function as the incident commander until additional personnel arrive.
You are transporting an intubated 24-year-old female when her level of consciousness improves and she becomes combative. You should anticipate that your paramedic partner will:
give her a sedative drug per local protocol.
The official transfer of patient care does not occur until the EMT:
gives an oral report to the emergency room physician or nurse.
A 40-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain following blunt trauma. He is diaphoretic intensely thirsty and has a weak and rapid pulse. Appropriate treatment for this patient includes all of the following EXCEPT:
giving him small sips of plain water.
The eyeball itself is referred to as the.
globe
You are standing by at the scene of a hostage situation when the incident commander advises you that one of his personnel has been shot. The patient is lying supine in an open area and is not moving. As the SWAT team escorts you to the patient, you should
grab him by the clothes and immediately move him to safety.
If hydroplaning of the ambulance occurs, the driver should
gradually slow down without jamming on the brakes.
Which of the following has the weakest transmission signal and, as a result, is LEAST likely to be heard by the party being called?
hand-held portable radio
You are assessing a 59-year-old male and note that his pupils are unequal. He is conscious and alert. When obtaining his medical history it is MOST pertinent to ask him if he.
has a history of eye surgeries
You should suspect that a patient is experiencing respiratory failure if he or she:
has bradycardia and diminished muscle tone.
You should NOT attempt to insert a Combitube in a patient who:
has ingested a caustic substance.
EMS personnel would MOST likely be called to the residence of a patient receiving home health care when the home care provider
has recognized a change in the patient's health status.
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should
have only one EMT speak to the patient at a time
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:
have the bystanders stop CPR and assess the patient.
You and your partner arrive at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash. The driver, a young male, is severely entrapped in his car. He has an open head injury and massive facial trauma. He is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a palpable carotid pulse. You should:
have your partner check for a pulse to confirm that the patient is deceased.
Common safety equipment carried on the ambulance includes all of the following, EXCEPT
hazardous materials gear
A 10% to 20% reduction in brain weight and volume would MOST likely increase an older person's risk for
head trauma.
Which of the following is an example of a symptom?
headache
The cervical spine is MOST protected from whiplash-type injuries when the
headrest is appropriately positioned
The leading cause of death in the geriatric patient is
heart disease.
According to the "E" in the DOPE mnemonic, which of the following actions should you perform to troubleshoot inadequate ventilation in a patient with a tracheostomy tube
heck the mechanical ventilator for malfunction.
Common signs and symptoms of a chest injury include all of the following EXCEPT
hematemesis.
A sign of kidney damage following blunt trauma is:
hematuria
The elbow is an example of a ____________ joint.
hinge
When obtaining patient care orders from a physician via a two-way radio, it is MOST important to remember that:
his or her instructions are based on the information you provide.
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?
history taking
Peritonitis an intense inflammatory reaction of the abdominal cavity usually occurs when
hollow abdominal organs are damaged and spill their contents
If each small box on the ECG graph paper represents 0.04 seconds and there are 5 small boxes in one large box
how many large boxes represent 6 seconds:,30
The ____________ deals with the well-being of the EMT, career progression, and EMT compensation.
human resources department
The supporting bone of the arm is the:
humerus
For which of the following conditions would you MOST likely encounter a ventricular peritoneum shunt
hydrocephalus
Major risk factors for AMI include all of the following, EXCEPT:
hypoglycemia
The continuous quality improvement (CQI) process is designed to:
identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed.
Evaluation of the interior of a crashed motor vehicle during extrication will allow the EMT to
identify contact points and predict potential injuries.
Evaluation of the interior of a crashed motor vehicle during extrication will allow the EMT to:
identify contact points and predict potential injuries.
After performing a primary assessment, a rapid scan of the body should be performed in order to:
identify less obvious injuries that require immediate treatment.
Intraosseous (IO) needles are used when:
immediate IV access is difficult or impossible to obtain.
The effectiveness of positive-pressure ventilations when treating a head-injured patient can ONLY be determined by.
immediate reassessment following the intervention.
You and your partner are EMTs and have been dispatched to standby at the scene of a residential fire. While standing next to the ambulance observing the fire fighters, you see a woman frantically moving around in her burning house. You should:
immediately notify the incident commander or safety officer.
Functions of dressings and bandages include all of the following EXCEPT:
immobilization of the injury.
A 33-year-old restrained driver of a motor vehicle crash is awake and alert, complaining only of neck pain. The vehicle is stable and no hazards are present. When removing this patient from his vehicle, you should
immobilize him with a vest-style device.
A hiker was injured when he fell approximately 20′ from a cliff. When you arrive at the scene, a member of the technical rescue group escorts you to the patient, who is positioned on a steep incline. The MOST appropriate method of immobilizing and moving the patient to the ambulance is to
immobilize his spine with a long backboard and place him in a basket stretcher.
Which of the following is the MOST significant factor in determining if a person will become ill from certain germs?
immunity
Which of the following types of consent allows treatment of a patient who is unconscious or mentally incapacitated?
implied
Obtaining continuing medical education is the responsibility of the:
individual EMT.
In addition to external bleeding the MOST significant risk that an open soft-tissue injury exposes a patient to is:
infection.
The topographic term used to describe the part of the body that is nearer to the feet is:
inferior.
You are dispatched to a residence for a 66-year-old male who, according to family members, has suffered a massive stroke. Your primary assessment reveals that the patient is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. You should:
initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and attach an automated external defibrillator (AED) as soon as possible.
