EMT Flashcards
Snoring respirations are most rapidly managed by:
A. suctioning the oropharynx
B. initiating assisted ventilations
C. correctly positioning the head
D. inserting an oropharyngeal airway
C
Which of the following patients is in the most need of a rapid trauma assessment?
A. an awake and alert 19 year old man with a small caliber gunshot wound
B. A conscious 25 year old woman who fell 12’ from a roof and landed on her side
C. A 43 year old woman with a unilaterally swollen, painful deformity of the femur
D. A 60 year old man who fell from a standing position and has an abrasion on his cheek
A
Which of the following bones is affected with a swollen, painful deformity to the lateral bone of the left forearm?
A. Ulna
B. Radius
C. Clavicle
D. Humerus
B
During your assessment of a 34 year old man with a gunshot wound to the chest you note that his skin is pale. This finding is most likely caused by:
A. a critically low blood pressure
B. increased blood flow to the skin
C. decreased blood flow to the skin
D. peripheral dilation of the vasculature
C
An 80 year old woman has pain in the right upper quadrant of her abdomen and a yellowish tinge to her skin. You should suspect dysfunction of the
A. liver
B. spleen
C. pancreas
D. gallbladder
A
Which of the following situations is an example of abandonment?
A. A paramedic gives a verbal report to an ER nurse
B. An AEMT assumes patient care from an EMT
C. An EMT transfers patient care to a Paramedic
D. A first responder assumes patient care from an EMT
D
Which artery should you palpate when assessing for pulse in an unresponsive 6 month old?
A. Radial
B. Carotid
C. Femoral
D. Brachial
D
During the initial assessment of a trauma patient, you note massive facial injuries, weak radial pulses, and clammy skin. What should be your most immediate concern?
A. potential obstruction of the airway
B. internal bleeding and severe shock
C. applying 100% supplemental oxygen
D. providing rapid transport to a trauma center
A
You are called to treat a male patient who overdosed on heroin and is unconscious with shallow breathing and cyanosis to the face. The patient suddenly begins to vomit. What should you do first?
A. suction the oropharynx
B. turn the patient onto his side
C. insert an oropharangeal airway
D. assist ventilations with 100% oxygen
B
The scene size up includes all of the following components except
A. determining scene safety
B. applying personal protective gear
C. assessing the need for assistance
D. evaluating the mechanism of injury
B
In which of the following patients would an oropharyngeal airway be indicated?
A. any patient suspected of having hypoxia
B. a semiconscious patient with an intact gag reflex
C. A semiconscious patient that overdosed on propoxyphene
D. an unconscious patient with fluid drainage from the ears
D
Upon arriving at the scene of a multiple vehicle crash, you can see that at least two patients have been ejected from their vehicles. What should you do next?
A. begin triage
B. treat the most critical patient first
C. gather all of the patients together
D. call for at least one more ambulance
D
A 75 year old man has generalized weakness and chest pain. He has a bottle of perscribed nitroglycerin and states that he has not taken any of his medication. After initiating oxygen therapy, you should next
A. apply the AED and prepare the patient for immediate transport
B. perform a detailed physical examination to locate any other problems
C. contact medical control for permission to assist the patient with his nitroglycerin
D. complete a focused physical examination, including obtaining baseline vitals
D
Which of the following organs is not a part of the endocrine system?
A. thyroid
B. pituitary
C. pancreas
D. gallbladder
D
Which of the following conditions or injuries should be managed first?
A. fluid drainage from the ears
B. bleeding within the oral cavity
C. a large open abdominal wound
D. bilateral fractures of the femurs
B
You arrive at a residence where you find a man lying unconscious in his front yard. There were no witnesses to the event that caused the unconsciousness. In assessing this patient, you must assume that:
A. he has sustained an injury
B. he is having a heart attack
C. he is having a diabetic reaction
D. he is having a heat-related emergency
A
When is the best time to perform a detailed physical examination?
