Cardiovascular Emergency's
A 40-year-old man is in cardiac arrest. Your partner is performing CPR. You are attaching the AED when the patient’s wife tells you that he has an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD). The AED advises that a shock is indicated. What should you do?
A.Continue CPR and transport the patient to the closest appropriate hospital.
B.Deliver the shock followed by immediate resumption of CPR.
C.Avoid defibrillation because this will damage the patient’s AICD.
D.Contact medical control and request permission to defibrillate.
B. Deliver the shock followed by immediate resumption of CPR.
Which of the following statements regarding the hypoxic drive is correct?
A.Chronic carbon dioxide elimination often results in activation of the hypoxic drive.
B.The hypoxic drive serves as the primary stimulus for breathing in healthy individuals.
C.100% supplemental oxygen will always cause apnea in patients with a hypoxic drive.
D.The hypoxic drive stimulates a person to breathe on the basis of low oxygen levels.
D.
The hypoxic drive stimulates a person to breathe on the basis of low oxygen levels.
A patient has a blood pressure of 130/70 mm Hg. The “130” in this measurement represents:
A.ventricular relaxation.
B.atrial contraction.
C.ventricular filling.
D.ventricular contraction.
ventricular contraction.
If an action or procedure that was performed on a patient is not recorded on the written report:
A.it can be qualified by the EMT in charge.
B.it cannot be used in establishing negligence.
C.it was not performed, according to the eyes of the law.
D.it was performed haphazardly by the EMT.
C.
it was not performed, according to the eyes of the law.
A patient has bilateral femur fractures. This means that:
A.the femur is fractured in two places.
B.both fractures are closer to the knee.
C.both fractures are closer to the hips.
D.both femurs are fractured.
both femurs are fractured.
Classic signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include:
A.warm, dry skin; irritability; bradycardia; and rapid respirations.
B.warm, dry skin; hunger; abdominal pain; and deep, slow respirations.
C.cool, clammy skin; weakness; tachycardia; and rapid respirations.
D.cold, clammy skin; bradycardia; hunger; and deep, rapid respirations.
C.cool, clammy skin; weakness; tachycardia; and rapid respirations.
The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by:
Select one:
A.eliminating toxic waste products from the body.
B.accommodating a large amount of blood volume.
C.retaining key electrolytes, such as potassium.
D.removing sodium and water from the body.
D.
removing sodium and water from the body.
Common signs and symptoms of a hypertensive emergency include:
A.syncope, a weak pulse, and bleeding from the ears.
B.tachycardia, pain behind the eyes, and weakness.
C.pallor, cool skin, and a temporary loss of hearing.
D.a bounding pulse, a severe headache, and dizziness.
D. a bounding pulse, a severe headache, and dizziness.
You are dispatched to a residence for a 67-year-old female who was awakened by shortness of breath and sharp chest pain. Her husband tells you that she was recently discharged from the hospital after having hip surgery. Your assessment reveals dried blood around her mouth, facial cyanosis, and an oxygen saturation of 88%. You should suspect:
A.acute pulmonary edema.
B.right-sided heart failure.
C.acute pulmonary embolism.
D.spontaneous pneumothorax.
C. acute pulmonary embolism.
The electrical impulse of the heart normally begins at the:
Select one:
A.atrioventricular node.
B.bundle of His.
C.sinoatrial node.
D.Purkinje fibers
C.
sinoatrial node.
In which of the following situations does a legal duty to act clearly exist?
A.A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change.
B.The EMT hears of a cardiac arrest after his or her shift ends.
C.The EMT witnesses a vehicle crash while off duty.
D.A bystander encounters a victim who is not breathing.
A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change.
A trauma patient has a gunshot wound to the left side of the chest, away from the nipple. How should the injury location be described?
A.Anterolateral
B.Anteroposterior
C.Inferoposterior
D.Inferomedial
Anterolateral
Diabetic ketoacidosis occurs when:
Select one:
A.insulin is not available in the body.
B.blood glucose levels rapidly fall.
C.the pancreas produces excess insulin.
D.the cells rapidly metabolize glucose.
A.
insulin is not available in the body.
Which of the following organs assists in the filtration of blood, serves as a blood reservoir, and produces antibodies?
Select one:
A.Spleen
B.Kidneys
C.Liver
D.Pancreas
Spleen
It would be MOST appropriate for a patient to take his or her prescribed nitroglycerin when experiencing:
A.chest pain that does not immediately subside with rest.
B.difficulty breathing that awakens the patient from sleep.
C.sharp chest pain that lasts longer than 10 to 15 minutes.
D.an acute onset of dizziness during a period of exertion.
A. chest pain that does not immediately subside with rest.
You are assisting an asthma patient with his prescribed metered-dose inhaler. After the patient exhales, and before inhaling, the patient should put his or her lips around the inhaler, take a deep breath, and depress the inhale. You should:
A.instruct him to hold his breath for as long as he comfortably can.
B.advise him to exhale forcefully to ensure medication absorption.
C.immediately reapply the oxygen mask and reassess his condition.