Proper confirmation of correct gastric tube placement includes:
injecting air into the tube and auscultating the stomach for gurgling.
You have attempted to intubate a 66-year-old male twice without success. Medical control is unable to be contacted. Your MOST appropriate action should be to:
insert an oral airway, ventilate with a bag-mask device, and transport.
The appropriate method of inserting a laryngoscope blade into the patient's mouth to visualize the vocal cords is to:
insert the blade in the right side of the mouth, sweep the tongue to the left, and lift.
The MOST critical treatment for a tension pneumothorax involves
inserting a needle through the rib cage into the pleural space
Laypeople are often trained to perform all of the following skills, EXCEPT:
insertion of an oropharyngeal airway.
During your assessment of a patient who experienced blunt trauma to the abdomen you notice bruising around the umbilicus. This is a sign of
intra-abdominal bleeding.
In contrast to simple access, complex access
involves forcible entry into a vehicle
Sinus tachycardia is differentiated from a normal sinus rhythm by the:
irregular heart rate.
A 22-year-old male was walking on the beach and had sand blown into his eyes. He complains of pain and decreased vision to his right eye. Treatment should include:
irrigating his right eye laterally
A laceration:
is a jagged cut caused by a sharp object or blunt force trauma.
Bleeding from the nose following head trauma
is a sign of a skull fracture and should not be stopped
The mental status of a patient who has experienced a typical seizure:
is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes.
Chronic renal failure is a condition that:
is often caused by hypertension or diabetes.
By placing one hand on top of your head and the other hand over your abdomen, you are asking a hearing-impaired patient if he or she
is sick
The cricoid cartilage.
is the only complete circular cartilage of the trachea
In contrast to delirium, dementia
is usually considered irreversible
Which of the following signs would indicate that your partner is experiencing significant stress?
isolation from the rest of the crew
Once a cervical collar has been applied to a patient with a possible spinal injury it should not be removed unless.
it causes a problem managing the ABCs.
The AED is MOST advantageous to the EMT because:
it delivers prompt defibrillation to patients with ventricular fibrillation.
A tight-fitting motorcycle helmet should be left in place unless
it interferes with your assessment of the airway
Aggressive ambulance driving may have a negative effect on other motorists because
it may not allow for their reaction time to respond to your vehicle.
When a light is shone into the pupil.
it should become smaller in size.
What maneuver should be used to open the airway of an unresponsive patient with suspected trauma?
jaw-thrust maneuver
Maintaining a cushion of safety when operating an ambulance means:
keeping a safe distance between your ambulance and the vehicles in front of you and remaining aware of vehicles potentially hiding in your mirror's blind spots.
Common duties and responsibilities of EMS personnel at the scene of a motor vehicle crash include all of the following, EXCEPT
keeping bystanders at a safe distance
Upon returning to your station following a run, you should disinfect the ambulance as needed. Disinfection is MOST accurately defined as
killing pathogenic agents with a chemical made for that purpose.
The energy of a moving object is called
kinetic energy
Which of the following is of LEAST importance when initially assessing the severity of a burn?
known drug allergies
You arrive at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash. The patient a 50-year-old female was removed from her vehicle prior to your arrival. Bystanders who removed her state that she was not wearing a seatbelt. The patient is unconscious tachycardic and diaphoretic. Your assessment reveals bilaterally clear and equal breath sounds a midline trachea and collapsed jugular veins. You should be MOST suspicious that this patient has experienced a
laceration of the aorta
A hematoma develops when:
large blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged.
Which of the following factors is NOT taken into consideration when assessing a person's potential for violence?
large physical size
The vocal cords are located in the:
larynx.
A 29-year-old male has an anterior nosebleed after he was accidentally elbowed in the nose. His is conscious and alert with adequate breathing. The MOST appropriate care for this patient includes.
leaning him forward and pinching his nostrils together
While assessing a 21-year-old female who struck a tree head-on with her small passenger car you note that her air bag deployed. You should:
lift the air bag and look for deformity to the steering wheel.
In patients with deeply pigmented skin, changes in color may be apparent only in certain areas, such as the:
lips or oral mucosa.
All of the following are hollow abdominal organs EXCEPT for the
liver
Which of the following organs would MOST likely bleed profusely when injured?
liver
Bruising to the right upper quadrant of the abdomen following blunt trauma is MOST suggestive of injury to the:
liver.
Visualized orotracheal intubation requires all of the following equipment EXCEPT a:
local anesthetic.
If the incident command system (ICS) is already established at the scene of a WMD or terrorist attack, the EMT should
locate the medical staging officer to obtain his or her assignment
Which of the following is NOT considered to be protected health information (PHI)?
location of the call
A strangulated hernia is one that:
loses its blood supply due to compression by local tissues.
Motor nerve neuropathy is characterized by
loss of balance, muscle weakness, and spasms
Because hearing-impaired patients typically have more difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds, it is important for you to
lower the pitch of your voice
You are dispatched to the scene of a crash involving a large tanker truck. While you are en route, dispatch advises you that there are multiple patients and that the fire department is en route as well. As you approach the scene, you should:
maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars.
The purpose of a saline lock is to:
maintain an active IV site without running fluids through the vein.
You arrive at the residence of a 33-year-old woman who is experiencing a generalized seizure. She has a small amount of vomitus draining from the side of her mouth. After protecting her from further injury, you should:
maintain her airway with manual head positioning, suction her airway to remove the vomitus, insert a nasopharyngeal airway, and administer high-flow oxygen.