A. while en route to the hospital
B. after all life threats have been ruled out
C. immediately after taking baseline vital signs
D. following the initial assessment of the patient.
A
Which of the following conditions would most likely cause flushed skin?
A. shock
B. hypoxia
C. exposure to heat
D low blood pressure
C
During the rapid trauma assessment of a patient with multiple injuries, you expose the chest and find an open wound with blood bubbling from it. What would you do next?
A. apply 100% supplemental oxygen
B. provide rapid transport to the hospital
C. prevent air from entering the wound
D. place a porous dressing over the wound
C
You are called to a local park for a 7-year old boy with respiratory distress. During your assessment, you find that the patient is wheezing and has wide spread hives and facial edema. What should you suspect has occurred?
A. heat emergency
B. allergic reaction
C. acute asthma attack
D. exposure to a poisonous plant
B
A common side effect of nitroglycerin is:
A. nausea
B. headache
C. hypertension
D. chest discomfort
B
As you assess a 56 year old man, you note that he is pulseless and apneic. As your partner gets the AED from the ambulance, you should:
A. obtain a medical history from his wife
B. place the patient in the recovery position
C. perform CPR until the AED is ready to use
D. conduct a detailed examination of the patient
C
Perscribed inhalers, such as albuterol (Ventolin), relieve respiratory distress by:
A. constricting the bronchioles in the lungs
B. contracting the smaller airways in the lungs
C. relaxing the smooth muscles of the bronchioles
D. dilating the large mainstem bronchi of the airway
C
In a patient with cardiac compromise, you would be least likely to encounter:
A. anxiety
B. dyspnea
C. headache
D. chest pain
A
When monitoring a patient with a head injury, the most reliable indicator of his or her condition is the
A. pupillary reaction
B. level of consciousness
C. systolic blood pressure
D. rate and depth of breathing
B
A 56 year old man with a history of cardiac problems reports pain in the upper midabdominal area. This region of the abdomen is called:
A. peritoneum
B. epigastrium
C. mediastinum
D. retroperitoneum
B
Which of the following mechanisms cause respiratory and circulatory collapse during anaphylactic shock?
A. bronchodilation and vasoconstriction
B. bronchoconstriction and vasodilation
C. bronchodilation and vasodilation
D. bronchoconstriction and vasoconstriction
B
In the patient with diabetes, hypoglycemia typically presents with
A. dry skin and a slow onset
B. dry skin and a rapid onset
C. clammy skin and a slow onset
D. clammy skin and a rapid onset
D
Which of the following signs would least suggest a diabetic emergency?
A. bradycardia
B. tachycardia
C. combativeness
D. a fruity breath odor
A
Which of the following patients would be at most risk for suicide?
A. a woman who quit her job for one that pays more
B. a man who is in the midst of losing a significant relationship
C. a man who is planning his wife’s 27th birthday party
D. an EMT who just got a lot of media attention for saving a drowning child
B
A middle aged woman has acute shortness of breath and respirations of 30 breaths/min. How should you first manage this patient?
A. assess respiratory quality
B. begin assisting ventilations
C. apply supplemental oxygen
D. perform a detailed examination
A
To obtain the most reliable assessment of a patient’s tidal volume, you should
A. assess for retractions
B. listen for airway noises
C. count the respiratory rate
D. look at the rise of the chest
D
As you are performing CPR on an elderly man, his wife presents you with a “do not resuscitate” or “DNR” order. Your most appropriate course of action is to
A. ignore the document and continue CPR
B. comply with the document and stop CPR
C. continue CPR until medical control is notified
D. withhold CPR until medical control validates the order
C
A 5 year old boy complains of pain to the right lower quadrant of his abdomen. Correct assessment of this child’s abdomen includes:
A. avoiding palpation of the abdomen
B. palpating the left upper quadrant first
C. auscultating bowel sounds for 2 minutes
D. palpating the right lower quadrant first
B
In most states; the EMT is required to report which of the following occurances?
