WESTCOAST EMT FINAL STUDY GUIDE
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
arteriosclerosis - Answer-a disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and
calcify
chemoreceptors - Answer-chemical sensors in the brain and blood vessels that identify
changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Baroreceptors - Answer-cell that detect changes in blood pressure
abrasion - Answer-Loss or damage of the superficial layer of skin as a result of a body
part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.
avulsion - Answer-An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or is hanging as
a flap.
incision - Answer-A sharp, smooth cut in the skin.
laceration - Answer-A deep, jagged cut in the skin.
pulmonary edema - Answer-A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of
congestive heart failure.
acute pulmonary edema - Answer-occurs when an excessive amount of fluid collects in
the spaces between the alveoli and capillaries, disturbs normal gas exchange
types of shock: - Answer-Cardiogenic
Hypovolemic
Neurogenic
Anaphylactic
Septic
psychogenic
obstructive
obstructive shock - Answer-caused by a mechanical obstruction which prevents an
adequate volume of blood to fill the heart chambers:
-cardiac tamponade
-tension pneumothorax
-pulmonary embolism
,distributive shock - Answer-when there is widespread dilation of the small arterioles,
small venules, or both.
four most common types of distributive shock: - Answer-septic shock, neurogenic
shock, anaphylactic shock, and psychogenic shock.
septic shock - Answer-result of severe infections, usually bacterial, in which toxins are
generated by the bacteria or by infected body tissues; toxins damage vessel walls
causing increased cellular permeability
neurogenic shock - Answer-Circulatory failure caused by paralysis of the nerves that
control the size of the blood vessels, leading to widespread dilation; seen in patients
with spinal cord injuries.
psychogenic shock - Answer-Shock caused by a sudden, temporary reduction in blood
supply to the brain that causes fainting (syncope).
anaphlactic shock - Answer-a sudden violent allergic reaction
If you can only take two pieces of equipment with you to a patients side, in addition to a
jump kit, you should choose: - Answer-AED and portable suction
central nervous system (CNS) - Answer-consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - Answer-the sensory and motor neurons that
connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.
abruptio placentae - Answer-premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
placentae previa - Answer-A condition in which the placenta develops over and covers
the cervix
compensated shock: - Answer-The early stage of shock, in which the body can still
compensate for blood loss.
decompensated shock: - Answer-when the body can no longer compensate for low
blood volume or lack of perfusion. Late signs such as decreasing blood pressure
become evident
Instances that cause severe allergic reactions: - Answer-injections (tetanus antitoxin,
penicillin)
stings (wasps, bees, hornets, ants)
ingestion (fish, shellfish, nuts, eggs, medication)
inhalation (dust, pollen, mold)
, signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis/allergic reaction: - Answer-- Trouble breathing
(throat may close up)
- Hypotension - Itching - Hives - Feeling anxious
- Burning feeling - Unusual swelling - Cardiac arrest
Acute pulmonary embolism - Answer-blockage that occurs when a blood clot or other
particle lodges in a pulmonary artery
signs and symptoms of skull fracture: - Answer--visible crack in the skull within a scalp
laceration
-raccoon eyes (ecchymosis)
-battle signs (blood behind ears), CSF out of ears
what 3 components make the pediatric assessment triangle? - Answer-- work of
breathing
- appearance
- circulation to skin
Murphy's sign - Answer-pain with palpation of the RUQ during inspiration, indicative of
cholecystitis
McBurney's sign - Answer-rebound tenderness associated with appendicitis
(McBurney's Point is 2/3 of the way from the umbilicus to anterior superior iliac spine)
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
Tadalafil (cialis)
Sildenafil (viagra)
Avanafil (stendra) - Answer-all of these are used to treat erectile dysfunction
return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) - Answer-The return of a pulse and effective
blood flow to the body in a patient who previously was in cardiac arrest.
Chain of survival: - Answer-1. Recognition and activation of emergency response
system
2. immediate high quality CPR
3. rapid defibrillation
4. basic and advanced EMS
5. ALS and post-arrest care
pulse oximetry - Answer-noninvasive technique that measures the oxygen saturation
(SaO2) of arterial blood
sucking chest wound (open pneumothorax) - Answer-An open or penetrating chest wall
wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking
sound.
