Question 1

A 29-year-old pregnant woman has had severe vomiting for the last 2 days. Today, she is vomiting large amounts of blood. Her skin is cool and pale and she is tachycardic. The EMT should suspect: Select one: A. esophagitis. B. Mallory–Weiss tear. C. esophageal varices. D. acute pancreatitis.

Accepted Answer

B. Mallory–Weiss tear. Explanation - Tear between the esophagus & stomach. - Excessive vomiting (can't stop) due to bleeding into the stomach A. Incorrect - esophagitis. Vomiting is associated with this but not necessarily large amounts. Also, the hematemesis is missing. C. esophageal varices (Capillary network leaking in the esophagus) Excessive vomiting is a key indicator lacking in acute pancreatitis. S/S Fatigue, weight loss, jaundice, anorexia, edema, abdominal pain D. Incorrect - acute pancreatitis Excessive vomiting is a key indicator lacking in acute pancreatitis. S/S Pain Upper Left & Right Quadrants, Nausea, & Abdominal Distention

Question 2

A 30-year-old woman with a history of alcoholism presents with severe upper abdominal pain and is vomiting large amounts of bright red blood. Her skin is cool, pale, and clammy; her heart rate is 120 beats/min and weak, and her blood pressure is 70/50 mm Hg. Your MOST immediate action should be to: Select one: A. give her high-flow supplemental oxygen. B. protect her airway from aspiration. C. keep her supine and keep her warm. D. rapidly transport her to the hospital.

Accepted Answer

B. protect her airway from aspiration.

Question 3

A 47-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain of 3 hours' duration. His abdomen is distended and guarded. Your MOST important consideration for this patient should be to: Select one: A. be alert for signs and symptoms of shock. B. determine the exact location and cause of his pain. C. transport him in a supine position. D. assess his blood pressure to determine perfusion adequacy.

Accepted Answer

A. be alert for signs and symptoms of shock.

Question 4

A 59-year-old male presents with sudden-onset severe lower back pain. He is conscious and alert, but very restless and diaphoretic. Your assessment reveals a pulsating mass to the left of his umbilicus. You should: Select one: A. vigorously palpate the abdomen to establish pain severity. B. administer oxygen and prepare for immediate transport. C. request a paramedic unit to give the patient pain medication. D. place the patient in a sitting position and transport at once.

Accepted Answer

B. administer oxygen and prepare for immediate transport.

Question 5

A young female presents with costovertebral angle tenderness. She is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. Which of the following organs is MOST likely causing her pain? Select one: A. Liver B. Gallbladder C. Pancreas D. Kidney

Accepted Answer

D. Kidney Explanation: Bladder infections can extend up the ureter & into the kidney. When this happens the person may have a high fever and severe tenderness to the light tapping over the costovertebral angle on the infected side.

Question 6

An important aspect in the treatment of a patient with severe abdominal pain is to: Select one: A. administer analgesic medications to alleviate pain. B. encourage the patient to remain in a supine position. C. give 100% oxygen only if signs of shock are present. D. provide emotional support en route to the hospital.

Accepted Answer

D. provide emotional support en route to the hospital.

Question 7

For a patient with a gastrointestinal complaint, it is MOST important for the EMT to _________. Select one: A. determine the cause of the patient's complaint B. identify whether the patient requires rapid transport C. avoid transporting the patient if the condition is minor D. perform all interventions prior to transport

Accepted Answer

B. identify whether the patient requires rapid transport

Question 8

Most patients with abdominal pain prefer to: Select one: A. sit in a semi-Fowler position with their knees slightly bent. B. lie in a supine position with their knees in a flexed position. C. sit fully upright because it helps relax the abdominal muscles. D. lie on their side with their knees drawn into the abdomen.

Accepted Answer

D. lie on their side with their knees drawn into the abdomen.

Question 9

Pain that may be perceived at a distant point on the surface of the body, such as the back or shoulder, is called: Select one: A. visceral pain. B. radiating pain. C. referred pain. D. remote pain.

Accepted Answer

C. referred pain.

Question 10

Peritonitis may result in shock because: Select one: A. severe pain causes systemic dilation of the vasculature. B. fluid shifts from the bloodstream into body tissues. C. intra-abdominal hemorrhage is typically present. D. abdominal distention impairs cardiac contractions.

Accepted Answer

B. fluid shifts from the bloodstream into body tissues.

Question 11

Urinary tract infections are more common in ____________. Select one: A. men B. sedentary adults C. women D. active adults

Accepted Answer

C. women

Question 12

When assessing a patient with abdominal pain, you should: Select one: A. palpate the abdomen in a clockwise direction, beginning with the quadrant after the one the patient indicates is painful. B. visually assess the painful area of the abdomen but avoid palpation because this could worsen his or her condition. C. observe for abdominal guarding, which is characterized by sudden relaxation of the abdominal muscles when palpated. D. ask the patient to point to the area of pain or tenderness and assess for rebound tenderness over that specific area.

Accepted Answer

A. palpate the abdomen in a clockwise direction, beginning with the quadrant after the one the patient indicates is painful.

Question 13

Which of the following helps filter the blood and has no digestive function? Select one: A. Small intestine B. Stomach C. Large intestine D. Spleen

Accepted Answer

D. Spleen

Question 14

Which of the following is correct about the secondary assessment for a high-priority patient? Select one: A. The secondary assessment must be performed prior to transport. B. You may not have time to complete a secondary assessment. C. Never contact medical direction before completing the secondary assessment. D. Never perform a secondary assessment on a high-priority patient.

Accepted Answer

B. You may not have time to complete a secondary assessment.

Question 15

Which of the following may help reduce your patient's nausea? Select one: A. Positive-pressure ventilation B. Low-flow oxygen C. Cricoid pressure D. Oral glucose

Accepted Answer

B. Low-flow oxygen

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Chapter 19 - Gastrointestinal & Urologic Emergencies Flashcards

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