A 12-lead ECG:
A. may identify myocardial ischemia or injury.
B. is only performed in the hospital setting.
C. does not indicate the heart's primary pacemaker.
D. is used by the EMT to diagnose a heart attack. - ANS-A. may identify myocardial
ischemia or injury.
\A 17-year-old football player collided with another player and has pain to his left clavicular
area. He is holding his arm against his chest and refuses to move it. Your assessment
reveals obvious deformity to the midshaft clavicle. After assessing distal pulse, sensory, and
motor functions, you should:
A. straighten his arm and apply a board splint.
B. perform a rapid secondary assessment.
C. immobilize the injury with a sling and swathe.
D. place a pillow under his arm and apply a sling. - ANS-C. immobilize the injury with a sling
and swathe.
\A 17-year-old male was shot in the right anterior chest during an altercation with a gang
member. As your partner is applying 100% oxygen, you perform a rapid secondary
assessment and find an open chest wound with a small amount of blood bubbling from it.
You should:
A. apply an occlusive dressing to the wound and continue your assessment.
B. control the bleeding from the wound and prepare to transport at once.
C. direct your partner to assist the patient's ventilations with a bag-mask device.
D. place a sterile dressing over the wound and apply direct pressure. - ANS-A. apply an
occlusive dressing to the wound and continue your assessment.
\A 19-year-old female is found unconscious by her roommate. Your primary assessment
reveals that her breathing is inadequate. As you insert an oropharyngeal airway, she begins
to gag violently. You should:
A. insert the airway no further but leave it in place as a bite block.
B. select a smaller oropharyngeal airway and attempt to insert it.
C. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
D. continue to insert the airway as you suction her oropharynx. - ANS-C. remove the airway
and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
\A 19-year-old female was stung multiple times on the legs by fire ants. She states that she
is allergic to fire ants, but does not carry her own epinephrine. The patient is conscious and
alert and complains of pain to the area of the bites. Her blood pressure is 122/70 mm Hg,
her pulse is 100 beats/min and strong, and her respirations are 18 breaths/min and
unlabored. You should:
A. advise her to see her physician as soon as possible.
B. position her legs well above the level of her heart.
C. request a paramedic unit to administer epinephrine.
D. administer oxygen and transport her to the hospital. - ANS-D. administer oxygen and
transport her to the hospital.
,\A 19-year-old male complains of "not feeling right." His insulin and a syringe are on a
nearby table. The patient says he thinks he took his insulin and cannot remember whether
he ate. He is also unable to tell you the time or what day it is. The glucometer reads "error"
after several attempts to assess his blood glucose level. In addition to administering oxygen,
you should:
A. transport only with close, continuous monitoring en route.
B. assist him with his insulin injection and reassess him.
C. contact medical control and administer oral glucose.
D. request a paramedic ambulance to administer IV glucose. - ANS-C. contact medical
control and administer oral glucose.
\A 19-year-old male is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless after being struck in the center of
the chest with a softball. Based on the mechanism of injury, what MOST likely occurred?
A. asystole secondary to massive intrathoracic hemorrhage due to traumatic rupture of the
aorta
B. fracture of the sternum that caused a rupture of the myocardium and led to a cardiac
dysrhythmia
C. collapse of both lungs due to fractured ribs that perforated the lung tissue and caused
cardiac arrest
D. ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the cardiac
cycle - ANS-D. ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the
cardiac cycle
\A 19-year-old male was stung multiple times by fire ants. He is experiencing obvious signs
and symptoms of anaphylactic shock. You administer 100% oxygen and give him
epinephrine via subcutaneous injection. Upon reassessment, you determine that his
condition has not improved. You should:
A. request a paramedic unit that is stationed approximately 15 miles away.
B. consider that he may actually be experiencing an acute asthma attack.
C. repeat the epinephrine injection after consulting with medical control.
D. transport him immediately and provide supportive care while en route. - ANS-C. repeat
the epinephrine injection after consulting with medical control.
\A 20-year-old male was accidentally shot in the right upper abdominal quadrant with an
arrow during an archery contest. Prior to your arrival, the patient removed the arrow. Your
assessment reveals that he is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. The entrance
wound is bleeding minimally and appears to be superficial. You should:
A. transport only if signs of shock begin to develop.
B. assume that the arrow injured an internal organ.
C. clean the wound and apply a dry, sterile dressing.
D. carefully probe the wound to determine its depth. - ANS-B. assume that the arrow injured
an internal organ.
\A 21-year-old male was working in an auto repair shop and sustained radiator burns to the
anterior aspect of both arms and to his anterior chest. According to the rule of nines, this
patient has burns that cover _____ of his BSA.
