Ch25 Practice Questions Flashcards
You are assessing a conscious but confused hiker who became lost in the woods on a cold day. Your assessment shows that he has an open airway, adequate breathing, and a weak radial pulse. His skin is cold to the touch, and he is shivering. OEC technicians should recognize that the:
A) cold caused the patient’s brain to become dysfunctional, as evidenced by the shivering.
B) shivering actually represents a small seizure, which indicates that the brain is cold.
C) shivering is a protective means by which the body is attempting to warm itself.
D) shivering is the only indicator that the patient’s core body temperature has fallen below 85°F.
You are assessing a conscious but confused hiker who became lost in the woods on a cold day. Your assessment shows that he has an open airway, adequate breathing, and a weak radial pulse. His skin is cold to the touch, and he is shivering. OEC technicians should recognize that the:
A) cold caused the patient’s brain to become dysfunctional, as evidenced by the shivering.
B) shivering actually represents a small seizure, which indicates that the brain is cold.
C) shivering is a protective means by which the body is attempting to warm itself.
D) shivering is the only indicator that the patient’s core body temperature has fallen below 85°F.
Ans: C
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Anatomy and Physiology Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 598 Objective: 25-3
A young man who was angry with friends wandered away from a party and spent the night outside uncovered in 40–50°F. He is confused, has decreased but adequate breathing, and has a weak radial pulse. His skin is cool, and capillary refill is delayed. When looking to see if he is shivering, you note that he is not. Based on this presentation, OEC technicians can safely conclude that the:
A) patient is exhibiting signs indicating that he is ineffectively compensating and conserving heat.
B) patient’s body temperature is most likely dangerously low.
C) absence of shivering indicates that body temperature is almost back to normal.
D) cause of his confusion is not related to exposure to the low overnight temperatures.
A young man who was angry with friends wandered away from a party and spent the night outside uncovered in 40–50°F. He is confused, has decreased but adequate breathing, and has a weak radial pulse. His skin is cool, and capillary refill is delayed. When looking to see if he is shivering, you note that he is not. Based on this presentation, OEC technicians can safely conclude that the:
A) patient is exhibiting signs indicating that he is ineffectively compensating and conserving heat.
B) patient’s body temperature is most likely dangerously low.
C) absence of shivering indicates that body temperature is almost back to normal.
D) cause of his confusion is not related to exposure to the low overnight temperatures.
Ans: B
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Anatomy and Physiology Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 598 Objective: 25-3
A young boy complains of pain in his fingers after spending several hours outside riding a sled in cold temperatures. After ensuring that he has no life-threatening conditions, you turn your attention to his hands and note that his fingers are cold, and the skin is pliable to the touch. Which of the following signs or symptoms would help confirm your suspicion that he is suffering from early or superficial frostbite?
A) Soft and tingling skin on the fingers
B) A history of being exposed to temperatures in the 70s
C) Swelling of and blisters on the fingers
D) Firm and numb cold skin on the fingers
A young boy complains of pain in his fingers after spending several hours outside riding a sled in cold temperatures. After ensuring that he has no life-threatening conditions, you turn your attention to his hands and note that his fingers are cold, and the skin is pliable to the touch. Which of the following signs or symptoms would help confirm your suspicion that he is suffering from early or superficial frostbite?
A) Soft and tingling skin on the fingers
B) A history of being exposed to temperatures in the 70s
C) Swelling of and blisters on the fingers
D) Firm and numb cold skin on the fingers
Ans: A
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Common Cold-Related Emergencies Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 600-601 Objective: 25-2
Which of the following statements about immersion hypothermia is true?
A) Death typically occurs within a few minutes of submersion in very cold water.
B) It can take more than 30 minutes for a person who has fallen into very cold water to become hypothermic.
C) Protective winter clothing will always protect a person from immersion hypothermia.
D) Immersion hypothermia is most typically associated with traumatized or critically ill patients.
Which of the following statements about immersion hypothermia is true?
A) Death typically occurs within a few minutes of submersion in very cold water.
B) It can take more than 30 minutes for a person who has fallen into very cold water to become hypothermic.
C) Protective winter clothing will always protect a person from immersion hypothermia.
D) Immersion hypothermia is most typically associated with traumatized or critically ill patients.
Ans: B
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Common Cold-Related Emergencies Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 602 Objective: 25-5
The continued drop in core body temperature after removal from exposure to the cold is known as:
A) afterdrop.
B) secondary hypothermia.
C) thermoregulation.
D) shock.
The continued drop in core body temperature after removal from exposure to the cold is known as: A) afterdrop. B) secondary hypothermia. C) thermoregulation. D) shock.
Ans: A
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Common Cold-Related Emergencies Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 602 Objective: 25-4
The main cause of afterdrop is probably:
A) the return of cold blood from the extremities.
B) loss of fat.
C) remaining wet.
D) strong winds.
The main cause of afterdrop is probably: A) the return of cold blood from the extremities. B) loss of fat. C) remaining wet. D) strong winds.
Ans: A
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Common Cold-Related Emergencies Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 602 Objective: 25-4
Which of the following statements concerning immersion hypothermia is true?
A) It occurs only when the entire body and head are submersed.
B) Death will typically occur within a few minutes.
C) The function of arm and leg muscles will not affect the outcome.
D) It can take more than 30 minutes for an individual to become hypothermic.
Which of the following statements concerning immersion hypothermia is true?
