NREMT PRACTICE TEST BANK - MULTIPLE CHOICE NEWEST
WITH COMPLETE 1000 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS| BRAND NEW VERSION
A young woman reports significant weight loss over the last month, persistent fever, and night sweats.
When you assess her, you note the presence of dark purple lesions covering her trunk and upper
extremities. You should suspect:
• A:end-stage cancer.
• B:HIV/AIDS.
• C:tuberculosis.
• D:rheumatic fever. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:Weight loss, fever, and night sweats could indicate tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS; however, the dark
purple lesions on the skin, which are called Kaposi's sarcoma, are malignant skin tumors and are a classic
finding in patients in the later stages of AIDS.
A 48-year-old male became acutely hypoxic, experienced a seizure, and is now postictal. The MOST
effective way to prevent another seizure is to:
• A:dim the lights in the back of the ambulance.
• B:place him in the recovery position.
• C:administer high-flow supplemental oxygen.
• D:give him oral glucose if he can swallow. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is
correct!
Reason:You should administer high-flow oxygen to all patients who are actively seizing and to patients
who experienced a seizure and are postictal. This is especially true if the seizure was caused by hypoxia.
Increasing the oxygen content of the blood, which minimizes hypoxia, may prevent another seizure. The
recovery position is appropriate for uninjured patients with a decreased level of consciousness and
adequate breathing; it will help maintain the airway and facilitate drainage of secretions from the
mouth, but will not prevent another seizure. Oral glucose may prevent another seizure if hypoglycemia
was the cause of the seizure. You should dim the lights in the back of the ambulance to help prevent any
seizure, not just those that are caused by hypoxia.
,Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to be present in a patient who was
submerged in water?
• A:Spinal injury
• B:Gastric distention
• C:Hyperglycemia
• D:Laryngospasm - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is correct!
Reason: Many factors can contribute to or result from a submersion injury (eg, drowning, near-
drowning). It is not uncommon for a person to experience a spinal injury after diving head first into
shallow water, especially if he or she is under the influence of alcohol. When a swimmer panics, he or
she initially swallows large amounts of water, resulting in gastric distention. Gastric distention can cause
aspiration if the patient regurgitates water during rescue breathing; protect the airway! During the panic
phase, the victim expends a tremendous amount of energy (and glucose) from flailing around in the
water, possibly resulting in hypoglycemia. Inhaling even a small amount of fresh or salt water can
severely irritate the larynx, which sends the muscles of the larynx and vocal cords into spasm
(laryngospasm), resulting in airway blockage and hypoxia.
A 42-year-old male presents with fever, a severe headache, and a stiff neck. He is conscious, but
confused. His wife tells you that he does not have any medical problems and does not take any
medications. You should be MOST suspicious for:
• A:acute stroke.
• B:influenza.
• C:meningitis.
• D:tuberculosis.
( - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord
(meninges). Common signs and symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, neck stiffness (nuchal
rigidity), and vomiting. An altered mental status is common in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis,
caused by a bacterium, is the most contagious and potentially fatal type of meningitis. The patient's signs
and symptoms are not consistent with acute stroke, tuberculosis (TB), or influenza (the flu). Although
fever is common with both TB and the flu, neither causes neck stiffness. Acute stroke may be associated
with a headache, especially a hemorrhagic stroke; however, stroke patients typically do not have a fever.
All of the following are signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, EXCEPT:
,• A:melena.
• B:hematemesis.
• C:tachycardia.
• D:hemoptysis. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding include abdominal pain; vomiting blood
(hematemesis); the passage of dark, tarry stools (melena); and bright red rectal bleeding
(hematochezia). If blood loss is significant, the patient may have signs of shock (eg, tachycardia,
diaphoresis, tachypnea, hypotension). Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is a sign of a pulmonary injury,
not GI bleeding.
A 24-year-old female presents with a rash to her left leg and swollen, painful knee joints. She tells you
that she and her friends returned from a hiking trip in the mountains a week ago. She is conscious and
alert with a blood pressure of 112/62 mm Hg, a pulse of 84 beats/min, and respirations of 14
breaths/min. Her symptoms are MOST likely the result of:
• A:Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• B:tetanus.
• C:Lyme disease.
• D:a localized allergic reaction. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:The patient's symptoms and her history of a recent hiking trip are consistent with Lyme disease,
which was the result of a tick bite. Ticks can carry two infectious diseases: Lyme disease and Rocky
Mountain spotted fever. Both are spread through the tick's saliva, which is injected into the skin when
the tick attaches itself. The first symptom of Lyme disease, a rash that may spread to several parts of the
body, begins about 3 days after the bite of an infected tick. The rash may eventually resemble a target
bull's-eye pattern in one third of patients. After a few more days or weeks, painful swelling of the joints,
particularly the knees, occurs. If recognized and treated promptly with antibiotics, many patients recover
completely. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is not limited to the Rocky Mountains, occurs within 7
to 10 days after being bitten by an infected tick. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache,
weakness, paralysis, and possibly cardiopulmonary failure.
