Chapter 12 - Medical Overview

Question 1

A 58-year-old man complains of chest discomfort and nausea. He is conscious and alert. hHis blood pressure is 140/90 mm Hg, his pulse is 104 beats/min, and his respirations are 16 breaths/min. Your partner has applied supplemental oxygen. Prior to assisting the patient with one of his prescribed nitroglycerin tablets, you ask him if he takes medication to treat erectile dysfunction and he tells you that he does. You should:
Select one:
A. recall that medications for erectile dysfunction drugs can cause hypertension if given with nitroglycerin.
B. avoid giving him nitroglycerin and transport him at once.
C. ask him what he takes, how much, and when he last took it.
D. administer his nitroglycerin and then reassess his blood pressure.

Answer 1

C. ask him what he takes, how much, and when he last took it.

Question 2

Assessment of the medical patient is usually focused on the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.
Select one:
A. nature of illness
B. field diagnosis
C. associated symptoms
D. medical history

Answer 2

A. nature of illness

Question 3

Early signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis include all of the following, EXCEPT:
Select one:
A. vomiting, fever, and fatigue.
B. pain in the muscles and joints.
C. jaundice and abdominal pain.
D. loss of appetite and a cough.

Answer 3

C. jaundice and abdominal pain.

Question 4

Hepatitis B is more virulent than hepatitis C, which means that it:
Select one:
A. leads to chronic infection after exposure.
B. is a more contagious type of disease.
C. has a greater ability to produce disease.
D. is less resistant to treatment.

Answer 4

C. has a greater ability to produce disease.

Question 5

Most treatments provided in the prehospital setting are intended to _________.
Select one:
A. reduce the need for transport to the hospital.
B. correct the patient’s underlying problem.
C. address the patient’s symptoms.
D. confirm the patient’s diagnosis.

Answer 5

C. address the patient’s symptoms.

Question 6

Ten days after treating a 34-year-old patient with tuberculosis, you are given a tuberculin skin test, which yields a positive result. This MOST likely indicates that:
Select one:
A. the disease is dormant in your body, but will probably never cause symptoms.
B. you are actively infected with tuberculosis and should be treated immediately.
C. you contracted the disease by casual contact instead of exposure to secretions. Incorrect
D. you were exposed to another infected person prior to treating the 34-year-old patient.

Answer 6

D. you were exposed to another infected person prior to treating the 34-year-old patient.

Question 7

When caring for a patient with an altered mental status and signs of circulatory compromise, you should:
Select one:
A. transport immediately and begin all emergency treatment en route to the hospital.
B. limit your time at the scene to 10 minutes or less, if possible.
C. perform a detailed secondary assessment prior to transporting the patient.
D. have a paramedic unit respond to the scene if it is less than 15 minutes away.

Answer 7

B. limit your time at the scene to 10 minutes or less, if possible.

Question 8

When performing a secondary assessment on a conscious patient with nontraumatic abdominal pain and stable vital signs, you should:
Select one:
A. only palpate tender areas of the abdomen.
B. prepare the patient for transport first.
C. examine the patient from head to toe.
D. focus on the patient’s chief complaint.

Answer 8

D. focus on the patient’s chief complaint.

Question 9

When you are assessing a patient with a medical complaint, which of the following would MOST likely reveal the cause of the problem?
Select one:
A. history taking
B. baseline vital signs
C. primary assessment
D. rapid body scan

Answer 9

A. history taking

Question 10

Which of the following conditions is NOT categorized as a psychiatric condition?
Select one:
A. depression
B. Alzheimer disease
C. schizophrenia
D. drug addiction

Answer 10

D. drug addiction