A 50-year-old female is entrapped in her passenger car after it struck a tree. As the rescue team is preparing to extricate her, you quickly assess her and determine that she is breathing shallowly and that her radial pulse is absent. You should
maintain spinal stabilization as she is extricated.
As you assess the head of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, your partner should:
maintain stabilization of the head.
Continuing education in EMS serves to:
maintain, update, and expand your knowledge and skills.
Which of the following is NOT a function of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?
maintaining communications equipment on the ambulance
Calming and reassuring an anxious patient can be facilitated by:
maintaining eye contact with the patient whenever possible.
At the scene of an automobile crash, a utility pole has been broken, and power lines are lying across the car. The patients inside the car are conscious. You should:
mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.
Lacerations to the scalp
may be an indicator of deeper more serious injuries
Talking about an elderly patient in front of him or her to other members of the family
may cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions
Placing a pregnant patient in a supine position during the third trimester of pregnancy
may decrease the amount of blood that returns to the heart
If a person is partially immune to a particular disease, he or she:
may develop illness from germs that lie dormant from the initial infection.
A 12-lead ECG:
may identify myocardial ischemia or injury.
As an EMT, it is important to remember that the signs and symptoms of cumulative stress:
may not be obvious or present all the time.
The secondary assessment of a sick or injured child
may not be possible if the child's condition is critical
Causes of Obstructive Shock
mechanical obstruction of cardiac muscle leading to pump failure
The distal aspect of the tibia forms the:
medial malleolus.
The topographic term used to describe the location of body parts that are closer toward the midline or center of the body is:
medial.
The six-pointed Star of Life® emblem identifies vehicles that
meet federal specifications as licensed or certified ambulances.
The mesentary is/are
membranous folds that attach the intestines to the walls of the body
The ___________ plane separates the body into left and right halves.
midsagittal
The diastolic pressure represents the:
minimum amount of pressure that is always present in the arteries.
If an average-sized patient's chest barely moves during inhalation, even if his or her respiratory rate is normal, you should suspect that:
minute volume is decreased.
If a person's tidal volume decreases but his or her respiratory rate remains unchanged
minute volume will decrease
D5W is MOST commonly used for:
mixing and administering medications.
The laryngeal mask airway (LMA) helps protect the airway and allows for adequate ventilation by:
molding and sealing itself around the laryngeal opening by inflation of the mask.
You arrive at a local grocery store approximately 5 minutes after a 21-year-old female stopped seizing. She is confused and disoriented; she keeps asking you what happened and tells you that she is thirsty. Her brother, who witnessed the seizure, tells you that she takes phenytoin (Dilantin) for her seizures, but has not taken it in a few days. He also tells you that she has diabetes. In addition to applying high-flow oxygen, you should:
monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level.
When communicating with an older patient, it is important to remember that:
most older people think clearly and are capable of answering questions.
The chief complaint is MOST accurately defined as the:
most serious thing the patient is concerned about.
If a patient with a chest injury is only able to inhale small amounts of air per breath he or she
must increase his or her respiratory rate to maintain adequate minute volume
A rapid irregular pulse following blunt trauma to the chest is MOST suggestive of a
myocardial contusion
Angina pectoris occurs when:
myocardial oxygen demand exceeds the supply.
Which of the following is MORE common in children than in adults following a head injury
nausea and vomiting
The first month of life after birth is referred to as the
neonatal period.
In contrast to conductive hearing loss, sensorineural hearing loss is caused by
nerve damage
During the normal wound healing process bleeding may occur from even a minor injury because:
new capillaries that stem from intact capillaries are delicate and take time to become as stable as the preexisting capillaries.
Maintaining the chain of evidence at the scene of a crime should include:
not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons.
When providing a patient report via radio, you should protect the patient's privacy by:
not disclosing his or her name.
To avoid obscuring your view of the vocal cords during intubation, you should:
not pass the ET tube down the center of the laryngoscope blade.
A patient with an altered mental status is:
not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
Upon entering the residence of a geriatric patient with a medical or trauma complaint, the EMT should
observe for conditions that may make the residence unsafe
Typical methods of assessing a patient's breathing include all of the following, EXCEPT:
observing for nasal flaring during inhalation.
Prior to attempting endotracheal intubation the EMT should:
obtain authorization from medical control.
An abdominal evisceration:
occurs when organs protrude through an open wound.
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, an employer must:
offer a workplace environment that reduces the risk for exposure.
Prescription glasses do not provide adequate eye protection because they:
offer little or no side protection.
Padding underneath the torso when immobilizing an injured child is generally not necessary if he or she is
older than 8 to 10 years
Leads V1 and V2 in a 12-lead ECG should be positioned:
on each side of the sternum at the fourth intercostal space.
Which of the following MOST accurately describes paradoxical movement of the chest wall?
only one section of the chest rises on inspiration while another area falls
You respond to a residence for a 9-year-old female with Down syndrome who is sick. When you arrive at the scene and assess the patient, you determine that she is unresponsive and has gurgling respirations. You should
open her airway with a manual maneuver, suction her oropharynx, and insert a simple airway adjunct.
As you approach a young male who was involved in an industrial accident you note that his eyes are closed and that he is not moving. You can see several large contusions to his arms a laceration to his forehead with minimal bleeding and a closed deformity to his right leg. You should:
open his airway and assess his breathing status.
The ___________ is made up of the maxilla and zygoma, as well as the frontal bone of the cranium.
orbit
Fractures of the pelvis in older patients often occur as the result of a combination of
osteoporosis and low-energy trauma
Findings during the social assessment of an older patient include all of the following, EXCEPT
outdated medications.
