West Coast EMT Block Exam #3 b b b b b
A 30-year-old male experienced a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure, which stopped
b b b b b b b b b
bbefore you arrived at the scene. The patient is conscious, is answering your
b b b b b b b b b b b b
bquestions appropriately, and refuses EMS transport. Which of the following would be
b b b b b b b b b b b
bthe MOST compelling reason to disagree with his refusal of transport?
b b b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15
b b b b b b b b
B. His wife states that this was his "usual" seizure
b b b b b b b b b
C. He has experienced seizures since he was 20
b b b b b b b b
D. He is currently not prescribed any medications
b b b b b b b
D. He is currently not prescribed any medications
b b b b b b b
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic
b b b b b b b b b b b b
b(fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she: b b b b b
Select one: b
A. has had a prior heart attack.
b b b b b b
B. has bleeding within the brain.
b b b b b
C. has a GCS score that is less than 8.
b b b b b b b b b
D. is older than 60 years of age.
b b b b b b b
B. has bleeding within the brain.
b b b b b
A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing:
b b b b b b b b b b b
bSelect one: b
A. paraplegia.
b
B. dysphagia.
b
C. dysarthria.
b
D. aphasia.
b
C. dysarthria.
b
A patient with an altered mental status is:
b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events.
b b b b b b b b b
B. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
b b b b b b b b b
C. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus.
b b b b b b b b b
D. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli.
b b b b b b b
B. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
b b b b b b b b b
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should:
b b b b b b b b b b
bSelect one: b
A. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and assist ventilations.
b b b b b b b
B. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke.
b b b b b b b b b b b
C. immediately determine the patient's blood glucose level.
b b b b b b b
D. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
b b b b b b b b b
D. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
b b b b b b b b b
Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following,
b b b b b b b b b b b
bEXCEPT: Select one: b b
A. an embolism.
b b
B. cerebral vasodilation.
b b
,C. a thrombus.
b b
D. an acute arterial rupture.
b b b b
B. cerebral vasodilation.
b b
The left cerebral hemisphere controls:
b b b b
Select one: b
A. heart rate and pupil reaction.
b b b b b
B. the right side of the face.
b b b b b b
C. breathing and blood pressure.
b b b b
D. the right side of the body.
b b b b b b
D. the right side of the body.
b b b b b b
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is:
b b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. diabetes mellitus.
b b
B. hypertension.
b
C. heavy exertion.
b b
D. severe stress.
b b
B. hypertension.
b
The three major parts of the brain are the:
b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
b b b b b
B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord.
b b b b b b
C. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput.
b b b b
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
b b b b b
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
b b b b b
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
Select one:
b b
A. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
B. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
C. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes.
b b b b b b b b b
D. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
A. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert
b b b b b b b b b b b b
for:
b
Select one: b
A. a seizure.
b b
B. respiratory distress.
b b
C. an acute stroke.
b b b
D. a febrile convulsion.
b b b
A. a seizure.
b b
When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient,
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
it is MOST important to determine:
b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. if the patient has been hospitalized before.
b b b b b b b
B. if there is a family history of a stroke.
b b b b b b b b b
C. when the patient last appeared normal.
b b b b b b
D. the patient's overall medication compliance.
b b b b b
,C. when the patient last appeared normal.
b b b b b b
00:0101:38
b
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
symptoms of a stroke?
b b b b
Select one: b
A. Intracranial bleeding
b b
B. A postictal state
b b b
C. Hypoglycemia
b
D. Hypovolemia
b
D. Hypovolemia
b
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain?
b b b b b b b b b b b
Select one:
b b
A. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
b b b b b
B. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe
b b b b b b b
C. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe
b b b b b b b
D. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere
b b b b b b b
A. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
b b b b b
Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure?
b b b b b b b b b b
Select one:
b b
A. A generalized seizure without incontinence
b b b b b
B. A seizure that causes the patient to stare blankly
b b b b b b b b b
C. A seizure that begins in one extremity
b b b b b b b
D. A seizure that is not preceded by an aura
b b b b b b b b b
C. A seizure that begins in one extremity
b b b b b b b
Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience
b b b b b b b b b b b
during the postictal state that follows a seizure?
