Practice Exam
Practice Exam
Practice Exam
Step 1:
Take the test. Don’t use any resources during the test. Rely solely on your own knowledge to answer the
questions. Here are a few tips:
Read each question carefully.
Try to predict the correct answer before reading the answer choices when possible.
Read all answer choices before making your selection.
When stuck between two options, reread the question and search for key information. When in
doubt, treat.
Don’t be distracted by “what if” possibilities not included in the question.
Step 2:
Grade the test. If you don’t score at least 80%, you are NOT READY for the EMT refresher challenge
(EMT200aa) class. You should take the EMT200 refresher class or contact the EMT Dept. for advisement at
[email protected].
Step 3:
The answer key will provide a rationale for each question and identify each question’s key topic(s). Use this
information to determine which topics you did well on and which topics may need more work. Look for a high
percentage of missed questions in each category.
Step 4:
If you need additional help or have questions, contact the EMS program director at:
Chris Coughlin
[email protected]
623.845.3205
2. You are caring for a six-year-old patient with respiratory distress. The pulse oximeter (Sa02) reads 93%. Your
management of the patient should include:
a. Withhold oxygen until the patient develops accessory muscle use.
b. Contacting the patient’s pediatrician prior to transport.
c. Administering a metered dose inhaler if prescribed to a parent or sibling.
d. Administer sufficient oxygen to maintain a pulse oximeter reading of at least 94%.
3. Which of the following interventions should be performed first for an unresponsive patient with a suspected
spinal cord injury?
a. Head-tilt, chin-lift.
b. Jaw thrust maneuver.
c. Oropharyngeal airway.
d. Nasopharyngeal airway.
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4. You are caring for a 22-year-old female who complains of respiratory distress after exercising. She is alert,
speaking full sentences, and has a persistent cough. She is most likely experiencing:
a. Respiratory distress with adequate breathing.
b. Respiratory distress with inadequate breathing.
c. Respiratory paralysis.
d. Respiratory arrest.
5. Your 5-year-old patient is unresponsive. A carotid pulse is present at 40 beats per minute. Breaths are shallow at
six per minute. You should immediately:
a. Apply a nonrebreather mask.
b. Begin artificial ventilations.
c. Place the patient in the recovery position.
d. Begin chest compressions.
6. Which of the following medications is intended to decrease myocardial workload and increase myocardial blood
flow?
a. Nitroglycerin
b. Activated charcoal
c. Aspirin
d. Epinephrine
7. You are caring for a multi-system trauma patient with possible internal bleeding. Select the correct statement
about the rapid scan for a multi-system trauma patient:
a. The rapid scan is used to identify all injuries.
b. The rapid scan is used to identify life-threatening conditions.
c. The rapid scan is another term for the secondary exam.
d. The rapid scan is not required on conscious patients.
9. Your patient is unresponsive following blunt trauma to the head. Which of the following is the EMT’s first
priority for an unresponsive patient?
a. Assess respiratory rate.
b. Open the airway.
c. Perform a SAMPLE history.
d. Determine if CPR is indicated.
10. You are called for a drowning victim at a family barbecue. Upon arrival, two family members approach you yelling,
swearing, and demanding to know what took so long. One of the family members pushes you. You should:
A. retreat and request immediate assistance from law enforcement.
B. explain to the family where you responded from and why you were delayed.
C. order the family members to back off and take you to the patient.
D. tell the family that assaulting an EMS provider is a felony.
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11. Your 6-year-old patient jumped from a swing and injured his right leg. You note deformity to the right leg above the
ankle. The patient most likely has a fracture to the:
A. proximal radius.
B. distal ulna.
C. proximal fibula.
D. distal tibia.
13. Which of the following is the most frequent cause of airway obstruction?
A. fluid.
B. toys.
C. vomit.
D. the tongue.
14. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) can reduce respiratory distress by:
A. helping to keep the alveoli open.
B. stimulating sleep apnea.
C. relieving foreign body airway obstruction.
D. increasing the need for intubation.
15. Which of the following is true during inhalation of a spontaneously breathing patient?
A. There is a drop in pressure within the thorax.
B. There is an increase in pressure within the thorax.
C. Air is being pushed into the lungs.
D. The diaphragm and intercostal muscles are relaxed.
17. You are called for a 6-month-old infant with respiratory distress. Which of the following is true about patients in this
age group?
