WEST COAST EMT SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH RIGHT ACTUAL
ANSWERS | GRADED A+ .
Shock: systemic hypoperfusion that causes inadequate oxygen delivery to organs and tissues in
the body, eventually resulting in those tissues becoming impaired and dying if not treated. Rx:
lay supine, high flow O2, maintain body temperature, transport - correct Answers -S/s: Cool,
pale diaphoretic skin, weak and rapid pulse, tachypnea
Compensated shock: when the body is still trying to compensate for the blood loss. - correct
Answers -S/s: weak and rapid pulse, PCD, pallor/cyanosis, shallow and rapid breathing, N/V,
bad cap refill, narrowing pulse pressure, BP > 90
Decompensated shock is when the body can't compensate anymore and the blood pressure starts
to drop - correct Answers -S/s: Falling BP (< 90), declining mental status and level of
consciousness, absent peripheral pulses, dilated pupils
Neurogenic shock: a form of distributive shock due to damage of the cervical spine preventing
the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels from responding to the nerve impulses that cause
them to contract. This causes systemic vasodilation and prevents blood flow to organs and
tissues. - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms but with warm skin, bradycardia, signs of neck
injury, absence of sweating below injury
Obstructive shock: Hypoperfusion due to an obstruction of the heart preventing enough blood
from being distributed to the body. Can be caused by tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade
or pulmonary embolism. - correct Answers -S/s: signs of shock, decreased breath sounds, SOB,
subcutaneous emphysema, tracheal deviation, Beck's triad
Cardiogenic shock: Inadequate function of the heart to pump blood throughout the body leading
to hypoperfusion. This is specific to the pump itself and not something obstructing the blood that
the heart is pumping. The heart is unable to pump adequately usually due to an MI where the
1
, cardiac cells die and are no longer working to contract the heart. - correct Answers -S/s: shock
symptoms, pulmonary edema, chest pain, rales on inhalation, nausea
Hypovolemic shock: shock due to an inadequate fluid in the circulatory system. It can be
hemorrhagic which is due to bleeding or nonhemorrhagic which is due to dehydration due to
diarrhea or vomiting. - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms, altered mental status, recent
illness
Anaphylactic Shock: A severe allergic reaction that causes widespread vasodilation, increased
permeability and bronchoconstriction. This happens when a person is exposed to something they
are sensitized to, usually within minutes of the exposure. Rx: Rx: EpiPen (0.3 mg, 0.15 mg for
kids) - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms, warm skin, itchy skin, rash or hives, facial edema,
increased permeability, sneezing, coughing, tightness in chest, bronchoconstriction (so
wheezing), upper airway obstruction (stridor), N/V, altered mental status, dizziness/fainting,
abdominal cramping
Psychogenic shock: a sudden reaction of the nervous system that produces a generalized
vasodilation that results in a short, temporary fainting episode. This fainting is caused by blood
pooling the dilated vessels preventing temporary blood flow to the brain but the usually gains
consciousness and is asymptomatic soon after. - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms,
syncope, fast recovery
Septic shock: a form of distributive shock due to a severe bacterial infection. The bacteria
generate toxins that destroy the walls of the vessels which leads to leaky blood vessels (increased
permeability) and a decreased ability to constrict. The leaking leads to loss of blood volume. -
correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms, warm skin, fever, altered mental status, recent illness
Asthma: an acute spasm of the bronchioles associated with excessive mucus production and
swelling of the respiratory passages that causes patients to breathe through obstructed air
pathways. Assist with MDI. - correct Answers -S/s: Wheezing, cough, accessory muscle use,
respiratory distress, exhaustion, anxiety, cyanosis
Lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal
breathing and is not fully reversible. It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. - correct
Answers -COPD
2
EXAM QUESTIONS WITH RIGHT ACTUAL
ANSWERS | GRADED A+ .
Shock: systemic hypoperfusion that causes inadequate oxygen delivery to organs and tissues in
the body, eventually resulting in those tissues becoming impaired and dying if not treated. Rx:
lay supine, high flow O2, maintain body temperature, transport - correct Answers -S/s: Cool,
pale diaphoretic skin, weak and rapid pulse, tachypnea
Compensated shock: when the body is still trying to compensate for the blood loss. - correct
Answers -S/s: weak and rapid pulse, PCD, pallor/cyanosis, shallow and rapid breathing, N/V,
bad cap refill, narrowing pulse pressure, BP > 90
Decompensated shock is when the body can't compensate anymore and the blood pressure starts
to drop - correct Answers -S/s: Falling BP (< 90), declining mental status and level of
consciousness, absent peripheral pulses, dilated pupils
Neurogenic shock: a form of distributive shock due to damage of the cervical spine preventing
the muscles in the walls of the blood vessels from responding to the nerve impulses that cause
them to contract. This causes systemic vasodilation and prevents blood flow to organs and
tissues. - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms but with warm skin, bradycardia, signs of neck
injury, absence of sweating below injury
Obstructive shock: Hypoperfusion due to an obstruction of the heart preventing enough blood
from being distributed to the body. Can be caused by tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade
or pulmonary embolism. - correct Answers -S/s: signs of shock, decreased breath sounds, SOB,
subcutaneous emphysema, tracheal deviation, Beck's triad
Cardiogenic shock: Inadequate function of the heart to pump blood throughout the body leading
to hypoperfusion. This is specific to the pump itself and not something obstructing the blood that
the heart is pumping. The heart is unable to pump adequately usually due to an MI where the
1
, cardiac cells die and are no longer working to contract the heart. - correct Answers -S/s: shock
symptoms, pulmonary edema, chest pain, rales on inhalation, nausea
Hypovolemic shock: shock due to an inadequate fluid in the circulatory system. It can be
hemorrhagic which is due to bleeding or nonhemorrhagic which is due to dehydration due to
diarrhea or vomiting. - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms, altered mental status, recent
illness
Anaphylactic Shock: A severe allergic reaction that causes widespread vasodilation, increased
permeability and bronchoconstriction. This happens when a person is exposed to something they
are sensitized to, usually within minutes of the exposure. Rx: Rx: EpiPen (0.3 mg, 0.15 mg for
kids) - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms, warm skin, itchy skin, rash or hives, facial edema,
increased permeability, sneezing, coughing, tightness in chest, bronchoconstriction (so
wheezing), upper airway obstruction (stridor), N/V, altered mental status, dizziness/fainting,
abdominal cramping
Psychogenic shock: a sudden reaction of the nervous system that produces a generalized
vasodilation that results in a short, temporary fainting episode. This fainting is caused by blood
pooling the dilated vessels preventing temporary blood flow to the brain but the usually gains
consciousness and is asymptomatic soon after. - correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms,
syncope, fast recovery
Septic shock: a form of distributive shock due to a severe bacterial infection. The bacteria
generate toxins that destroy the walls of the vessels which leads to leaky blood vessels (increased
permeability) and a decreased ability to constrict. The leaking leads to loss of blood volume. -
correct Answers -S/s: shock symptoms, warm skin, fever, altered mental status, recent illness
Asthma: an acute spasm of the bronchioles associated with excessive mucus production and
swelling of the respiratory passages that causes patients to breathe through obstructed air
pathways. Assist with MDI. - correct Answers -S/s: Wheezing, cough, accessory muscle use,
respiratory distress, exhaustion, anxiety, cyanosis
Lung disease characterized by chronic obstruction of lung airflow that interferes with normal
breathing and is not fully reversible. It includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. - correct
Answers -COPD
2