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely cause the pupils to remain significantly constricted?
overdose of an opiate drug
A 44-year-old male sustained a laceration to his left ear during a minor car accident. Your assessment reveals minimal bleeding. Appropriate care for this injury includes.
padding between the ear and the scalp
The hallmark sign of compartment syndrome is:
pain out of proportion to the injury.
In infants and small children, skin color should be assessed on the:
palms and soles.
Cardiac monitoring, pharmacological interventions, and other advanced treatment skills are functions of the:
paramedic
An EMS provider who has extensive training in various aspects of advanced life support (ALS) is called a(n):
paramedics
You have sealed the open chest wound of a 40-year-old male who was stabbed in the anterior chest. Your reassessment reveals that he is experiencing increasing respiratory distress and tachycardia and is developing cyanosis. You should
partially remove the dressing
The type and severity of wounds sustained from incendiary and explosive devices primarily depend on the
patient's distance from the epicenter of the explosion.
The EMT should use an AED on a child between 1 month and 8 years of age if:
pediatric pads and an energy-reducing device are available.
burns to pediatric patients are generally considered more serious then burns to adults because
pediatric patients have more surface area relative to total body mass
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:
perform CPR for 2 minutes and reassess.
In order to evaluate hazards present at the scene and determine the number of patients, you should
perform a 360 walk-around of the scene
The MOST effective way to determine whether your patient's problem is medical or traumatic in origin is to:
perform a careful and thorough assessment.
Once entrance and access to the patient have been provided, you should:
perform a primary assessment.
When a person is exposed to a cold environment:
peripheral vessels constrict and divert blood away from the skin.
The MOST common and significant complication associated with an acute abdomen is:
peritonitis
Physiologic manifestations of stress include:
perspiration, increased blood glucose levels, and dilated pupils.
Relative to the adult's airway, the child's:
pharynx is smaller and less deeply curved.
The ________ nerves control the diaphragm
phrenic
Poor maintenance of home, poor personal care, and dietary neglect are all possible indicators of ____________ elder abuse
physical
Normal skin color, temperature, and condition should be:
pink, warm, and dry.
To ensure that the airway of an infant or small child is correctly positioned, you may have to
place a towel or folded sheet behind the shoulders
After applying a pressure dressing to a laceration on a patient's arm you notice that blood is slowly beginning to saturate it. You should.
place additional dressings over the wound
When immobilizing a patient with a kyphotic spine to a long backboard, the EMT would MOST likely have to
place blankets behind the patient's head.
A 50-year-old male develops acute respiratory distress and cyanosis shortly after an IV line has been established. You should administer high-flow oxygen and:
place him on his left side with his head down.
When administering oxygen to a frightened child, it would be MOST appropriate to
place oxygen tubing through a hole in a paper cup
When immobilizing a child on a long backboard you should
place padding under the child's shoulders as needed
A 67-year-old female presents with difficulty breathing and chest discomfort that awakened her from her sleep. She states that she has congestive heart failure, has had two previous heart attacks, and has prescribed nitroglycerin. She is conscious and alert with adequate breathing. Her blood pressure is 94/64 mm Hg and her heart rate is 120 beats/min. Treatment for this patient includes:
placing her in an upright position.
Irritation or damage to the pleural surfaces that causes sharp chest pain during inhalation is called
pleurisy
In order to avoid exacerbating a patient's injury it is especially important to use extreme caution when providing positive-pressure ventilation to patients with a
pneumothorax
You are assessing a 72-year-old man with abdominal pain. The patient is sitting in a chair; he is conscious, alert, and calm. As you are talking to the patient, your partner discreetly directs your attention to a handgun, which is located on a nearby table. You should:
position yourself in between the patient and the gun and ask your partner to request law enforcement assistance.
General techniques for communicating with hearing-impaired patients include
positioning yourself approximately 18″ directly in front of the patient
Effective methods for providing pain relief to a child with an extremity injury include
positioning, ice packs, and emotional support
When performing a full-body scan on a supine patient, what part of the body is typically assessed last?
posterior
A 28-year-old male was struck in the chest with a baseball bat during an altercation. He is conscious and alert and complains of severe chest pain. Your assessment reveals a large area of ecchymosis over the sternum and a rapid irregular pulse. In addition to applying 100% oxygen you should
prepare for immediate transport
A palpable pulse is created by:
pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction.
The purpose of a ventricular peritoneum shunt is to
prevent excess cerebrospinal fluid from accumulating in the brain.
When assessing a patient who experienced a blast injury it is important to remember that:
primary blast injuries are the most easily overlooked
You are treating a man with a closed head injury following an assault by a burglar. The patient, who has slurred speech, becomes verbally abusive and tells you to leave him alone. You should:
proceed with treatment and utilize law enforcement if necessary.
The MOST effective treatment for ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia of short duration is:
prompt, rapid defibrillation.
CPR will NOT be effective if the patient is:
prone.
When removing a critically injured patient from his or her vehicle, you should
protect the cervical spine during the entire process.
White blood cells are also called leukocytes and function by:
protecting the body from infection.
To minimize the risk of litigation, the EMT should always:
provide competent care that meets current standards.
An important aspect in the treatment of a patient with severe abdominal pain is to:
provide emotional support en route to the hospital.
You and your partner are the first to arrive at a potential crime scene with a critically injured patient involved. The scene is safe. Your first priority is to:
provide immediate patient care.