A. infants are obligate nose breathers.
B. infants require forceful ventilations with the BVM.
C. infants are more resistant to hypoxia than adults.
D. infants rarely develop bradycardia due to hypoxia.
18. Which of the following signs of hypoxia is more commonly found in pediatric patients?
A. seesaw respirations
B. cyanosis
C. tachypnea
D. altered level of consciousness
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19. You are treating a patient with respiratory distress. He has a history of multiple myocardial infarctions. Lung sounds
indicate pulmonary edema. You note the patient does NOT have any JVD or pedal edema. The patient is most likely
experiencing:
A. angina.
B. left heart failure.
C. right heart failure.
D. asthma.
20. The left side of the heart receives oxygenated blood from the:
A. pulmonary arteries.
B. pulmonary veins.
C. superior venae cavae.
D. inferior venae cavae.
21. Which of the following provides oxygenated blood directly to the heart?
A. cerebral arteries.
B. carotid arteries.
C. coronary arteries.
D. femoral arteries.
23. Your patient has been exposed to a chemical that over-stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. You would
expect this patient to exhibit:
A. dilated pupils.
B. dry mouth.
C. hypertension.
D. vomiting.
24. You are considering administration of oral glucose to your diabetic patient. This drug is contraindicated when it:
A. is not prescribed to the patient.
B. poses a significant risk of harm.
C. produces undesired effects.
D. is likely to relieve the patient’s symptoms.
25. Which of the following describes the purpose of administering aspirin to a suspected myocardial infarction patient?
A. Aspirin dilates the coronary arteries.
B. Aspirin will eliminate cardiac related chest pain.
C. Aspirin reduces platelet aggregation in the coronary arteries.
D. Aspirin reduces the risk of metabolic acidosis.
26. You are dispatched to a soccer game for a 12-year-old female with signs and symptoms of an allergic reaction. Upon
arrival, the patient’s mother hands you an epinephrine auto-injector. You should:
A. direct the mother to administer the epi-pen.
B. administer the epi-pen.
C. begin the primary assessment.
D. contact the physician that prescribed the epi-pen.
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27. You are dispatched for a possible CVA. Upon arrival, you determine the patient is responsive to painful stimuli.
Which of the following should be assessed first for this patient?
A. airway.
B. blood pressure.
C. pulses.
D. skin.
28. You are caring for a patient who was ejected during a single vehicle rollover. The patient responds incoherently to
verbal commands. You should first:
A. perform a secondary assessment.
B. determine the pulse rate.
C. assess the patient’s airway.
D. log roll the patient onto a spine board.
29. How should you open the airway of an unresponsive patient with an unknown mechanism of injury?
A. log roll technique
B. jaw-thrust maneuver
C. head tilt–chin lift
D. tongue-jaw lift
30. Your patient is a construction worker who fell from a residential rooftop. He is responsive to pain. Breaths are
shallow and irregular. You should:
A. provide artificial ventilations with a bag-mask device and high flow oxygen.
B. obtain an SaO2 reading before determining if oxygen is necessary.
C. apply a nonrebreather mask with high flow oxygen.
D. apply a nasal cannula and reassess the patient.
31. Your pediatric patient has spontaneous respirations. This means the patient is breathing:
A. at a normal rate.
B. with adequate tidal volume.
C. without difficulty.
D. without assistance.
33. You are dispatched to the local jail for a prisoner found unresponsive in her cell. Her airway is clear. Respirations are
rapid and shallow. The pulse oximeter (SaO2) reads 90%. Your first action should be to:
A. check the blood glucose level.
B. initiate immediate transport.
C. begin positive pressure ventilations.
D. assess the blood pressure.
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34. Which of the following findings indicates partial obstruction of the upper airway?