b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. A gradually decreasing level of consciousness
b b b b b b
B. A rapidly improving level of consciousness
b b b b b b
C. Hyperventilation and hypersalivation
b b b
D. Confusion and fatigue
b b b
D. Confusion and fatigue
b b b
Which of the following symptoms would lead the EMT to believe that a patient's
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
headache is caused by sinus congestion?
b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. The headache began suddenly
b b b b
B. There is associated neck stiffness
b b b b b
C. There is numbness in the extremities
b b b b b b
D. The pain is worse when bending over
b b b b b b b
D. The pain is worse when bending over
b b b b b b b
You are caring for a 68-year-old man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis and
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
slurred speech. His airway is patent, his respirations are 14 breaths/min with
b b b b b b b b b b b b
adequate depth, and his oxygen saturation is 98%. Treatment for this patient should
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
include: Select one:
b b b
A. recovery position and transport.
b b b b
B. oral glucose gel and transport.
b b b b b
, C. high-flow oxygen and transport.
b b b b
D. ventilatory assistance and transport.
b b b b
A. recovery position and transport.
b b b b
You respond to a residence for a child who is having a seizure. Upon arrival at the
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
scene, you enter the residence and find the mother holding her child, a 2-year-old
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
male. The child is conscious and crying. According to the mother, the child had
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
been running a high fever and then experienced a seizure that lasted approximately
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
3 minutes. You should:
b b b b
Select one: b
A. call medical control and request permission to give the child aspirin.
b b b b b b b b b b b
B. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
C. advise the mother to take her child to the doctor the following day.
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
D. cover the child with wet towels and give oxygen via nasal cannula.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
B. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
Your patient opens his eyes, moans, and pulls away from you when you pinch
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
his trapezius muscle. You should assign a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score
b b b b b b b b b b b b
of: Select one:
b b b
A. 7. b
B. 9. b
C. 8. b
D. 6. b
C. 8. b
A 29-year-old pregnant woman has had severe vomiting for the last 2 days. Today,
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
she is vomiting large amounts of blood. Her skin is cool and pale and she is
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
tachycardic.
b
The EMT should suspect:
b b b
Select one: b
A. Mallory-Weiss tear.
b b
B. esophagitis.
b
C. esophageal varices.
b b
D. acute pancreatitis.
b b
A. Mallory-Weiss tear.
b b
A 30-year-old woman with a history of alcoholism presents with severe upper
b b b b b b b b b b b
abdominal pain and is vomiting large amounts of bright red blood. Her skin is cool,
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
pale, and clammy; her heart rate is 120 beats/min and weak; and her blood pressure
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
is 70/50 mm Hg. Your MOST immediate action should be to:
b b b b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. rapidly transport her to the hospital.
b b b b b b
B. give her high-flow supplemental oxygen.
b b b b b
C. protect her airway from aspiration.
b b b b b
D. keep her supine and keep her warm.
b b b b b b b
C. protect her airway from aspiration.
b b b b b
A 47-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain of 3 hours' duration. His
b b b b b b b b b b b b
abdomen is distended and guarded. Your MOST important consideration for this
b b b b b b b b b b b
patient should be to:
b b b b
Select one: b
A. be alert for signs and symptoms of shock.
b b b b b b b b
A 30-year-old male experienced a generalized (tonic-clonic) seizure, which stopped
b b b b b b b b b
bbefore you arrived at the scene. The patient is conscious, is answering your
b b b b b b b b b b b b
bquestions appropriately, and refuses EMS transport. Which of the following would be
b b b b b b b b b b b
bthe MOST compelling reason to disagree with his refusal of transport?
