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Which of the following would MOST likely allow you to reach the status of entry-level competence?
a) functioning for at least 2 years in the field
b) Passing the state or national paramedic exam
c) interning with an experienced preceptor
d) studying didactic material at least 2 hours per week - Answers c) interning with an experienced
preceptor
which of the following is NOT a major component of the hematologic system?
a) bone marrow
b) liver
c) spleen
d) pancreas - Answers d) pancreas
You are dispatched to a grocery store for a woman with severe abdominal pain. When you arrive, you
find the patient lying on her side in the manager's office. She is confused, is diaphoretic, and appears
to be bleeding from her vagina. Her blood pressure is low, and her pulse and respiratory rates are
elevated. You should:
a) administer 100% oxygen, elevate her legs to 12 to 18 inches, keep her warm, establish vascular
access and give a 500-mL fluid bolus, reassess her blood pressure, and transport at once with
continuous monitoring en route to the hospital
b) immediately place her in supine position, firmly massage her uterine fundus to control the
bleeding, establish two large-bore IV lines and run them wide open, transport at once, and apply high-
flow oxygen en route to the hospital
c) apply high-flow oxygen, visually inspect her vagina and cover it with sterile dressings, keep her
warm, begin transport, establi - Answers c) apply high-flow oxygen, visually inspect her vagina and
cover it with sterile dressings, keep her warm, begin transport, establish at least one large-bore IV en
route, and administer enough crystalloid fluid to maintain radial pulses
Common signs of impending respiratory failure in infants and children include:
a) abdominal breathing and a pulse rate less than 120 beats per minute
b) marked agitation and tachycardia with ectopic ventricular complexes
c) tachypnea and hypernea with nasal flaring and prominent retractions
d) a falling oxygen saturation despite high-flow oxygen administration - Answers d) a falling oxygen
saturation despite high-flow oxygen administration
In contrast to toxic ingestions in toddlers, toxic ingestions in adolescents:
a) typically involve multiple agents
b) involve small quantities of a single agen
c) are usually unintentional.
d) are associated with lower mortality - Answers
which of the following roles would the code team leader MOST likely perform?
a) establishing IV access
b) chest compressions
c) managing the airway
d) interpreting the ECG - Answers d) interpreting the ECG
Within a few days after having a miscarriage, a 33-year-old woman presents with malaise, fever,
constipation, and pelvic pain. Her blood pressure is 124/84 mm Hg, pulse rate is 104 beats/min and
strong, and respirations are 22 breaths/min and regular. You should be MOST suspicious for:
a) acute cystitis
b) pelvic inflammatory disease
c) endometritis
,d) a rupture ovarian cyst - Answers c) endometritis
air splints will not apply enough pressure to control arterial bleeding until the patient's systolic BP is:
a) 60 mm Hg
b) 50 mm Hg
c) 40 mm Hg
d) 30 mm Hg - Answers a) 60 mm Hg
a 6-year-old, 40-pound child remains in ventricular fibrillation after an initial defibrillation and 2
minutes of CPR. Vascular access has not been obtained. Your next action should be to:
a) insert an IO catheter
b) insert an advanced airway
c) defibrillate with 70 joules
d) check for a carotid pulse - Answers c) defibrillate with 70 joules
after 50 years of age, there is an increase in urinary tract infections in men because:
a) the urethra is obstructed by the prostate
b) diabetes is most common after 50 years of age
c) normal bacterial flora enter the urethra
d) renal function markedly declines after the 50 years of age - Answers
You are treating a 20-year-old man with a large laceration involving the brachial artery. The patient is
confused, is pale, and has weak peripheral pulses. Your initial attempts to control the bleeding have
failed. You should
a) administer high-flow oxygen, transport, and apply a proximal tourniquet and establish vascular
access en route.
b) apply a proximal tourniquet, administer high-flow oxygen, transport, and establish vascular access
en route.
c) control the bleeding by applying pressure to a proximal pressure point, administer high-flow
oxygen, and transport
d) administer high-flow oxygen, establish vascular access at the scene, transport, and apply a proximal
tourniquet en route. - Answers b) apply a proximal tourniquet, administer high-flow oxygen,
transport, and establish vascular access en route.
Rubella is characterized by:
A. a low-grade fever.
B. abdominal discomfort.
C. visual disturbances.
D. an isolated facial rash. - Answers a) a low-grade fever
Rubella is characterized by:
A. enlarged lymph nodes
B. abdominal discomfort.
C. visual disturbances.
D. an isolated facial rash. - Answers a) enlarged lymph nodes
which of the following statements regarding autism is correct?
a) you should expect that a patient with autism will respond favorably to physical contact.
b) some patients with autism are able to easily solve complex
c) the vast majority of patients with autism are mute and have an IQ of less than 20.
d) common causes of autism include traumatic brain injury and severe emotional trauma - Answers
The dome-shaped top of the uterus is called the:
a) os
b) body
c) cervix
d) fundus - Answers d) fundus
Most children begin to develop stranger anxiety between ___ and ___ months of age.
