WEST COAST EMT COMPREHENSIVE
FINAL STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS.
1. A 64-year-old male presents with crushing chest pain and diaphoresis. You are preparing to
administer nitroglycerin. Which of the following is a definitive contraindication?
A. Systolic blood pressure of 105 mmHg
B. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
C. Use of sildenafil (Viagra) within the last 24 hours
D. Prior history of myocardial infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator. Use of phosphodiesterase
inhibitors like sildenafil within 24-48 hours can cause fatal hypotension.
2. When assessing a patient using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a patient who opens eyes to
pain, uses inappropriate words, and withdraws from pain receives what score?
A. 7
B. 9
,C. 8
D. 10
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Eyes: 2 (Pain), Verbal: 3 (Inappropriate words), Motor: 4
(Withdraws). Total = 9.
3. Which stage of shock is characterized by a drop in systolic blood pressure and altered
mental status?
A. Compensated shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Irreversible shock
D. Decompensated shock
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Decompensated shock occurs when the body can no longer
maintain blood pressure; hypotension is the hallmark sign.
4. A 4-year-old child presents with a high fever, drooling, and is sitting in a ‘tripod’ position.
You should suspect:
A. Epiglottitis
B. Asthma
C. Croup
, D. Bronchiolitis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection causing rapid airway swelling,
drooling, and fever; it is a true medical emergency.
5. You are treating a victim of a motor vehicle collision. The patient has a paradoxical motion
of a segment of the chest wall. This indicates:
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Flail chest
C. Simple rib fracture
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Flail chest occurs when three or more ribs are broken in two or
more places, causing that segment to move opposite to the rest of the chest.
6. What is the primary physiological drive for respiration in a healthy individual?
A. High Carbon Dioxide levels
B. Low Oxygen levels
C. Low Nitrogen levels
D. High pH in the blood
FINAL STUDY GUIDE QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS 100% VERIFIED BY
EXPERTS.
1. A 64-year-old male presents with crushing chest pain and diaphoresis. You are preparing to
administer nitroglycerin. Which of the following is a definitive contraindication?
A. Systolic blood pressure of 105 mmHg
B. Heart rate of 110 beats per minute
C. Use of sildenafil (Viagra) within the last 24 hours
D. Prior history of myocardial infarction
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Nitroglycerin is a potent vasodilator. Use of phosphodiesterase
inhibitors like sildenafil within 24-48 hours can cause fatal hypotension.
2. When assessing a patient using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a patient who opens eyes to
pain, uses inappropriate words, and withdraws from pain receives what score?
A. 7
B. 9
,C. 8
D. 10
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Eyes: 2 (Pain), Verbal: 3 (Inappropriate words), Motor: 4
(Withdraws). Total = 9.
3. Which stage of shock is characterized by a drop in systolic blood pressure and altered
mental status?
A. Compensated shock
B. Hypovolemic shock
C. Irreversible shock
D. Decompensated shock
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: Decompensated shock occurs when the body can no longer
maintain blood pressure; hypotension is the hallmark sign.
4. A 4-year-old child presents with a high fever, drooling, and is sitting in a ‘tripod’ position.
You should suspect:
A. Epiglottitis
B. Asthma
C. Croup
, D. Bronchiolitis
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Epiglottitis is a bacterial infection causing rapid airway swelling,
drooling, and fever; it is a true medical emergency.
5. You are treating a victim of a motor vehicle collision. The patient has a paradoxical motion
of a segment of the chest wall. This indicates:
A. Tension pneumothorax
B. Flail chest
C. Simple rib fracture
D. Cardiac tamponade
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Flail chest occurs when three or more ribs are broken in two or
more places, causing that segment to move opposite to the rest of the chest.
6. What is the primary physiological drive for respiration in a healthy individual?
A. High Carbon Dioxide levels
B. Low Oxygen levels
C. Low Nitrogen levels
D. High pH in the blood
