A
ou respond to a patient with a fever, productive cough, night sweats, and recent weight loss. The patient lives in a shelter and has a history of incarceration. Which disease should you most suspect?
A. Pneumonia
B. Tuberculosis
C. Influenza
D. Hepatitis C
B. Tuberculosis
Which of the following signs or symptoms would most likely be present in a patient with hepatitis B?
A. Productive cough and nasal discharge
B. Jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain
C. Shortness of breath and chest tightness
D. Hives and itching after eating shellfish
B. Jaundice and right upper quadrant abdominal pain
You are dispatched to a college dormitory for a patient with a sudden high fever, stiff neck, and photophobia. Roommates report similar symptoms in others. What should you be most concerned about?
A. Influenza
B. Meningococcal meningitis
C. COVID-19
D. Norovirus
B. Meningococcal meningitis
What is the best way for an EMT to prevent the spread of communicable diseases between patients?
A. Wearing gloves at all times
B. Cleaning equipment at the end of the shift
C. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
D. Only using PPE when a patient is visibly ill
C. Performing hand hygiene before and after patient contact
An elderly nursing home patient presents with a fever, cough, and wheezing. Several other residents are reporting the same symptoms. What should be your first action after treating and transporting the patient?
A. Call your supervisor and return to service
B. Report the findings to public health officials immediately
C. Decontaminate your ambulance and notify dispatch of a potential outbreak
D. Assume the symptoms are seasonal allergies
C. Decontaminate your ambulance and notify dispatch of a potential outbreak
A 23-year-old male was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He is conscious, has deformity to his left femur, and complains of abdominal pain. His skin is cool and clammy. What is your priority intervention?
A. Apply a traction splint and reassess
B. Administer oxygen and begin a detailed physical exam
C. Rapid transport after treating life-threatening injuries
D. Immobilize the patient on a backboard and call for ALS
C. Rapid transport after treating life-threatening injuries
A 68-year-old female presents with slurred speech, right-sided facial droop, and weakness in her right arm. These symptoms started approximately 45 minutes ago. Which of the following should be your first step?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Conduct a stroke assessment and notify the hospital
C. Apply a non-rebreather mask and transport without delay
D. Obtain a full set of vital signs before transport
B. Conduct a stroke assessment and notify the hospital
You are assisting in the delivery of a newborn. After the baby is delivered, you note a weak cry, heart rate of 80 bpm, and some flexion of the extremities. What is your next action?
A. Begin chest compressions
B. Dry, stimulate, and provide blow-by oxygen
C. Deliver positive pressure ventilations
D. Suction the airway with a bulb syringe
C. Deliver positive pressure ventilations
You are the first unit on the scene of a multi-vehicle crash involving hazardous materials. What is your first priority?
A. Begin triage
B. Remove patients from the scene
C. Secure a safe zone and establish incident command
D. Identify the chemical involved
C. Secure a safe zone and establish incident command
A 72-year-old female complains of sudden chest pressure, difficulty breathing, and nausea. Her skin is pale and cool. She has a history of angina. What is your initial intervention?
A. Administer nitroglycerin and have her walk to the ambulance
B. Administer high-flow oxygen, assist with prescribed nitroglycerin, and prepare for transport
C. Perform a detailed assessment before administering medications
D. Encourage the patient to take aspirin and stay on scene
B. Administer high-flow oxygen, assist with prescribed nitroglycerin, and prepare for transport
You are treating a patient with chest pain. The patient has a prescription for nitroglycerin. Which of the following is a contraindication to assisting with nitroglycerin?
A. The patient is hypertensive
B. The patient took aspirin 20 minutes ago
C. The patient has a heart rate of 100 bpm
D. The patient used erectile dysfunction medication in the last 48 hours
D. The patient used erectile dysfunction medication in the last 48 hours
What is the mechanism of action of activated charcoal?
A. It binds to and inactivates toxins in the gastrointestinal tract
B. It induces vomiting to remove poisons
C. It neutralizes acids in the bloodstream
D. It prevents absorption of water in the intestines
A. It binds to and inactivates toxins in the gastrointestinal tract
A 60-year-old male with a history of COPD is having difficulty breathing. He has a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) with albuterol. What is the expected effect of albuterol?
A. Lowers blood pressure
B. Constricts the airway to slow respiration
C. Relieves bronchospasm and improves airflow
D. Sedates the patient and reduces respiratory effort
C. Relieves bronchospasm and improves airflow
You respond to a motor vehicle crash involving a 22-year-old unrestrained driver. He is confused, repeatedly asks what happened, and has unequal pupils. Vital signs are: BP 170/90, HR 50, RR 10 with irregular pattern. What is your greatest concern?
