FISDAP Readiness Practice Exam Questions
and Answers with Rationales Latest Versions
Top Rated A+
1. Airway
A 58-year-old patient is found unresponsive after reportedly collapsing
at home. He has occasional gasping respirations and a carotid pulse is
present. What is the MOST appropriate immediate intervention?
A. Apply a nonrebreather mask
B. Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag-mask device
C. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
D. Place the patient in the recovery position
Answer: B. Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag-mask
device
Rationale: Agonal gasps are not adequate ventilation. Because the
patient has a pulse but is not breathing effectively, assisted ventilations
with a BVM are indicated. Oxygen should be delivered as appropriate,
but simply applying a nonrebreather will not provide adequate
ventilation.
2. Shock
A 24-year-old patient has severe bleeding from a laceration to the thigh.
He is pale, cool, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. What should the EMT
prioritize?
A. Obtain a detailed medical history
B. Control the external hemorrhage
,C. Administer oral fluids
D. Place the patient in a seated position
Answer: B. Control the external hemorrhage
Rationale: Life-threatening external hemorrhage must be controlled
immediately. Depending on severity and location, direct pressure,
wound packing, or a tourniquet may be appropriate. Definitive
hemorrhage control takes priority over obtaining a detailed history.
3. Cardiology
A patient complains of crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the
left arm. He is pale and diaphoretic. Which finding is MOST concerning
for acute coronary syndrome?
A. Pain that increases with movement
B. Reproducible chest-wall tenderness
C. Pressure-like chest discomfort with diaphoresis
D. Sharp pain associated with inspiration
Answer: C. Pressure-like chest discomfort with diaphoresis
Rationale: Pressure, heaviness, or squeezing chest discomfort
accompanied by diaphoresis, nausea, dyspnea, or radiation is highly
concerning for ACS. Although no single symptom confirms ACS, this
presentation warrants rapid assessment and appropriate cardiac
management.
4. Respiratory
,A patient with a history of COPD is severely dyspneic. He is sitting
upright, using accessory muscles, and speaking only one or two words at
a time. SpO₂ is 82%. What is the priority?
A. Encourage the patient to lie supine
B. Provide appropriate oxygen/ventilatory support
C. Give oral fluids
D. Delay treatment until a complete history is obtained
Answer: B. Provide appropriate oxygen/ventilatory support
Rationale: Severe respiratory distress and hypoxemia require immediate
respiratory support. The patient's work of breathing and ability to speak
indicate significant compromise. Treatment should not be delayed for a
complete history.
5. Trauma
A motorcyclist has been thrown approximately 20 feet. He is confused
and has obvious deformity of the pelvis. What should raise the
GREATEST concern?
A. Minor abrasions to the hands
B. Potential internal hemorrhage
C. Mild ankle tenderness
D. Small scalp laceration
Answer: B. Potential internal hemorrhage
Rationale: Pelvic fractures can cause significant internal bleeding. In a
high-energy mechanism with pelvic deformity and altered mental status,
the possibility of hemorrhagic shock must be considered.
, 6. Neurologic
A 67-year-old suddenly develops facial droop, right arm weakness, and
difficulty speaking. What information is MOST important to determine?
A. Last meal
B. Time the patient was last known well
C. Past surgical history from childhood
D. Most recent tetanus vaccination
Answer: B. Time the patient was last known well
Rationale: Determining the last-known-well time is critical in suspected
acute stroke because it helps determine eligibility for time-sensitive
treatments and guides destination decisions.
7. Pediatric
A 3-year-old is lethargic with poor muscle tone and shallow respirations.
What is the priority?
A. Obtain a weight
B. Assess and support the airway and breathing
C. Ask the parents about immunizations
D. Obtain a complete dietary history
Answer: B. Assess and support the airway and breathing
Rationale: In a critically ill child, airway and breathing take priority.
Lethargy, poor tone, and shallow respirations suggest impending
respiratory failure.