EXAM REVIEW QUESTIONS WITH
COMPLETE ANSWERS
arteriosclerosis - Answer-a disease that causes the arteries to thicken, harden, and
calcify
chemoreceptors - Answer-chemical sensors in the brain and blood vessels that identify
changing levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide
Baroreceptors - Answer-cell that detect changes in blood pressure
abrasion - Answer-Loss or damage of the superficial layer of skin as a result of a body
part rubbing or scraping across a rough or hard surface.
avulsion - Answer-An injury in which soft tissue is torn completely loose or is hanging as
a flap.
incision - Answer-A sharp, smooth cut in the skin.
laceration - Answer-A deep, jagged cut in the skin.
pulmonary edema - Answer-A buildup of fluid in the lungs, usually as a result of
congestive heart failure.
acute pulmonary edema - Answer-occurs when an excessive amount of fluid collects in
the spaces between the alveoli and capillaries, disturbs normal gas exchange
types of shock: - Answer-Cardiogenic
Hypovolemic
Neurogenic
Anaphylactic
Septic
psychogenic
obstructive
obstructive shock - Answer-caused by a mechanical obstruction which prevents an
adequate volume of blood to fill the heart chambers:
-cardiac tamponade
-tension pneumothorax
-pulmonary embolism
,distributive shock - Answer-when there is widespread dilation of the small arterioles,
small venules, or both.
four most common types of distributive shock: - Answer-septic shock, neurogenic
shock, anaphylactic shock, and psychogenic shock.
septic shock - Answer-result of severe infections, usually bacterial, in which toxins are
generated by the bacteria or by infected body tissues; toxins damage vessel walls
causing increased cellular permeability
neurogenic shock - Answer-Circulatory failure caused by paralysis of the nerves that
control the size of the blood vessels, leading to widespread dilation; seen in patients
with spinal cord injuries.
psychogenic shock - Answer-Shock caused by a sudden, temporary reduction in blood
supply to the brain that causes fainting (syncope).
anaphlactic shock - Answer-a sudden violent allergic reaction
If you can only take two pieces of equipment with you to a patients side, in addition to a
jump kit, you should choose: - Answer-AED and portable suction
central nervous system (CNS) - Answer-consists of the brain and spinal cord
Peripheral Nervous System (PNS) - Answer-the sensory and motor neurons that
connect the central nervous system (CNS) to the rest of the body.
abruptio placentae - Answer-premature separation of the placenta from the uterine wall
placentae previa - Answer-A condition in which the placenta develops over and covers
the cervix
compensated shock: - Answer-The early stage of shock, in which the body can still
compensate for blood loss.
decompensated shock: - Answer-when the body can no longer compensate for low
blood volume or lack of perfusion. Late signs such as decreasing blood pressure
become evident
Instances that cause severe allergic reactions: - Answer-injections (tetanus antitoxin,
penicillin)
stings (wasps, bees, hornets, ants)
ingestion (fish, shellfish, nuts, eggs, medication)
inhalation (dust, pollen, mold)
, signs and symptoms of anaphylaxis/allergic reaction: - Answer-- Trouble breathing
(throat may close up)
- Hypotension - Itching - Hives - Feeling anxious
- Burning feeling - Unusual swelling - Cardiac arrest
Acute pulmonary embolism - Answer-blockage that occurs when a blood clot or other
particle lodges in a pulmonary artery
signs and symptoms of skull fracture: - Answer--visible crack in the skull within a scalp
laceration
-raccoon eyes (ecchymosis)
-battle signs (blood behind ears), CSF out of ears
what 3 components make the pediatric assessment triangle? - Answer-- work of
breathing
- appearance
- circulation to skin
Murphy's sign - Answer-pain with palpation of the RUQ during inspiration, indicative of
cholecystitis
McBurney's sign - Answer-rebound tenderness associated with appendicitis
(McBurney's Point is 2/3 of the way from the umbilicus to anterior superior iliac spine)
Vardenafil (Levitra, Staxyn)
Tadalafil (cialis)
Sildenafil (viagra)
Avanafil (stendra) - Answer-all of these are used to treat erectile dysfunction
return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) - Answer-The return of a pulse and effective
blood flow to the body in a patient who previously was in cardiac arrest.
Chain of survival: - Answer-1. Recognition and activation of emergency response
system
2. immediate high quality CPR
3. rapid defibrillation
4. basic and advanced EMS
5. ALS and post-arrest care
pulse oximetry - Answer-noninvasive technique that measures the oxygen saturation
(SaO2) of arterial blood
sucking chest wound (open pneumothorax) - Answer-An open or penetrating chest wall
wound through which air passes during inspiration and expiration, creating a sucking
sound.
