Application Prep & Practice Exam| EMS
Exam 1| Ethical and Lega, Geriatric Q&A|
2025/2026
A 5-year-old patient is in respiratory distress with retractions and stridor. What is your immediate
intervention?
Administer oxygen via a non-rebreather mask and prepare for potential airway obstruction
management.
You arrive at the home of an elderly patient who has fallen and cannot get up. The patient refuses
transport but appears confused. How should you proceed?
Assess the patient’s decision-making capacity and contact medical control for further
guidance if needed.
During CPR on a 4-month-old infant, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio when
performing two-rescuer CPR?
15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
A pediatric patient has sustained a suspected femur fracture after falling from a tree. What
splinting technique should you use?
Apply a pediatric traction splint if local protocols allow and monitor neurovascular status.
1
,An elderly patient with a DNR collapses during your care, but family members demand you
perform CPR. How do you handle this situation?
Respect the DNR order and explain the legal and ethical obligations to the family while
providing supportive care.
You are called to a scene where a child has ingested a toxic substance. What is your initial
action?
Ensure the scene is safe, identify the substance, and contact poison control for guidance
while providing supportive care.
A geriatric patient presents with altered mental status and dehydration. What specific
considerations should you make during assessment?
Recognize that dehydration can manifest subtly in the elderly and monitor for orthostatic
hypotension.
What is the appropriate method to immobilize a pediatric patient involved in a motor vehicle
crash?
Use a pediatric-sized spine board or modify an adult board with padding to ensure proper
alignment.
You are assisting with end-of-life care for a terminally ill patient. The family asks you to provide
treatments beyond what the patient’s advanced directive permits. What should you do?
Follow the advanced directive and explain its legal and ethical implications to the family.
2
,A 3-year-old patient is experiencing a febrile seizure. What is your primary intervention?
Protect the patient from injury, maintain an open airway, and monitor for postictal changes.
An elderly patient with a history of COPD becomes agitated and refuses oxygen. What is your
best course of action?
Attempt to calm the patient, explain the benefits of oxygen therapy, and use non-threatening
delivery methods like a nasal cannula.
A pediatric patient is suspected of being a victim of abuse. What is your legal obligation as an
EMS provider?
Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities, as mandated by law, while documenting
findings thoroughly.
You are called to care for an elderly patient with advanced dementia who becomes combative
during transport. How should you respond?
Ensure scene safety, minimize physical restraints, and use calming communication
techniques.
A child with a severe asthma attack is unresponsive to their prescribed inhaler. What is your next
step?
Administer epinephrine if indicated by protocols and prepare for rapid transport.
3
, An elderly patient presents with generalized weakness and a history of polypharmacy. Why is a
thorough medication review critical?
To identify potential adverse drug interactions or side effects contributing to the symptoms.
A pediatric patient in shock requires fluid resuscitation. What is the initial fluid bolus amount per
protocol?
20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid solution.
You arrive at the home of an elderly patient found in cardiac arrest with no family present. The
patient’s DNR bracelet is missing, but a valid DNR form is found. What is your action?
Honor the DNR form and withhold resuscitation while documenting the situation.
A child involved in a bicycle accident presents with unequal breath sounds and hypotension.
What condition should you suspect, and how do you manage it?
Suspect a tension pneumothorax and prepare for needle decompression if indicated by
protocols.
An elderly patient with advanced osteoporosis complains of back pain after a minor fall. What
specific considerations should you make during transport?
Use a scoop stretcher or other tools to minimize movement and prevent further injury.
You are transporting a pediatric patient in respiratory arrest. How should you manage airway
support?
4
Exam 1| Ethical and Lega, Geriatric Q&A|
2025/2026
A 5-year-old patient is in respiratory distress with retractions and stridor. What is your immediate
intervention?
Administer oxygen via a non-rebreather mask and prepare for potential airway obstruction
management.
You arrive at the home of an elderly patient who has fallen and cannot get up. The patient refuses
transport but appears confused. How should you proceed?
Assess the patient’s decision-making capacity and contact medical control for further
guidance if needed.
During CPR on a 4-month-old infant, what is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio when
performing two-rescuer CPR?
15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
A pediatric patient has sustained a suspected femur fracture after falling from a tree. What
splinting technique should you use?
Apply a pediatric traction splint if local protocols allow and monitor neurovascular status.
1
,An elderly patient with a DNR collapses during your care, but family members demand you
perform CPR. How do you handle this situation?
Respect the DNR order and explain the legal and ethical obligations to the family while
providing supportive care.
You are called to a scene where a child has ingested a toxic substance. What is your initial
action?
Ensure the scene is safe, identify the substance, and contact poison control for guidance
while providing supportive care.
A geriatric patient presents with altered mental status and dehydration. What specific
considerations should you make during assessment?
Recognize that dehydration can manifest subtly in the elderly and monitor for orthostatic
hypotension.
What is the appropriate method to immobilize a pediatric patient involved in a motor vehicle
crash?
Use a pediatric-sized spine board or modify an adult board with padding to ensure proper
alignment.
You are assisting with end-of-life care for a terminally ill patient. The family asks you to provide
treatments beyond what the patient’s advanced directive permits. What should you do?
Follow the advanced directive and explain its legal and ethical implications to the family.
2
,A 3-year-old patient is experiencing a febrile seizure. What is your primary intervention?
Protect the patient from injury, maintain an open airway, and monitor for postictal changes.
An elderly patient with a history of COPD becomes agitated and refuses oxygen. What is your
best course of action?
Attempt to calm the patient, explain the benefits of oxygen therapy, and use non-threatening
delivery methods like a nasal cannula.
A pediatric patient is suspected of being a victim of abuse. What is your legal obligation as an
EMS provider?
Report the suspicion to the appropriate authorities, as mandated by law, while documenting
findings thoroughly.
You are called to care for an elderly patient with advanced dementia who becomes combative
during transport. How should you respond?
Ensure scene safety, minimize physical restraints, and use calming communication
techniques.
A child with a severe asthma attack is unresponsive to their prescribed inhaler. What is your next
step?
Administer epinephrine if indicated by protocols and prepare for rapid transport.
3
, An elderly patient presents with generalized weakness and a history of polypharmacy. Why is a
thorough medication review critical?
To identify potential adverse drug interactions or side effects contributing to the symptoms.
A pediatric patient in shock requires fluid resuscitation. What is the initial fluid bolus amount per
protocol?
20 mL/kg of isotonic crystalloid solution.
You arrive at the home of an elderly patient found in cardiac arrest with no family present. The
patient’s DNR bracelet is missing, but a valid DNR form is found. What is your action?
Honor the DNR form and withhold resuscitation while documenting the situation.
A child involved in a bicycle accident presents with unequal breath sounds and hypotension.
What condition should you suspect, and how do you manage it?
Suspect a tension pneumothorax and prepare for needle decompression if indicated by
protocols.
An elderly patient with advanced osteoporosis complains of back pain after a minor fall. What
specific considerations should you make during transport?
Use a scoop stretcher or other tools to minimize movement and prevent further injury.
You are transporting a pediatric patient in respiratory arrest. How should you manage airway
support?
4