A 50-year-old woman who is conscious and alert complains of a severe migraine headache. When caring
for her, you should generally avoid:
• A:transporting her in a supine position.
• B:shining a light into her pupils.
• C:dimming the lights in the ambulance.
• D:applying ice packs to her forehead. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected B; This is correct!
, Reason:Patients with migraine or cluster headaches typically have photophobia (light sensitivity). Any
type of bright light, especially if shone directly into the eyes, will cause the patient with a headache
unnecessary severe pain. Dimming the lights in the ambulance and making the patient as comfortable as
possible are the treatments of choice for a patient with a headache. Some patients benefit from ice
packs applied to the forehead; just be sure to wrap the ice pack with roller gauze. Oxygen also should be
administered as needed. Typically, the patient will prefer to lie supine or on the side
A patient who overdosed on heroin would be expected to present with:
• A:tachycardia.
• B:hyperpnea.
• C:hypotension.
• D:dilated pupils. - CORRECT ANSWERS-The correct answer is C;
Reason:Heroin is a Schedule I (illegal) narcotic that is typically injected. As with all narcotics, legal or
illegal, overdose causes depression of the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in a decreased level of
consciousness; bradycardia; hypotension; and slow, shallow (reduced tidal volume) breathing.
Hyperpnea (deep breathing) would not be present in a patient who overdosed on a narcotic. In a
narcotic overdose, the pupils are typically constricted (miosis). Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, are
also CNS depressants and cause the same symptoms seen with narcotic overdose. The patient's pupils,
however, are typically dilated (mydriasis), not constricted.
When caring for any patient with a decreased level of consciousness, your primary concern should be
the:
• A:potential for airway compromise.
• B:patient's blood glucose level.
• C:possibility of a spinal injury.
• D:possibility of a drug overdose. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:Altered mental status could be caused by a high or low blood glucose level, drug overdose, or
head injury, among other causes. Furthermore, the possibility of a spinal injury should be considered if
the patient was injured. However, your primary concern should be the status of the patient's airway.
Patients with a decreased level of consciousness are at risk for aspiration if vomiting occurs. Unless
spinal trauma is present or the patient is breathing inadequately (eg, fast or slow rate, shallow breathing
[reduced tidal volume]), place him or her in the recovery position to facilitate drainage if vomiting
occurs. Remember this: no airway, no patient!
WITH COMPLETE 1000 QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS| BRAND NEW VERSION
A young woman reports significant weight loss over the last month, persistent fever, and night sweats.
When you assess her, you note the presence of dark purple lesions covering her trunk and upper
extremities. You should suspect:
• A:end-stage cancer.
• B:HIV/AIDS.
• C:tuberculosis.
• D:rheumatic fever. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected B; This is correct!
Reason:Weight loss, fever, and night sweats could indicate tuberculosis or HIV/AIDS; however, the dark
purple lesions on the skin, which are called Kaposi's sarcoma, are malignant skin tumors and are a classic
finding in patients in the later stages of AIDS.
A 48-year-old male became acutely hypoxic, experienced a seizure, and is now postictal. The MOST
effective way to prevent another seizure is to:
• A:dim the lights in the back of the ambulance.
• B:place him in the recovery position.
• C:administer high-flow supplemental oxygen.
• D:give him oral glucose if he can swallow. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is
correct!
Reason:You should administer high-flow oxygen to all patients who are actively seizing and to patients
who experienced a seizure and are postictal. This is especially true if the seizure was caused by hypoxia.
Increasing the oxygen content of the blood, which minimizes hypoxia, may prevent another seizure. The
recovery position is appropriate for uninjured patients with a decreased level of consciousness and
adequate breathing; it will help maintain the airway and facilitate drainage of secretions from the
mouth, but will not prevent another seizure. Oral glucose may prevent another seizure if hypoglycemia
was the cause of the seizure. You should dim the lights in the back of the ambulance to help prevent any
seizure, not just those that are caused by hypoxia.
,Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to be present in a patient who was
submerged in water?
• A:Spinal injury
• B:Gastric distention
• C:Hyperglycemia
• D:Laryngospasm - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is correct!
Reason: Many factors can contribute to or result from a submersion injury (eg, drowning, near-
drowning). It is not uncommon for a person to experience a spinal injury after diving head first into
shallow water, especially if he or she is under the influence of alcohol. When a swimmer panics, he or
she initially swallows large amounts of water, resulting in gastric distention. Gastric distention can cause
aspiration if the patient regurgitates water during rescue breathing; protect the airway! During the panic
phase, the victim expends a tremendous amount of energy (and glucose) from flailing around in the
water, possibly resulting in hypoglycemia. Inhaling even a small amount of fresh or salt water can
severely irritate the larynx, which sends the muscles of the larynx and vocal cords into spasm
(laryngospasm), resulting in airway blockage and hypoxia.
A 42-year-old male presents with fever, a severe headache, and a stiff neck. He is conscious, but
confused. His wife tells you that he does not have any medical problems and does not take any
medications. You should be MOST suspicious for:
• A:acute stroke.
• B:influenza.
