Time :90 Minutes
EXAM TOPICS
OBSTETRICS
PEDIATRICS
CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING
1. A pregnant patient at 38 weeks reports regular contractions occurring every 4
minutes. What should the EMT determine first?
A. Her favorite position for delivery
B. Whether she has an urge to push or feels the baby is crowning — CORRECT
C. Whether she has eaten recently
D. Whether she has had morning sickness
Rationale: An urge to push or crowning indicates that delivery may be imminent.
The EMT should rapidly assess the stage of labor and prepare for delivery.
Unnecessary movement should be minimized if birth is imminent.
2. Which finding is most indicative of true labor?
A. Contractions that disappear with rest
B. Irregular contractions without cervical changes
C. Regular contractions that become stronger, longer, and closer together —
CORRECT
D. Mild abdominal discomfort after eating
Rationale: True labor typically involves progressively stronger and more frequent
contractions. Cervical dilation and effacement occur as labor progresses. False labor
generally does not show this progressive pattern.
3. A pregnant patient says she feels an intense urge to have a bowel movement
,during contractions. What should the EMT suspect?
A. False labor
B. Possible imminent delivery — CORRECT
C. Placental abruption only
D. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: An urge to defecate can occur when the baby's head descends into the
pelvis. This may indicate that delivery is approaching rapidly. The EMT should
immediately assess for crowning and prepare for birth.
4. What is the normal duration of a full-term pregnancy?
A. 20–24 weeks
B. 28–30 weeks
C. Approximately 37–40 weeks — CORRECT
D. 45–50 weeks
Rationale: A full-term pregnancy is generally around 37–40 weeks. Babies born
before this period may be considered premature depending on gestational age.
Accurate gestational history helps EMTs anticipate complications.
5. Which position is generally most appropriate for a pregnant patient experiencing
dizziness while lying flat?
A. Prone
B. Left lateral position — CORRECT
C. Standing
D. Supine with legs elevated
Rationale: The enlarged uterus can compress major blood vessels when a pregnant
patient lies flat. Left lateral positioning can improve venous return and reduce
supine hypotension. This is particularly useful in later pregnancy.
6. What causes supine hypotensive syndrome during pregnancy?
A. Increased blood glucose
B. Compression of the inferior vena cava by the uterus — CORRECT
C. Increased lung volume
D. Excessive insulin production
Rationale: A large pregnant uterus can compress the inferior vena cava when the
patient lies supine. This reduces venous return to the heart. Reduced cardiac output
can cause dizziness, hypotension, and weakness.
7. A pregnant patient has painless bright-red vaginal bleeding late in pregnancy.
Which condition should be suspected?
, A. Ectopic pregnancy
B. Placenta previa — CORRECT
C. Appendicitis
D. Eclampsia
Rationale: Placenta previa occurs when the placenta lies near or over the cervical
opening. It classically causes painless vaginal bleeding in later pregnancy. Vaginal
examination should not be performed by an EMT.
8. A pregnant patient has severe abdominal pain and dark vaginal bleeding after a
motor vehicle crash. What condition should concern the EMT?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption — CORRECT
C. Normal labor
D. Morning sickness
Rationale: Placental abruption is premature separation of the placenta from the
uterine wall. It can cause abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and vaginal bleeding,
although external bleeding may be limited. It can threaten both maternal and fetal
circulation.
9. Which complication is particularly associated with severe hypertension during
pregnancy?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Preeclampsia — CORRECT
C. Appendicitis
D. Asthma
Rationale: Preeclampsia involves hypertension during pregnancy with associated
systemic findings. Severe cases can progress to seizures, known as eclampsia.
Prompt recognition and transport are important.
10. A pregnant patient with hypertension develops a generalized seizure. What
condition should the EMT suspect?
A. Epilepsy only
B. Eclampsia — CORRECT
C. Hypothermia
D. Placenta previa
Rationale: Eclampsia is characterized by seizures associated with preeclampsia
during pregnancy or the postpartum period. It is a life-threatening emergency.
Airway, breathing, injury prevention, and rapid transport are priorities.
