Respiratory Emergencies UPDATED
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
You are assisting an asthma patient with his prescribed metered-dose inhaler. After the patient
takes a deep breath and depresses the inhaler, you should: - CORRECT ANSWER -
instruct him to hold his breath for as long as he comfortably can.
A 30-year-old male presents with acute shortness of breath, widespread hives, facial swelling,
and a red rash on his neck and chest. He denies any past medical history and takes no
medications. During your assessment, you hear wheezing over all lung fields. His blood pressure
is 90/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 110 beats/min. According to the NM EMT-Basic Scope of
Practice and in addition to giving him 100% oxygen, the MOST important medication for this
patient is: - CORRECT ANSWER - epinephrine.
A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory
distress and an oxygen saturation of 82%. When you auscultate his lungs, you hear widespread
rales. He is conscious and alert, is able to follow simple commands, and can only speak in two-
to three-word sentences at a time. With all resources at your disposal, which of the following
treatment plans will benifit the patient the MOST: - CORRECT ANSWER - apply a
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, monitor his blood
pressure, and observe him for signs of improvement or deterioration.
Harsh, high-pitched inspiratory sounds are characteristic of: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Stridor
Which of the following conditions would LEAST likely result in hypoxia (low oxygen levlel in
the blood)? - CORRECT ANSWER - severe anxiety
Hyperventilation could be associated with all of the following, EXCEPT: - CORRECT
ANSWER - a narcotic overdose.
,Of the following choices, the onset of acute pulmonary edema would MOST likely develop as
the result of: - CORRECT ANSWER - toxic chemical inhalation.
While auscultating an elderly woman's breath sounds, you hear low-pitched "rattling"
sounds at the bases of both of her lungs. With which of the following conditions is this finding
MOST consistent? - CORRECT ANSWER - aspiration pneumonia
A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening of his
dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your assessment reveals that he has
a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST
likely cause of this patient's condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - spontaneous
pneumothorax
Common signs and symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include - CORRECT
ANSWER - tachypnea and tingling in the extremities.
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition that occurs when - CORRECT ANSWER - blood
acidity is reduced by excessive breathing.
According to the chart on page 479 of the EMT-Basic textbook, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
(PND), rales, and dependent edema are clinical indicators of: - CORRECT ANSWER -
congestive heart failure.
A 67-year-old male who smokes three packs of cigarettes per day complains of a productive
cough, chills, and generalized weakness. He is in mild respiratory distress; auscultation of his
lungs reveals rhonchi to the lower left lobe. This patient's clinical presentation is MOST
consistent with:
A. pneumonia.
B. bronchitis.
, C. heart failure. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. pneumonia
You are treating a 2-year-old boy who is experiencing respiratory distress. During your
assessment, you note that the child has mild inspiratory stridor, a barking cough, and a low-grade
fever. The child is otherwise conscious, is acting appropriate for his age, and has strong radial
pulses. Treatment should include:
A. an IV fluid bolus.
B. a beta antagonist.
C. assisted ventilation.
D. humidified oxygen. - CORRECT ANSWER - D. humidified oxygen
When treating a patient who complains of dyspnea, it is important for the AEMT to:
A. closely monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm.
B. be prepared to treat the patient's anxiety as well.
C. give oxygen via nasal cannula to minimize anxiety.
D. routinely request that a paramedic unit respond to the scene. - CORRECT ANSWER -
B. be prepared to treat the patient's anxiety as well
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of:
A. pertussis and the flu.
ACTUAL Questions and CORRECT
Answers
You are assisting an asthma patient with his prescribed metered-dose inhaler. After the patient
takes a deep breath and depresses the inhaler, you should: - CORRECT ANSWER -
instruct him to hold his breath for as long as he comfortably can.
A 30-year-old male presents with acute shortness of breath, widespread hives, facial swelling,
and a red rash on his neck and chest. He denies any past medical history and takes no
medications. During your assessment, you hear wheezing over all lung fields. His blood pressure
is 90/50 mm Hg and his heart rate is 110 beats/min. According to the NM EMT-Basic Scope of
Practice and in addition to giving him 100% oxygen, the MOST important medication for this
patient is: - CORRECT ANSWER - epinephrine.
A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory
distress and an oxygen saturation of 82%. When you auscultate his lungs, you hear widespread
rales. He is conscious and alert, is able to follow simple commands, and can only speak in two-
to three-word sentences at a time. With all resources at your disposal, which of the following
treatment plans will benifit the patient the MOST: - CORRECT ANSWER - apply a
continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device, monitor his blood
pressure, and observe him for signs of improvement or deterioration.
Harsh, high-pitched inspiratory sounds are characteristic of: - CORRECT ANSWER -
Stridor
Which of the following conditions would LEAST likely result in hypoxia (low oxygen levlel in
the blood)? - CORRECT ANSWER - severe anxiety
Hyperventilation could be associated with all of the following, EXCEPT: - CORRECT
ANSWER - a narcotic overdose.
,Of the following choices, the onset of acute pulmonary edema would MOST likely develop as
the result of: - CORRECT ANSWER - toxic chemical inhalation.
While auscultating an elderly woman's breath sounds, you hear low-pitched "rattling"
sounds at the bases of both of her lungs. With which of the following conditions is this finding
MOST consistent? - CORRECT ANSWER - aspiration pneumonia
A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening of his
dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your assessment reveals that he has
a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST
likely cause of this patient's condition? - CORRECT ANSWER - spontaneous
pneumothorax
Common signs and symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include - CORRECT
ANSWER - tachypnea and tingling in the extremities.
Respiratory alkalosis is a condition that occurs when - CORRECT ANSWER - blood
acidity is reduced by excessive breathing.
According to the chart on page 479 of the EMT-Basic textbook, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea
(PND), rales, and dependent edema are clinical indicators of: - CORRECT ANSWER -
congestive heart failure.
A 67-year-old male who smokes three packs of cigarettes per day complains of a productive
cough, chills, and generalized weakness. He is in mild respiratory distress; auscultation of his
lungs reveals rhonchi to the lower left lobe. This patient's clinical presentation is MOST
consistent with:
A. pneumonia.
B. bronchitis.
, C. heart failure. - CORRECT ANSWER - A. pneumonia
You are treating a 2-year-old boy who is experiencing respiratory distress. During your
assessment, you note that the child has mild inspiratory stridor, a barking cough, and a low-grade
fever. The child is otherwise conscious, is acting appropriate for his age, and has strong radial
pulses. Treatment should include:
A. an IV fluid bolus.
B. a beta antagonist.
C. assisted ventilation.
D. humidified oxygen. - CORRECT ANSWER - D. humidified oxygen
When treating a patient who complains of dyspnea, it is important for the AEMT to:
A. closely monitor the patient's cardiac rhythm.
B. be prepared to treat the patient's anxiety as well.
C. give oxygen via nasal cannula to minimize anxiety.
D. routinely request that a paramedic unit respond to the scene. - CORRECT ANSWER -
B. be prepared to treat the patient's anxiety as well
The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of:
A. pertussis and the flu.
