EMT FISDAP PARAMEDIC ENTRANCE EXAM 200 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed Rationales

EMT FISDAP PARAMEDIC ENTRANCE EXAM
200 Practice Questions with Answers & Detailed
Rationales


Domain 1: Airway & Respiratory (Questions 1–40)


Question 1
A 45-year-old male patient is found unresponsive with agonal respirations at 6
breaths per minute. What is the MOST appropriate initial airway intervention?
A. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
B. Begin bag-mask ventilation with supplemental oxygen
C. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
D. Perform a head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
Correct Answer: B. Begin bag-mask ventilation with supplemental oxygen
Rationale: Agonal respirations at 6 breaths/min are inadequate. The priority is to
support ventilations with a bag-valve-mask (BVM) device with high-flow oxygen.
Airway adjuncts (OPA/NPA) may be used but do not replace the need for positive
pressure ventilation.


Question 2
A 60-year-old female with a history of COPD presents with respiratory distress.
She is speaking in 2-3 word sentences and has wheezing on exam. Her oxygen
saturation is 84% on room air. What is the MOST appropriate initial oxygen
delivery device?
A. Nasal cannula at 2 L/min
B. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
C. Simple face mask at 8 L/min
D. Venturi mask at 24% FiO2


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,Correct Answer: B. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
Rationale: The patient is hypoxemic (SpO2 84%) and in respiratory distress. A
non-rebreather mask delivers the highest FiO2 (up to 90-95%) and is appropriate
for initial resuscitation. COPD patients may require careful titration, but
hypoxemia takes priority.


Question 3
A 25-year-old male was involved in a motor vehicle collision and has severe facial
trauma with blood in the airway. He is conscious but gagging. What is the MOST
appropriate next step?
A. Insert an oropharyngeal airway
B. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
C. Suction the airway
D. Perform a cricothyrotomy
Correct Answer: C. Suction the airway
Rationale: Blood in the airway requires immediate suctioning to clear the
obstruction. An OPA cannot be inserted if the patient has a gag reflex. An NPA
may be used after suctioning but does not remove the blood. Cricothyrotomy is
for complete airway obstruction not relieved by basic maneuvers.


Question 4
A 55-year-old male with a history of asthma is in severe respiratory distress. He
has minimal air movement on auscultation and is using accessory muscles. His
oxygen saturation is 88% on a non-rebreather mask. What is the MOST
appropriate next step?
A. Administer albuterol via nebulizer
B. Assist ventilations with a bag-mask device
C. Administer epinephrine 1:1,000 IM
D. Start an IV and administer magnesium sulfate
Correct Answer: B. Assist ventilations with a bag-mask device


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,Rationale: The patient has impending respiratory failure (minimal air movement,
hypoxemia despite high-flow oxygen, accessory muscle use). Assisted ventilation
with BVM is the priority before administering bronchodilators.


Question 5
A 32-year-old female is hyperventilating due to anxiety. She is conscious and alert,
with a respiratory rate of 32 breaths/min. Her SpO2 is 100% on room air. What is
the MOST appropriate intervention?
A. Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Coach the patient to slow her breathing
C. Administer a sedative
D. Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
Correct Answer: B. Coach the patient to slow her breathing
Rationale: This is likely a panic attack with hyperventilation. The patient is well
oxygenated. Coaching to slow breathing (rebreathing into a paper bag is no longer
recommended) is appropriate. Oxygen is not needed.


Question 6
A 70-year-old male has a tracheostomy tube and is in respiratory distress. His
tracheostomy tube is partially dislodged. What is the MOST appropriate initial
action?
A. Remove the tracheostomy tube and replace it
B. Suction the tracheostomy tube
C. Ventilate with a BVM over the stoma
D. Insert an endotracheal tube orally
Correct Answer: C. Ventilate with a BVM over the stoma
Rationale: If a tracheostomy tube is partially dislodged, the stoma may still be
patent. Attempt to ventilate over the stoma with a pediatric mask or BVM. If
unsuccessful, remove the tube and attempt replacement.




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, Question 7
A 4-year-old child presents with stridor, drooling, and a fever of 103°F. He is
sitting upright in the tripod position. What is the MOST appropriate next step?
A. Lay the child supine and open the airway
B. Examine the oropharynx with a tongue depressor
C. Transport immediately without agitating the child
D. Administer racemic epinephrine via nebulizer
Correct Answer: C. Transport immediately without agitating the child
Rationale: This child has epiglottitis (stridor, drooling, tripod position, high fever).
Do not agitate the child or examine the throat (can cause complete obstruction).
Immediate transport with minimal stimulation is key.


Question 8
A 50-year-old male has a stoma from a previous laryngectomy. He is in respiratory
distress, and you hear gurgling from the stoma. What is the MOST appropriate
next step?
A. Insert an oral airway
B. Suction the stoma
C. Ventilate through the mouth
D. Perform a cricothyrotomy
Correct Answer: B. Suction the stoma
Rationale: A patient with a laryngectomy breathes through the stoma. Gurgling
indicates secretions or obstruction. Suction the stoma first. If still obstructed,
ventilate through the stoma.


Question 9
A 28-year-old male was found in a closed garage with a car running. He is
unresponsive with a respiratory rate of 8 breaths/min. His skin is cherry red. What
is the MOST appropriate initial intervention?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask
B. Assist ventilations with a BVM and 100% oxygen

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