Following blunt trauma to the chest an 18-year-old female presents with respiratory distress reduced tidal volume and cyanosis. Her blood pressure is 80/50 mm Hg and her pulse is 130 beats/min and thready. You should
provide some form of positive-pressure ventilation
Which of the following is a typical function of the rescue team?
providing safe entry and access to patients
In relation to the wrist, the elbow is:
proximal
What is a sudden reaction of nervous system causing temporary vasodilation and fainting?
psychogenic shock
Which of the following arteries does NOT carry highly oxygenated blood?
pulmonary
When introduced into the body, ricin causes
pulmonary edema and circulatory failure
The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the lungs through the:
pulmonary veins.
During the primary assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing:
pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition.
Observations made when forming a general impression of a patient would include all of the following, EXCEPT:
pulse strength.
The left ventricle has the thickest walls because it:
pumps blood into the aorta and systemic circulation.
The opening in the center of the iris which allows light to move to the back of the eye is called the
pupil.
When activated the sympathetic nervous system produces all of the following effects EXCEPT:
pupillary constriction
You are dispatched to an apartment complex for a shooting. Law enforcement personnel are present and have the suspect in custody. You find the patient lying in a narrow space between the couch and coffee table of his small apartment. He is semiconscious and has a large gunshot wound to his chest. You should:
quickly move the coffee table so you can access and treat the patient.
In responsive patients that are older than 1 year of age, you should palpate the pulse at the ________ artery.
radial
Pain that moves from its point of origin to another body location is said to be:
radiating
The bones of the forearm are called the:
radius and ulna.
When palpating a patient's pulse, you note that there is a short interval between pulsations. This indicates that the pulse is:
rapid
A utility worker was trimming branches and was electrocuted when he accidentally cut a high-power line. He fell approximately 20′ and is lying unconscious on the ground; the power line is lying across his chest. You should:
rapidly assess the patient after ensuring that the power line is not live.
The ultimate goal in treating a patient who is experiencing an ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is to:
rapidly restore perfusion to the injured heart.
The EMT should be MOST concerned when a child presents with fever and
rash
When caring for an elderly patient who is hearing-impaired, you should
recall that elderly patients have difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds
When performing your secondary assessment on an older patient who has been injured, it is important to
recall that it will take a less severe mechanism of injury to cause significant injuries
The primary function of the right atrium is to:
receive blood from the vena cava.
If a defibrillator manufacturer claims that its device terminates ventricular fibrillation on the first shock 95% of the time, you should:
recognize that this does not mean it will save more lives.
Early bruising following abdominal trauma often manifests as
red areas of skin.
If a patient develops difficulty breathing after your primary assessment, you should immediately:
reevaluate his or her airway status.
A pulse with a consistent pattern is considered to be:
regular
General guidelines for safe ambulance driving include all of the following, EXCEPT
regularly using the siren as much as possible.
When assessing a patient with a closed soft-tissue injury it is MOST important to:
remain alert for more severe underlying injuries.
When driving an ambulance on a multilane highway in emergency mode, you should
remain in the extreme left-hand lane.
After performing endotracheal intubation on an elderly male in cardiac arrest you think you hear breath sounds but also hear gurgling over the epigastrium. You should:
remove the ET tube at once, ventilate with a bag-mask device for 2 to 3 minutes, and reattempt intubation.
If an IV line is found to be infiltrated, you should:
remove the catheter and apply direct pressure.
When performing a reassessment of your patient, you should first:
repeat the primary assessment.
A ___________ receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.
repeater
When interviewing a patient, you can show him or her that you understand the situation by:
repeating statements back to him or her.
A 56-year-old male has an incomplete avulsion to his right forearm. After controlling any bleeding from the wound you should:
replace the avulsed flap to its original position and cover it with a sterile dressing.
An 8-year-old male was bitten by a stray dog. He has a large laceration to the back of his left hand which your partner covered with a sterile dressing and bandage. In addition to transporting the child to the hospital you should:
report the incident to the appropriate authorities
While assisting an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance crew, you are accidentally stuck with an IV needle. You should:
report the incident to your supervisor after the call.
Upon arriving at the scene of a law enforcement tactical situation, you should ensure your own safety and then:
report to the incident commander for instructions.
You have been working at the scene of a major building collapse for 8 hours. Many injured people are still being removed, and everyone is becoming frustrated and losing focus. This situation is MOST effectively managed by:
requesting a CISM team to provide on-scene peer support.
The amount of air that remains in the lungs simply to keep them open is called:
residual volume.
In MOST cases cardiopulmonary arrest in infants and children is caused by:
respiratory arrest
A patient who cannot remember the events that preceded his or her head injury is experiencing.
retrograde amnesia
The systemic veins function by.
returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart
All of the following biologic agents or diseases can be transmitted from person to person, EXCEPT
ricin.
Deoxygenated blood from the body returns to the:
right atrium
The part of the brain that controls the left side of the body is the:
right side cerebrum.
When working at the scene of a motor vehicle crash at night, you should NOT use:
road flares
Which of the following veins is located inferior to the trunk?
saphenous
All of the following are vesicant agents, EXCEPT
sarin.
What type of communications equipment functions as a radio receiver and searches across several frequencies?
scanner
The large, flat, triangular bone that overlies the posterior thoracic wall is called the:
scapula.
The white portion of the eye is called the.
sclera
Continual reassessment of the scene at a suspected terrorist or WMD incident is most important because
secondary explosive device may detonate
When immobilizing an injured child in a pediatric immobilization device, you should
secure the torso before the head.
