FISDAP 3 MEDICAL - QUESTIONS
AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Course
FISDAP
1. A 68-year-old male presents with sudden onset of slurred speech and right-sided
weakness that began 30 minutes ago. What is the EMT's priority action?
Answer: Perform a stroke assessment and transport rapidly to an appropriate stroke center.
Rationale: Stroke patients benefit from rapid evaluation and treatment. Early recognition and
transport can significantly improve outcomes, especially if the patient is a candidate for
thrombolytic therapy.
2. A 54-year-old female with a history of diabetes is confused, pale, and diaphoretic. Her
blood glucose level is 48 mg/dL. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Answer: Administer oral glucose if the patient can swallow and protect her airway.
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can rapidly lead to altered mental status and unconsciousness. Oral
glucose is indicated for conscious patients who can safely swallow.
3. A patient complains of crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw. Which
medication may an EMT administer if protocols allow and no contraindications exist?
Answer: Aspirin.
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and may reduce clot formation during acute
coronary syndrome, improving patient outcomes.
4. A 72-year-old patient with congestive heart failure is experiencing severe respiratory
distress. Assessment reveals crackles in both lungs and jugular vein distention. What
condition is most likely present?
Answer: Acute pulmonary edema.
Rationale: Fluid backs up into the lungs when the heart cannot effectively pump blood,
producing crackles, dyspnea, and signs of fluid overload.
, 5. A patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction after a bee sting. He has wheezing,
facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. What is the priority treatment?
Answer: Administer epinephrine per protocol.
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it reverses
bronchoconstriction, vasodilation, and airway swelling.
6. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is short of breath. Pulse
oximetry shows 86%. What should the EMT do?
Answer: Administer supplemental oxygen and monitor respiratory status.
Rationale: Although COPD patients may have chronic hypoxia, oxygen should never be
withheld from a patient who is hypoxic and in respiratory distress.
7. A 25-year-old female complains of excessive thirst, frequent urination, and abdominal
pain. Her blood glucose level is 420 mg/dL. What condition is most likely?
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Rationale: DKA commonly presents with hyperglycemia, dehydration, polyuria, polydipsia,
abdominal pain, and altered mental status.
8. A patient with a history of seizures is actively convulsing. What is the EMT's first
priority?
Answer: Protect the patient from injury and maintain the airway.
Rationale: During a seizure, preventing injury and ensuring adequate oxygenation are the
primary concerns. Restraining the patient is contraindicated.
9. A patient suddenly develops weakness, confusion, and difficulty speaking. Blood glucose
is 35 mg/dL. What should be suspected?
Answer: Hypoglycemia mimicking a stroke.
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia can produce focal neurological deficits similar to stroke. Blood
glucose assessment is essential in all altered neurological presentations.
AND ANSWERS WITH RATIONALES
Course
FISDAP
1. A 68-year-old male presents with sudden onset of slurred speech and right-sided
weakness that began 30 minutes ago. What is the EMT's priority action?
Answer: Perform a stroke assessment and transport rapidly to an appropriate stroke center.
Rationale: Stroke patients benefit from rapid evaluation and treatment. Early recognition and
transport can significantly improve outcomes, especially if the patient is a candidate for
thrombolytic therapy.
2. A 54-year-old female with a history of diabetes is confused, pale, and diaphoretic. Her
blood glucose level is 48 mg/dL. What is the most appropriate intervention?
Answer: Administer oral glucose if the patient can swallow and protect her airway.
Rationale: Hypoglycemia can rapidly lead to altered mental status and unconsciousness. Oral
glucose is indicated for conscious patients who can safely swallow.
3. A patient complains of crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw. Which
medication may an EMT administer if protocols allow and no contraindications exist?
Answer: Aspirin.
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation and may reduce clot formation during acute
coronary syndrome, improving patient outcomes.
4. A 72-year-old patient with congestive heart failure is experiencing severe respiratory
distress. Assessment reveals crackles in both lungs and jugular vein distention. What
condition is most likely present?
Answer: Acute pulmonary edema.
Rationale: Fluid backs up into the lungs when the heart cannot effectively pump blood,
producing crackles, dyspnea, and signs of fluid overload.
, 5. A patient is experiencing an anaphylactic reaction after a bee sting. He has wheezing,
facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. What is the priority treatment?
Answer: Administer epinephrine per protocol.
Rationale: Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it reverses
bronchoconstriction, vasodilation, and airway swelling.
6. A patient with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is short of breath. Pulse
oximetry shows 86%. What should the EMT do?
Answer: Administer supplemental oxygen and monitor respiratory status.
Rationale: Although COPD patients may have chronic hypoxia, oxygen should never be
withheld from a patient who is hypoxic and in respiratory distress.
7. A 25-year-old female complains of excessive thirst, frequent urination, and abdominal
pain. Her blood glucose level is 420 mg/dL. What condition is most likely?
Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Rationale: DKA commonly presents with hyperglycemia, dehydration, polyuria, polydipsia,
abdominal pain, and altered mental status.
8. A patient with a history of seizures is actively convulsing. What is the EMT's first
priority?
Answer: Protect the patient from injury and maintain the airway.
Rationale: During a seizure, preventing injury and ensuring adequate oxygenation are the
primary concerns. Restraining the patient is contraindicated.
9. A patient suddenly develops weakness, confusion, and difficulty speaking. Blood glucose
is 35 mg/dL. What should be suspected?
Answer: Hypoglycemia mimicking a stroke.
Rationale: Severe hypoglycemia can produce focal neurological deficits similar to stroke. Blood
glucose assessment is essential in all altered neurological presentations.