A. rales.
B. stridor.
C. rhonchi.
D. wheezes.
35. To determine if CPR is indicated for an unresponsive patient less than one year of age, you should assess the:
A. radial pulse.
B. carotid pulse.
C. brachial pulse.
D. femoral pulse.
36. You respond to a preschool facility for an ill child. Upon arrival, you find an unresponsive 8-month-old. The infant
has a palpable pulse of 50 beats per minute. Your next action should be to:
A. open the airway and assess breathing.
B. begin chest compressions.
C. immediately transport the child.
D. attach the AED.
37. A 19-year-old female is found unconscious in her apartment living room. While surveying the apartment, your
partner yells from the patient’s bedroom “she has an SVN machine in here”. This suggests the patient has a history
of:
A. respiratory problems.
B. heart disease.
C. drug abuse.
D. sleep apnea.
38. You are treating a 35-year-old man who was stung by a bee. He is allergic to bees and has a prescribed epinephrine
auto-injector. His breath sounds are clear and non-labored. His BP is 130/82. How should you manage this patient?
A. Administer the epinephrine and transport rapidly.
B. Begin immediate transport and administer the epinephrine en route.
C. Assess the patient for signs of hypoxia, administer oxygen as needed, and transport.
D. Let medical control know your anaphylactic patient needs his epinephrine.
39. An elderly patient reportedly collapsed on a golf course almost 10 minutes ago. You assess her level of
consciousness and determine she is unresponsive. Which of the following should you do first:
A. open the airway and insert an OPA.
B. assess pulse and begin CPR if needed.
C. providing ventilations with high flow oxygen.
D. attach the AED.
40. You are treating an unresponsive patient with slow, shallow respirations and pinpoint pupils. Which of the following
conditions is most likely?
A. myocardial infarction.
B. hyperglycemia.
C. amphetamine overdose.
D. narcotic overdose.
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41. You are caring for a 3-year-old patient in cardiac arrest. What is the correct compression to ventilation ratio for two-
person CPR on this patient?
A. 3 compressions to 1 ventilation.
B. 5 compressions to 1 ventilation.
C. 15 compressions to 2 ventilations.
D. 30 compressions to 2 ventilations.
42. You are caring for a 12-year-old who was injured at the neighborhood skate park. He was not wearing a helmet and
is responsive to pain. You note snoring respirations and deformity to the left ankle. You should:
A. suction the airway and insert an OPA.
B. secure the patient to a long board and transport.
C. immediately splint the injured ankle.
D. open the airway using a jaw-thrust maneuver.
44. You are conducting a primary assessment on an elderly fall victim who complains of hip pain. While assessing
circulation, you should check:
A. skin condition, pulse oximetry and capillary refill.
B. pulses, external bleeding and skin condition.
C. distal pulses in the lower extremities.
D. pulses, motor function and sensation.
45. In unresponsive patients over one year of age, you should palpate the:
A. radial pulse
B. carotid pulse
C. brachial pulse
D. femoral pulse
46. Which of the following signs of hypoxia is more common in pediatric patients?
A. bradycardia
B. anxiety
C. tachycardia
D. restlessness
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49. A 16-year-old male is unconscious following an assault. When you insert an OPA, the patient begins gagging. You
should:
A. continue to insert the airway and prepare to suction as needed.
B. remove the airway and prepare to suction as needed.
C. insert a smaller OPA.
D. insert an advanced oral airway.
50. An elderly female reportedly had a severe headache for the last 24 hours. She was recently found unconscious in
bed. Her family reports she has a history of hypertension and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). The patient’s current
condition is most likely due to:
A. a hemorrhagic stroke.
B. a cardiac emergency.
C. another TIA.
D. a migraine headache.
51. When a pulse oximeter is available, how should oxygen be administered to a patient experiencing chest pain?
A. Administer oxygen to maintain a pulse oximeter reading of 93% or less.
B. Administer oxygen to maintain a pulse oximeter reading of at least 94%.
C. Always administer oxygen at 15 lpm via nonrebreather mask.
D. Contact medical direction to determine the correct oxygen therapy.
52. When there are signs and symptoms that your patient is hypoxic, you should:
A. Administer oxygen at 15 lpm via nonrebreather mask.
B. Always obtain a pulse oximeter reading before administering oxygen.
C. Contact medical direction to determine the correct oxygen therapy.
D. Assess baseline vitals before determining how oxygen should be administered.
53. A 36-year-old female presents with a sudden onset of difficulty breathing. She is anxious, has intercostal retractions
and nasal flaring. Her respiratory rate is 24 breaths per minute. You do not have a pulse oximeter. You should:
A. administer oxygen via nonrebreather mask at 15 lpm.
B. withhold oxygen until a pulse oximeter reading is obtained.
C. apply a nasal cannula at 4 lpm.
D. begin positive pressure ventilations.
54. Your 67-year-old patient recently began taking a new medication. He is complaining of a sudden onset of severe
respiratory distress. He quickly becomes semi-conscious and unable to follow verbal commands. His pulse oximeter
(SaO2) is 89%. You should:
A. insert an oropharyngeal airway.
B. assist ventilations with a BVM.
C. apply a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device.
D. apply high-flow oxygen via NRB.
55. You are caring for an unresponsive diabetic patient with deep, rapid respirations. The patient’s blood glucose is 480
mg/dL. What is the most likely cause of this patient’s hyperventilations?
A. This patient is likely hyperventilating due to severe alkalosis.
B. This patient is likely hyperventilating due to severe acidosis.
C. This patient’s hyperventilations will increase CO2 levels in the blood.
D. This patient’s hyperventilations will rapidly lower the blood glucose level.
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56. Your 8-year-old patient has blunt chest trauma after being struck by a car. The patient is alert. His airway is clear,
breathing is adequate, and pulses are present but weak at 110 beats per minute. Which of the following should you
do next?
A. ask the patient for consent to transport.
B. insert an oropharyngeal airway.
C. perform a rapid scan.
D. assess the patient’s pulse oximetery (SaO2).
57. Your adult patient reportedly smoked an unknown substance and passed out. The patient has inadequate
ventilations and your partner begins ventilating with the BVM. Which of the following is the best indicator your
patient is being ventilated adequately?
A. a ventilatory rate of at least 20 breaths per minute.
B. poor compliance when squeezing the BVM.
C. a pulse oximeter (SaO2) of 90%.
D. adequate bilateral chest rise and fall during BVM ventilation.
58. You are ventilating a patient with a stoma. You note air is escaping from the mouth and nose with each breath. You
should:
A. perform a jaw thrust maneuver.
B. manually seal the mouth and nose.
C. open the airway using a head tilt-chin lift.
D. reduce the tidal volume of each ventilation.
59. You are dispatched for a homeless person found unresponsive. You find the patient prone on the sidewalk
unresponsive to pain. You should first:
A. assess the blood glucose level.
B. log roll the patient into a supine position.
C. auscultate lung sounds.
D. expose the patient and check the back for apparent injuries.
60. You are transporting a pregnant patient from an urgent care center to a high-risk OB facility. The transferring
physician tells you the patient may have an abruptio placenta. This means:
A. the placenta is prematurely separating from the uterine wall.
B. the amniotic sac is ruptured and leaking amniotic fluid.
C. the patient is going into labor prematurely.
D. the placenta is covering the cervical opening.
62. You are called for a 40-year-old female with a severe headache. She is 32 weeks pregnant. The patient history
reveals she also has nausea, blurred vision and sudden edema in her face and hands. Her blood pressure is 156/96.
The patient is most likely experiencing:
A. an absence seizure.
B. a spontaneous abortion.
C. eclampsia.
D. preeclampsia.
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63. Shock is caused by:
A. hyperactivity of a major organ.
B. the body’s maintenance of homeostasis.
C. inadequate tissue perfusion.
D. systemic constriction of the blood vessels.
65. While attempting to restrain a combative patient, your partner was bitten on the arm. Which of the following is
true of bite wounds?