• C:meningitis.
• D:tuberculosis.
( - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:Meningitis is an inflammation of the protective coverings of the brain and spinal cord
(meninges). Common signs and symptoms of meningitis include fever, headache, neck stiffness (nuchal
rigidity), and vomiting. An altered mental status is common in severe cases. Meningococcal meningitis,
caused by a bacterium, is the most contagious and potentially fatal type of meningitis. The patient's signs
and symptoms are not consistent with acute stroke, tuberculosis (TB), or influenza (the flu). Although
fever is common with both TB and the flu, neither causes neck stiffness. Acute stroke may be associated
with a headache, especially a hemorrhagic stroke; however, stroke patients typically do not have a fever.
All of the following are signs of gastrointestinal bleeding, EXCEPT:
,• A:melena.
• B:hematemesis.
• C:tachycardia.
• D:hemoptysis. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:Signs and symptoms of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding include abdominal pain; vomiting blood
(hematemesis); the passage of dark, tarry stools (melena); and bright red rectal bleeding
(hematochezia). If blood loss is significant, the patient may have signs of shock (eg, tachycardia,
diaphoresis, tachypnea, hypotension). Hemoptysis (coughing up blood) is a sign of a pulmonary injury,
not GI bleeding.
A 24-year-old female presents with a rash to her left leg and swollen, painful knee joints. She tells you
that she and her friends returned from a hiking trip in the mountains a week ago. She is conscious and
alert with a blood pressure of 112/62 mm Hg, a pulse of 84 beats/min, and respirations of 14
breaths/min. Her symptoms are MOST likely the result of:
• A:Rocky Mountain spotted fever.
• B:tetanus.
• C:Lyme disease.
• D:a localized allergic reaction. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected C; This is correct!
Reason:The patient's symptoms and her history of a recent hiking trip are consistent with Lyme disease,
which was the result of a tick bite. Ticks can carry two infectious diseases: Lyme disease and Rocky
Mountain spotted fever. Both are spread through the tick's saliva, which is injected into the skin when
the tick attaches itself. The first symptom of Lyme disease, a rash that may spread to several parts of the
body, begins about 3 days after the bite of an infected tick. The rash may eventually resemble a target
bull's-eye pattern in one third of patients. After a few more days or weeks, painful swelling of the joints,
particularly the knees, occurs. If recognized and treated promptly with antibiotics, many patients recover
completely. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is not limited to the Rocky Mountains, occurs within 7
to 10 days after being bitten by an infected tick. Its symptoms include nausea, vomiting, headache,
weakness, paralysis, and possibly cardiopulmonary failure.
A 50-year-old woman who is conscious and alert complains of a severe migraine headache. When caring
for her, you should generally avoid:
• A:transporting her in a supine position.
• B:shining a light into her pupils.
• C:dimming the lights in the ambulance.
• D:applying ice packs to her forehead. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected B; This is correct!
, Reason:Patients with migraine or cluster headaches typically have photophobia (light sensitivity). Any
type of bright light, especially if shone directly into the eyes, will cause the patient with a headache
unnecessary severe pain. Dimming the lights in the ambulance and making the patient as comfortable as
possible are the treatments of choice for a patient with a headache. Some patients benefit from ice
packs applied to the forehead; just be sure to wrap the ice pack with roller gauze. Oxygen also should be
administered as needed. Typically, the patient will prefer to lie supine or on the side
A patient who overdosed on heroin would be expected to present with:
• A:tachycardia.
• B:hyperpnea.
• C:hypotension.
• D:dilated pupils. - CORRECT ANSWERS-The correct answer is C;
Reason:Heroin is a Schedule I (illegal) narcotic that is typically injected. As with all narcotics, legal or
illegal, overdose causes depression of the central nervous system (CNS), resulting in a decreased level of
consciousness; bradycardia; hypotension; and slow, shallow (reduced tidal volume) breathing.
Hyperpnea (deep breathing) would not be present in a patient who overdosed on a narcotic. In a
narcotic overdose, the pupils are typically constricted (miosis). Barbiturates, such as phenobarbital, are
also CNS depressants and cause the same symptoms seen with narcotic overdose. The patient's pupils,
however, are typically dilated (mydriasis), not constricted.
When caring for any patient with a decreased level of consciousness, your primary concern should be
the:
• A:potential for airway compromise.
• B:patient's blood glucose level.
• C:possibility of a spinal injury.
• D:possibility of a drug overdose. - CORRECT ANSWERS-You selected A; This is correct!
Reason:Altered mental status could be caused by a high or low blood glucose level, drug overdose, or
head injury, among other causes. Furthermore, the possibility of a spinal injury should be considered if
the patient was injured. However, your primary concern should be the status of the patient's airway.
Patients with a decreased level of consciousness are at risk for aspiration if vomiting occurs. Unless
spinal trauma is present or the patient is breathing inadequately (eg, fast or slow rate, shallow breathing
[reduced tidal volume]), place him or her in the recovery position to facilitate drainage if vomiting
occurs. Remember this: no airway, no patient!
