Chapter 10

Question 1

When caring for a patient with a medical problem, it is important to:
A. take the patient’s blood pressure every 3 minutes.
B. obtain your information from the patient’s family.
C. promise the patient that everything will be okay.
D. provide frequent reassurance to the patient.

Answer 1

D. provide frequent care

Question 2

The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale is a tool that assesses:
A. arm drift, pupil reaction to light, and speech.
B. facial droop, arm drift, and abnormal speech.
C. balance, abnormal speech, and long-term memory.
D. short-term memory, arm drift, and blood pressure.

Answer 2

B. facial droop, are drift, and abnormal speech

Question 3

Nitroglycerin should not be given to a patient who:
A. was given aspirin within the last 30 minutes.
B. has a systolic blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg.
C. has experienced a heart attack within the last 12 months.
D. is younger than 45 years of age or older than 70 years of age.

Answer 3

B. Has a systolic blood pressure less than 100mm Hg

Question 4

Potential causes of seizures include all of the following, except:
A. increased oxygen levels in the brain.
B. severe infections and a high fever.
C. complications caused by diabetes.
D. severe head injury or stroke.

Answer 4

A. increased oxygen levels in the brain

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding a stroke is correct?
A. Stroke patients who appear to be unconscious may be able to hear.
B. Clot buster drugs are not effective for a stroke, only a heart attack.
C. Most strokes result in unconsciousness and respiratory arrest.
D. Low blood pressure is a significant risk factor for having a stroke.

Answer 5

A. stroke patients who appear to be unconscious may be able to hear

Question 6

Immediately following a generalized seizure, the patient is often:
A. hyperactive but cooperative.
B. anxious, confused, or hostile.
C. unconscious for 2 hours.
D. fully awake and alert.

Answer 6

B. anxious, confused, or hostile

Question 7

Which of the following conditions would be the least likely to mimic the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
A. Seizure
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Heart attack
D. Head injury

Answer 7

C. a heart attack

Question 8

It is usually best to obtain a medical history on a patient who is experiencing a medical problem:
A. only after ALS treatment has been provided.
B. before you perform your primary assessment.
C. before you perform a secondary patient assessment.
D. after other EMS personnel have arrived at the scene

Answer 8

C. before you perform a secondary assessment

Question 9

Hypoglycemia occurs when the:
A. level of sugar in the blood is elevated significantly.
B. body does not produce an adequate supply of insulin.
C. body has enough insulin but not enough blood glucose.
D. diabetic patient eats an excessive amount of sugar.

Answer 9

C. the body has enough insulin but not enough blood glucose

Question 10

A woman with chest pain has a history of several heart attacks, bleeding ulcers, and diabetes. Which of the following interventions should be avoided?
A. Nitroglycerin
B. Use of the AED
C. Oxygen
D. Aspirin

Answer 10

D. aspirin

Question 11

You are dispatched to a residence for a patient with an altered mental status. Your initial action should be to:
A. ensure that the patient’s airway is open.
B. perform a physical examination.
C. assess the scene for safety hazards.
D. determine if the patient is a diabetic.

Answer 11

C. assess the scene safety hazards

Question 12

The heart receives its oxygen supply from the:
A. coronary arteries.
B. pulmonary veins.
C. pulmonary arteries.
D. coronary capillaries.

Answer 12

A . coronary arteries

Question 13

Common signs and symptoms of diabetic coma include:
A. pale, moist, cool skin.
B. rapid deterioration.
C. fruity breath odor.
D. dizziness or headache.

Answer 13

C. fruity breath odor

Question 14

You arrive at an office building shortly after a 29-year-old man had a seizure. During your assessment, you determine that the patient is unresponsive and is breathing very slowly with minimal chest rise. You should:
A. apply high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.
B. begin mouth-to-mask rescue breathing.
C. restrain the patient in case he has another seizure.
D. place the patient on his side and observe him.

Answer 14

B. begin mouth-to-mask rescue breathing.

Question 15

If a patient is actively seizing, your treatment should focus on:
A. restraining the patient.
B. protecting the patient from injury.
C. terminating the seizure.
D. determining the cause of the seizure.

Answer 15

B. protecting the patient from injury

Question 16

You arrive at a local community center for a 56-year-old woman complaining of chest discomfort. The woman tells you that she took one of her nitroglycerin tablets about 15 minutes ago, but she still has chest discomfort. Responding paramedics are approximately 10 minutes away. You should:
A. assume that she is experiencing angina pectoris, administer oxygen, and perform a thorough physical examination.
B. place her in a comfortable position, assist her in taking another nitroglycerin tablet, and administer oxygen.
C. give her up to two more nitroglycerin tablets, place her supine and elevate her legs, and update the responding paramedics.
D. place her in a semisitting position, assist her in taking up to three more nitroglycerin tablets, and administer oxygen.

Answer 16

B. place her in a comfortable position, assist her in taking another nitroglycerin tablet, and administer oxygen.

Question 17

The abdomen is separated from the chest by the:
A. intestines.
B. pelvis.
C. rib cage.
D. diaphragm.

Answer 17

D. diaphram

Question 17

If you are unable to determine what is causing a patient’s altered level of consciousness, you should:
A. apply an AED in case the patient develops cardiac arrest.
B. observe the patient until EMS personnel arrive at the scene.
C. place the patient in the recovery position and observe.
D. treat the patient based on his or her signs and symptoms.

Answer 17

D. treat the patient based on his or her signs and symptoms.

Question 18

A 60-year-old man complains of a sudden onset of tearing abdominal pain and pain in his shoulder. He has a history of high blood pressure and diabetes. The patient is conscious and alert, but is very anxious. You should:
A. gently place him in a comfortable position.
B. vigorously feel his abdomen to locate the origin of his pain.
C. administer glucose and reassess him.
D. perform a physical exam to determine the cause of his pain.

Answer 18

a. gently place him in a comfortable position.

Question 18

While assessing a man who is complaining of shortness of breath, the patient tells you that he has a pacemaker. You should suspect that he has underlying problems with his:
A. respiratory rate.
B. blood glucose.
C. blood pressure.
D. heart rate.

Answer 18

d. heart rate