EMT Block 3 Exam Study Guide
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing, are controlled
by the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum.
B. cerebrum.
C. cerebral cortex.
D. brain stem. - (correct Answer) - D. brain stem.
The spinal cord exits the cranium through the:
Select one:
A. cauda equina.
B. foramen magnum.
C. foramen lamina.
D. vertebral foramen. - (correct Answer) - B. foramen magnum.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when:
Select one:
A. a small cerebral artery ruptures and causes minimal damage.
B. medications are given to dissolve a cerebral blood clot.
C. a small clot in a cerebral artery causes temporary symptoms.
D. signs and symptoms resolve spontaneously within 48 hours. - (correct Answer) - C. a small clot in a
cerebral artery causes temporary symptoms.
The mental status of a patient who has experienced a generalized seizure:
A. is easily differentiated from that of acute hypoglycemia.
B. progressively worsens over a period of a few hours.
C. typically does not improve, even after several minutes.
D. is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes. - (correct Answer) - D. is likely to improve over a
,period of 5 to 30 minutes.
Which of the following is a metabolic cause of a seizure?
A) brain tumor
B) massive stroke
C) poisoning
D) head trauma - (correct Answer) - C) poisoning
Febrile seizures in a child:
A. typically last less than 30 minutes.
B. occur after a week of a febrile illness.
C. are usually caused by viral meningitis.
D. may indicate a serious underlying illness. - (correct Answer) - D. may indicate a serious underlying
illness.
You arrive at a local grocery store approximately 5 minutes after a 21-year-old female stopped seizing.
She is confused and disoriented; she keeps asking you what happened and tells you that she is thirsty.
Her brother, who witnessed the seizure, tells you that she takes valproate (Depakote) for her seizures,
but has not taken it in a few days. He also tells you that she has diabetes. In addition to administering
oxygen, you should:
Select one:
A. place her in the recovery position and transport her with lights and siren.
B. monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level.
C. give her small cups of water to drink and observe for further seizure activity.
D. administer one tube of oral glucose and prepare for immediate transport. - (correct Answer) - B.
monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level.
You are assessing the arm drift component of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale on a 60-year-old
woman. When she holds both of her arms out in front of her and closes her eyes, both of her arms
immediately fall to her sides. You should:
Select one:
A. repeat the arm drift test and ensure that her palms are facing downward.
B. repeat the arm drift test, but move the patient's arms into position yourself.
C. defer this part of the test and assess her for facial droop and slurred speech.
D. instruct the patient to keep her eyes open and then repeat the arm drift test. - (correct Answer) - B.
, repeat the arm drift test, but move the patient's arms into position yourself.
When transporting a stable stroke patient with a paralyzed extremity, place the patient in a:
Select one:
A. supine position with the legs elevated 6 feet to 12 feet.
B. recumbent position with the paralyzed side down.
C. sitting position with the head at a 45° to 90° angle.
D. recumbent position with the paralyzed side up. - (correct Answer) - B. recumbent position with the
paralyzed side down.
Which of the following organs assists in the filtration of blood, serves as a blood reservoir, and produces
antibodies?
Select one:
A. Spleen
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Kidneys - (correct Answer) - B. Spleen
The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by:
Select one:
A. accommodating a large amount of blood volume.
B. removing sodium and water from the body.
C. eliminating toxic waste products from the body.
D. retaining key electrolytes, such as potassium. - (correct Answer) - B. removing sodium and water from
the body.
The parietal peritoneum lines the:
Select one:
A. surface of the abdominal organs.
B. lungs and chest cavity.
C. walls of the abdominal cavity.
D. retroperitoneal space. - (correct Answer) - C. walls of the abdominal cavity.
The most basic functions of the body, such as breathing, blood pressure, and swallowing, are controlled
by the:
Select one:
A. cerebellum.
B. cerebrum.
C. cerebral cortex.
D. brain stem. - (correct Answer) - D. brain stem.
The spinal cord exits the cranium through the:
Select one:
A. cauda equina.
B. foramen magnum.
C. foramen lamina.
D. vertebral foramen. - (correct Answer) - B. foramen magnum.
A transient ischemic attack (TIA) occurs when:
Select one:
A. a small cerebral artery ruptures and causes minimal damage.
B. medications are given to dissolve a cerebral blood clot.
C. a small clot in a cerebral artery causes temporary symptoms.
D. signs and symptoms resolve spontaneously within 48 hours. - (correct Answer) - C. a small clot in a
cerebral artery causes temporary symptoms.
The mental status of a patient who has experienced a generalized seizure:
A. is easily differentiated from that of acute hypoglycemia.
B. progressively worsens over a period of a few hours.
C. typically does not improve, even after several minutes.
D. is likely to improve over a period of 5 to 30 minutes. - (correct Answer) - D. is likely to improve over a
,period of 5 to 30 minutes.
Which of the following is a metabolic cause of a seizure?
A) brain tumor
B) massive stroke
C) poisoning
D) head trauma - (correct Answer) - C) poisoning
Febrile seizures in a child:
A. typically last less than 30 minutes.
B. occur after a week of a febrile illness.
C. are usually caused by viral meningitis.
D. may indicate a serious underlying illness. - (correct Answer) - D. may indicate a serious underlying
illness.
You arrive at a local grocery store approximately 5 minutes after a 21-year-old female stopped seizing.
She is confused and disoriented; she keeps asking you what happened and tells you that she is thirsty.
Her brother, who witnessed the seizure, tells you that she takes valproate (Depakote) for her seizures,
but has not taken it in a few days. He also tells you that she has diabetes. In addition to administering
oxygen, you should:
Select one:
A. place her in the recovery position and transport her with lights and siren.
B. monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level.
C. give her small cups of water to drink and observe for further seizure activity.
D. administer one tube of oral glucose and prepare for immediate transport. - (correct Answer) - B.
monitor her airway and breathing status and assess her blood glucose level.
You are assessing the arm drift component of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale on a 60-year-old
woman. When she holds both of her arms out in front of her and closes her eyes, both of her arms
immediately fall to her sides. You should:
Select one:
A. repeat the arm drift test and ensure that her palms are facing downward.
B. repeat the arm drift test, but move the patient's arms into position yourself.
C. defer this part of the test and assess her for facial droop and slurred speech.
D. instruct the patient to keep her eyes open and then repeat the arm drift test. - (correct Answer) - B.
, repeat the arm drift test, but move the patient's arms into position yourself.
When transporting a stable stroke patient with a paralyzed extremity, place the patient in a:
Select one:
A. supine position with the legs elevated 6 feet to 12 feet.
B. recumbent position with the paralyzed side down.
C. sitting position with the head at a 45° to 90° angle.
D. recumbent position with the paralyzed side up. - (correct Answer) - B. recumbent position with the
paralyzed side down.
Which of the following organs assists in the filtration of blood, serves as a blood reservoir, and produces
antibodies?
Select one:
A. Spleen
B. Liver
C. Pancreas
D. Kidneys - (correct Answer) - B. Spleen
The kidneys help to regulate blood pressure by:
Select one:
A. accommodating a large amount of blood volume.
B. removing sodium and water from the body.
C. eliminating toxic waste products from the body.
D. retaining key electrolytes, such as potassium. - (correct Answer) - B. removing sodium and water from
the body.
The parietal peritoneum lines the:
Select one:
A. surface of the abdominal organs.
B. lungs and chest cavity.
C. walls of the abdominal cavity.
D. retroperitoneal space. - (correct Answer) - C. walls of the abdominal cavity.