A. animal bite
B. drug overdose
C. injury to a minor
D. motor vehicle crash
A
A set of regulations and ethical considerations that define the extent or limits of an EMT’s job is called
A. duty to act
B. confidentiality
C. scope of practice
D. the medical practices act
C
A 9 year old girl was struck by a car while she was crossing the street and is displaying signs of shock. During your assessment, you note a large contusion over the left upper quadrant of her abdomen. Which of the following organs has most likely been injured?
A. liver
B. kidney
C. spleen
D. pancreas
C
The AED should not be used in patients who
A. are between 1 and 8 years of age
B. experienced a witnessed cardiac arrest
C. are apneic and have a weak carotid pulse
D. have a nitroglycerin patch applied to the skin
C
As you step out of the ambulance at the scene of a nighttime motor vehicle crash on the highway, your immediate concern should be:
A. oncoming traffic
B. whether the car will catch fire
C. placing safety flares by the ambulance
D. quick assessment of the patients in the car
A
Which of the following actions should be carried out during the initial assessment of an unconscious patient?
A. assessing the skin
B. palpating the cranium
C. auscultating the lungs
D. obtaining a blood pressure
A
You arrive at the scene shortly after a 55 year old man has collapsed. Two bystanders are performing CPR. The man’s wife states that he had cardiac bypass surgery approximately 6 months earlier. There are no signs of trauma. Your first action in the management of this patient should be to:
A. attach an AED and analyze the cardiac rhythm
B. check the effectiveness of the CPR in progress
C. insert an oropharyngeal airway and continue CPR
D. stop CPR so you can assess pulse and breathing
D
You arrive at the scene shortly after a 55 year old man has collapsed. Two bystanders are performing CPR. The man’s wife states that he had cardiac bypass surgery approximately 6 months earlier. There are no signs of trauma. Cardiac arrest in the adult population is most often the result of
A. an acute stroke
B. respiratory failure
C. cardiac arrythmias
D. myocardial infarction
C
You arrive at the scene shortly after a 55 year old man has collapsed. Two bystanders are performing CPR. The man’s wife states that he had cardiac bypass surgery approximately 6 months earlier. There are no signs of trauma. After you attach the AED and analyze the patients heart rhythm, the machine states “shock advised”. What cardiac rhythm is the patient most likely in?
A. asystole
B. ventricular fibrillation
C. ventricular tachycardia
D. pulseless electrical activity
B
Immediately upon delivery of a newborn’s head you should:
A. dry the face
B. cover the eyes
C. suction the nose
D. suction the mouth
D
You assess a newborn with cyanosis to the chest and face and a heart beat of 90 beats/min. what should you do next?
A. resuction the mouth
B. briskly dry the infant
C. begin chest compressions
D. begin artificial ventilations
D
An EMT’s failure to obtain consent to treat a patient could result in allegations of:
A. battery
B. negligence
C. abandonment
D. breach of duty
A
Which of the following describes the most appropriate method of performing chest compressions on an adult patient in cardiac arrest?
A. compress the chest 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches, allow full recoil of the chest after each compression, minimize interruptions in chest compressions
B. Allow full recoil of the chest after each compression, compress the chest to a depth of 2 inches, deliver compressions at a rate of at least 80/min
C. Do not interrupt chest compressions for any reason, compress the chest to a depth of 1 1/2 inches to 2 inches, allow partial recoil of the chest after each compression
D. Minimize interruptions in chest compressions, provide 70% compression time and 30% relaxation time, deliver compressions at a rate of 100/min
A
Prevention of cardiac arrest in infants and small children should focus primarily on
A. keeping the child warm
B. avoiding upsetting the child
C. providing immediate transport
D. providing airway management
D
You are managing a conscious patient who you believe is having an acute ischemic stroke. After administering oxygen, your next priority should include:
A. providing prompt transport for possible fibrinolytic therapy
B. determining whether the patient is perscribed nitroglycerin
C. closely monitoring the blood pressure
D. completing a detailed physical examination before providing transport
A
Which of the following patients with diabetes should receive oral glucose?
