Practice Questions & Detailed Rationales |
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1. You are on scene of a 56-year-old male who is unresponsive, not breathing, and pulseless. What
is your first action after confirming cardiac arrest?
A) Insert an advanced airway
B) Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120/min
C) Apply an AED
D) Ventilate with a BVM
Answer B: Begin chest compressions at a rate of 100-120/min
Rationale: High-quality CPR should be initiated immediately; compressions first.
2. Which of the following is the most reliable indicator of adequate ventilation in a patient with a
bag-valve-mask?
A) Oxygen saturation 100%
B) Rising and falling of the chest
C) Normal skin color
D) Pupillary response
Answer B: Rising and falling of the chest
Rationale: Visible chest rise indicates adequate tidal volume.
3. You are managing a 45-year-old female with difficulty breathing and a history of asthma. She is
wheezing and speaking in short phrases. Which medication should you administer first?
,A) Oral prednisone
B) Albuterol via nebulizer or MDI
C) Epinephrine IM
D) Oxygen at 15 L/min via non-rebreather
Answer B: Albuterol via nebulizer or MDI
Rationale: Albuterol is the first-line bronchodilator for acute asthma.
4. A 22-year-old male was involved in a motorcycle crash. He is unresponsive with a GCS of 7. His
airway is patent. What is the next priority?
A) Apply a cervical collar
B) Assess breathing and ventilate if inadequate
C) Obtain a blood pressure
D) Apply a tourniquet for external bleeding
Answer B: Assess breathing and ventilate if inadequate
Rationale: After airway, assess breathing; GCS <8 often requires ventilatory support.
5. What is the most common cause of shock in the trauma patient?
A) Neurogenic
B) Cardiogenic
C) Hemorrhagic (hypovolemic)
D) Septic
Answer C: Hemorrhagic (hypovolemic)
Rationale: Hemorrhage is the leading cause of shock in trauma.
6. A 34-week pregnant patient is having a seizure. What is the most likely cause?
A) Hypoglycemia
B) Eclampsia
C) Epilepsy
,D) Head injury
Answer B: Eclampsia
Rationale: Seizures in pregnancy after 20 weeks are eclampsia until proven otherwise.
7. Which of the following is a contraindication to applying a tourniquet?
A) Major arterial bleeding
B) Minor venous bleeding that can be controlled with direct pressure
C) Amputation with hemorrhage
D) Multiple gunshot wounds
Answer B: Minor venous bleeding that can be controlled with direct pressure
Rationale: Tourniquets are for life-threatening extremity hemorrhage not controlled by pressure.
8. A 60-year-old male is confused and diaphoretic. His blood glucose is 45 mg/dL. He is conscious
but cannot swallow. What should you do?
A) Give oral glucose
B) Start an IV and administer D50W (or dextrose)
C) Administer glucagon IM
D) Give a sugar-free drink
Answer B: Start an IV and administer D50W (or dextrose)
Rationale: Unconscious or unable to swallow: IV dextrose or IM glucagon.
9. You are ventilating a 4-year-old child with a BVM. Which statement is correct?
A) Ventilate at a rate of 20-24 breaths/min
B) Ventilate at a rate of 12-20 breaths/min
C) Use a 1,000 mL adult bag
D) Provide one breath every 3 seconds
Answer B: Ventilate at a rate of 12-20 breaths/min
Rationale: Pediatric ventilatory rate is 12-20/min; use a pediatric bag.
, 10. What is the appropriate depth of chest compressions for an adult?
A) 1 inch (2.5 cm)
B) 2 inches (5 cm)
C) 2.4 inches (6 cm)
D) 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Answer B: 2 inches (5 cm)
Rationale: Compress at least 2 inches deep, not more than 2.4 inches.
11. A 28-year-old female has a severe allergic reaction to peanuts. She is wheezing and has facial
swelling. Which medication is the priority?
A) Albuterol
B) Epinephrine IM
C) Diphenhydramine
D) Prednisone
Answer B: Epinephrine IM
Rationale: Epinephrine is first-line for anaphylaxis; it reverses bronchospasm and hypotension.
12. You are treating a 65-year-old male with chest pain that is radiating to his left arm. He is
nauseated and diaphoretic. Which of the following is the priority?
A) Aspirin 324 mg chewed
B) Aspirin 324 mg chewed
C) Nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL
D) Oxygen at 4 L/min
Answer A: Aspirin 324 mg chewed
Rationale: Aspirin reduces mortality in ACS; administer after ruling out allergy and without signs of
hemorrhage.