WEST COAST EMT MIDTERM EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A 68-year-old female presents with sudden onset of dyspnea and sharp chest pain that
worsens with deep inspiration. She recently underwent hip surgery. Her heart rate is 112 bpm
and SPO2 is 88%. What is the most likely pathophysiology?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Spontaneous pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Acute pulmonary edema
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Sudden onset dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and a recent history
of surgery are classic indicators of a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot
blocks pulmonary blood flow.
,2. Which of the following describes the physiological phenomenon where the respiratory
drive is triggered by low oxygen levels rather than high carbon dioxide levels?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respiration
B. Hypoxic drive
C. Kussmaul breathing
D. Hypercapnic drive
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxic drive is a secondary respiratory stimulus in patients
with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where low oxygen levels stimulate
breathing because the body has become desensitized to high CO2.
3. During the secondary assessment of a patient with a head injury, you note a widening
pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations. This triad is indicative of:
A. Beck’s Triad
B. Virchow’s Triad
C. Cushing’s Triad
D. The Lethal Triad
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Triad (increased systolic BP/widened pulse pressure,
bradycardia, and irregular respirations) is a sign of significantly increased intracranial
pressure (ICP).
4. A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis. Which physiological response is caused by the
release of histamine during this process?
A. Vasoconstriction and bronchodilation
B. Vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction
C. Vasodilation and bronchoconstriction
D. Vasodilation and bronchodilation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Histamine release during anaphylaxis causes widespread
vasodilation (leading to hypotension) and bronchoconstriction (leading to wheezing and
respiratory distress).
5. You are treating a 45-year-old male with chest pain. He has his own Nitroglycerin. Under
which condition would you withhold the medication even if his blood pressure is 110/70?
A. The patient has a headache.
B. The patient is nauseated.
C. The patient’s heart rate is 90 bpm.
D. The patient took Sildenafil (Viagra) 24 hours ago.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 100%
VERIFIED BY EXPERTS. 2026/2027
1. A 68-year-old female presents with sudden onset of dyspnea and sharp chest pain that
worsens with deep inspiration. She recently underwent hip surgery. Her heart rate is 112 bpm
and SPO2 is 88%. What is the most likely pathophysiology?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Spontaneous pneumothorax
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Acute pulmonary edema
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Sudden onset dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, and a recent history
of surgery are classic indicators of a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when a blood clot
blocks pulmonary blood flow.
,2. Which of the following describes the physiological phenomenon where the respiratory
drive is triggered by low oxygen levels rather than high carbon dioxide levels?
A. Cheyne-Stokes respiration
B. Hypoxic drive
C. Kussmaul breathing
D. Hypercapnic drive
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Hypoxic drive is a secondary respiratory stimulus in patients
with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) where low oxygen levels stimulate
breathing because the body has become desensitized to high CO2.
3. During the secondary assessment of a patient with a head injury, you note a widening
pulse pressure, bradycardia, and irregular respirations. This triad is indicative of:
A. Beck’s Triad
B. Virchow’s Triad
C. Cushing’s Triad
D. The Lethal Triad
Answer: C
, Conceptual Explanation: Cushing’s Triad (increased systolic BP/widened pulse pressure,
bradycardia, and irregular respirations) is a sign of significantly increased intracranial
pressure (ICP).
4. A patient is experiencing anaphylaxis. Which physiological response is caused by the
release of histamine during this process?
A. Vasoconstriction and bronchodilation
B. Vasoconstriction and bronchoconstriction
C. Vasodilation and bronchoconstriction
D. Vasodilation and bronchodilation
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Histamine release during anaphylaxis causes widespread
vasodilation (leading to hypotension) and bronchoconstriction (leading to wheezing and
respiratory distress).
5. You are treating a 45-year-old male with chest pain. He has his own Nitroglycerin. Under
which condition would you withhold the medication even if his blood pressure is 110/70?
A. The patient has a headache.
B. The patient is nauseated.
C. The patient’s heart rate is 90 bpm.
D. The patient took Sildenafil (Viagra) 24 hours ago.