A) It occurs only when the entire body and head are submersed.
B) Death will typically occur within a few minutes.
C) The function of arm and leg muscles will not affect the outcome.
D) It can take more than 30 minutes for an individual to become hypothermic.
Ans: D
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Common Cold-Related Emergencies Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 602 Objective: 25-3
Which of the following instructions is most appropriate when moving a patient who has severe generalized hypothermia?
A) “I want everyone to take extra care in moving her very gently to the stretcher; we do not want her to go into cardiac arrest.”
B) “Be careful when moving her to the stretcher; the cold makes her very prone to bone fractures.”
C) “Let’s place her on her side on the stretcher because her body temperature contraindicates placement of a nasal airway.”
D) “Let’s secure her with her arms and legs extended because this position promotes the retention of body heat.”
Which of the following instructions is most appropriate when moving a patient who has severe generalized hypothermia?
A) “I want everyone to take extra care in moving her very gently to the stretcher; we do not want her to go into cardiac arrest.”
B) “Be careful when moving her to the stretcher; the cold makes her very prone to bone fractures.”
C) “Let’s place her on her side on the stretcher because her body temperature contraindicates placement of a nasal airway.”
D) “Let’s secure her with her arms and legs extended because this position promotes the retention of body heat.”
Ans: A
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Patient Assessment of Cold Injuries Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 603 Objective: 25-7
When obtaining a history of a five-year-old boy with generalized hypothermia, which of the following questions provides the most important information?
A) “Are all of his childhood shots up to date?”
B) “Does he have any medical conditions?”
C) “When did he last eat or drink?”
D) “Why was he outside without adult supervision?”
When obtaining a history of a five-year-old boy with generalized hypothermia, which of the following questions provides the most important information?
A) “Are all of his childhood shots up to date?”
B) “Does he have any medical conditions?”
C) “When did he last eat or drink?”
D) “Why was he outside without adult supervision?”
Ans: B
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Patient Assessment of Cold Injuries Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 604 Objective: 25-5
A patient with moderate hypothermia will have:
A) a core body temperature above 95°F.
B) a slow pulse and/or slow respirations.
C) active shivering.
D) a high risk of ventricular fibrillation.
A patient with moderate hypothermia will have:
A) a core body temperature above 95°F.
B) a slow pulse and/or slow respirations.
C) active shivering.
D) a high risk of ventricular fibrillation.
Ans: B
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Four Categories of Cold Exposure Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 605 Objective: 25-3
You and your friends are camping on a 20° F day. Which of the following assessment findings best illustrates that your bodies are no longer capable of compensating for the effects of the cold?
A) Cool and clammy skin
B) Loss of fine motor coordination
C) Shivering
D) Hypertension
You and your friends are camping on a 20° F day. Which of the following assessment findings best illustrates that your bodies are no longer capable of compensating for the effects of the cold? A) Cool and clammy skin B) Loss of fine motor coordination C) Shivering D) Hypertension
Ans: B
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Four Categories of Cold Exposure Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 605 Objective: 25-3
Which of the following signs would you observe earliest in a hypothermic patient?
A) Confusion
B) Hypotension
C) Shivering
D) Bradycardia
Which of the following signs would you observe earliest in a hypothermic patient? A) Confusion B) Hypotension C) Shivering D) Bradycardia
Ans: C
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Four Categories of Cold Exposure Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 605 Objective: 25-5
Which of the following findings best indicates that a patient with cold skin is suffering from moderate hypothermia?
A) Cold waxy fingers
B) Respirations at 28-30 per minute
C) A heart rate of 52 beats per minute
D) A pulse oximetry reading of 95 percent
Which of the following findings best indicates that a patient with cold skin is suffering from moderate hypothermia?
A) Cold waxy fingers
B) Respirations at 28-30 per minute
C) A heart rate of 52 beats per minute
D) A pulse oximetry reading of 95 percent
Ans: C
Complexity: Moderate Ahead: Four Categories of Cold Exposure Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 605 Objective: 25-5
Which of the following findings is a sign of severe hypothermia?
A) Slurred speech
B) Active shivering
C) Coma
D) Confusion
Which of the following findings is a sign of severe hypothermia? A) Slurred speech B) Active shivering C) Coma D) Confusion
Ans: C
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Four Categories of Cold Exposure Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 605 Objective: 25-3
You are with a candidate OEC technician who is attending to a snowboarder who has fallen. The candidate is very concerned that the snowboarder is shivering vigorously and asks you what this indicates. Which of the following statements would be your best response?
A) Shivering is a sign of mild hypothermia.
B) Shivering indicates moderate hypothermia.
C) Individuals who are shivering cannot maintain their normal body temperature.
D) It is good to try to get a shivering patient to stop because shivering burns energy.
You are with a candidate OEC technician who is attending to a snowboarder who has fallen. The candidate is very concerned that the snowboarder is shivering vigorously and asks you what this indicates. Which of the following statements would be your best response?
A) Shivering is a sign of mild hypothermia.
B) Shivering indicates moderate hypothermia.
C) Individuals who are shivering cannot maintain their normal body temperature.
D) It is good to try to get a shivering patient to stop because shivering burns energy.
Ans: A
Complexity: Easy Ahead: Four Categories of Cold Exposure Subject: Chapter 25 Title: Cold-Related Emergencies Feedback: 605 Objective: 25-3