b b b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. His Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score is 15
b b b b b b b b
B. His wife states that this was his "usual" seizure
b b b b b b b b b
C. He has experienced seizures since he was 20
b b b b b b b b
D. He is currently not prescribed any medications
b b b b b b b
D. He is currently not prescribed any medications
b b b b b b b
A patient who is possibly experiencing a stroke is NOT eligible for thrombolytic
b b b b b b b b b b b b
b(fibrinolytic) therapy if he or she: b b b b b
Select one: b
A. has had a prior heart attack.
b b b b b b
B. has bleeding within the brain.
b b b b b
C. has a GCS score that is less than 8.
b b b b b b b b b
D. is older than 60 years of age.
b b b b b b b
B. has bleeding within the brain.
b b b b b
A patient whose speech is slurred and difficult to understand is experiencing:
b b b b b b b b b b b
bSelect one: b
A. paraplegia.
b
B. dysphagia.
b
C. dysarthria.
b
D. aphasia.
b
C. dysarthria.
b
A patient with an altered mental status is:
b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. typically alert but is confused as to preceding events.
b b b b b b b b b
B. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
b b b b b b b b b
C. usually able to be aroused with a painful stimulus.
b b b b b b b b b
D. completely unresponsive to all forms of stimuli.
b b b b b b b
B. not thinking clearly or is incapable of being aroused.
b b b b b b b b b
During the primary assessment of a semiconscious 70-year-old female, you should:
b b b b b b b b b b
bSelect one: b
A. insert a nasopharyngeal airway and assist ventilations.
b b b b b b b
B. ask family members if the patient has a history of stroke.
b b b b b b b b b b b
C. immediately determine the patient's blood glucose level.
b b b b b b b
D. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
b b b b b b b b b
D. ensure a patent airway and support ventilation as needed.
b b b b b b b b b
Interruption of cerebral blood flow may result from all of the following,
b b b b b b b b b b b
bEXCEPT: Select one: b b
A. an embolism.
b b
B. cerebral vasodilation.
b b
,C. a thrombus.
b b
D. an acute arterial rupture.
b b b b
B. cerebral vasodilation.
b b
The left cerebral hemisphere controls:
b b b b
Select one: b
A. heart rate and pupil reaction.
b b b b b
B. the right side of the face.
b b b b b b
C. breathing and blood pressure.
b b b b
D. the right side of the body.
b b b b b b
D. the right side of the body.
b b b b b b
The MOST significant risk factor for a hemorrhagic stroke is:
b b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. diabetes mellitus.
b b
B. hypertension.
b
C. heavy exertion.
b b
D. severe stress.
b b
B. hypertension.
b
The three major parts of the brain are the:
b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. midbrain, cerebellum, and spinal cord.
b b b b b
B. brain stem, midbrain, and spinal cord.
b b b b b b
C. cerebellum, medulla, and occiput.
b b b b
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
b b b b b
D. cerebrum, cerebellum, and brain stem.
b b b b b
When assessing for arm drift of a patient with a suspected stroke, you should:
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
Select one:
b b
A. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
B. expect to see one arm slowly drift down to the patient's side.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
C. observe movement of the arms for approximately 2 minutes.
b b b b b b b b b
D. ask the patient to hold his or her arms up with the palms down.
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
A. ask the patient to close his or her eyes during the assessment.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
When caring for a patient with documented hypoglycemia, you should be MOST alert
b b b b b b b b b b b b
for:
b
Select one: b
A. a seizure.
b b
B. respiratory distress.
b b
C. an acute stroke.
b b b
D. a febrile convulsion.
b b b
A. a seizure.
b b
When you are obtaining medical history from the family of a suspected stroke patient,
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
it is MOST important to determine:
b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. if the patient has been hospitalized before.
b b b b b b b
B. if there is a family history of a stroke.
b b b b b b b b b
C. when the patient last appeared normal.
b b b b b b
D. the patient's overall medication compliance.
b b b b b
,C. when the patient last appeared normal.
b b b b b b
00:0101:38
b
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
symptoms of a stroke?
b b b b
Select one: b
A. Intracranial bleeding
b b
B. A postictal state
b b b
C. Hypoglycemia
b
D. Hypovolemia
b
D. Hypovolemia
b
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely affect the entire brain?
b b b b b b b b b b b
Select one:
b b
A. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
b b b b b
B. Ruptured cerebral artery in the occipital lobe
b b b b b b b
C. Blocked cerebral artery in the frontal lobe
b b b b b b b
D. Reduced blood supply to the left hemisphere
b b b b b b b
A. Respiratory failure or cardiopulmonary arrest
b b b b b
Which of the following MOST accurately describes a simple partial seizure?