A. a confused patient who has cool clammy skin
B. a confused patient who is suspicious of the EMT’s
C. A semiconscious patient with pale skin
D. an unconscious patient who took too much insulin
A
During a bar fight, a 22 year old man was stabbed in the chest with a large knife. The patient is pulseless and apneic, and the knife is still impaled in the center of his chest. Wound management should include
A. stabilizing the knife, starting CPR, and providing rapid transport
B. stabilizing the knife, applying an occlusive dressing and providing rapid transport
C. removing the knife, starting CPR, and providing transport
D. removing the knife, applying an occlusive dressing, and providing rapid transport
C
In which of the following patients would nitroglycerin be contraindicated?
A. a 41 year old male with crushing chest pressure, a blood pressure of 160/90 mmHg, and severe nausea
B. a 53 year old male with chest discomfort, diaphoresis, a blood pressure of 146/66 mmHg, and regular use of Cialis
C. a 58 year old male with chest pain radiating to the left arm, a blood pressure of 130/64 mm Hg, and perscribed Tegretol
D. a 66 year old female with chest pressure that started 6 hours ago, lightheadedness, and a blood pressure of 110/58 mmHg
B
Firefighters have rescued a man from his burning house. He is conscious and in considerable respiratory distress. He has a brassy cough and singed nasal hairs. The most immediate threat to this patient is
A. hypothermia
B. severe burns
C. severe infection
D. closure of the airway
D
You respond to a call for a shooting at a local bar. You arrive at the scene and find a young man sitting against the wall, screaming in pain with bright red blood spurting near his groin. What should you do first?
A. ensure an open airway
B. apply pressure to the wound
C. tie off the patient’s limb with a tourniquet
D. transport the patient immediately
B
Patients with closed head injuries often have pupillary changes and
A. paralysis
B. paresthesia
C. hypertension
D. tachycardia
C
When assessing a patient with a reduction in tidal volume, you would expect the respirations to be
A. deep
B. labored
C. shallow
D. dyspneic
C
Prior to applying an nonrebreather mask on a patient with difficulty breathing you should
A. set the flow rate to no more than 10 L/min
B. prefill the reservoir bag to ensure the delivery of 100% oxygen
C. insert a nasopharyngeal airway to maintain airway patency
D. perform a complete physical examination to determine the degree of hypoxia
B
A 60 year old woman is experiencing severe respiratory distress. When you ask her a question, she can only say two words at a time. You should manage this patient by
A. inserting a nasopharyngeal airway
B. providing positive pressure ventilations
C. applying a nasal cannula set at 2-6 L/m
D. applying a nonrebreather mask set to 15 L/m
B
The most effective method for determining whether you are providing adequate artificial ventilation is
A. assessing the chest for adequate rise
B. assessing the pulse for an improving heart rate
C. checking the pupils for increased reactivity
D. checking the skin for improvement of cyanosis
A
You are administering oxygen to a woman with asthma who took two puffs of her perscribed inhaler without relief prior to your arrival. your next action should be to
A. contact medical control for further advice
B. administer one more puff from her inhaler
C. provide immediate transport
D. confirm that her inhaler is infact perscribed to her
A
Unconsciousness, shallow breathing, and constricted pupils are most indicative of what type of drug overdose?
A. narcotic
B. marijuana
C. barbiturate
D. amphetamine
A
When dealing with an emotionally disturbed patient, you should be concerned with
A. providing safe transport
B. whether the patient could harm you
C. obtaining a complete medical history
D. gathering all of the patient’s medications
B
A 6 year old male, who weighs 40 pounds, ingested a bottle of aspirin approximately 20 minutes ago. Medical control orders you to administer activated charcoal in a dose of 1g/kg. How much activated charcoal will you administer?
A. 12g
B. 14g
C. 18g
D. 24g
C
Upon delivery of a baby’s head, you see that the umbilical cord is wrapped around it’s neck. You should manage the situation initially by:
A. clamping and cutting the umbilical cord
B. gently pulling on the cord to facilitate removal
C. trying to remove the cord from around the neck
D. keeping the cord moist and providing transport
C
You arrive at the scene shortly after a 3 year old female experienced a seizure. The child, who is being held by her mother, is conscious and crying. The mother tells you that her daughter has been ill recently and has a temperature of 102.5 degrees F. What is the most appropriate treatment for this child?