8. Diabetic Emergency
and Answers with Rationales Latest Versions
Top Rated A+
1. Airway
A 58-year-old patient is found unresponsive after reportedly collapsing
at home. He has occasional gasping respirations and a carotid pulse is
present. What is the MOST appropriate immediate intervention?
A. Apply a nonrebreather mask
B. Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag-mask device
C. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
D. Place the patient in the recovery position
Answer: B. Begin positive-pressure ventilation with a bag-mask
device
Rationale: Agonal gasps are not adequate ventilation. Because the
patient has a pulse but is not breathing effectively, assisted ventilations
with a BVM are indicated. Oxygen should be delivered as appropriate,
but simply applying a nonrebreather will not provide adequate
ventilation.
2. Shock
A 24-year-old patient has severe bleeding from a laceration to the thigh.
He is pale, cool, diaphoretic, and tachycardic. What should the EMT
prioritize?
A. Obtain a detailed medical history
B. Control the external hemorrhage
,C. Administer oral fluids
D. Place the patient in a seated position
Answer: B. Control the external hemorrhage
Rationale: Life-threatening external hemorrhage must be controlled
immediately. Depending on severity and location, direct pressure,
wound packing, or a tourniquet may be appropriate. Definitive
hemorrhage control takes priority over obtaining a detailed history.
3. Cardiology
A patient complains of crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the
left arm. He is pale and diaphoretic. Which finding is MOST concerning
for acute coronary syndrome?
A. Pain that increases with movement
B. Reproducible chest-wall tenderness
C. Pressure-like chest discomfort with diaphoresis
D. Sharp pain associated with inspiration
Answer: C. Pressure-like chest discomfort with diaphoresis
Rationale: Pressure, heaviness, or squeezing chest discomfort
accompanied by diaphoresis, nausea, dyspnea, or radiation is highly
concerning for ACS. Although no single symptom confirms ACS, this
presentation warrants rapid assessment and appropriate cardiac
management.
4. Respiratory
,A patient with a history of COPD is severely dyspneic. He is sitting
upright, using accessory muscles, and speaking only one or two words at
a time. SpO₂ is 82%. What is the priority?
A. Encourage the patient to lie supine
B. Provide appropriate oxygen/ventilatory support
C. Give oral fluids
D. Delay treatment until a complete history is obtained
Answer: B. Provide appropriate oxygen/ventilatory support
Rationale: Severe respiratory distress and hypoxemia require immediate
respiratory support. The patient's work of breathing and ability to speak
indicate significant compromise. Treatment should not be delayed for a
complete history.
5. Trauma
A motorcyclist has been thrown approximately 20 feet. He is confused
and has obvious deformity of the pelvis. What should raise the
GREATEST concern?
A. Minor abrasions to the hands
B. Potential internal hemorrhage
C. Mild ankle tenderness
D. Small scalp laceration
Answer: B. Potential internal hemorrhage
Rationale: Pelvic fractures can cause significant internal bleeding. In a
high-energy mechanism with pelvic deformity and altered mental status,
the possibility of hemorrhagic shock must be considered.
, 6. Neurologic
A 67-year-old suddenly develops facial droop, right arm weakness, and
difficulty speaking. What information is MOST important to determine?
A. Last meal
B. Time the patient was last known well
C. Past surgical history from childhood
D. Most recent tetanus vaccination
Answer: B. Time the patient was last known well
Rationale: Determining the last-known-well time is critical in suspected
acute stroke because it helps determine eligibility for time-sensitive
treatments and guides destination decisions.
7. Pediatric
A 3-year-old is lethargic with poor muscle tone and shallow respirations.
What is the priority?
A. Obtain a weight
B. Assess and support the airway and breathing
C. Ask the parents about immunizations
D. Obtain a complete dietary history
Answer: B. Assess and support the airway and breathing
Rationale: In a critically ill child, airway and breathing take priority.
Lethargy, poor tone, and shallow respirations suggest impending
respiratory failure.
8. Diabetic Emergency
