FISDAP PARAMEDIC PRACTICE TEST 2026 FULL
SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD
▶ Which of the following would be included in the assessment of a patient
with diabetes mellitus who is experiencing a hypoglycemic reaction?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Constricted pupils
B) Flushed skin
C) Tremors
D) Nervousness
E) Extreme thirst
F) Profuse perspiration. Answer: C,D,F
When hypoglycemia occurs, blood glucose levels fall, resulting in
sympathetic nervous system responses such as tremors, nervousness, and
profuse perspiration. Dilated pupils would also occur, not constricted pupils.
Extreme thirst, flushed skin, and constricted pupils are consistent with
hyperglycemia.
▶ A client who has had a stroke with left-sided hemiparesis has been
referred to a rehabilitation center. The client asks, "Why do I need
rehabilitation?" How does the nurse respond?
A) "Rehabilitation will reverse any physical deficits caused by the stroke."
B) "Rehabilitation will help you function at the highest level possible."
C) "If you do not have rehabilitation, you may never walk again."
D) "Your doctor knows best and has ordered this treatment for you.".
Answer: B
The goal of rehabilitation is to maximize the client's abilities in all aspects of
life. The other responses do not answer the client's question appropriately.
▶ The nurse is monitoring a client with hypoglycemia. Glucagon provides
which function?
A) It enhances the activity of insulin, restoring blood glucose levels to
normal more quickly after a high-calorie meal.
,B) It prevents hypoglycemia by promoting release of glucose from liver
storage sites.
C) It is a storage form of glucose and can be broken down for energy when
blood glucose levels are low.
D) It converts excess glucose into glycogen, lowering blood glucose levels
in times of excess.. Answer: B
Glycogen is a counterregulatory hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the
pancreas when blood glucose levels are low. The actions of glycogen that
raise blood glucose levels include stimulating the liver to break down
glycogen (glycogenolysis) and forming new glucose from protein
breakdown (gluconeogenesis). The other statements are not accurate
descriptions of the actions of glucagon.
▶ A client has a deep wound covered with a wet-to-damp dressing. Which
intervention does the nurse include on this client's care plan?
A) Apply a new dressing when the seal breaks and the dressing leaks.
B) Change the dressing when the current dressing is saturated.
C) Leave the dressing intact until next week.
D) Change the dressing every 6 hours around the clock.. Answer: D
Wet-to-damp dressings are changed every 4 to 6 hours to provide
maximum débridement. Synthetic dressings can be left in place for
extended periods of time but need to be changed if the seal breaks and the
exudate is leaking. Dry gauze dressings should be changed when the outer
layer becomes saturated.
▶ A client is hospitalized with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which clinical
manifestation alerts the nurse to the possibility of a complication from the
UTI?
A) Hematuria
B) Fever and chills
C) Cloudy, dark urine
D) Burning on urination. Answer: B
Lower urinary tract infections are rarely associated with systemic symptoms
of fever and chills. A client with a UTI who develops fever and chills should
, be assessed for the development of pyelonephritis. The other options can
be seen with UTI.
▶ The nurse observes a small opening that is draining purulent material on
the skin over the trochanter area of a bedridden client. Which is the nurse's
next best action?
A) Probe for a larger pocket of necrotic tissue.
B) Apply alginate dressing daily.
C) Apply a transparent film dressing.
D) Measure the reddened area on the skin surface.. Answer: A
This "hidden" wound may first be observed as a small opening in the skin
through which purulent drainage exudes. Applying a transparent film
dressing would not help this type of wound to heal. Measuring the
reddened area would not assist in determining the actual size of the wound,
because internal damage has occurred. Alginate dressings could not be
applied if the area were not opened.
▶ When reviewing an older client's medical record, which findings lead the
nurse to perform a nutrition assessment? (Select all that apply.)
A) Widow/widower status
B) Chronic constipation
C) Cholecystectomy 4 years ago
D) Random blood sugar level of 198 mg/dL
E) History of depression
F) Inability to afford a new pair of glasses. Answer: A,B,E,F
Many factors contribute to malnutrition in older clients. Depression and
loneliness from the loss of a spouse; constipation; poor eyesight; chronic
medical problems, including depression; and taking prescription and/or
over-the-counter medications can contribute to malnutrition. Blood glucose
levels and a previous cholecystectomy would not necessarily contribute.
▶ The nurse is caring for a female client who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and
weighs 115 pounds. The client asks the nurse if she needs to lose weight.
Which response by the nurse is best?
