ADVANCED PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026 FULL SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
▶ Considering the physiologic changes that occur with age, which of the
following interventions would pose the GREATEST risk for harm when
caring for an elderly patient with a severe burn that is complicated by a
spinal injury? Answer: fluid replacement
▶ In the late stage of syphilis? Answer: the patient is usually
asymptomatic, but damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, and liver is
occurring
▶ Older adults are prone to subdural hematomas because? Answer: age-
related shrinkage of the brain stretches the bridging veins that return blood
from the brain to the dura mater
▶ Q. A critical step when using a continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP) unit to treat a patient with severe respiratory distress is: Answer:
ensuring an adequate mask seal with minimal leakage
▶ The bioavailability and excretion rate of a toxin are influenced MOST by
the: Answer: amount of the toxin and the relative speed at which it is
metabolized
▶ The husband of a terminally ill woman called 911 because he thinks that
his wife is about to die. The pt has a valid living will and an out-of-hospital
DNR order. You should? Answer: treat the husband and his wife with
respect and provide emotional support
▶ Which of the following findings would make you the LEAST suspicious
for abuse or domestic violence? Answer: (Suspicious findings WOULD
INCLUDE) injuries inconsistent with the information you are given, or
multiple injuries in various stages of healing.
,▶ While preparing to receive patients at the scene of a hazardous material
spill, you see a middle-aged man approaching your ambulance. He is
covered with a green liquid, is dyspneic, and states that he "barely got out
of there alive!" You should: Answer: tell him to stop immediately and inform
the incident commander that the patient has not been decontaminated.
▶ You are assessing a conscious and alert middle-aged male who
complains of chest discomfort and nausea. His blood pressure is 112/70
mmHg, pulse is 90 beats/min and regular, and respirations are 20
breaths/min and regular. The patient's past medical history is significant for
hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia. His medications include Synthroid,
Lipitor, Cialis, and 1 baby aspirin per day. Which of the following
medications would you LEAST likely administer? Answer: Nitroglycerin
▶ A patient with a medical condition that requires antiplatelet therapy would
MOST likely be taking: Answer: Plavix
▶ Just after birth, the ductus arteriosus constricts and closes, resulting in?
Answer: circulation through the pulmonary system
▶ Q. Whether you are using the PtL or the Combitube: Answer: both
devices are inserted blindly into the posterior pharynx
▶ When a pt minimizes his or her symptoms by stating, "I'm fine," the
paramedic should? Answer: find a reliable informant among the pt's family
or friends
▶ When asking questions pertaining to a patient's sexual history, it is
MOST important to remember that: Answer: Private setting is essential,
also certain factors may inhibit truthful response.
▶ When functioning at the scene of a major incident, communication
should: Answer: be face to face to minimize radio traffic
▶ Which of the following central nervous system functions does NOT
change as a person ages? Answer: intelligence level
▶ Which of the following interventions is influenced strongly by the amount
of time that has elapsed since a patient ingested a toxic substance?
Answer: Gastric lavage
,▶ Which of the following statements regarding hypotension and shock is
MOST correct? Answer: Hypotension is a classic sign of shock, but it
occurs late
▶ Which of the following statements regarding the human papillomavirus
(HPV) is MOST correct? Answer: HPV has been identified as a causative
agent in cervical cancer
▶ An increase in maternal cardiac output can cause a benign systolic flow
murmur, which results from? Answer: hypertrophy of the heart and dilation
across the tricuspid valve
▶ As multiple myeloma progresses, the patient would MOST likely
experience: Answer: spontaneous fractures
▶ External bleeding would be the LEAST difficult to control in a patient with
a large laceration to the ___ and a BP of ___ mmHg. Answer: Brachial
artery, 68/46
▶ If a patient does not respond to a question within a couple of seconds,
he or she: Answer: May simply be searching for the answer. Trying to
decide if he can trust you.