A. 18%
, B. 36%
C. 45%
D. 27% - ANS-A. 18%
\A 22-year-old female patient is complaining of dyspnea and numbness and tingling in her
hands and feet after an argument with her fiancé. Her respirations are 40 breaths/min. You
should:
A. position her on her left side and transport at once.
B. request a paramedic to give her a sedative drug.
C. have her breathe into a paper or plastic bag.
D. provide reassurance and give oxygen as needed. - ANS-D. provide reassurance and give
oxygen as needed.
\A 22-year-old male was kicked in the abdomen multiple times during an attack by a gang.
He is conscious but restless and his pulse is rapid. Your assessment reveals a large area of
bruising to the right upper quadrant of his abdomen. The MOST appropriate treatment for
this patient includes:
A. applying oxygen via nasal cannula.
B. a detailed assessment of his abdomen.
C. preparing for immediate transport.
D. performing a focused physical exam. - ANS-C. preparing for immediate transport.
\A 22-year-old male with a history of clinical depression called 9-1-1 and stated that he has
attempted to kill himself. Your unit and law enforcement officers arrive at the scene
simultaneously. You find the patient lying supine on the living room floor. He is unconscious
and cyanotic. An empty bottle of hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is found on an adjacent table.
You should:
A. wait for the police to examine him before providing care.
B. ask the police to handcuff the patient for safety purposes.
C. provide care after determining what Dilaudid is used for.
D. open the patient's airway and assess his respirations. - ANS-D. open the patient's airway
and assess his respirations.
\A 23-year-old male experienced severe head trauma after his motorcycle collided with an
oncoming truck. He is unconscious, has rapid and shallow breathing, and has copious
bloody secretions in his mouth. How should you manage his airway?
A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway and provide suction and assisted ventilations.
B. Provide continuous ventilations with a bag-mask device to minimize hypoxia.
C. Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning with 2 minutes of assisted ventilation.
D. Suction his oropharynx with a rigid catheter until all secretions are removed. - ANS-C.
Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning with 2 minutes of assisted ventilation.
\A 25-year-old unrestrained female struck the steering wheel with her chest when her car hit
a tree while traveling at a high rate of speed. She has signs and symptoms of shock, which
you suspect are the result of intrathoracic bleeding. Which of the following interventions will
provide this patient with the greatest chance for survival?
A. full immobilization of her spine
B. 100% oxygen administration
A. may identify myocardial ischemia or injury.
B. is only performed in the hospital setting.
C. does not indicate the heart's primary pacemaker.
D. is used by the EMT to diagnose a heart attack. - ANS-A. may identify myocardial
ischemia or injury.
\A 17-year-old football player collided with another player and has pain to his left clavicular
area. He is holding his arm against his chest and refuses to move it. Your assessment
reveals obvious deformity to the midshaft clavicle. After assessing distal pulse, sensory, and
motor functions, you should:
A. straighten his arm and apply a board splint.
B. perform a rapid secondary assessment.
C. immobilize the injury with a sling and swathe.
D. place a pillow under his arm and apply a sling. - ANS-C. immobilize the injury with a sling
and swathe.
\A 17-year-old male was shot in the right anterior chest during an altercation with a gang
member. As your partner is applying 100% oxygen, you perform a rapid secondary
assessment and find an open chest wound with a small amount of blood bubbling from it.
You should:
A. apply an occlusive dressing to the wound and continue your assessment.
B. control the bleeding from the wound and prepare to transport at once.
C. direct your partner to assist the patient's ventilations with a bag-mask device.
D. place a sterile dressing over the wound and apply direct pressure. - ANS-A. apply an
occlusive dressing to the wound and continue your assessment.
\A 19-year-old female is found unconscious by her roommate. Your primary assessment
reveals that her breathing is inadequate. As you insert an oropharyngeal airway, she begins
to gag violently. You should:
A. insert the airway no further but leave it in place as a bite block.
B. select a smaller oropharyngeal airway and attempt to insert it.
C. remove the airway and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
D. continue to insert the airway as you suction her oropharynx. - ANS-C. remove the airway
and be prepared to suction her oropharynx.
\A 19-year-old female was stung multiple times on the legs by fire ants. She states that she
is allergic to fire ants, but does not carry her own epinephrine. The patient is conscious and
alert and complains of pain to the area of the bites. Her blood pressure is 122/70 mm Hg,
her pulse is 100 beats/min and strong, and her respirations are 18 breaths/min and
unlabored. You should:
A. advise her to see her physician as soon as possible.
B. position her legs well above the level of her heart.
C. request a paramedic unit to administer epinephrine.
D. administer oxygen and transport her to the hospital. - ANS-D. administer oxygen and
transport her to the hospital.