,a) 12, 18
b) 18, 24
c) 6, 12
d) 3, 6 - Answers c) 6, 12
the MOST significant factor that determines how well the body compensates for blood loss is:
a) whether the bleeding is internal or external
b) the patient's pulse rate at the time of the injury
c) whether the bleeding is venous or arterial
d) the period of time over which the blood is lost - Answers d) the period of time over which the blood
is lost
You are caring for a 33-year-old woman who is 35 weeks pregnant and fell down a flight of stairs. Full
spinal precautions have been taken, the patient is receiving high-flow oxygen, and a patent IV line is in
place. During transport, you reassess her and note that she has become diaphoretic, tachycardic, and
tachypneic. You should:
a) reassess her blood pressure
b) cover her with warm blankets
c) administer a rapid fluid bolus
d) tilt the backboard to the left side - Answers d) tilt the backboard to the left side
what physiologic effect of anaphylactic shock is seen MOST commonly in patients with neurogenic
shock?
a) profound tachycardia
b) widespread vasodilation
c) decreased cardiac contractility
d) fluid leakage into the tissues - Answers
a middle-aged male who received a kidney transplant called EMS because he was not feeling well.
Which of the following assessment findings is MOST suggestive of organ rejection?
a) blood in the urine, diffuse abdominal pain, and hypothermia
b) bilateral flank pain that radiates to both shoulders and scapulae
c) fever with swelling and tenderness over the implanted kidney
d) excessive urine output, shortness of breath, and a diffuse rash - Answers
A middle-aged male who received a kidney transplat called EMS because he was not feeling well.
Which of the following findings is MOST suggestive of organ rejection?
a) blood in the urine, diffuse abdominal pain, and hypothermia
b) bilateral flank pain that radiates to both shoulders and scapulae
c) fever with swelling and tenderness over the implanted kidney
d) excessive urine output, shortness of breath, and a diffuse rash - Answers c) fever with swelling and
tenderness over the implanted kidney
You are assessing a patient and discover that she has a ventricular assist device because of severe left
heart failure. In this case, the device is MOST likely connected to the:
a) right ventricle
b) left atrium
c) left ventricle
d) right atrium - Answers c) left ventricle
Thermoregulation is a function of the:
a) diencephalon
b) posterior pituitary gland
c) peripheral vasculature
d) anterior hypothalamus - Answers d) anterior hypothalamus
Following the administration of haloperidol, your patient's body becomes rigid and he is extremely
restless. What should you suspect?
, a) Long QT syndrom
b) Extrapyramidal reaction
c) Drug-induced catatonia
d) Allergic reaction - Answers b) Extrapyramidal reaction
Which of the following regarding pyelonephritis is correct?
a) In pyelonephritis, the ureters become inflamed and infected
b) Untreated pyelonephritis typically heals spontaneously
c) Pyelonephritis is an inflammation of the lining of the kidney
d) Most cases of pyelonephritis occur in the lower urinary tract - Answers c) Pyelonephritis is an
inflammation of the lining of the kidney
During the attempted resuscitation of a patient in cardiac arrest, you look at the
cardiac monitor and note that the patient's end-tidal CO2 has abruptly increased from 17 mm Hg to
40 mm Hg. You should:
a) increase the rate of your ventilations
b) assess for a pulse for up to 10 seconds
c) suspect inadvertent tube dislodgement
d) decrease the rate of your ventilations - Answers b) assess for a pulse for up to 10 seconds.
What forms of child maltreatment are often difficult to identify and may go unreported?
A) Sexual and emotional abuse
B) Emotional abuse and neglect
C) Neglect and physical abuse
D) Physical and emotional abuse - Answers B) Emotional abuse and neglect
You respond to a residence where an infant's apnea monitor has alarmed several times within the last
30 minutes. When you assess the infant, you note that she is alert, she has strong peripheral pulses,
and her skin is pink, warm, and dry. You should:
a) expect that her oxygen saturation will be below 90%
b) transport the infant and monitor her breathing en route
c) administer blow-by oxygen to the infant and reassess her
d) advise the parents to contact the apnea monitor manufacturer - Answers b) transport the infant
and monitor her breathing en route.
You are dispatched to a residence for a 34-year-old woman who is "sick." Upon your arrival, the
patient greets you at the door. She tells you that she began experiencing a dull aching pain in the left
lower quadrant of her abdomen. She further states that she recently had her menstrual period, which
was accompanied by more pain than usual. Her vital signs are stable, she is conscious and alert, and
she denies vaginal bleeding or fever. This patient MOST likely has:
a) an ectopic pregnancy
b) a ruptured ovarian cyst
c) pelvic inflammatory disease
d) a tubo-ovarian abscess - Answers b) a ruptured ovarian cyst.
Which of the following clinical signs or symptoms are MOST indicative of upper airway swelling in a
patient experiencing a severe allergic reaction?
a) chest tightness and dyspnea
b) crackles and wheezing
c) hoarseness and stridor
d) facial edema and coughing - Answers c) hoarseness and stridor
In addition to meeting the metabolic needs of the developing fetus, the mother's blood supply
increases significantly in order to perfuse her own organs, especially the:
a) central nervous system
b) liver and pancreas
c) uterus and kidneys
d) heart and lungs - Answers c) uterus and kidneys