Chapter 12

Question 1

A 31-year-old female is experiencing an acute asthma attack. She is conscious and alert, but in obvious respiratory distress. After assisting her with her prescribed MDI, you should:
- check the drug’s expiration date to ensure that it is still current.
- contact medical control and apprise him or her of what you did.
- administer another treatment in 30 seconds if she is still in distress.
- reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.

Answer 1

reassess the patient and document her response to the medication.

Question 2

After taking diphenhydramine (Benadryl) for an allergic reaction, a person begins experiencing drowsiness and a dry mouth. These findings are an example of a(n):
- untoward effect.
- unpredictable effect.
- therapeutic effect.
- adverse effect.

Answer 2

adverse effect.

Question 3

A medication with antagonistic properties is one that:
- produces a cumulative effect when mixed with the same type of medication.
- enhances the effects of another medication when given in a higher dose.
- blocks receptor sites and prevents other chemicals from attaching to them.
- stimulates receptor sites and allows other chemicals to attach to them.

Answer 3

blocks receptor sites and prevents other chemicals from attaching to them.

Question 4

Aspirin is beneficial to patients suspected of having a heart attack because it:
- dissolves the coronary artery clot.
- reduces the associated chest pain.
- causes direct coronary vasodilation.
- prevents the aggregation of platelets.

Answer 4

prevents the aggregation of platelets.

Question 5

EMTs arrive at the scene of a patient who was ‘found down.’ A family member states that she gave naloxone (Narcan) to the patient before the ambulance arrived. The EMTs should suspect that the patient:
- has a low blood glucose level.
- experienced a prolonged seizure.
- overdosed on an opioid drug.
- has a history of allergic reactions.

Answer 5

overdosed on an opioid drug.

Question 6

How is nitroglycerin usually given by the EMT?
- Sublingually
- Inhaled
- Injected
- Orally

Answer 6

Sublingually

Question 7

The process by which medications travel through body tissues until they reach the bloodstream is called:
- suspension.
- adsorption.
- absorption.
- digestion.

Answer 7

absorption.

Question 8

What medication form does oral glucose come in?
- Liquid
- Gel
- Suspension
- Fine powder

Answer 8

Gel

Question 9

When administering naloxone (Narcan) via the intranasal route, the EMT should administer:
- a half dose into each nostril.
- a minimum of 2.5 mg.
- at least 2 mL into each nostril.
- a maximum of 0.5 mL.

Answer 9

a half dose into each nostril.

Question 10

When assessing an elderly male who complains of nausea and generalized weakness, you find that he takes atorvastatin (Lipitor) and amlodipine (Norvasc). These medications suggest a history of:
- cardiovascular disease.
- non-insulin-dependent diabetes.
- reactive airway disease.
- bacterial infection.

Answer 10

cardiovascular disease.

Question 11

Which of the following clinical signs would necessitate the administration of naloxone (Narcan) in a suspected narcotic overdose?
- Extreme agitation
- Hypertension
- Tachycardia
- Slow respirations

Answer 11

Slow respirations

Question 12

Which of the following is an example of a rules-based medication error?
- The EMT administers the correct drug, but gives it by the wrong route.
- The EMT administers a drug that is not approved by the medical director.
- The EMT administers a drug that is contraindicated for the patient.
- The EMT accidentally gives a higher drug dose than what is indicated.

Answer 12

The EMT administers a drug that is not approved by the medical director.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of epinephrine?
- Decreases heart rate and blood pressure
- Constricts the blood vessels
- Dilates passages in the lungs
- Secreted naturally by the adrenal glands

Answer 13

Decreases heart rate and blood pressure

Question 14

Which of the following is the MOST rapidly acting medication administration route?
- Intravenous (IV)
- Subcutaneous (SC)
- Intramuscular (IM)
- Sublingual (SL)

Answer 14

Intravenous (IV)

Question 15

Which of the following medication routes delivers a drug through the skin over an extended period of time, such as a nitroglycerin or fentanyl patch?
- Subcutaneous
- Intraosseous
- Sublingual
- Transcutaneous

Answer 15

Transcutaneous

Question 16

Which of the following statements regarding glucose is correct?
- Glucose is a complex sugar that rapidly absorbs into the bloodstream.
- Glucose is a simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the cells.
- Glucose is usually administered by the EMT via the intravenous route.
- Glucose is given to patients who are suspected of being hyperglycemic.

Answer 16

Glucose is a simple sugar that is readily absorbed by the cells.

Question 17

Which of the following statements regarding the epinephrine auto-injector is correct?
- EMTs do not need physician authorization to use the auto-injector.
- The epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount of the drug.
- The adult auto-injector delivers 0.5 to 1 mg of epinephrine.
- The auto-injector delivers epinephrine via the subcutaneous route.

Answer 17

The epinephrine auto-injector delivers a preset amount of the drug.

Question 18

Which of the following statements regarding the metered-dose inhaler (MDI) is correct?
- An MDI delivers the same amount of medication every time it is used.
- MDIs are contraindicated for patients with asthma or emphysema.
- MDIs are most commonly used by patients with cardiovascular disease.
- Shaking an MDI prior to use will cause deactivation of the medication.

Answer 18

An MDI delivers the same amount of medication every time it is used.

Question 19

You are dispatched to a movie theater for a 39-year-old female with signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. As you are assessing her, she pulls an epinephrine auto-injector out of her purse and hands it to you. After confirming the drug’s name and expiration date, you should:
- administer the drug.
- request an ALS ambulance to administer the drug.
- contact medical control.
- ask her if she takes other medications.

Answer 19

contact medical control.

Question 20

You are treating a middle-aged man with chest discomfort. He has a history of three previous heart attacks and takes nitroglycerin as needed for chest pain. You have standing orders to administer aspirin to patients with suspected cardiac-related chest pain or discomfort. While your partner is preparing to give oxygen to the patient, you should:
- assist the patient in taking one of his prescribed nitroglycerins, assess his vital signs, and give him aspirin if he is still experiencing chest discomfort.
- contact medical control, apprise him or her of the patient’s chief complaint and vital signs, and request permission to give him aspirin.
- confirm that the patient is not allergic to aspirin, give him the appropriate dose of aspirin, and document the time and dose given.
- ensure that the patient’s systolic blood pressure is at least 100 mm Hg because aspirin dilates the blood vessels and can cause a drop in blood pressure.

Answer 20

confirm that the patient is not allergic to aspirin, give him the appropriate dose of aspirin, and document the time and dose given.