WestCoast EMT Final Study Guide Exam
Questions With Rationales Answers
What makes up the axial skeleton? - ANSWER-skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage
what is the epiglottis? - ANSWER-a flap that flips down to cover the entry to the trachea
during swallowing
what is croup? - ANSWER-acute VIRAL inflammatory disease of larynx, primarily w/in
the subglottic space
-6 months to 6 years
what is a pulmonary embolism? - ANSWER-A condition in which one or more arteries in
the lungs become blocked by a blood clot.
what is an aneurysm? - ANSWER-an excessive localized enlargement of an artery
caused by a weakening of the artery wall.
what is a thrombus? - ANSWER-stationary blood clot
what is an embolism? - ANSWER-A piece of a blood clot that enters the bloodstream
What is subcutaneous emphysema? - ANSWER-a characteristic crackling sensation felt
on palpation of the skin, caused by the presence of air in the soft tissue
-may feel like rice crispy treats
what is hemoptysis? - ANSWER-Coughing up blood; blood in sputum generally from the
lungs.
what is hematuria? - ANSWER-presence of blood in the urine
What is hematemesis? - ANSWER-vomiting blood
What is capnography? - ANSWER-A noninvasive technique to alert you to
hypoventilation even when your patient's pulse ox reading are fine. Carbon dioxide is
the most significant factor in monitoring ventilation. Capnography measures the CO2 in
every breath to monitor air exchange in the patient's alveoli.
Trendelenburg position - ANSWER-A position in which the patient's feet and legs are
higher than the head
What is CPAP? Why is it used? - ANSWER-continuous positive airway pressure; used
to deliver pressure to the airways to keep the airway open while the individual sleeps
,small-volume nebulizer - ANSWER-a device that uses compressed air or oxygen to
nebulize a liquid medication into a mist that a patient can inhale
How to care for a patient who has been sexually assaulted: - ANSWER-Have female be
treated by female EMT
- First component is medical treatment.
- Second is psychologic care of the patient - don't cross-examine patient or attempt to
obtain info
- Don't tamper any evidence. Put evidence in paper bags, not plastic.
types of consent: expressed - ANSWER-Patient verbally or otherwise acknowledges
that he/she wants you to provide care or transport. May be nonverbal.
informed consent - you explained the nature of treatment being offered, along with
potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment, as well as consequences of
refusing treatment.
types of consent: implied - ANSWER-Legal principle that allows treatment under
circumstances, such as intoxication, mentally impaired, or suffering from certain
conditions such as head injury.
- applies only when a serious medical condition exists and should never be used unless
there is a threat to life or limb
types of consent: involuntary - ANSWER-Applies when a person is mentally ill,
developmentally delayed, or who is in a behavioral (psychological) crisis. Someone
makes the decision on their behalf (legally responsible).
types of consent: minors - ANSWER-- When a parent cannot be reached to provide
consent, health care providers are allowed to give emergency care to a child.
- If a minor is injured and requires medical treatment in a school or camp setting,
teachers and officials may act in loco parentis, meaning in position of parent.
emancipated minors: - ANSWER-People who, despite being under the legal age in a
given state, can be legally treated as adults based on certain circumstances, such as
being married, members of armed services, or if they are parents.
Bradycardia - ANSWER-A slow heart rate.
-less than 60 beats/min for adults and children (older than 10)
-less than 60 beats/min for preschoolers and school-aged children (2 years to 10 years)
-less than 100 for infants and toddlers (3 months to 2 years)
-less than 85 for infants (up to 3 months)
, tachycardia - ANSWER-fast heart rate
-greater than 100 bpm for adults and children (older than 10)
-greater than 140 bpm for preschoolers and school-aged children (2 years to 10 years)
-greater than 190 bpm for infants and toddlers (3 months to 2 years)
-greater than 205 bpm for infants (up to 3 months)
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) - ANSWER-Episodes of abnormally fast/racing
heartbeat
what is tidal volume? - ANSWER-the amount of air that is moved into or out of the lungs
during a single breath, generally 500 mL in an adult.
what is residual volume? - ANSWER-Gas that remains in the lungs after exhalation
simply to keep the lungs open.
what is minute volume? - ANSWER-Amount of air moved into and out of lungs per
minute
what is ventilation? - ANSWER-movement of air in and out of the lungs
what is respiration? - ANSWER-The physiologic process of exchanging oxygen and
carbon dioxide.
What is a NRB and when do you use it? - ANSWER-Nonrebreathing mask used for
patients who are breathing adequately but are suspected of having or showing signs of
hypoxia.
10-15L/min flow rate provides up to 95% inspired oxygen
What is a nasal cannula and when do you use it? - ANSWER-Delivers oxygen through
two small, tubelike prongs that fit into the patient's nostrils. Used when a patient will not
tolerate a NRB. Patient may find this more comfortable.
1-6L/min flow rate provides 24%-55% inspired oxygen.
What is a BVM and when do you use it? - ANSWER-Bag valve mask used when you
need to deliver high concentrations of oxygen to patients who are not ventilating
adequately. Used for patients in respiratory arrest, cardiopulmonary arrest, and
respiratory failure. Attach supplemental oxygen and a reservoir.
15L/min with oxygen reservoir can provide 100% nearly oxygen.