D.allow him to breathe room air and assess his oxygen saturation.
A.
instruct him to hold his breath for as long as he comfortably can.
The areas of the spinal column, in descending order, are:
A.cervical, lumbar, thoracic, sacral, and coccyx.
B.cervical, thoracic, coccyx, lumbar, and sacral.
C.cervical, thoracic, sacral, lumbar, and coccyx.
D.cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx.
D.
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx.
When is forcible restraint permitted?
A.When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others
B.Only if consent to restrain is given by a family member
C.Only if law enforcement personnel have witnessed threatening behavior
D.Anytime that the EMT feels threatened
A.
When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others
Relative to the ankle, the knee is:
A.medial.
B.proximal.
C.superior.
D.lateral.
proximal
Which of the following statements regarding sickle cell disease is correct?
Select one:
A.Because of their abnormal shape, red blood cells in patients with sickle cell disease are less apt to lodge in a blood vessel.
B.The red blood cells of patients with sickle cell disease are round and contain hemoglobin.
C.In sickle cell disease, the red blood cells are abnormally shaped and are less able to carry oxygen.
D.Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes the blood to clot too quickly.
C.In sickle cell disease, the red blood cells are abnormally shaped and are less able to carry oxygen.
Your patient’s past medical history includes hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and seizures. Today, he presents with signs of acute renal failure. Which of his medical problems MOST likely caused this?
Select one:
A.Hypertension
B.Heart failure
C.Seizures
D.Diabetes
Heart failure
Prompt transport of a patient with a suspected AMI is important because:
A.many patients with an AMI die within 6 hours.
B.nitroglycerin can only be given in the emergency department.
C.the patient may be eligible to receive thrombolytic therapy.
D.90% of the cardiac cells will die within the first 30 minutes.
C.the patient may be eligible to receive thrombolytic therapy.
The respiratory distress that accompanies emphysema is caused by:
A.massive constriction of the bronchioles.
B.acute fluid accumulation in the alveoli.
C.chronic stretching of the alveolar walls.
D.repeated exposure to cigarette smoke.
C.
chronic stretching of the alveolar walls.
The bones that constitute the fingers and toes are called:
A.carpals.
B.phalanges.
C.metacarpals.
D.metatarsals
B.
phalanges.
You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident. The patient, a 13-year-old male, is unconscious and has multiple injuries. As you are treating the child, a law enforcement officer advises you that the child’s parents will be at the scene in approximately 15 minutes. What should you do?
A.Treat the child at the scene and wait for the parents to arrive and give consent.
B.Withhold treatment until the parents arrive and give you consent for treatment.
C.Begin transport at once and have the parents meet you en route to the hospital.
D.Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital.
D.
Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital.
During your assessment of a patient with a chest injury, you note that only one side of his chest moves when he breathes. How should you describe his chest movement?
A.Medial
B.Bidirectional
C.Unilateral
D.Paradoxical
C.Unilateral
Type 1 diabetes:
Select one:
A.typically occurs in patients between 50 and 70 years of age.
B.is a condition in which no insulin is produced by the body.
C.is typically treated with medications such as metformin.
D.is defined as a blood sugar level that is less than 120 mg/dL.
B.
is a condition in which no insulin is produced by the body.
Solid abdominal organs include the:
Select one:
A.stomach and small intestine.
B.urinary bladder, colon, and ureters.
C.gallbladder and large intestine.
D.spleen, kidneys, and pancreas.
D.spleen, kidneys, and pancreas.
The inferior vena cava returns deoxygenated blood to the right side of the heart from all of the following areas, EXCEPT the:
A.brain.
B.abdomen.
C.legs.
D.kidneys.
A.brain.
A young female is unconscious after intentionally ingesting a large amount of aspirin. You will MOST likely find her respirations:
A.deep and rapid.
B.slow and shallow.
C.slow and deep.
D.rapid and shallow
A.
deep and rapid.
The first rule of safe lifting is to:
Select one:
A.spread your legs approximately 20″ apart.
B.keep your back in a straight, vertical position.
C.keep your back in a slightly curved position.
D.always lift with your palms facing down.
B.
keep your back in a straight, vertical position.
Your best protection against legal liability when a patient with decision-making capacity refuses EMS care and transport is to:
A.ensure that the family is aware of the risks.
B.advise medical control of the situation.
C.thoroughly document the entire event.
D.err on the side of caution and transport.
C.
thoroughly document the entire event.
A woman amputated the tip of her finger. Which directional term should be used to describe her injury location?
A.Lateral
B.Superior
C.Distal
D.Medial
Distal
In general, oral glucose should be given to any patient who:
Select one:
A.has documented hypoglycemia and an absent gag reflex.
B.has an altered mental status and a history of diabetes.
C.is unresponsive, even in the absence of a history of diabetes.
D.has a blood glucose level that is less than 100 mg/dL.
B.
has an altered mental status and a history of diabetes.
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.radiating pain.
B.visceral pain.
C.remote pain.
D.referred pain.
D.
referred pain.