A. Human bites pose little risk of infection.
B. Human saliva carries strong anticoagulant enzymes.
C. Human bites pose a high risk of infection.
D. Human bites are not dangerous if all vaccines are up to date.
66. Your patient has a partial thickness burn to his anterior chest. It is about the size of the palm of his hand. What is
the approximate total body surface area of the burn?
A. 1%
B. 3%
C. 5%
D. 7%
67. Which of the following patients should be your highest transport priority?
A. an adult with a superficial burn that covers 15% of the total body surface area.
B. any 1st degree burn to the hands or feet of a pediatric patient.
C. a partial-thickness burn with respiratory compromise.
D. any burn with severe pain over 10% total body surface area.
68. Which of the following conditions would most likely cause hypovolemic shock?
A. a spinal cord injury.
B. laceration of the liver.
C. insulin shock.
D. appendicitis.
69. Your patient has partial-thickness burns over a large surface area. You should:
A. immerse the burn area in water.
B. leave the burn area exposed.
C. apply a dry, sterile burn sheet.
D. offer the patient ice-packs to reduce pain.
70. Your patient has severe bleeding to her forearm. If direct pressure does not control the bleeding, you should
immediately:
A. transport the patient.
B. apply a tourniquet.
C. apply pressure to the proximal artery.
D. replace the blood-soaked dressing.
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71. Your patient was injured during an industrial accident. He has an abdominal laceration with internal organs
protruding. You should apply:
A. a moist, sterile dressing.
B. a dry, sterile dressing.
C. a tourniquet.
D. an ice-pack.
72. Which of the following is considered a normal capillary refill time for infants and children?
A. Less than 1 second
B. Less than 2 seconds
C. Less than 4 seconds
D. Less than 6 seconds
73. Which of the following physiological responses helps protect the body from overheating:
A. shivering.
B. peripheral vasodilation.
C. peripheral vasoconstriction.
D. syncope.
74. Your patient exhibits crepitus to the thorax, paradoxical motion and signs of hypoxia. You should suspect:
A. a ruptured spleen.
B. bilateral femur fractures.
C. anaphylaxis.
D. a flail chest.
75. A 30-year-old male was stabbed in the abdomen during an assault. The knife is impaled in his the right lower
abdominal quadrant. It is important to:
A. stabilize the knife in place.
B. remove the knife and apply direct pressure.
C. place the patient on his side.
D. transport the patient in a seated position.
76. You are caring for a confused and restless 16-year-old female with blunt chest trauma following a single vehicle
accident. She complains of dyspnea and orthopnea. You note a reduced tidal volume, cyanosis and tachycardia.
Which of the following should be done first?
A. Begin positive pressure ventilations.
B. Perform a rapid scan.
C. Perform a secondary exam.
D. Obtain a pulse oximeter (SaO2) reading.
77. While assessing an unresponsive patient, you discover a penetrating wound to the anterior chest. You should first:
A. apply a trauma dressing.
B. continue your assessment.
C. apply an occlusive dressing.
D. assess the blood pressure.
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78. You arrive at a residence for an ill person. A child opens the door and says his dad is locked in the bedroom with his
gun. You should:
A. ask the child to get his dad.
B. retreat to safety and request law enforcement.
C. attempt to communicate with the child’s father.
D. restrain the father and secure any weapons.
82. Which of the following statements about use of the automated external defibrillator (AED) is correct?
A. The AED should not be used on children less than 1 year of age.
B. The AED should not be used on children weighing less than 90 pounds.
C. Adult AED pads should never be used on pediatric patients.
D. Adult AED pads can be used on pediatric patients if pediatric pads are not available.
83. Which of the following is a component of the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale?
A. Blood pressure
B. Arm drift
C. Family history
D. Grip strength
84. Select the patient condition that is most likely to require transport to a specialized facility.
A. Dyspnea.
B. Diabetic emergency.
C. Cerebrovascular accident.
D. Syncopal episode.
85. You are caring for a trauma patient with a closed head injury. The patient is responsive to painful stimuli. The BP is
160/100, pulse is 60 beats/min and respirations are 8 per minute. You should:
A. stabilize life-threatening conditions and limit your on-scene time to 10 minutes.
B. perform a secondary assessment prior to transporting the patient.
C. transport immediately and perform all treatments in the ambulance.
D. obtain two sets of vitals before determining the transport priority.
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86. Your female patient complains of vaginal bleeding. She is alert, denies trauma, and states she is not pregnant. You
should:
A. expose the patient and assess for signs of trauma.
B. advise the patient to refuse treatment.
C. assess the patient for signs of hypoperfusion.
D. call for law enforcement and wait to begin treatment.
87. You are on the scene of a patient who was sexually assaulted. The scene is safe, but law enforcement officials are
still responding. You should:
A. attempt get at least one EMS provider of the same sex.
B. recommend the patient shower and change clothes.
C. direct the patient to write down everything that happened.
D. suggest the patient sign a refusal form.
89. You are called for a man wandering in the street and yelling at passing cars. Upon arrival, your first priority is:
A. the safety of you and other rescuers.
B. removing the patient from the roadway.
C. assessing the patient’s blood glucose level.
D. determining if the patient is intoxicated.
90. Which of the following is the normal range for a blood glucose level?
A. 40 and 80 mg/dL.
B. 80 and 120 mg/dL.
C. 120 and 160 mg/dL.
D. 160 and 200 mg/dL.
91. You are called for a child with an altered level of consciousness. Her parents report a recent history of increased
appetite, thirst, and frequent urination. The child’s blood glucose is 350 mg/dL. The child is most likely experiencing:
A. insulin shock.
B. hypoglycemia.
C. diabetic ketoacidosis.
D. water intoxication.
93. Severe internal bleeding is most likely following an injury to which of the following organs?
A. The stomach.
B. The appendix.
C. The spleen.
D. The gallbladder.
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94. You are called for a 24-year-old female who is 28 weeks pregnant. You find the patient supine in bed complaining of
severe weakness, dizziness, and nausea. Which of the following is your first priority?
A. ask the patient if she is expecting twins.
B. assess the patient’s blood glucose level.
C. determine the patient’s SAMPLE history.
D. place the patient on her left side.
97. You are called to a doctor’s office for a patient who reportedly experienced a brief seizure. Upon arrival, the staff
tells you the patient is in a postical state. This means the patient:
A. is experiencing back-to-back seizures.
B. has an altered but improving level of consciousness.
C. is in a hyperactive state.
D. went into cardiac arrest.
98. You are dispatched to an assisted living center for a 70-year-old male with an altered level of consciousness. The
patient’s wife states he has been confused for the last several hours. The patient has slurred speech and left-sided
weakness. You should suspect:
A. a myocardial infarction.
B. dementia.
C. a stroke.
D. internal bleeding.
100. You are caring for a 10-year-old child who was an unrestrained passenger in a vehicle that was struck from the
rear. The child complains of neck pain. Which of the following should be done first?
A. manual cervical spine precautions.
B. apply an appropriately sized cervical collar.
C. assess pulse, motor, sensation in all extremities.
D. perform a secondary assessment.
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KEY:
1. Correct Answer: C
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Emphasis: Assessment
Rationale: Determining the patient’s transport priority is a component of the primary assessment. Scene
safety is determined during the scene size up. Determining specifics about the patient’s pain and reassessing vitals
are done later in the assessment process.
2. Correct Answer: D
Topic: Airway and Ventilation
Emphasis: Pediatrics
Rationale: Oxygen is indicated for patients with signs or symptoms of hypoxia, including a pulse oximeter
below 94%. EMTs should not withhold oxygen from a patient with a pulse oximeter below 94%. EMTs do not
contact the patient’s physician for medical direction, nor do they administer MDIs which are not prescribed to the
patient.