What is a CPAP and when do you use it? - ANSWER-continuous positive airway
pressure - non-invasive means of providing ventilatory support for patients experiencing
respiratory distress. Use of CPAP in prehospital setting is an excellent treatment of
Questions With Rationales Answers
What makes up the axial skeleton? - ANSWER-skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage
what is the epiglottis? - ANSWER-a flap that flips down to cover the entry to the trachea
during swallowing
what is croup? - ANSWER-acute VIRAL inflammatory disease of larynx, primarily w/in
the subglottic space
-6 months to 6 years
what is a pulmonary embolism? - ANSWER-A condition in which one or more arteries in
the lungs become blocked by a blood clot.
what is an aneurysm? - ANSWER-an excessive localized enlargement of an artery
caused by a weakening of the artery wall.
what is a thrombus? - ANSWER-stationary blood clot
what is an embolism? - ANSWER-A piece of a blood clot that enters the bloodstream
What is subcutaneous emphysema? - ANSWER-a characteristic crackling sensation felt
on palpation of the skin, caused by the presence of air in the soft tissue
-may feel like rice crispy treats
what is hemoptysis? - ANSWER-Coughing up blood; blood in sputum generally from the
lungs.
what is hematuria? - ANSWER-presence of blood in the urine
What is hematemesis? - ANSWER-vomiting blood
What is capnography? - ANSWER-A noninvasive technique to alert you to
hypoventilation even when your patient's pulse ox reading are fine. Carbon dioxide is
the most significant factor in monitoring ventilation. Capnography measures the CO2 in
every breath to monitor air exchange in the patient's alveoli.
Trendelenburg position - ANSWER-A position in which the patient's feet and legs are
higher than the head
What is CPAP? Why is it used? - ANSWER-continuous positive airway pressure; used
to deliver pressure to the airways to keep the airway open while the individual sleeps
,small-volume nebulizer - ANSWER-a device that uses compressed air or oxygen to
nebulize a liquid medication into a mist that a patient can inhale
How to care for a patient who has been sexually assaulted: - ANSWER-Have female be
treated by female EMT
- First component is medical treatment.
- Second is psychologic care of the patient - don't cross-examine patient or attempt to
obtain info
- Don't tamper any evidence. Put evidence in paper bags, not plastic.
types of consent: expressed - ANSWER-Patient verbally or otherwise acknowledges
that he/she wants you to provide care or transport. May be nonverbal.
informed consent - you explained the nature of treatment being offered, along with
potential risks, benefits, and alternatives to treatment, as well as consequences of
refusing treatment.
types of consent: implied - ANSWER-Legal principle that allows treatment under
circumstances, such as intoxication, mentally impaired, or suffering from certain
conditions such as head injury.
- applies only when a serious medical condition exists and should never be used unless
there is a threat to life or limb
types of consent: involuntary - ANSWER-Applies when a person is mentally ill,
developmentally delayed, or who is in a behavioral (psychological) crisis. Someone
makes the decision on their behalf (legally responsible).
types of consent: minors - ANSWER-- When a parent cannot be reached to provide
consent, health care providers are allowed to give emergency care to a child.
- If a minor is injured and requires medical treatment in a school or camp setting,
teachers and officials may act in loco parentis, meaning in position of parent.
emancipated minors: - ANSWER-People who, despite being under the legal age in a
given state, can be legally treated as adults based on certain circumstances, such as
being married, members of armed services, or if they are parents.
Bradycardia - ANSWER-A slow heart rate.
-less than 60 beats/min for adults and children (older than 10)
-less than 60 beats/min for preschoolers and school-aged children (2 years to 10 years)
-less than 100 for infants and toddlers (3 months to 2 years)
-less than 85 for infants (up to 3 months)
, tachycardia - ANSWER-fast heart rate
-greater than 100 bpm for adults and children (older than 10)
-greater than 140 bpm for preschoolers and school-aged children (2 years to 10 years)
-greater than 190 bpm for infants and toddlers (3 months to 2 years)
-greater than 205 bpm for infants (up to 3 months)
Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) - ANSWER-Episodes of abnormally fast/racing
heartbeat
what is tidal volume? - ANSWER-the amount of air that is moved into or out of the lungs
during a single breath, generally 500 mL in an adult.
what is residual volume? - ANSWER-Gas that remains in the lungs after exhalation
simply to keep the lungs open.
what is minute volume? - ANSWER-Amount of air moved into and out of lungs per
minute
what is ventilation? - ANSWER-movement of air in and out of the lungs
what is respiration? - ANSWER-The physiologic process of exchanging oxygen and
carbon dioxide.
What is a NRB and when do you use it? - ANSWER-Nonrebreathing mask used for
patients who are breathing adequately but are suspected of having or showing signs of
hypoxia.
10-15L/min flow rate provides up to 95% inspired oxygen
What is a nasal cannula and when do you use it? - ANSWER-Delivers oxygen through
two small, tubelike prongs that fit into the patient's nostrils. Used when a patient will not
tolerate a NRB. Patient may find this more comfortable.
1-6L/min flow rate provides 24%-55% inspired oxygen.
What is a BVM and when do you use it? - ANSWER-Bag valve mask used when you
need to deliver high concentrations of oxygen to patients who are not ventilating
adequately. Used for patients in respiratory arrest, cardiopulmonary arrest, and
respiratory failure. Attach supplemental oxygen and a reservoir.
15L/min with oxygen reservoir can provide 100% nearly oxygen.
What is a CPAP and when do you use it? - ANSWER-continuous positive airway
pressure - non-invasive means of providing ventilatory support for patients experiencing
respiratory distress. Use of CPAP in prehospital setting is an excellent treatment of
