EMT – Chapter 35: Geriatric Emergencies | EMS 102 Emergency Medical
Technician Questions and Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade Exam Study Guide
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should:
A. dismiss the family members from the room or area.
B. have only one EMT speak to the patient at a time.
C. elevate your voice and speak directly to the patient.
D. perform a physical exam and then talk to the patient. - (answer)B. have only one EMT speak to the
patient at a time.
General communication techniques with the elderly include:
A. using medical terms to ensure patient understanding.
B. explaining procedures while you are performing them.
C. frequently asking the patient if he or she understands.
D. having at least two EMTs talk to the patient at a time. - (answer)C. frequently asking the patient if he
or she understands.
When explaining the need for a particular procedure to an elderly patient, you should:
A. use plain language and simple terms.
B. use the appropriate medical terminology.
C. be complex so the patient fully understands.
D. realize that he or she will not understand you. - (answer)A. use plain language and simple terms.
Talking about an elderly patient in front of him or her to other members of the family:
A. often causes the patient to become paranoid and untrusting of your help.
B. may cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
C. will anger the patient and result in his or her refusal to accept care or transport.
D. is usually beneficial because the patient's cognitive skills are typically impaired. - (answer)B. may
cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
Which of the following statements regarding communications with the elderly is correct?
,EMT – Chapter 35: Geriatric Emergencies | EMS 102 Emergency Medical
Technician Questions and Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade Exam Study Guide
A. The majority of elderly patients are hearing or visually impaired.
B. Attempt to calm the elderly patient by using his or her first name.
C. Explain the justification for a procedure after it has been completed.
D. Older patients have difficulty understanding when they are stressed. - (answer)D. Older patients have
difficulty understanding when they are stressed.
Sedentary behavior while healing from a hip fracture would MOST likely predispose the older patient to:
A. pneumonia.
B. osteoporosis.
C. heart failure.
D. ischemic stroke. - (answer)A. pneumonia.
The leading cause of death in the geriatric patient is:
A. hypertension.
B. altered mental status.
C. arthritis.
D. heart disease. - (answer)D. heart disease.
When caring for a geriatric patient with a traumatic injury, it is important to consider that:
A. geriatric patients usually present with little to no pain.
B. decreased bone density often results in incomplete fractures.
C. the injury may have been preceded by a medical condition.
D. geriatric patients typically present with classic signs of shock. - (answer)C. the injury may have been
preceded by a medical condition.
Because of the complexity of the older patient and the vagueness of his or her complaint, you should:
A. limit your physical examination to the area of pain or injury.
, EMT – Chapter 35: Geriatric Emergencies | EMS 102 Emergency Medical
Technician Questions and Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade Exam Study Guide
B. rely exclusively on family members for the medical history.
C. attempt to differentiate between chronic and acute problems.
D. perform a rapid assessment on all geriatric patients you treat. - (answer)C. attempt to differentiate
between chronic and acute problems.
When transporting a stable older patient to the hospital, the MOST effective way to reduce his or her
anxiety is to:
A. allow at least two family members to accompany the patient.
B. transport him or her to a hospital that he or she is familiar with.
C. avoid the use of a long backboard, even if trauma is suspected.
D. perform frequent detailed assessments to gain the patient's trust. - (answer)B. transport him or her to
a hospital that he or she is familiar with.
An elderly patient may understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness because:
A. the nervous system has deteriorated.
B. of decreased perception of pain.
C. of conditions such as dementia.
D. he or she fears hospitalization. - (answer)D. he or she fears hospitalization.
Which of the following statements regarding a decreased level of consciousness in the elderly patient is
correct?
A. A decreased level of consciousness is not a normal part of the aging process.
B. Most elderly patients have some deterioration in their level of consciousness.
C. A decreased level of consciousness is most often the result of chronic dementia.
D. The AVPU scale is an ineffective tool when assessing an elderly patient's level of consciousness. -
(answer)A. A decreased level of consciousness is not a normal part of the aging process.