You arrive at the scene of a domestic violence situation. As you approach the doorway of the apartment, you hear screaming and the statement "He has a gun!" Your MOST appropriate action should be to:
seek a safe place and request law enforcement assistance.
Viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF), such as Ebola, cause the blood to
seep out of the blood vessels and tissues.
Which of the following signs of respiratory distress is typically unique to infants and children?
seesaw respirations
Which of the following nerves carry information from the body to the brain via the spinal cord.
sensory
The cervical spine is composed of ___________ vertebrae.
seven
Which of the following inquiries should you make in private when obtaining a SAMPLE history from an adolescent patient
sexual activity
Clinical signs of labored breathing include all of the following, EXCEPT:
shallow chest movement.
Patients who become dependent upon EMS personnel or other health care providers often feel:
shamed
You are dispatched to a residence for an 80-year-old female who fell. When you arrive, you find the patient conscious, lying in a recumbent position on the floor in her living room. In addition to providing the appropriate treatment, you should ask the patient if
she became dizzy or fainted before falling.
Hypoperfusion is another name for
shock.
The presence of tachycardia following a significant abdominal injury
should be assumed to be a sign of shock
The use of lights and siren on an ambulance
signifies a request for other drivers to yield the right of way.
When assessing a patient with a hemothorax you will MOST likely find
signs and symptoms of shock
Two-way communication that requires the EMT to "push to talk" and "release to listen" describes what mode of communication?
simplex
The heart's primary pacemaker is the:
sinoatrial (SA) node.
The primary route of exposure of vesicant agents is the
skin
The primary clinical feature associated with exposure to phosgene oxime is
skin blistering.
Early signs and symptoms of smallpox include all of the following, EXCEPT
skin blisters
You could be sued for ___________ if your radio report to the hospital describes the patient in a manner that injures his or her reputation.
slander
You should be MOST suspicious that a patient has experienced a significant head injury if his or her pulse is
slow
When being tailgated by another vehicle while responding to an emergency call, you should
slow down and allow the driver to pass you.
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
smallpox
Which of the following chemicals is a nerve agent
soman
Activities such as walking, talking, and writing are regulated exclusively by the:
somatic nervous system.
Common associated conditions in patients with spina bifida include all of the following, EXCEPT:
spastic limb movement.
An important aspect in the assessment of a patient who experienced a previous brain injury involves
speaking with the patient and family to establish what is considered normal for the patient.
The spinal cord is encased in and protected by the.
spinal canal
Solid abdominal organs include the:
spleen, kidneys, and pancreas.
During your assessment of a patient with blunt chest trauma you note paradoxical movement of the left chest wall. As your partner is administering oxygen to the patient you should
stabilize the chest wall with a bulky dressing
When treating a patient with an impaled object in the eye the EMT should
stabilize the object in place
The EMT's role at the scene of a search and rescue attempt is to
stand by at the command post until the person is located.
The manner in which the EMT must act or behave when caring for a patient is called the:
standard of care.
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:
start CPR and attach the AED as soon as possible.
While en route to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest, you approach a stopped school bus with its red warning lights flashing. You should
stop and wait until the warning lights stop flashing.
When using a stick and square knot as a tourniquet to control severe bleeding from an amputated arm the EMT should.
stop twisting the stick when the bleeding stops
The MOST important step in assembling intravenous (IV) equipment is to:
strictly adhere to standard precautions.
Which of the following abnormal breath sounds indicates obstruction of the upper airway?
stridor
A crackling sound produced by air bubbles under the skin is called:
subcutaneous emphysema.
The presence of air in the soft tissue produces a characteristic crackling sensation known.
subcutaneous emphysema.
Patients with acute abdominal pain should not be given anything to eat or drink because:
substances in the stomach increase the risk of aspiration.
After performing a head tilt-chin lift maneuver to open the airway of an unresponsive patient who has a pulse, you should:
suction as needed and insert an airway adjunct.
You are caring for a 70-year-old female with signs and symptoms of an acute stroke. She is conscious, has secretions in her mouth, and is breathing at a normal rate with adequate depth. You should:
suction her oropharynx and apply 100% oxygen.
Trendelenburg's position is MOST accurately defined as a:
supine position with the legs elevated 6" to 12" higher than the head.
Your primary concern when arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash is:
surveying the area for hazards.
If one or more occupants in the same vehicle are killed in a crash the EMT should:
suspect that all living occupants experienced the same serious trauma
Which of the following infectious diseases confers no protection from reinfection after exposure?
syphilis
The severity of bleeding should be based on all of the following findings EXCEPT
systolic blood pressure
When you use the palpation method to obtain a blood pressure, the measurement you obtain is the:
systolic blood pressure.
The pressure exerted against the walls of the artery when the left ventricle contracts is called the:
systolic pressure.
The EMT should suspect left-sided heart failure in the geriatric patient who presents with
tachypnea and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
Airway management can be challenging in patients with Down syndrome because their
teeth are misaligned and they have a large tongue
While on duty, your partner asks you out on a date and touches you in an inappropriate location without your consent. You should:
tell your partner to stop and report the incident to your supervisor.
type of obstructive shock caused by damage to lungs allowing air to escape into chest cavity and apply pressure to structures in mediastinum such as the heart
tension pneumothorax
At present, the likelihood of a nuclear attack against the United States is very low because
terrorist nations do not have the ability to deliver a nuclear weapon via missile or bomb.