11. During an eclamptic seizure, which action should the EMT avoid?
EXAM TOPICS
OBSTETRICS
PEDIATRICS
CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING
1. A pregnant patient at 38 weeks reports regular contractions occurring every 4
minutes. What should the EMT determine first?
A. Her favorite position for delivery
B. Whether she has an urge to push or feels the baby is crowning — CORRECT
C. Whether she has eaten recently
D. Whether she has had morning sickness
Rationale: An urge to push or crowning indicates that delivery may be imminent.
The EMT should rapidly assess the stage of labor and prepare for delivery.
Unnecessary movement should be minimized if birth is imminent.
2. Which finding is most indicative of true labor?
A. Contractions that disappear with rest
B. Irregular contractions without cervical changes
C. Regular contractions that become stronger, longer, and closer together —
CORRECT
D. Mild abdominal discomfort after eating
Rationale: True labor typically involves progressively stronger and more frequent
contractions. Cervical dilation and effacement occur as labor progresses. False labor
generally does not show this progressive pattern.
3. A pregnant patient says she feels an intense urge to have a bowel movement
,during contractions. What should the EMT suspect?
A. False labor
B. Possible imminent delivery — CORRECT
C. Placental abruption only
D. Hyperglycemia
Rationale: An urge to defecate can occur when the baby's head descends into the
pelvis. This may indicate that delivery is approaching rapidly. The EMT should
immediately assess for crowning and prepare for birth.
4. What is the normal duration of a full-term pregnancy?
A. 20–24 weeks
B. 28–30 weeks
C. Approximately 37–40 weeks — CORRECT
D. 45–50 weeks
Rationale: A full-term pregnancy is generally around 37–40 weeks. Babies born
before this period may be considered premature depending on gestational age.
Accurate gestational history helps EMTs anticipate complications.
5. Which position is generally most appropriate for a pregnant patient experiencing
dizziness while lying flat?
A. Prone
B. Left lateral position — CORRECT
C. Standing
D. Supine with legs elevated
Rationale: The enlarged uterus can compress major blood vessels when a pregnant
patient lies flat. Left lateral positioning can improve venous return and reduce
supine hypotension. This is particularly useful in later pregnancy.
6. What causes supine hypotensive syndrome during pregnancy?
A. Increased blood glucose
B. Compression of the inferior vena cava by the uterus — CORRECT
C. Increased lung volume
D. Excessive insulin production
Rationale: A large pregnant uterus can compress the inferior vena cava when the
patient lies supine. This reduces venous return to the heart. Reduced cardiac output
can cause dizziness, hypotension, and weakness.
7. A pregnant patient has painless bright-red vaginal bleeding late in pregnancy.
Which condition should be suspected?
, A. Ectopic pregnancy
B. Placenta previa — CORRECT
C. Appendicitis
D. Eclampsia
Rationale: Placenta previa occurs when the placenta lies near or over the cervical
opening. It classically causes painless vaginal bleeding in later pregnancy. Vaginal
examination should not be performed by an EMT.
8. A pregnant patient has severe abdominal pain and dark vaginal bleeding after a
motor vehicle crash. What condition should concern the EMT?
A. Placenta previa
B. Placental abruption — CORRECT
C. Normal labor
D. Morning sickness
Rationale: Placental abruption is premature separation of the placenta from the
uterine wall. It can cause abdominal pain, uterine tenderness, and vaginal bleeding,
although external bleeding may be limited. It can threaten both maternal and fetal
circulation.
9. Which complication is particularly associated with severe hypertension during
pregnancy?
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Preeclampsia — CORRECT
C. Appendicitis
D. Asthma
Rationale: Preeclampsia involves hypertension during pregnancy with associated
systemic findings. Severe cases can progress to seizures, known as eclampsia.
Prompt recognition and transport are important.
10. A pregnant patient with hypertension develops a generalized seizure. What
condition should the EMT suspect?
A. Epilepsy only
B. Eclampsia — CORRECT
C. Hypothermia
D. Placenta previa
Rationale: Eclampsia is characterized by seizures associated with preeclampsia
during pregnancy or the postpartum period. It is a life-threatening emergency.
Airway, breathing, injury prevention, and rapid transport are priorities.
11. During an eclamptic seizure, which action should the EMT avoid?
