PARAMEDIC FINAL EXAM 2025
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A protocol that is a written document signed by the EMS system's medical director that outlines
specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care that is
rendered prior to contacting medical control. - ANSWERSStanding order
If a paramedic transports a patient without the patient's consent or uses restraints in a wrongful
manner - ANSWERSFalse Imprisonment
A treatment plan developed for a specific illness or injury. - ANSWERSProtocol
If you must deviate from your protocols because of unusual circumstances, you should FIRST: -
ANSWERSNotify Medical Control
HIPPA mandates that: - ANSWERSPatient information shall not be shared with entities or
persons not involved in the care of the patient.
HIPPA Defined: - ANSWERSa. The first standards established to protect the confidentiality of a
patient's health information.
b. Medical information can be disclosed only if it is necessary for a patient's treatment or for
payment.
c. Special situations such as dog bites, gunshot wounds, and abuse require the release of
patient information without the patient's consent.
According to HIPAA, it is acceptable and permissible for hospitals to: - ANSWERSshare
information with the EMS providers about patient outcome for purposes of quality assurance
and education.
,Wheezing that is resolved with administration of bronchodilator medication was probably
caused by? - ANSWERSconstriction of smooth muscles
Wheezing is resolved with medications that? - ANSWERSRelax the smooth muscle of the
bronchiole
Difficulty with exhalation is MOST characteristic of: - ANSWERSobstructive lung disease
COPD: Emphysema: - ANSWERSCharacterized by distention of the alveoli and destructive
changes in the lungs.
COPD: Chronic Bronchitis: - ANSWERSDefined as sputum production most days of month for 3
or more months out of year for more than 2 years. Will rarely have normal oxygen saturation;
(maybe less than 90%). May have another condition, including respiratory conditions
A 66-year-old man with chronic bronchitis presents with severe respiratory distress. The
patient's wife tells you that he takes medications for high blood pressure and bronchitis, is on
home oxygen therapy, and has recently been taking an over-the-counter antitussive. She further
tells you that he has not been compliant with his oxygen therapy. Auscultation of his lungs
reveals diffuse rhonchi. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's respiratory distress? -
ANSWERSRecent antitussive use
A 76-year-old woman with emphysema presents with respiratory distress that has worsened
progressively over the past 2 days. She is breathing through pursed lips and has a prolonged
expiratory phase and an oxygen saturation of 76%. She is on home oxygen at 2 L/min. Your
initial action should be to? - ANSWERSplace her in a position that facilitates breathing.
Common clinical findings in patients with obstructive lung disease include all of the following,
EXCEPT: - ANSWERSa decreased expiratory phase
, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by: - ANSWERSchanges in
pulmonary structure and function that are progressive and irreversible
The hypoxic drive is a phenomenon in which - ANSWERSbicarbonate ions migrate into the
cerebrospinal fluid of a chronically hypoventilating patient, making the brain think that acid and
base are in balance
Pulmonary Embolism Characteristics - ANSWERSSudden dyspnea & cyanosis, and perhaps, a
sharp pain in the chest. A hallmark of pulmonary embolism is that the cyanosis does not resolve
with oxygen therapy.
You are dispatched to a residence for a young woman with difficulty breathing. When you
arrive, you find the patient sitting in a tripod position, noticeably dyspneic and tachypneic. She
tells you that she experienced a sudden sharp pain to the left side of her chest and then started
having trouble breathing. She denies any past medical history and states that she only takes
birth control pills. Based on this patient's clinical presentation, you should be MOST suspicious
for: - ANSWERSacute pulmonary embolism
One of the hallmarks of a pulmonary embolism is: - ANSWERScyanosis that does not resolve
with oxygen therapy.
Paradoxial Respiratory Movement is - ANSWERSthe inward movement of a segment of the chest
during inhalation and a outward movement of the chest during exhalation, opposite normal
chest movement and a indication of flail chest.
Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by: - ANSWERSthe epigastrium and thorax
moving in opposite directions
Cor pulmonale is defined as: - ANSWERSright heart failure secondary to chronic lung disease
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
A protocol that is a written document signed by the EMS system's medical director that outlines
specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care that is
rendered prior to contacting medical control. - ANSWERSStanding order
If a paramedic transports a patient without the patient's consent or uses restraints in a wrongful
manner - ANSWERSFalse Imprisonment
A treatment plan developed for a specific illness or injury. - ANSWERSProtocol
If you must deviate from your protocols because of unusual circumstances, you should FIRST: -
ANSWERSNotify Medical Control
HIPPA mandates that: - ANSWERSPatient information shall not be shared with entities or
persons not involved in the care of the patient.
HIPPA Defined: - ANSWERSa. The first standards established to protect the confidentiality of a
patient's health information.
b. Medical information can be disclosed only if it is necessary for a patient's treatment or for
payment.
c. Special situations such as dog bites, gunshot wounds, and abuse require the release of
patient information without the patient's consent.
According to HIPAA, it is acceptable and permissible for hospitals to: - ANSWERSshare
information with the EMS providers about patient outcome for purposes of quality assurance
and education.
,Wheezing that is resolved with administration of bronchodilator medication was probably
caused by? - ANSWERSconstriction of smooth muscles
Wheezing is resolved with medications that? - ANSWERSRelax the smooth muscle of the
bronchiole
Difficulty with exhalation is MOST characteristic of: - ANSWERSobstructive lung disease
COPD: Emphysema: - ANSWERSCharacterized by distention of the alveoli and destructive
changes in the lungs.
COPD: Chronic Bronchitis: - ANSWERSDefined as sputum production most days of month for 3
or more months out of year for more than 2 years. Will rarely have normal oxygen saturation;
(maybe less than 90%). May have another condition, including respiratory conditions
A 66-year-old man with chronic bronchitis presents with severe respiratory distress. The
patient's wife tells you that he takes medications for high blood pressure and bronchitis, is on
home oxygen therapy, and has recently been taking an over-the-counter antitussive. She further
tells you that he has not been compliant with his oxygen therapy. Auscultation of his lungs
reveals diffuse rhonchi. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's respiratory distress? -
ANSWERSRecent antitussive use
A 76-year-old woman with emphysema presents with respiratory distress that has worsened
progressively over the past 2 days. She is breathing through pursed lips and has a prolonged
expiratory phase and an oxygen saturation of 76%. She is on home oxygen at 2 L/min. Your
initial action should be to? - ANSWERSplace her in a position that facilitates breathing.
Common clinical findings in patients with obstructive lung disease include all of the following,
EXCEPT: - ANSWERSa decreased expiratory phase
, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by: - ANSWERSchanges in
pulmonary structure and function that are progressive and irreversible
The hypoxic drive is a phenomenon in which - ANSWERSbicarbonate ions migrate into the
cerebrospinal fluid of a chronically hypoventilating patient, making the brain think that acid and
base are in balance
Pulmonary Embolism Characteristics - ANSWERSSudden dyspnea & cyanosis, and perhaps, a
sharp pain in the chest. A hallmark of pulmonary embolism is that the cyanosis does not resolve
with oxygen therapy.
You are dispatched to a residence for a young woman with difficulty breathing. When you
arrive, you find the patient sitting in a tripod position, noticeably dyspneic and tachypneic. She
tells you that she experienced a sudden sharp pain to the left side of her chest and then started
having trouble breathing. She denies any past medical history and states that she only takes
birth control pills. Based on this patient's clinical presentation, you should be MOST suspicious
for: - ANSWERSacute pulmonary embolism
One of the hallmarks of a pulmonary embolism is: - ANSWERScyanosis that does not resolve
with oxygen therapy.
Paradoxial Respiratory Movement is - ANSWERSthe inward movement of a segment of the chest
during inhalation and a outward movement of the chest during exhalation, opposite normal
chest movement and a indication of flail chest.
Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by: - ANSWERSthe epigastrium and thorax
moving in opposite directions
Cor pulmonale is defined as: - ANSWERSright heart failure secondary to chronic lung disease
