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Paramedic - Special Populations Questions
and Correct Answers
A 30-year-old woman who is 35 weeks pregnant is pulseless and
apneic. As CPR is initiated, you or another team member should:
A - ventilate her at a slightly faster rate.
B- start and IV line and give epinephrine.
C- manually displace her uterus to the left.
D -tilt her entire body slightly to the left. Ans: manually displace
her uterus to the left.
A woman has been pregnant three times, has had two spontaneous
abortions, and has carried one baby to term. You should document
her obstetric history as:
G1A2P5.
G1A2P3.
G3A2P1.
G5A2P1. Ans: G3A2P1
A woman is in the second stage of labor when:
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-she feels a strong urge to move her bowels.
-contractions occur in 5- to 10-minute intervals.
-a gush of amniotic fluid pours from the vagina.
-the cervix is fully effaced and partially dilated. Ans: she feels a
strong urge to move her bowels.
A woman who does not take prenatal vitamins during the course
of her pregnancy is at greatest risk for:
-abnormal bleeding.
-post-term labor.
-anemia.
-leukopenia. Ans: anemia
Abruptio placenta is MOST accurately defined as:
a)a placenta that implants low in the uterus and partially or fully
covers the cervix.
b)a condition in which the placenta progressively detaches from
the uterine wall.
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c)separation of the placenta secondary to blunt maternal
abdominal trauma.
d)premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the
uterine wall. Ans: premature separation of a normally implanted
placenta from the uterine wall.
Common signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include:
-edema, hypertension, and headache.
-weight loss, blurred vision, and diarrhea.
-ketones in the urine and rapid weight gain.
-facial swelling, dysuria, and chest pain. Ans: edema,
hypertension, and headache.
During pregnancy, which of the following respiratory conditions
can occur due to the effects of stress or respiratory irritants on an
already sisitized respiratory system?
-COPD
-Pneumonia
-Asthma
-Bronchitis Ans: Asthma
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In contrast to an abruptio placenta, a placenta previa:
-is associated with an absence of fetal heart tones.
-usually presents with painless vaginal bleeding.
-is usually caused by maternal abdominal trauma.
-typically presents with tearing abdominal pain. Ans: usually
presents with painless vaginal bleeding.
In pregnancy, magnesium sulfate is used principally for:
-ventricular dysrhythmias.
-hyperemesis gravidarum.
-eclamptic seizures.
-tocolytic therapy. Ans: eclamptic seizures.
Which of the following assessment parameters is MOST difficult to
interpret when a pregnant woman is injured?
-Blood glucose
-Mental status
-Pulse rate
© 2025 All rights reserved
Paramedic - Special Populations Questions
and Correct Answers
A 30-year-old woman who is 35 weeks pregnant is pulseless and
apneic. As CPR is initiated, you or another team member should:
A - ventilate her at a slightly faster rate.
B- start and IV line and give epinephrine.
C- manually displace her uterus to the left.
D -tilt her entire body slightly to the left. Ans: manually displace
her uterus to the left.
A woman has been pregnant three times, has had two spontaneous
abortions, and has carried one baby to term. You should document
her obstetric history as:
G1A2P5.
G1A2P3.
G3A2P1.
G5A2P1. Ans: G3A2P1
A woman is in the second stage of labor when:
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 2 | Page
-she feels a strong urge to move her bowels.
-contractions occur in 5- to 10-minute intervals.
-a gush of amniotic fluid pours from the vagina.
-the cervix is fully effaced and partially dilated. Ans: she feels a
strong urge to move her bowels.
A woman who does not take prenatal vitamins during the course
of her pregnancy is at greatest risk for:
-abnormal bleeding.
-post-term labor.
-anemia.
-leukopenia. Ans: anemia
Abruptio placenta is MOST accurately defined as:
a)a placenta that implants low in the uterus and partially or fully
covers the cervix.
b)a condition in which the placenta progressively detaches from
the uterine wall.
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 3 | Page
c)separation of the placenta secondary to blunt maternal
abdominal trauma.
d)premature separation of a normally implanted placenta from the
uterine wall. Ans: premature separation of a normally implanted
placenta from the uterine wall.
Common signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include:
-edema, hypertension, and headache.
-weight loss, blurred vision, and diarrhea.
-ketones in the urine and rapid weight gain.
-facial swelling, dysuria, and chest pain. Ans: edema,
hypertension, and headache.
During pregnancy, which of the following respiratory conditions
can occur due to the effects of stress or respiratory irritants on an
already sisitized respiratory system?
-COPD
-Pneumonia
-Asthma
-Bronchitis Ans: Asthma
© 2025 All rights reserved
, 4 | Page
In contrast to an abruptio placenta, a placenta previa:
-is associated with an absence of fetal heart tones.
-usually presents with painless vaginal bleeding.
-is usually caused by maternal abdominal trauma.
-typically presents with tearing abdominal pain. Ans: usually
presents with painless vaginal bleeding.
In pregnancy, magnesium sulfate is used principally for:
-ventricular dysrhythmias.
-hyperemesis gravidarum.
-eclamptic seizures.
-tocolytic therapy. Ans: eclamptic seizures.
Which of the following assessment parameters is MOST difficult to
interpret when a pregnant woman is injured?
-Blood glucose
-Mental status
-Pulse rate
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