A. oxygen via pediatric nonrebreather mask, place the child in a tub of cold water to lower her body temperature, and transport
B. oxygen via the blow by technique, remove clothing and cool the child with towels soaked in tepid water, and transport
C. oxygen via pediatric nonrebreather mask, avoid any measures to lower the child’s body temperature, and transport at once
D. oxygen via the blow by technique, transport at once and request a paramedic rendezvous so that an anticonvulsant drug can be given
B
You receive a call to a local daycare center for a 3 year old boy who is not breathing. When you arrive and assess the child, you find him to be in cardiopulmonary arrest. You initiate CPR and request a back up ambulance. As you are performing one rescuer CPR, your partner prepares the AED. The appropriate compression to ventilation ratio for this child is:
A. 3:1
B. 60:2
C. 15:2
D. 30:2
D
You receive a call to a local daycare center for a 3 year old boy who is not breathing. When you arrive and assess the child, you find him to be in cardiopulmonary arrest. You initiate CPR and request a back up ambulance. After attaching the AED, you push the analyze button and receive a “shock advised” message. After delivering the shock, you should
A. assess for a carotid pulse
B. immediately perform CPR
C. reanalyze the cardiac rhythm
D. open the airway and ventilate
B
You receive a call to a local daycare center for a 3 year old boy who is not breathing. When you arrive and assess the child, you find him to be in cardiopulmonary arrest. You initiate CPR and request a back up ambulance. A paramedic unit arrives at the scene to provide assistance. After one of the paramedics intubates the child, you should deliver ventilations at a rate of
A. 6-8 breaths per minute
B. 8-10 breaths per minute
C. 10-12 breaths per minute
D. 12-20 breaths per minute
B
You receive a call to a local daycare center for a 3 year old boy who is not breathing. When you arrive and assess the child, you find him to be in cardiopulmonary arrest. You initiate CPR and request a back up ambulance. In infants and children, the most detrimental effect of gastric distention is
A. increased ease of ventilations
B. decreased ventilatory volume
C. acute rupture of the diaphragm
D. less effective chest compressions
B
Which of the following parameters would be most reliable as an indicator of perfusion in a 1 year old child?
A. heart rate
B. capillary refill
C. blood pressure
D. respiratory rate
B
While managing a patient with acute shortness of breath, you prepare and apply a nonrebreathing mask set at 12 L/min. The patient pulls the mask away from his face, stating that it is smothering him. You should next
A. increase the oxygen flow and reapply the mask
B.securely tape the oxygen mask to the patient’s face
C. reassure the patient and apply a nasal cannula instead
D. inform the patient that refusing oxygen may result in his death
C
Signs of inadequate breathing in an unconscious patient include
A. fast heart rate
B. warm, moist skin
C. equal breath sounds
D. rapid respiratory rate
D
Initial attempts at providing artificial ventilation should be accomplished using
A. the one person bag valve mask technique
B. the two person bag valve mask technique
C. a pocket mask with supplemental oxygen
D. a flow restricted oxygen powered ventilation device
C
The most effective means of preventing the spread of disease is
A. effective handwashing
B. up to date immunizations
C. wearing gloves with all patients
D. using an alcohol based hand sanatizer after applying your gloves
A
You have completed your prehospital care report and left a copy at the hospital when you realize that you forgot to document a pertinent finding on the front of the report. The most appropriate action would be to
A. attach an addenum to the original run report
B. write the information on the original run report
C. complete a new run report and add the information
D. take no action and report the event to your supervisor
A
An awake and alert 92 year old woman with chest pain is refusing to EMS treatment and transport to the hospital. Her family insists that you transport her. This situation is most appropriately managed by
A. transporting the patient as the family wishes
B. advising the patient of the risks of refusing care
C. obtaining a signed refusal from a family member
D. transporting the patient as you explain your actions
B
At the scene of a mass casualty incident, you notice a bystander that is clearly emotionally upset. An appropriate action to take would be to
A. tell the bystander to leave the scene at once
B. have the bystander assist you with patient care
C. notify the police and have the bystander removed
D. assign the bystander a simple, non patient care task.
D
Which of the following situations would necessitate treatment using implied consent?