b b b b b b b b b b
Select one:
b b
A. A generalized seizure without incontinence
b b b b b
B. A seizure that causes the patient to stare blankly
b b b b b b b b b
C. A seizure that begins in one extremity
b b b b b b b
D. A seizure that is not preceded by an aura
b b b b b b b b b
C. A seizure that begins in one extremity
b b b b b b b
Which of the following MOST accurately describes what the patient will experience
b b b b b b b b b b b
during the postictal state that follows a seizure?
b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. A gradually decreasing level of consciousness
b b b b b b
B. A rapidly improving level of consciousness
b b b b b b
C. Hyperventilation and hypersalivation
b b b
D. Confusion and fatigue
b b b
D. Confusion and fatigue
b b b
Which of the following symptoms would lead the EMT to believe that a patient's
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
headache is caused by sinus congestion?
b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. The headache began suddenly
b b b b
B. There is associated neck stiffness
b b b b b
C. There is numbness in the extremities
b b b b b b
D. The pain is worse when bending over
b b b b b b b
D. The pain is worse when bending over
b b b b b b b
You are caring for a 68-year-old man with sudden onset of left-sided paralysis and
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
slurred speech. His airway is patent, his respirations are 14 breaths/min with
b b b b b b b b b b b b
adequate depth, and his oxygen saturation is 98%. Treatment for this patient should
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
include: Select one:
b b b
A. recovery position and transport.
b b b b
B. oral glucose gel and transport.
b b b b b
, C. high-flow oxygen and transport.
b b b b
D. ventilatory assistance and transport.
b b b b
A. recovery position and transport.
b b b b
You respond to a residence for a child who is having a seizure. Upon arrival at the
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
scene, you enter the residence and find the mother holding her child, a 2-year-old
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
male. The child is conscious and crying. According to the mother, the child had
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
been running a high fever and then experienced a seizure that lasted approximately
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
3 minutes. You should:
b b b b
Select one: b
A. call medical control and request permission to give the child aspirin.
b b b b b b b b b b b
B. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
C. advise the mother to take her child to the doctor the following day.
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
D. cover the child with wet towels and give oxygen via nasal cannula.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
B. transport the child to the hospital and reassure the mother en route.
b b b b b b b b b b b b
Your patient opens his eyes, moans, and pulls away from you when you pinch
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
his trapezius muscle. You should assign a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score
b b b b b b b b b b b b
of: Select one:
b b b
A. 7. b
B. 9. b
C. 8. b
D. 6. b
C. 8. b
A 29-year-old pregnant woman has had severe vomiting for the last 2 days. Today,
b b b b b b b b b b b b b
she is vomiting large amounts of blood. Her skin is cool and pale and she is
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
tachycardic.
b
The EMT should suspect:
b b b
Select one: b
A. Mallory-Weiss tear.
b b
B. esophagitis.
b
C. esophageal varices.
b b
D. acute pancreatitis.
b b
A. Mallory-Weiss tear.
b b
A 30-year-old woman with a history of alcoholism presents with severe upper
b b b b b b b b b b b
abdominal pain and is vomiting large amounts of bright red blood. Her skin is cool,
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
pale, and clammy; her heart rate is 120 beats/min and weak; and her blood pressure
b b b b b b b b b b b b b b b
is 70/50 mm Hg. Your MOST immediate action should be to:
b b b b b b b b b b b
Select one: b
A. rapidly transport her to the hospital.
b b b b b b
B. give her high-flow supplemental oxygen.
b b b b b
C. protect her airway from aspiration.
b b b b b
D. keep her supine and keep her warm.
b b b b b b b
C. protect her airway from aspiration.
b b b b b
A 47-year-old male presents with severe abdominal pain of 3 hours' duration. His
b b b b b b b b b b b b
abdomen is distended and guarded. Your MOST important consideration for this
b b b b b b b b b b b
patient should be to:
b b b b
Select one: b
A. be alert for signs and symptoms of shock.
b b b b b b b b