,\A 19-year-old male complains of "not feeling right." His insulin and a syringe are on a
nearby table. The patient says he thinks he took his insulin and cannot remember whether
he ate. He is also unable to tell you the time or what day it is. The glucometer reads "error"
after several attempts to assess his blood glucose level. In addition to administering oxygen,
you should:
A. transport only with close, continuous monitoring en route.
B. assist him with his insulin injection and reassess him.
C. contact medical control and administer oral glucose.
D. request a paramedic ambulance to administer IV glucose. - ANS-C. contact medical
control and administer oral glucose.
\A 19-year-old male is unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless after being struck in the center of
the chest with a softball. Based on the mechanism of injury, what MOST likely occurred?
A. asystole secondary to massive intrathoracic hemorrhage due to traumatic rupture of the
aorta
B. fracture of the sternum that caused a rupture of the myocardium and led to a cardiac
dysrhythmia
C. collapse of both lungs due to fractured ribs that perforated the lung tissue and caused
cardiac arrest
D. ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the cardiac
cycle - ANS-D. ventricular fibrillation when the impact occurred during a critical portion of the
cardiac cycle
\A 19-year-old male was stung multiple times by fire ants. He is experiencing obvious signs
and symptoms of anaphylactic shock. You administer 100% oxygen and give him
epinephrine via subcutaneous injection. Upon reassessment, you determine that his
condition has not improved. You should:
A. request a paramedic unit that is stationed approximately 15 miles away.
B. consider that he may actually be experiencing an acute asthma attack.
C. repeat the epinephrine injection after consulting with medical control.
D. transport him immediately and provide supportive care while en route. - ANS-C. repeat
the epinephrine injection after consulting with medical control.
\A 20-year-old male was accidentally shot in the right upper abdominal quadrant with an
arrow during an archery contest. Prior to your arrival, the patient removed the arrow. Your
assessment reveals that he is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. The entrance
wound is bleeding minimally and appears to be superficial. You should:
A. transport only if signs of shock begin to develop.
B. assume that the arrow injured an internal organ.
C. clean the wound and apply a dry, sterile dressing.
D. carefully probe the wound to determine its depth. - ANS-B. assume that the arrow injured
an internal organ.
\A 21-year-old male was working in an auto repair shop and sustained radiator burns to the
anterior aspect of both arms and to his anterior chest. According to the rule of nines, this
patient has burns that cover _____ of his BSA.
A. 18%
, B. 36%
C. 45%
D. 27% - ANS-A. 18%
\A 22-year-old female patient is complaining of dyspnea and numbness and tingling in her
hands and feet after an argument with her fiancé. Her respirations are 40 breaths/min. You
should:
A. position her on her left side and transport at once.
B. request a paramedic to give her a sedative drug.
C. have her breathe into a paper or plastic bag.
D. provide reassurance and give oxygen as needed. - ANS-D. provide reassurance and give
oxygen as needed.
\A 22-year-old male was kicked in the abdomen multiple times during an attack by a gang.
He is conscious but restless and his pulse is rapid. Your assessment reveals a large area of
bruising to the right upper quadrant of his abdomen. The MOST appropriate treatment for
this patient includes:
A. applying oxygen via nasal cannula.
B. a detailed assessment of his abdomen.
C. preparing for immediate transport.
D. performing a focused physical exam. - ANS-C. preparing for immediate transport.
\A 22-year-old male with a history of clinical depression called 9-1-1 and stated that he has
attempted to kill himself. Your unit and law enforcement officers arrive at the scene
simultaneously. You find the patient lying supine on the living room floor. He is unconscious
and cyanotic. An empty bottle of hydromorphone (Dilaudid) is found on an adjacent table.
You should:
A. wait for the police to examine him before providing care.
B. ask the police to handcuff the patient for safety purposes.
C. provide care after determining what Dilaudid is used for.
D. open the patient's airway and assess his respirations. - ANS-D. open the patient's airway
and assess his respirations.
\A 23-year-old male experienced severe head trauma after his motorcycle collided with an
oncoming truck. He is unconscious, has rapid and shallow breathing, and has copious
bloody secretions in his mouth. How should you manage his airway?
A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway and provide suction and assisted ventilations.
B. Provide continuous ventilations with a bag-mask device to minimize hypoxia.
C. Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning with 2 minutes of assisted ventilation.
D. Suction his oropharynx with a rigid catheter until all secretions are removed. - ANS-C.
Alternate 15 seconds of oral suctioning with 2 minutes of assisted ventilation.
\A 25-year-old unrestrained female struck the steering wheel with her chest when her car hit
a tree while traveling at a high rate of speed. She has signs and symptoms of shock, which
you suspect are the result of intrathoracic bleeding. Which of the following interventions will
provide this patient with the greatest chance for survival?
A. full immobilization of her spine
B. 100% oxygen administration