A. Dehydration and shock
B. Increasing intracranial pressure (ICP)
C. Cervical spine fracture
D. Alcohol intoxication
B. Increasing intracranial pressure (ICP)
A 35-year-old male was found unconscious after a high-speed motorcycle crash. He is unresponsive to verbal stimuli but withdraws from pain. His pupils are unequal, and his respiratory rate is 8 and irregular. What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Insert a nasal airway and ventilate with a BVM
B. Begin chest compressions and transport immediately
C. Manually stabilize the spine and assist ventilations with a BVM
D. Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
C. Manually stabilize the spine and assist ventilations with a BVM
A 35-year-old male was stabbed in the chest. He is alert but anxious. Vitals: BP 80/60, HR 132, RR 28, SpO₂ 92%. JVD is noted, and heart sounds are muffled.
What is the most likely condition?
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Pericardial tamponade
C. Hemothorax
D. Myocardial infarction
B. Pericardial tamponade
A 19-year-old male is found confused, with pinpoint pupils and shallow respirations. Vitals: HR 58, RR 6, SpO₂ 89%. Friends report he may have taken opioids.
What is the most important intervention?
A. Perform a sternal rub
B. Ventilate with BVM and administer naloxone
C. Administer activated charcoal
D. Start chest compressions
B. Ventilate with BVM and administer naloxone
A 58-year-old male with a history of COPD is found in tripod position, speaking in 2–3 word sentences. Vitals: HR 112, BP 142/88, RR 32, SpO₂ 84% on room air.
What is the best initial treatment?
A. Assist ventilations with BVM
B. Administer high-flow O₂ via NRB
C. Provide albuterol via nebulizer
D. Place in a supine position and reassess
C. Provide albuterol via nebulizer
A 70-year-old female suddenly slurred her speech and dropped her coffee cup. On arrival, she is alert but has right-sided facial droop and weakness. Vitals: BP 190/90, HR 84, RR 16, SpO₂ 98%.
What should you do first?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen
B. Perform a Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale
C. Transport to the nearest hospital
D. Check blood glucose
D. Check blood glucose
You respond to a 64-year-old male found confused and diaphoretic at a bus stop. He has a known history of insulin-dependent diabetes. Vitals: HR 110, BP 132/78, RR 18, SpO₂ 97%. Glucometer reads 48 mg/dL.
What is the most appropriate initial intervention?
A. Administer oral glucose
B. Prepare for immediate transport
C. Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
D. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
A. Administer oral glucose
You respond to a call at a homeless shelter for a 58-year-old male complaining of a persistent cough and night sweats. He is coughing up blood-tinged sputum and appears thin and fatigued. Staff mention he hasn’t seen a doctor in months.Which of the following precautions should you take when assessing this patient?
A. Gloves and goggles only
B. Surgical mask on the patient and N95 respirator for yourself
C. No need for PPE unless he has a fever
D. Full gown and face shield only
B. Surgical mask on the patient and N95 respirator for yourself
Scenario:
While assisting with a combative patient who is bleeding from a laceration on his hand, your partner accidentally gets blood on their ungloved hand. The patient is known to have hepatitis B.
What is the most appropriate next step for your partner?
A. Call poison control
B. Rinse with water and apply alcohol
C. Immediately wash with soap and water, then report the exposure
D. Wait to report until the end of the shift
C. Immediately wash with soap and water, then report the exposure
Scenario:
You are called to a college dormitory for a 19-year-old male with fever, headache, stiff neck, and purple rash. Roommates report other students in the dorm have similar symptoms.
What is your primary concern regarding this call?
A. Preventing a seizure during transport
B. Starting oxygen therapy immediately
C. Scene safety and wearing an N95 mask
D. Checking for signs of dehydration
C. Scene safety and wearing an N95 mask
Scenario:
You are dispatched for a 74-year-old female with shortness of breath and fever. Family reports recent international travel. She is coughing persistently and appears hypoxic.
What is the correct action to take during transport?
A. Place a non-rebreather on the patient and drive with windows closed
B. Place a surgical mask on the patient and notify the receiving hospital
C. Wear gloves only and avoid oxygen if possible
D. Do not transport until a rapid test is completed
B. Place a surgical mask on the patient and notify the receiving hospital
Scenario:
After transporting a patient involved in a car crash, you realize that some of the blood on the stretcher got onto your exposed forearm. You were wearing gloves but short sleeves.
Which of the following is the most important immediate step?
A. Clean with alcohol swab and document
B. Notify your supervisor after shift
C. Wash thoroughly with soap and water and report the exposure
D. Change into a new uniform and disinfect the stretcher
C. Wash thoroughly with soap and water and report the exposure