Vaccination against the hepatitis A virus is unnecessary if you:
tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years.
In the eyes of the court, an incomplete or untidy patient care form indicates:
that inadequate patient care was administered.
When an electrical impulse moves toward a positive electrode:
the ECG records an upward wave.
When the myocardium requires more oxygen:
the arteries supplying the heart dilate.
In contrast to younger patients, older patients are more prone to a decrease in blood pressure upon standing because
the baroreceptors have become less sensitive to blood pressure
After the first 60 minutes of experiencing a significant injury:
the body's ability to compensate for shock decreases.
The pediatric patient should be removed from his or her car seat and secured to an appropriate spinal immobilization device if
the car seat is visibly damaged
Large amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is generated when:
the cells function with adequate oxygen.
A 69-year-old female was involved in a motor vehicle crash. She is semiconscious with a blood pressure of 80/50 mm Hg and a heart rate of 74 beats/min that is weak. Her daughter, who was uninjured in the crash, tells you that her mother has a history of hypertension and takes beta-blockers. Considering the fact that this patient is probably in shock, what is the MOST likely explanation for the absence of tachycardia
the effects of her antihypertensive medication
When a child experiences a blunt chest injury
the flexible ribs can be compressed without breaking
The ideal procedure for moving an injured patient from the ground to a backboard is
the four-person log roll
After being dispatched on an emergency call, you should expect the dispatcher to provide you with all of the following information, EXCEPT:
the general geographic location of the incident.
The Golden Period is the first 60 minutes after
the injury occurs
Ventricular tachycardia causes hypotension because:
the left ventricle does not adequately fill with blood.
You should routinely inspect a bag of IV fluid for all of the following, EXCEPT:
the manufacturer.
Patients with full-thickness (third-degree) burns generally do not complain of pain because:
the nerve endings have been destroyed.
In what manner should the EMT flush the eye when there is a foreign body in it
the nose to the outside of the eye
You should gently palpate a patient's pelvis only if:
the patient does not complain of pelvic pain.
Intubating a patient who is in cardiac arrest should occur after:
the patient has been assessed to determine if defibrillation is indicated.
When immobilizing a trauma patient's spine the EMT manually stabilizing the head should not let go until
the patient has been completely secured to the backboard
A 77-year-old female presents with an acute onset of altered mental status. Her son is present and advises that she has a history of hypertension, atrial fibrillation, type 2 diabetes, and glaucoma. He further advises that she takes numerous medications and that she is normally alert. When you assess this patient, it is important to note that
the patient is experiencing delirious behavior, which suggests a new health problem
Obtaining an accurate ECG tracing can be difficult in patients experiencing a cardiac emergency because:
the patient is often diaphoretic.
The "Golden Period" begins when an injury occurs and ends when:
the patient receives definitive care.
You and your partner arrive at the scene of a house fire where fire fighters have rescued a 50-year-old male from his burning house. The patient has superficial and partial-thickness burns to his face and chest. His nasal hairs are singed and he is coughing up sooty sputum. You should be MOST concerned with:
the potential for airway swelling.
EMRs such as fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and park rangers, are an integral part of the EMS system because:
the presence of a person trained to initiate basic life support (BLS) care cannot be ensured.
Functions of the skin include all of the following EXCEPT:
the production of key antibodies
Reassessment is performed to determine all of the following, EXCEPT:
the reason why the patient called EMS.
Typical components of an oral patient report include all of the following, EXCEPT:
the set of baseline vital signs taken at the scene.
The Adam's apple is.
the upper part of the larynx that is formed by the thyroid cartilage.
Greenstick fractures occur in infants and children because
their bones bend more easily than an adult's
Very young children tend to breathe predominantly with their diaphragm because
their intercostal muscles are not fully developed.
When caring for patients with cerebral palsy, it is important to remember that
their limbs are often underdeveloped and are prone to injury.
A low ETCO2 reading, as measured by capnography, would MOST likely be observed if:
there is an absence or decrease in the level of CO2 in the lungs.
It does not matter if you place the arm leads on the patient's shoulders or arms, as long as:
they are at least 10 cm from the heart.
Many older victims of physical abuse may make false statements or lie about the origin of their injuries because
they fear retribution from the abuser.
When assessing or treating an adolescent patient, it is important to remember that
they usually do not wish to be observed during a procedure
Twelve pairs of ribs attach to what section of the spinal column?
thoracic
When a patient's respirations are shallow:
tidal volume is markedly reduced.
If you are exposed to a patient's blood or other bodily fluid, your first action should be to:
transfer care of your patient to another EMS provider.
What is the function of the fallopian tubes?
transport a mature egg to the uterus
A 4-year-old female has a peanut lodged in the external auditory canal of her right ear. You should.
transport her to the emergency department
A 22-year-old male was punched in the abdomen several times. You find him lying on his left side with his knees drawn up. He is conscious and alert and complains of increased pain and nausea when he tries to straighten his legs. His blood pressure is 142/82 mm Hg his pulse rate is 110 beats/min and strong and his respirations are 22 breaths/min and regular. In addition to administering high-flow oxygen you should:
transport him in the position in which you found him
When transporting a stable older patient to the hospital, the MOST effective way to reduce his or her anxiety is to
transport him or her to a hospital that he or she is familiar with
You receive a call to a residence for an apneic 2-month-old male. When you arrive at the scene, the infant's mother tells you that her son was born prematurely and that his apnea monitor has alarmed 4 times in the past 30 minutes. Your assessment of the infant reveals that he is conscious and active. His skin is pink and dry, and he is breathing at an adequate rate and with adequate tidal depth. His oxygen saturation reads 98% on room air. You should
transport the infant to the hospital and bring the apnea monitor with you
Immediate death from blunt chest trauma following a motor vehicle crash is MOST often the result of
traumatic aortic rupture
The left and right bundle branches:
travel through the interventricular septum and lead to the Purkinje fibers.
