Geriatrics_Special Challenges QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS ALL CORRECT
When assessing a 91-year-old female who fell, what assessment finding should
concern the EMT most? Correct Answer: Sudden onset of confusion
A patient with cataracts would most likely complain of: Correct Answer:
intermittent blindness.
A 92-year-old male states that he "passed out" and fell down. He regained
consciousness a few moments later, but had shortness of breath and sharp chest
pain. Which one of the following in the patient's history is of greatest concern?
Correct Answer: The patient states his left calf is tender and painful.
A patient with postural hypotension would most likely make what statement?
Correct Answer: "I get so dizzy when I get up off of the couch."
The EMT recognizes that dementia is typically observed as: Correct Answer: a
chronic and irreversible condition.
You have been called to a skilled nursing home to transport a patient with fever
and pneumonia to the hospital for further care and treatment. As such, you realize
that the primary focus of your care will be: Correct Answer: oxygen therapy.
A patient with a history of arteriosclerosis suffers from: Correct Answer: stiffened
arteries.
You are preparing to transport an 86-year-old female complaining of altered
mental status and nausea and vomiting. Aspiration pneumonia would be best
prevented by: Correct Answer: transporting in a semi-Fowler's position.
You have been summoned for a diabetic patient with altered mental status. What
sign would cause you to suspect that the patient is suffering from hyperosmolar
hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)? Correct Answer: Complaint of
thirst and dry mouth
, You have been called for a conscious and alert 83-year-old male complaining of a
fever for three days. He has a history of peripheral vascular disease. When
assessing the patient's circulation, you have a difficult time feeling his radial pulse.
Your next action would be to: Correct Answer: locate the patient's carotid pulse.
An 84-year-old male complains of generalized weakness and an ache in his left
shoulder. He also reports mild shortness of breath, but has clear lung sounds and an
SpO2 of 93%. When asked, he claims that the discomfort started after getting out
of bed 2 hours ago. He denies any known injury to his shoulder or back. He has a
history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, TIA, and irritable bowel
syndrome. Family members state that he has early dementia. There are no obvious
life threats and his vital signs are normal for his age. The appropriate treatment for
this patient would include: Correct Answer: provide oxygen and treat as a cardiac
patient.
You have just arrived by the side of an elderly patient who took excessive amounts
of his daily medications after becoming confused about what to take and when.
Which one of the following is the immediate priority in caring for this patient?
Correct Answer: Evaluate and support the patient's airway and breathing.
When assessing a patient, which finding should raise the EMT's suspicion that the
patient may be suffering from a pulmonary embolism? Correct Answer: Sudden
onset of shortness of breath
A 77-year-old male got out of bed, became dizzy, and fell onto the floor, hitting
the right side of his face. You find him sitting on the floor with his wife next to
him. His wife states that he did not lose consciousness and that this has happened
several times over the past few days, ever since the doctor put him on a new blood
pressure medication. Presently, the patient is alert and oriented and complaining of
dizziness and a headache. He has a history of coronary artery disease, emphysema,
and hypertension. Which one of the following should you do first? Correct
Answer: Take manual in-line spinal stabilization and begin assessment.
You have been called for an unknown medical emergency. On scene you are
presented with an 84-year-old patient who is confused and does not obey
commands. The best means of determining the patient's normal mental status
would be to: Correct Answer: question family members.
You have been called to an assisted living facility to transport a patient who has
been vomiting continuously for 6 hours. She is responsive to verbal stimuli. The
AND ANSWERS ALL CORRECT
When assessing a 91-year-old female who fell, what assessment finding should
concern the EMT most? Correct Answer: Sudden onset of confusion
A patient with cataracts would most likely complain of: Correct Answer:
intermittent blindness.
A 92-year-old male states that he "passed out" and fell down. He regained
consciousness a few moments later, but had shortness of breath and sharp chest
pain. Which one of the following in the patient's history is of greatest concern?
Correct Answer: The patient states his left calf is tender and painful.
A patient with postural hypotension would most likely make what statement?
Correct Answer: "I get so dizzy when I get up off of the couch."
The EMT recognizes that dementia is typically observed as: Correct Answer: a
chronic and irreversible condition.
You have been called to a skilled nursing home to transport a patient with fever
and pneumonia to the hospital for further care and treatment. As such, you realize
that the primary focus of your care will be: Correct Answer: oxygen therapy.
A patient with a history of arteriosclerosis suffers from: Correct Answer: stiffened
arteries.
You are preparing to transport an 86-year-old female complaining of altered
mental status and nausea and vomiting. Aspiration pneumonia would be best
prevented by: Correct Answer: transporting in a semi-Fowler's position.
You have been summoned for a diabetic patient with altered mental status. What
sign would cause you to suspect that the patient is suffering from hyperosmolar
hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (HHNS)? Correct Answer: Complaint of
thirst and dry mouth
, You have been called for a conscious and alert 83-year-old male complaining of a
fever for three days. He has a history of peripheral vascular disease. When
assessing the patient's circulation, you have a difficult time feeling his radial pulse.
Your next action would be to: Correct Answer: locate the patient's carotid pulse.
An 84-year-old male complains of generalized weakness and an ache in his left
shoulder. He also reports mild shortness of breath, but has clear lung sounds and an
SpO2 of 93%. When asked, he claims that the discomfort started after getting out
of bed 2 hours ago. He denies any known injury to his shoulder or back. He has a
history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, TIA, and irritable bowel
syndrome. Family members state that he has early dementia. There are no obvious
life threats and his vital signs are normal for his age. The appropriate treatment for
this patient would include: Correct Answer: provide oxygen and treat as a cardiac
patient.
You have just arrived by the side of an elderly patient who took excessive amounts
of his daily medications after becoming confused about what to take and when.
Which one of the following is the immediate priority in caring for this patient?
Correct Answer: Evaluate and support the patient's airway and breathing.
When assessing a patient, which finding should raise the EMT's suspicion that the
patient may be suffering from a pulmonary embolism? Correct Answer: Sudden
onset of shortness of breath
A 77-year-old male got out of bed, became dizzy, and fell onto the floor, hitting
the right side of his face. You find him sitting on the floor with his wife next to
him. His wife states that he did not lose consciousness and that this has happened
several times over the past few days, ever since the doctor put him on a new blood
pressure medication. Presently, the patient is alert and oriented and complaining of
dizziness and a headache. He has a history of coronary artery disease, emphysema,
and hypertension. Which one of the following should you do first? Correct
Answer: Take manual in-line spinal stabilization and begin assessment.
You have been called for an unknown medical emergency. On scene you are
presented with an 84-year-old patient who is confused and does not obey
commands. The best means of determining the patient's normal mental status
would be to: Correct Answer: question family members.
You have been called to an assisted living facility to transport a patient who has
been vomiting continuously for 6 hours. She is responsive to verbal stimuli. The