SOLUTION VIEW AHEAD
▶ Which of the following would be included in the assessment of a patient
with diabetes mellitus who is experiencing a hypoglycemic reaction?
(Select all that apply.)
A) Constricted pupils
B) Flushed skin
C) Tremors
D) Nervousness
E) Extreme thirst
F) Profuse perspiration. Answer: C,D,F
When hypoglycemia occurs, blood glucose levels fall, resulting in
sympathetic nervous system responses such as tremors, nervousness, and
profuse perspiration. Dilated pupils would also occur, not constricted pupils.
Extreme thirst, flushed skin, and constricted pupils are consistent with
hyperglycemia.
▶ A client who has had a stroke with left-sided hemiparesis has been
referred to a rehabilitation center. The client asks, "Why do I need
rehabilitation?" How does the nurse respond?
A) "Rehabilitation will reverse any physical deficits caused by the stroke."
B) "Rehabilitation will help you function at the highest level possible."
C) "If you do not have rehabilitation, you may never walk again."
D) "Your doctor knows best and has ordered this treatment for you.".
Answer: B
The goal of rehabilitation is to maximize the client's abilities in all aspects of
life. The other responses do not answer the client's question appropriately.
▶ The nurse is monitoring a client with hypoglycemia. Glucagon provides
which function?
A) It enhances the activity of insulin, restoring blood glucose levels to
normal more quickly after a high-calorie meal.
,B) It prevents hypoglycemia by promoting release of glucose from liver
storage sites.
C) It is a storage form of glucose and can be broken down for energy when
blood glucose levels are low.
D) It converts excess glucose into glycogen, lowering blood glucose levels
in times of excess.. Answer: B
Glycogen is a counterregulatory hormone secreted by the alpha cells of the
pancreas when blood glucose levels are low. The actions of glycogen that
raise blood glucose levels include stimulating the liver to break down
glycogen (glycogenolysis) and forming new glucose from protein
breakdown (gluconeogenesis). The other statements are not accurate
descriptions of the actions of glucagon.
▶ A client has a deep wound covered with a wet-to-damp dressing. Which
intervention does the nurse include on this client's care plan?
A) Apply a new dressing when the seal breaks and the dressing leaks.
B) Change the dressing when the current dressing is saturated.
C) Leave the dressing intact until next week.
D) Change the dressing every 6 hours around the clock.. Answer: D
Wet-to-damp dressings are changed every 4 to 6 hours to provide
maximum débridement. Synthetic dressings can be left in place for
extended periods of time but need to be changed if the seal breaks and the
exudate is leaking. Dry gauze dressings should be changed when the outer
layer becomes saturated.
▶ A client is hospitalized with a urinary tract infection (UTI). Which clinical
manifestation alerts the nurse to the possibility of a complication from the
UTI?
A) Hematuria
B) Fever and chills
C) Cloudy, dark urine
D) Burning on urination. Answer: B
Lower urinary tract infections are rarely associated with systemic symptoms
of fever and chills. A client with a UTI who develops fever and chills should
, be assessed for the development of pyelonephritis. The other options can
be seen with UTI.
▶ The nurse observes a small opening that is draining purulent material on
the skin over the trochanter area of a bedridden client. Which is the nurse's
next best action?
A) Probe for a larger pocket of necrotic tissue.
B) Apply alginate dressing daily.
C) Apply a transparent film dressing.
D) Measure the reddened area on the skin surface.. Answer: A
This "hidden" wound may first be observed as a small opening in the skin
through which purulent drainage exudes. Applying a transparent film
dressing would not help this type of wound to heal. Measuring the
reddened area would not assist in determining the actual size of the wound,
because internal damage has occurred. Alginate dressings could not be
applied if the area were not opened.
▶ When reviewing an older client's medical record, which findings lead the
nurse to perform a nutrition assessment? (Select all that apply.)
A) Widow/widower status
B) Chronic constipation
C) Cholecystectomy 4 years ago
D) Random blood sugar level of 198 mg/dL
E) History of depression
F) Inability to afford a new pair of glasses. Answer: A,B,E,F
Many factors contribute to malnutrition in older clients. Depression and
loneliness from the loss of a spouse; constipation; poor eyesight; chronic
medical problems, including depression; and taking prescription and/or
over-the-counter medications can contribute to malnutrition. Blood glucose
levels and a previous cholecystectomy would not necessarily contribute.
▶ The nurse is caring for a female client who is 5 feet, 7 inches tall and
weighs 115 pounds. The client asks the nurse if she needs to lose weight.
Which response by the nurse is best?