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:
try to persuade the mother that treatment is needed.
If it is necessary to remove a multilumen airway in the field, you should:
turn the patient onto his or her side and have suction ready.
Upon arriving at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash at night, you find that the safest place to park your ambulance is in a direction that is facing oncoming traffic. You should
turn your headlights off.
A properly sized blood pressure cuff should cover:
two thirds the length from the armpit to the crease in the elbow.
The descending aorta divides into the two iliac arteries at the level of the:
umbilicus
The reasons for rescue failure can be referred to by the mnemonic FAILURE. According to this mnemonic, the "U" stands for:
underestimating the logistics of the incident.
Abdominal thrusts in a conscious child or adult with a severe upper airway obstruction are performed:
until he or she loses consciousness
Urine is transported from the kidneys to the urinary bladder via the:
ureters.
Which of the following organs is at MOST risk for injury as the result of a pelvic fracture?
urinary bladder
Your unit and a fire department vehicle are responding to the scene of a patient in cardiac arrest. As you approach an intersection that is highly congested, you should
use a different siren tone than the fire department vehicle.
When determining the proper size ET tube to use in an infant or small child you should:
use a length-based resuscitation tape measure.
What should you do to properly position patient if you do not have a CPR board
use a short or long board rolled up towel to raise shoulders
When explaining the need for a particular procedure to an elderly patient, you should
use plain language and simple terms
If you do not have the appropriate size cervical collar you should
use rolled towels to immobilize the patient's head
You and your partner are dispatched to a residence for an "ill person." When you arrive, you find that the patient, a 44-year-old man, does not speak English. There are no relatives or bystanders present who can act as an interpreter. You should:
use short, simple questions and point to specific parts of your body to try to determine the source of the patient's complaint.
While at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you determine that there are two critically injured patients and that another ambulance is needed. You attempt to contact the dispatcher with your portable radio but are unsuccessful. You should:
use the mobile radio in the ambulance to contact dispatch.
When communicating information over the radio, you should:
use the words "affirmative" and "negative" instead of "yes" or "no."
General guidelines for effective radio communications include all of the following, EXCEPT:
using 10 codes to ensure radio traffic confidentiality.
External bleeding from a vein is relatively easy to control because.
veins are under a lower pressure
The tip of a central venous catheter rests in the
vena cava.
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:
ventricles relaxing.
A patient has a blood pressure of 130/70 mm Hg. The "130" represents:
ventricular contraction.
The QRS complex is an electrical representation of:
ventricular contraction.
Sudden death following AMI is MOST often caused by:
ventricular fibrillation
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?
ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the cardiac cycle
A rapid, chaotic rhythm that is completely disorganized is called:
ventricular fibrillation.
When the heart rate becomes exceedingly high:
ventricular filling time decreases.
Pleural fluid is contained between the
visceral and parietal pleurae
Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of successful endotracheal intubation:
visualization of the tube passing between the vocal cords
In the presence of ileus, the only way the stomach can empty itself is by:
vomiting
Which of the following is a function of the upper airway?
warms and humidifies inhaled air
If you use a waterless handwashing substitute in the field, it is important to:
wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital.
The process performed to artificially maximize the target population's exposure to a biologic agent, thereby exposing the greatest number of people and achieving the desired effect, is called
weaponization
The MOST effective way to preserve your own body heat when functioning in cold, wet weather is to:
wear at least three layers of clothing.
When caring for a patient with an open facial injury the EMT must.
wear gloves and facial protection
Signs of an upper airway obstruction in an infant or child include all of the following, EXCEPT
wheezing.
Gloves, a mask, eye protection, and a face shield should be used:
when performing endotracheal intubation.
When is it MOST appropriate to consider requesting additional ambulances at an accident scene?
when you determine there are multiple patients
As soon as you leave the hospital and are en route back to your station, you should inform the dispatcher
whether you are back in service
When ventilating an apneic adult with a simple barrier device you should deliver each breath:
while watching for adequate chest rise
Endotracheal intubation is indicated for patients:
who are unconscious and cannot protect their own airway.
Ventricular tachycardia is characterized by:
wide QRS complexes and a heart rate greater than 100 beats/min.
Any electrical impulse that originates in the ventricular conduction system has:
wide abnormally shaped QRS complexes.
When assessing motor function in a conscious patient's lower extremities, you should expect the patient to:
wiggle his or her toes on command.
If you properly assess and stabilize a patient at the scene, driving to the hospital with excessive speed:
will decrease the driver's reaction time.
Supplemental oxygen via nonrebreathing mask should be administered to patients:
with difficulty breathing and adequate tidal volume.
You have inserted an ET tube but are unable to hear breath sounds on the left side of the chest. You should:
withdraw the tube approximately 1″ and reassess breath sounds.
A patient with spontaneous respirations is breathing:
without assistance.
The carpal bones form the:
wrist
A positive TB skin test indicates that:
you have been exposed to the disease.
While trying to make a family member feel better after a loved one has died, your partner uses trite statements. The family members may view this as:
your partner's attempt to diminish their grief.