▶ If you are at the scene of an incident that potentially involves a weapon
of mass destruction and other emergency resources are en route, it is
MOST important for you to give the dispatcher information regarding the:
Answer: optimal route of approach
▶ Q. Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by: Answer: the
epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions
▶ Unlike an idioventricular rhythm, an agonal rhythm: Answer: does not
produce a palpable pulse.
▶ Which of the following disease processes is more common in women?
Answer: osteoporosis
▶ Which of the following is the MOST common respiratory infection that
causes death in the elderly population? Answer: Pneumococcus bacteria
, ▶ While caring for an 80 yo man with a possible fractured arm, you
discover other injury patterns that are suggestive of abuse. The patient is
conscious and alert. You should? Answer: splint the pt's arm, transport him
to the hospital, and report your suspicions to the emergency dept physician
▶ * By properly introducing yourself to a patient, you are also saying that?
Answer: you are in charge of the patient's health care, regardless of the
indignities of treatment, and that the patient can communicate with you as
an equal
▶ A patient who is overly talkative during your assessment: Answer: May
just be that way, also multiple clinical causes for over talkativeness (eg.
fight/flight recovery). May have abused methamphetamines.
▶ In contrast to delirium, dementia is: Answer: a progressive disease that
produces irreversible brain failure
▶ Production of clotting factors is a function of the: Answer: liver
▶ Q. What type of medication dries secretions in the airway and prevents
the cilia from removing them effectively? Answer: antihistamine
▶ The primary function of the treatment section is to: Answer: separate
and treat patients based on their triage category
▶ Which of the following statements regarding toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
is MOST correct? Answer: patients with TSS may show signs of liver
failure
▶ With regard to stroke volume, the healthy heart: Answer: can easily
increase stroke volume by 50%.
▶ You are caring for a 66 yo man with terminal CA. He is conscious and
alert without evidence of mental incapacitation. You offer him O2, but he
refuses to accept it, stating "Just let me die with dignity!" You should?
Answer: respect the pt's wishes and ask him if he wants to be transported
to the hospital
COMPREHENSIVE TEST 2026 FULL SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
▶ Considering the physiologic changes that occur with age, which of the
following interventions would pose the GREATEST risk for harm when
caring for an elderly patient with a severe burn that is complicated by a
spinal injury? Answer: fluid replacement
▶ In the late stage of syphilis? Answer: the patient is usually
asymptomatic, but damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, and liver is
occurring
▶ Older adults are prone to subdural hematomas because? Answer: age-
related shrinkage of the brain stretches the bridging veins that return blood
from the brain to the dura mater
▶ Q. A critical step when using a continuous positive airway pressure
(CPAP) unit to treat a patient with severe respiratory distress is: Answer:
ensuring an adequate mask seal with minimal leakage
▶ The bioavailability and excretion rate of a toxin are influenced MOST by
the: Answer: amount of the toxin and the relative speed at which it is
metabolized
▶ The husband of a terminally ill woman called 911 because he thinks that
his wife is about to die. The pt has a valid living will and an out-of-hospital
DNR order. You should? Answer: treat the husband and his wife with
respect and provide emotional support
▶ Which of the following findings would make you the LEAST suspicious
for abuse or domestic violence? Answer: (Suspicious findings WOULD
INCLUDE) injuries inconsistent with the information you are given, or
multiple injuries in various stages of healing.
,▶ While preparing to receive patients at the scene of a hazardous material
spill, you see a middle-aged man approaching your ambulance. He is
covered with a green liquid, is dyspneic, and states that he "barely got out
of there alive!" You should: Answer: tell him to stop immediately and inform
the incident commander that the patient has not been decontaminated.
▶ You are assessing a conscious and alert middle-aged male who
complains of chest discomfort and nausea. His blood pressure is 112/70
mmHg, pulse is 90 beats/min and regular, and respirations are 20
breaths/min and regular. The patient's past medical history is significant for
hypothyroidism and hyperlipidemia. His medications include Synthroid,
Lipitor, Cialis, and 1 baby aspirin per day. Which of the following
medications would you LEAST likely administer? Answer: Nitroglycerin
▶ A patient with a medical condition that requires antiplatelet therapy would
MOST likely be taking: Answer: Plavix
▶ Just after birth, the ductus arteriosus constricts and closes, resulting in?
