Rationales

Question 1

Your 5-year-old patient is unresponsive. A carotid pulse is present at 40 beats per minute. Breaths are shallow at six per minute. You should immediately:

Answer 1

Rationale: CPR, beginning with chest compressions, is indicated for unresponsive children with a pulse rate below 60.

Question 2

Which of the following medications is intended to decrease myocardial workload and increase myocardial blood flow?

Answer 2

Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, so it can increase blood flow to the heart and reduce systemic vascular resistance. Activated charcoal is an adsorbent, aspirin is an anti-platelet aggregate, and epinephrine is a sympathomimetic.

Question 3

Your patient is unresponsive following blunt trauma to the head. Which of the following is the EMT’s first priority for an unresponsive patient?

Answer 3

Unresponsive patients should be assessed using the CAB sequence. Circulation is assessed first in order to begin CPR as quickly as possible if needed.

Question 4

The foramen magnum:

Answer 4

The foramen magnum is a large opening at the base of the skull that allows the brain and spinal cord to connect. The atlas (C1) and axis (C2) allow for lateral movement of the head

Question 5

Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can reduce respiratory distress by

Answer 5

CPAP helps to keep the alveoli open. CPAP is a treatment for sleep apnea and can help avoid intubation. CPAP does not relieve FBAO.

Question 6

Which of the following is true during inhalation of a spontaneously breathing patient?

Answer 6

During inhalation of a spontaneously breathing patient, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles are contracting. There is a drop in pressure within the thorax and air is pulled in, not pushed.

Question 7

You are first on the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving multiple vehicles. Which of the following should you do first:

Answer 7

Requesting additional resources is part of the scene size up. Rescuers should request additional resources as quickly as possible, before triage, extrication, or the primary assessment.

Question 8

You are caring for an apneic patient with a suspected overdose. You have loaded the patient into the ambulance and entered the patient compartment. You should first:

Answer 8

put on your seat belt. Personal safety is the EMT€™s first priority.

Question 9

You are called for a 6-month-old infant with respiratory distress. Which of the following is true about patients in this age group?

Answer 9

Infants typically breathe through their nose. Infants do not require forceful ventilations with a BVM and are more susceptible to hypoxia than adults. Hypoxia is a common cause of bradycardia in infants.

Question 10

Which of the following signs of hypoxia is more commonly found in pediatric patients?

Answer 10

Seesaw breathing is more common in pediatric patients. Cyanosis, tachypnea, and altered LOC may be seen in hypoxic patients of any age.

Question 11

You are treating a patient with respiratory distress. He has a history of multiple myocardial infarctions. Lung sounds indicate pulmonary edema. You note the patient does NOT have any JVD or pedal edema. The patient is most likely experiencing:

Answer 11

Pulmonary edema indicates possible left heart failure. Pedal edema and JVD indicate possible right heart failure. The patient€™s presentation is not consistent with angina or asthma.

Question 12

The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the:

Answer 12

The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the pulmonary veins. The right side of the heart receives deoxygenated blood from the venae cavae. Deoxygenated blood leaves the right heart through the pulmonary arteries.

Question 13

Which of the following provides oxygenated blood directly to the heart?

Answer 13

The coronary arteries provide oxygenated blood to the heart. The carotid and cerebral arteries provide blood to the brain. The femoral arteries are located in the leg.

Question 14

Which of the following vessels carries deoxygenated blood?

Answer 14

The pulmonary arteries are the only arteries which carry deoxygenated blood. The pulmonary veins are the only veins which carry oxygenated blood

Question 15

Your patient has been exposed to a chemical that over-stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. You would expect this patient to exhibit:

Answer 15

The parasympathetic nervous system exerts control over digestive functions. Over stimulation can lead to vomiting. Dilated pupils, dry mouth, and hypertension are more likely caused by stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system

Question 16

You are considering administration of oral glucose to your diabetic patient. This drug is contraindicated when it:

Answer 16

Medications are contraindicated when the risks outweigh the potential benefits. Oral glucose does not require a prescription. Some undesired effects (side effects) do not contraindicate use of a drug

Question 17

Nerve agents and choking agents are examples of:

Answer 17

Nerve agents and choking agents are examples of chemical agents. Biological agents are intended to cause disease, not choking. Nuclear and radiological agents are intended to cause injury by blast, radiation, or thermal burns.

Question 18

Which of the following describes the purpose of administering aspirin to a suspected myocardial infarction patient?

Answer 18

Aspirin reduces platelet aggregation in the coronary arteries. Aspirin does not dilate coronary arteries, reduce chest pain due to MI, or reduce acidosis.

Question 19

You are dispatched to a soccer game for a 12-year-old female with signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. Upon arrival, the patient’s mother hands you an epinephrine auto-injector. You should:

Answer 19

A primary assessment must be conducted before determining if an epi-pen should be administered. EMTs receive medical direction from their medical director(s), not the patient€™s physician