ACCURATE REAL EXAM QUESTION AND ANSWERS
WITH RATIONALES| EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED PASS | GRADED A
DOMAIN: MEDICAL EMERGENCIES & INFECTIOUS DISEASES (1–50)
Question 1
A young woman reports significant weight loss over the last month, persistent
fever, and night sweats. When you assess her, you note the presence of dark
purple lesions covering her trunk and upper extremities. You should suspect:
A. end-stage cancer.
B. HIV/AIDS.
C. tuberculosis.
D. rheumatic fever.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Weight loss, fever, and night sweats could indicate tuberculosis or
HIV/AIDS; however, the dark purple lesions on the skin, which are called Kaposi's
sarcoma, are malignant skin tumors and are a classic finding in patients in the
later stages of AIDS. Kaposi's sarcoma is an AIDS-defining illness caused by human
herpesvirus 8 (HHV-8) and is a hallmark of advanced immunosuppression.
Question 2
A 42-year-old male presents with fever, a severe headache, and a stiff neck. He is
conscious, but confused. His wife tells you that he does not have any medical
problems and does not take any medications. You should be MOST suspicious for:
A. acute stroke.
B. influenza.
C. meningitis.
D. tuberculosis.
Correct Answer: C
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,Rationale: Fever, severe headache, stiff neck (nuchal rigidity), and altered mental
status are classic signs of meningitis (inflammation of the meninges). Stroke
typically presents with focal neurological deficits (e.g., unilateral weakness, facial
droop), not fever and stiff neck. Influenza may cause fever and headache but not
nuchal rigidity. Tuberculosis can cause meningitis, but the acute presentation
makes bacterial meningitis more likely.
Question 3
A 55-year-old male with a history of diabetes complains of chest pain that
radiates to his left arm. He is diaphoretic and nauseated. Which of the following is
the most appropriate initial action?
A. Administer aspirin.
B. Administer nitroglycerin.
C. Apply supplemental oxygen.
D. Perform a 12-lead ECG.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The initial action for any patient with suspected acute coronary
syndrome (ACS) is to ensure adequate oxygenation. Administering supplemental
oxygen (if SpO₂ < 94% or if the patient is in respiratory distress) is the priority
before giving aspirin or nitroglycerin. A 12-lead ECG should be obtained en route,
but oxygenation comes first. Aspirin and nitroglycerin are important but
secondary to establishing a patent airway and adequate breathing.
Question 4
A patient with a history of COPD is breathing with pursed lips and using accessory
muscles. His SpO₂ is 88% on room air. What is the most appropriate initial
intervention?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask.
B. Administer oxygen via nasal cannula at 2 L/min to achieve SpO₂ of 88–92%.
C. Place the patient in a supine position.
D. Perform endotracheal intubation immediately.
Correct Answer: B
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,Rationale: COPD patients often rely on hypoxic drive; high-flow oxygen can lead
to respiratory depression. The goal is to maintain SpO₂ between 88–92% using
low-flow oxygen, typically via nasal cannula. Avoid over-oxygenation. Intubation is
not the first step; attempting to improve ventilation with oxygen and positioning
is preferred initially. Placing the patient supine may worsen breathing; semi-
Fowler's is preferred.
Question 5
Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of a nasopharyngeal airway
(NPA)?
A. The patient is conscious.
B. The patient has a history of epistaxis.
C. The patient has a suspected skull fracture.
D. The patient is unresponsive with a gag reflex.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: A nasopharyngeal airway is contraindicated in patients with suspected
skull fracture or facial trauma (especially basilar skull fracture) because the tube
could pass through the fracture into the cranial cavity. Epistaxis is a relative
contraindication but not absolute. Consciousness and gag reflex are not
contraindications for NPA (it can be used in conscious patients with a gag reflex).
An oral airway (OPA) is contraindicated in conscious patients with a gag reflex.
Question 6
A 30-year-old female is found unresponsive with pinpoint pupils, respiratory
depression, and cyanosis. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Opioid overdose
B. Hypoglycemia
C. Stroke
D. Seizure
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The classic triad of opioid overdose includes pinpoint pupils (miosis),
respiratory depression (bradypnea), and CNS depression (unresponsiveness).
Cyanosis results from hypoventilation. Naloxone should be administered
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, immediately. Hypoglycemia may present with unresponsiveness but typically does
not cause pinpoint pupils. Stroke and seizures may have varying pupil findings but
not the classic miosis and respiratory depression seen in opioid overdose.
Question 7
A patient with a severe allergic reaction presents with stridor, wheezing, and
facial edema. After ensuring a patent airway, what is the priority medication?
A. Albuterol
B. Epinephrine
C. Diphenhydramine
D. Methylprednisolone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. It reverses
bronchoconstriction (beta-2 effects), vasodilation (alpha effects), and edema.
Albuterol is adjunctive for bronchospasm but does not address vasodilation or
systemic hypotension. Diphenhydramine and steroids have slower onset and are
not primary treatments in the acute setting.
Question 8
A 65-year-old male with a history of hypertension complains of sudden, severe
"tearing" chest pain radiating to his back. His blood pressure is 180/110 mmHg.
You should suspect:
A. myocardial infarction.
B. pulmonary embolism.
C. aortic dissection.
D. pericarditis.
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Sudden, severe "tearing" chest pain radiating to the back, especially
with hypertension, is classic for aortic dissection. MI pain is more pressure-like
and does not typically radiate to the back in a tearing fashion. Pulmonary
embolism often causes pleuritic pain and dyspnea. Pericarditis pain is positional
(worse when lying flat, better when leaning forward).
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