Technician Questions and Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade Exam Study Guide
To minimize distractions and confusion when assessing an older patient, you should:
A. dismiss the family members from the room or area.
B. have only one EMT speak to the patient at a time.
C. elevate your voice and speak directly to the patient.
D. perform a physical exam and then talk to the patient. - (answer)B. have only one EMT speak to the
patient at a time.
General communication techniques with the elderly include:
A. using medical terms to ensure patient understanding.
B. explaining procedures while you are performing them.
C. frequently asking the patient if he or she understands.
D. having at least two EMTs talk to the patient at a time. - (answer)C. frequently asking the patient if he
or she understands.
When explaining the need for a particular procedure to an elderly patient, you should:
A. use plain language and simple terms.
B. use the appropriate medical terminology.
C. be complex so the patient fully understands.
D. realize that he or she will not understand you. - (answer)A. use plain language and simple terms.
Talking about an elderly patient in front of him or her to other members of the family:
A. often causes the patient to become paranoid and untrusting of your help.
B. may cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
C. will anger the patient and result in his or her refusal to accept care or transport.
D. is usually beneficial because the patient's cognitive skills are typically impaired. - (answer)B. may
cause the patient to think that he or she has no say in making decisions.
Which of the following statements regarding communications with the elderly is correct?
,EMT – Chapter 35: Geriatric Emergencies | EMS 102 Emergency Medical
Technician Questions and Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade Exam Study Guide
A. The majority of elderly patients are hearing or visually impaired.
B. Attempt to calm the elderly patient by using his or her first name.
C. Explain the justification for a procedure after it has been completed.
D. Older patients have difficulty understanding when they are stressed. - (answer)D. Older patients have
difficulty understanding when they are stressed.
Sedentary behavior while healing from a hip fracture would MOST likely predispose the older patient to:
A. pneumonia.
B. osteoporosis.
C. heart failure.
D. ischemic stroke. - (answer)A. pneumonia.
The leading cause of death in the geriatric patient is:
A. hypertension.
B. altered mental status.
C. arthritis.
D. heart disease. - (answer)D. heart disease.
When caring for a geriatric patient with a traumatic injury, it is important to consider that:
A. geriatric patients usually present with little to no pain.
B. decreased bone density often results in incomplete fractures.
C. the injury may have been preceded by a medical condition.
D. geriatric patients typically present with classic signs of shock. - (answer)C. the injury may have been
preceded by a medical condition.
Because of the complexity of the older patient and the vagueness of his or her complaint, you should:
A. limit your physical examination to the area of pain or injury.
, EMT – Chapter 35: Geriatric Emergencies | EMS 102 Emergency Medical
Technician Questions and Answers 2026/2027 | A+ Grade Exam Study Guide
B. rely exclusively on family members for the medical history.
C. attempt to differentiate between chronic and acute problems.
D. perform a rapid assessment on all geriatric patients you treat. - (answer)C. attempt to differentiate
between chronic and acute problems.
When transporting a stable older patient to the hospital, the MOST effective way to reduce his or her
anxiety is to:
A. allow at least two family members to accompany the patient.
B. transport him or her to a hospital that he or she is familiar with.
C. avoid the use of a long backboard, even if trauma is suspected.
D. perform frequent detailed assessments to gain the patient's trust. - (answer)B. transport him or her to
a hospital that he or she is familiar with.
An elderly patient may understate or minimize the symptoms of his or her illness because:
A. the nervous system has deteriorated.
B. of decreased perception of pain.
C. of conditions such as dementia.
D. he or she fears hospitalization. - (answer)D. he or she fears hospitalization.
Which of the following statements regarding a decreased level of consciousness in the elderly patient is
correct?
A. A decreased level of consciousness is not a normal part of the aging process.
B. Most elderly patients have some deterioration in their level of consciousness.
C. A decreased level of consciousness is most often the result of chronic dementia.
D. The AVPU scale is an ineffective tool when assessing an elderly patient's level of consciousness. -
(answer)A. A decreased level of consciousness is not a normal part of the aging process.