Answer: circulation through the pulmonary system
▶ Q. Whether you are using the PtL or the Combitube: Answer: both
devices are inserted blindly into the posterior pharynx
▶ When a pt minimizes his or her symptoms by stating, "I'm fine," the
paramedic should? Answer: find a reliable informant among the pt's family
or friends
▶ When asking questions pertaining to a patient's sexual history, it is
MOST important to remember that: Answer: Private setting is essential,
also certain factors may inhibit truthful response.
▶ When functioning at the scene of a major incident, communication
should: Answer: be face to face to minimize radio traffic
▶ Which of the following central nervous system functions does NOT
change as a person ages? Answer: intelligence level
▶ Which of the following interventions is influenced strongly by the amount
of time that has elapsed since a patient ingested a toxic substance?
Answer: Gastric lavage
,▶ Which of the following statements regarding hypotension and shock is
MOST correct? Answer: Hypotension is a classic sign of shock, but it
occurs late
▶ Which of the following statements regarding the human papillomavirus
(HPV) is MOST correct? Answer: HPV has been identified as a causative
agent in cervical cancer
▶ An increase in maternal cardiac output can cause a benign systolic flow
murmur, which results from? Answer: hypertrophy of the heart and dilation
across the tricuspid valve
▶ As multiple myeloma progresses, the patient would MOST likely
experience: Answer: spontaneous fractures
▶ External bleeding would be the LEAST difficult to control in a patient with
a large laceration to the ___ and a BP of ___ mmHg. Answer: Brachial
artery, 68/46
▶ If a patient does not respond to a question within a couple of seconds,
he or she: Answer: May simply be searching for the answer. Trying to
decide if he can trust you.
▶ If you are at the scene of an incident that potentially involves a weapon
of mass destruction and other emergency resources are en route, it is
MOST important for you to give the dispatcher information regarding the:
Answer: optimal route of approach
▶ Q. Paradoxical respiratory movement is characterized by: Answer: the
epigastrium and thorax moving in opposite directions
▶ Unlike an idioventricular rhythm, an agonal rhythm: Answer: does not
produce a palpable pulse.
▶ Which of the following disease processes is more common in women?
Answer: osteoporosis
▶ Which of the following is the MOST common respiratory infection that
causes death in the elderly population? Answer: Pneumococcus bacteria
, ▶ While caring for an 80 yo man with a possible fractured arm, you
discover other injury patterns that are suggestive of abuse. The patient is
conscious and alert. You should? Answer: splint the pt's arm, transport him
to the hospital, and report your suspicions to the emergency dept physician
▶ * By properly introducing yourself to a patient, you are also saying that?
Answer: you are in charge of the patient's health care, regardless of the
indignities of treatment, and that the patient can communicate with you as
an equal
▶ A patient who is overly talkative during your assessment: Answer: May
just be that way, also multiple clinical causes for over talkativeness (eg.
fight/flight recovery). May have abused methamphetamines.
▶ In contrast to delirium, dementia is: Answer: a progressive disease that
produces irreversible brain failure
▶ Production of clotting factors is a function of the: Answer: liver
▶ Q. What type of medication dries secretions in the airway and prevents
the cilia from removing them effectively? Answer: antihistamine
▶ The primary function of the treatment section is to: Answer: separate
and treat patients based on their triage category
▶ Which of the following statements regarding toxic shock syndrome (TSS)
is MOST correct? Answer: patients with TSS may show signs of liver
failure
▶ With regard to stroke volume, the healthy heart: Answer: can easily
increase stroke volume by 50%.
▶ You are caring for a 66 yo man with terminal CA. He is conscious and
alert without evidence of mental incapacitation. You offer him O2, but he
refuses to accept it, stating "Just let me die with dignity!" You should?
Answer: respect the pt's wishes and ask him if he wants to be transported
to the hospital