3. Correct Answer: B
Topic: Airway and Ventilation
Rationale: The head-tilt, chin-lift is contraindicated for patients with suspected spinal injury. Manual airway
techniques, in this case the jaw thrust maneuver, should be performed before inserting a mechanical airway
adjunct.
4. Correct Answer: A
Topic: Medical, OB, GYN
Rationale: The patient is alert and speaking full sentences. These signs indicate the patient is breathing
adequately. Respiratory paralysis and respiratory arrest are not possible because the patient is alert and speaking.
5. Correct Answer: D
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Emphasis: Pediatrics
Rationale: CPR, beginning with chest compressions, is indicated for unresponsive children with a pulse rate
below 60.
6. Correct Answer: A
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Emphasis: Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology
Rationale: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilator, so it can increase blood flow to the heart and reduce systemic
vascular resistance. Activated charcoal is an adsorbent, aspirin is an anti-platelet aggregate, and epinephrine is a
sympathomimetic.
7. Correct Answer: B
Topic: Trauma
Emphasis: Assessment
Rationale: The rapid scan is part of the primary assessment and is meant to identify any lift-threatening
conditions not already discovered. It is not used to identify low priority injuries, this should be done during the
secondary assessment. Any patient with the potential for life threatening conditions, conscious or unconscious,
should receive a rapid scan.
8. Correct Answer: A
Topic: Trauma
Emphasis: Assessment
Rationale: Life-threatening bleeding should be found and managed during the primary assessment.
Interventions, such as control of bleeding, are not part of the scene size up. Significant bleeding should be
addressed before the secondary assessment and the patient history.
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9. Correct Answer: D
Topic: Trauma
Emphasis: Assessment
Rationale: Unresponsive patients should be assessed using the CAB sequence. Circulation is assessed first in
order to begin CPR as quickly as possible if needed.
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18. Correct Answer: A
Topic: Medical, OB, GYN
Emphasis: Pediatrics
Rationale: Seesaw breathing is more common in pediatric patients. Cyanosis, tachypnea, and altered LOC
may be seen in hypoxic patients of any age.
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27. Correct Answer: A
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Emphasis: Assessment
Rationale: Responsive patients should be assessed using the ABC sequence during the primary assessment.
Airway should be assessed before pulses, skin, or blood pressure. Circulation is not assessed first (CAB sequence)
because responsive patients do not need CPR. .
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36. Correct Answer: B
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Emphasis: Pediatrics
Rationale: CPR, beginning with chest compressions, is indicated for unresponsive children with a pulse rate
below 60. This should be done before transport. The AED is not indicated for patients with a pulse.
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45. Correct Answer: B
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Rationale: Circulation in unresponsive patients over one year of age should be assessed at the carotid
artery. The brachial artery should be used for patients under one year of age. .
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54. Correct Answer: B
Topic: Medical, OB, GYN
Emphasis: Assessment
Rationale: The patient has respiratory distress with inadequate breathing. The patient requires positive
pressure ventilations. CPAP and an OPA are not appropriate for a semi-conscious patient. .
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63. Correct Answer: C
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Rationale: Shock (hypoperfusion) develops as a result of inadequate tissue perfusion and disrupts the
body’s homeostasis. It is not typically caused by hyperactivity of an organ or systemic vasoconstriction.
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73. Correct Answer: B
Topic: Trauma
Emphasis: Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology
Rationale: Peripheral vasodilation helps the body dissipate body heat. Peripheral vasoconstriction helps the
body conserve body heat. Shivering helps generate body heat. Syncope can result from overheating; it is not a
protective mechanism.
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82. Correct Answer: D
Topic: Cardiology, Resuscitation, Stroke
Rationale: Adult AED pads should be used on a pediatric patient if no pediatric pads are available. The AED
can be used on adults, children, and infants in cardiac arrest.
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92. Correct Answer: D
Topic: Trauma
Rationale: Esophageal varices is often associated with alcoholism.
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