A. a 16 year old pregnant girl with an isolated extremity injury
B. an 18 year old man who is now alert after receiving oral glucose
C. a 25 year old man who is restless and has severe chest pain and diaphoresis
D. a 65 year old man who is semiconscious and suspected of having a severe stroke
D
Which of the following patients would most likely present with atypical signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction
A. 72 year old female with diabetes and hypertension
B. 64 year old male with renal disease and depression
C. 59 year old male with alcoholism and angina pectoris
D. 50 year old female with pedal edema and diabetes
C
While assessing a patient with chest pain, you note that the patient’s pulse is irregular. This pattern most likely indicates
A. acute myocardial infarction or angina pectoris
B. a dysfunction in the left side of the patient’s heart
C. high blood pressure that is increasing cardiac workload
D. abnormalities in the heart’s electrical conduction system
D
While a man was using a chainsaw to trim branches from a tree, it slipped and caused a large laceration to his left forearm. Bright red blood is spurting from the wound. The patient is conscious, alert, and talking. You should first
A. open the patient’s airway
B. control the active bleeding
C. apply supplemental oxygen
D. thoroughly cleanse the wound
B
A 40 year old patient sustained full thickness burns to the entire head, anterior chest, and both anterior upper extremeties. using the adult rule of nines, what percentage of the patient’s body surface area has been burned?
A. 18%
B. 27%
C. 36%
D. 45%
B
When assessing a patient with chest pain, which of the following questions would you ask to assess the ‘R’ in OPQRST?
A. Did the pain begin suddenly or gradually?
B. What were you doing when the pain began?
C. Is there anything that makes the pain worse?
D. Is the pain in one place or does it move around?
D
Which of the following describes the most correct method for inserting a nasopharangeal airway?
A. insert the device with the bevel facing the septum
B. insert the device with the bevel facing the lateral aspect of the nose
C. rotate the device as you insert it into the right nostril
D. apply firm, gentle pressure if you meet resistance during insertion
A
Which vital sign is the best indicator of cardiac output during the initial assessment?
A. pulse rate and quality
B. systolic blood pressure
C. quality of the respirations
D. condition and color of the skin
A
After assisting a patient with their epinephrine auto injector, you should dispose of the device by
A. giving it to the patient to have it refilled
B. placing the device in a red biohazard bag
C. placing the device in a puncture proof container
D. replacing the cover and putting it in a trash can
C
Which of the following assessment findings would most suggest a systemic reaction following ingestion of a poison?
A. nausea and vomiting
B. burns around the mouth
C. tachycardia and hypotension
D. difficulty swallowing and burning in the mouth
C
You are at the scene where a man panicked while swimming in a small lake. As you attempt to rescue this patient, you should first
A. throw a rope to the patient
B. row a small raft to the patient
C. swim to the patient to rescue him
D. attempt to grab the patient with a stick
A
After removing the patient from the water, your assessment reveals that the patient is breathing inadequately and is continuously regurgitating large quantities of water. You should manage this patient by
A. alternating suctioning with artificial ventilations
B. performing abdominal thrusts to remove the water
C. placing the patient on his side and press in on the abdomen
D. initiating artificial ventilations after the patient stops regurgitating
A
Your first action in managing a patient with an altered mental status should be to
A. give the patient oral glucose
B. administer supplemental oxygen
C. make sure that the patient is breathing adequately
D. try to determine the cause of the altered mental status
C
Management of a patient with severe abdominal pain includes
A. administering 100% oxygen
B. auscultating for bowel sounds
C. giving the patient sips of water
D. placing the patient in a supine position
A
