Emergency care 14th Edition Complete Test Bank |Comprehersive
Questions, Answers &Rationale
1. What is the first priority when approaching a patient in an emergency
situation?
A. Obtain a medical history
B. Ensure scene safety
C. Take vital signs
D. Apply oxygen
Answer: B. Ensure scene safety
Rationale: Emergency responders must first ensure the scene is safe to protect themselves, the
patient, and bystanders before initiating care.
2. Which component of the primary assessment focuses on airway patency?
A. Disability
B. Exposure
C. Airway
D. Circulation
Answer: C. Airway
Rationale: Airway assessment determines whether the patient can move air into and out of the
lungs.
3. A patient is unconscious and not breathing normally. What should be done
first?
A. Check blood glucose
B. Begin CPR
C. Obtain a blood pressure
D. Assess pupils
Answer: B. Begin CPR
Rationale: Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation is indicated for an unresponsive patient
who is not breathing normally.
,4. Which pulse should be checked in an unconscious adult?
A. Radial pulse
B. Brachial pulse
C. Femoral pulse
D. Carotid pulse
Answer: D. Carotid pulse
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the preferred pulse site for assessing circulation in an
unconscious adult.
5. Which airway adjunct is appropriate for an unconscious patient without a gag
reflex?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: B. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway helps maintain airway patency in unconscious patients
lacking a gag reflex.
6. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of oxygen to
a spontaneously breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: C. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale: A nonrebreather mask can deliver high concentrations of oxygen when properly
fitted.
,7. Which finding suggests inadequate breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Equal chest rise
C. Cyanosis
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Answer: C. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation and possible respiratory compromise.
8. What is the normal adult respiratory rate?
A. 4–8 breaths/min
B. 8–10 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 24–30 breaths/min
Answer: C. 12–20 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal adult respiratory rate ranges from approximately 12 to 20 breaths per
minute.
9. Which condition most commonly causes wheezing?
A. Asthma
B. Stroke
C. Appendicitis
D. Fracture
Answer: A. Asthma
Rationale: Bronchoconstriction in asthma commonly produces wheezing.
10. A patient with severe bleeding from a leg wound should first receive:
A. Ice packs
B. Direct pressure
C. Splinting
D. Oxygen only
, Answer: B. Direct pressure
Rationale: Direct pressure is the primary method for controlling external hemorrhage.
11. Which sign is most indicative of shock?
A. Warm dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension with altered mental status
D. Normal capillary refill
Answer: C. Hypotension with altered mental status
Rationale: Shock results in inadequate tissue perfusion, often causing hypotension and altered
consciousness.
12. What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in an unconscious
patient?
A. Foreign body
B. Swollen tonsils
C. Tongue relaxation
D. Asthma
Answer: C. Tongue relaxation
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone may allow the tongue to obstruct the airway.
13. Which maneuver is used to open the airway when spinal injury is not
suspected?
A. Jaw-thrust maneuver
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
C. Abdominal thrusts
D. Recovery position
Answer: B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
Rationale: This maneuver effectively opens the airway in patients without suspected spinal
trauma.
Questions, Answers &Rationale
1. What is the first priority when approaching a patient in an emergency
situation?
A. Obtain a medical history
B. Ensure scene safety
C. Take vital signs
D. Apply oxygen
Answer: B. Ensure scene safety
Rationale: Emergency responders must first ensure the scene is safe to protect themselves, the
patient, and bystanders before initiating care.
2. Which component of the primary assessment focuses on airway patency?
A. Disability
B. Exposure
C. Airway
D. Circulation
Answer: C. Airway
Rationale: Airway assessment determines whether the patient can move air into and out of the
lungs.
3. A patient is unconscious and not breathing normally. What should be done
first?
A. Check blood glucose
B. Begin CPR
C. Obtain a blood pressure
D. Assess pupils
Answer: B. Begin CPR
Rationale: Immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation is indicated for an unresponsive patient
who is not breathing normally.
,4. Which pulse should be checked in an unconscious adult?
A. Radial pulse
B. Brachial pulse
C. Femoral pulse
D. Carotid pulse
Answer: D. Carotid pulse
Rationale: The carotid pulse is the preferred pulse site for assessing circulation in an
unconscious adult.
5. Which airway adjunct is appropriate for an unconscious patient without a gag
reflex?
A. Nasopharyngeal airway
B. Oropharyngeal airway
C. Venturi mask
D. Nonrebreather mask
Answer: B. Oropharyngeal airway
Rationale: An oropharyngeal airway helps maintain airway patency in unconscious patients
lacking a gag reflex.
6. Which oxygen delivery device provides the highest concentration of oxygen to
a spontaneously breathing patient?
A. Nasal cannula
B. Simple face mask
C. Nonrebreather mask
D. Venturi mask
Answer: C. Nonrebreather mask
Rationale: A nonrebreather mask can deliver high concentrations of oxygen when properly
fitted.
,7. Which finding suggests inadequate breathing?
A. Respiratory rate of 16/min
B. Equal chest rise
C. Cyanosis
D. Oxygen saturation of 98%
Answer: C. Cyanosis
Rationale: Cyanosis indicates inadequate oxygenation and possible respiratory compromise.
8. What is the normal adult respiratory rate?
A. 4–8 breaths/min
B. 8–10 breaths/min
C. 12–20 breaths/min
D. 24–30 breaths/min
Answer: C. 12–20 breaths/min
Rationale: A normal adult respiratory rate ranges from approximately 12 to 20 breaths per
minute.
9. Which condition most commonly causes wheezing?
A. Asthma
B. Stroke
C. Appendicitis
D. Fracture
Answer: A. Asthma
Rationale: Bronchoconstriction in asthma commonly produces wheezing.
10. A patient with severe bleeding from a leg wound should first receive:
A. Ice packs
B. Direct pressure
C. Splinting
D. Oxygen only
, Answer: B. Direct pressure
Rationale: Direct pressure is the primary method for controlling external hemorrhage.
11. Which sign is most indicative of shock?
A. Warm dry skin
B. Bradycardia
C. Hypotension with altered mental status
D. Normal capillary refill
Answer: C. Hypotension with altered mental status
Rationale: Shock results in inadequate tissue perfusion, often causing hypotension and altered
consciousness.
12. What is the most common cause of airway obstruction in an unconscious
patient?
A. Foreign body
B. Swollen tonsils
C. Tongue relaxation
D. Asthma
Answer: C. Tongue relaxation
Rationale: Loss of muscle tone may allow the tongue to obstruct the airway.
13. Which maneuver is used to open the airway when spinal injury is not
suspected?
A. Jaw-thrust maneuver
B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
C. Abdominal thrusts
D. Recovery position
Answer: B. Head-tilt/chin-lift maneuver
Rationale: This maneuver effectively opens the airway in patients without suspected spinal
trauma.