EMT FISDAP EXAM 4 STUDY GUIDE 2026-2027
100 Verified Questions & Correct Answers |
Graded A+
EXAM OVERVIEW
The FISDAP Readiness Exam 4 covers advanced emergency medical technician (EMT) concepts
including cardiology, medical emergencies, trauma, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, and EMS
operations. This guide includes questions and answers that reflect the actual difficulty and content of
the FISDAP exam .
SECTION 1: CARDIOLOGY & RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES
Question 1
A 56-year-old male complains of increasing shortness of breath. He is confused, speaks in 2-word
sentences. He has JVD & pedal edema with a productive cough. Vital signs: BP 168/94, P 88 irregular, R
with crackles, SPO2 76%. What should you do?
• A) Administer aspirin
• B) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
• C) Assist with nitroglycerin
• D) Position him supine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is severely hypoxic (SPO2 76%) with signs of heart failure (JVD, pedal edema,
crackles). High-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask is the priority to correct hypoxia before further
interventions .
Question 2
A 70-year-old male complains of shortness of breath. He states, "I woke up and feel like I'm drowning."
He has been sleeping with extra pillows under his head. Vital signs: BP 166/80, P 98 and irregular, R 24,
SPO2 86%. What should you suspect?
• A) Pneumonia
• B) Left-sided heart failure
• C) COPD exacerbation
, • D) Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (waking up feeling like drowning) and orthopnea (sleeping
with extra pillows) are classic signs of left-sided heart failure. Crackles and hypoxia are also consistent .
Question 3
A 32-year-old female was in a car crash. She complains of tearing pain in her back. Upon assessment, the
left radial pulse is stronger than the right radial pulse. What should you suspect?
• A) Myocardial infarction
• B) Aortic dissection
• C) Tension pneumothorax
• D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic dissection presents with sudden, severe tearing chest or back pain and can cause
differential blood pressures or pulses between arms. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring rapid
transport .
Question 4
A 58-year-old male complains of general weakness and tells you that he had severe chest pain and
shortness of breath the day before. You hear crackles at the bases of both lungs. His skin is pale, cool,
and clammy. Vital signs: BP 70/40, P 110 and weak, R 28. What should you suspect?
• A) Cardiogenic shock
• B) Hypovolemic shock
• C) Angina pectoris
• D) Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The history of chest pain followed by hypotension, crackles (pulmonary edema), and weak
pulses indicates cardiogenic shock—the heart is failing to pump adequately .
Question 5
A 53-year-old male complains of nausea and a headache. Which of the following statements is most
significant?
• A) "I have a family history of migraines."
, • B) "I just turned the furnace on last night."
• C) "I ate seafood for dinner."
• D) "I haven't slept well this week."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Turning on the furnace for the first time raises suspicion for carbon monoxide poisoning,
which presents with headache, nausea, and confusion .
Question 6
Which cardiac rhythm will an AED most likely prompt you to shock?
• A) Atrial fibrillation
• B) Asystole
• C) Pulseless electrical activity
• D) Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: AEDs are designed to shock shockable rhythms: ventricular fibrillation and pulseless
ventricular tachycardia. They will not shock asystole or PEA .
Question 7
A 67-year-old male with a history of asthma complains of chest tightness and shortness of breath. He
took one nitroglycerin tablet without relief. He is pale and sweaty with an SpO2 of 76%. What should
you do?
• A) Administer aspirin
• B) Administer oxygen by non-rebreather mask
• C) Assist with another nitroglycerin
• D) Position him supine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hypoxia (SpO2 76%) requires immediate high-flow oxygen. Nitroglycerin is not
indicated for asthma and may worsen hypotension .
Question 8
A 40-year-old patient with a history of coronary artery disease and recent mastectomy complains of
chest discomfort. Vital signs: P 120, R 22, BP 80/54. What should you suspect?
, • A) Anaphylactic shock
• B) Cardiogenic shock
• C) Neurogenic shock
• D) Septic shock
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The combination of chest pain, hypotension, and tachycardia in a patient with CAD history
suggests cardiogenic shock from myocardial infarction .
Question 9
What action does aspirin have in the body that makes it beneficial for patients experiencing an acute
myocardial infarction (AMI)?
• A) Dilates coronary arteries
• B) Prevents platelets from clotting
• C) Reduces heart rate
• D) Increases blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, preventing further clot formation at the site of coronary
artery occlusion. It does not dilate vessels .
Question 10
A 48-year-old male complains of difficulty breathing. His history reveals an acute myocardial infarction 8
months ago. Vital signs: BP 144/86, P 110, R 24. Auscultation reveals crackles in the lung bases. What
should you suspect?
• A) Pulmonary edema
• B) Pneumothorax
• C) Asthma exacerbation
• D) Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Crackles in the lung bases following an MI indicate pulmonary edema from left ventricular
failure .
100 Verified Questions & Correct Answers |
Graded A+
EXAM OVERVIEW
The FISDAP Readiness Exam 4 covers advanced emergency medical technician (EMT) concepts
including cardiology, medical emergencies, trauma, obstetrics, pediatrics, geriatrics, and EMS
operations. This guide includes questions and answers that reflect the actual difficulty and content of
the FISDAP exam .
SECTION 1: CARDIOLOGY & RESPIRATORY EMERGENCIES
Question 1
A 56-year-old male complains of increasing shortness of breath. He is confused, speaks in 2-word
sentences. He has JVD & pedal edema with a productive cough. Vital signs: BP 168/94, P 88 irregular, R
with crackles, SPO2 76%. What should you do?
• A) Administer aspirin
• B) Apply oxygen via non-rebreather mask
• C) Assist with nitroglycerin
• D) Position him supine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The patient is severely hypoxic (SPO2 76%) with signs of heart failure (JVD, pedal edema,
crackles). High-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask is the priority to correct hypoxia before further
interventions .
Question 2
A 70-year-old male complains of shortness of breath. He states, "I woke up and feel like I'm drowning."
He has been sleeping with extra pillows under his head. Vital signs: BP 166/80, P 98 and irregular, R 24,
SPO2 86%. What should you suspect?
• A) Pneumonia
• B) Left-sided heart failure
• C) COPD exacerbation
, • D) Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea (waking up feeling like drowning) and orthopnea (sleeping
with extra pillows) are classic signs of left-sided heart failure. Crackles and hypoxia are also consistent .
Question 3
A 32-year-old female was in a car crash. She complains of tearing pain in her back. Upon assessment, the
left radial pulse is stronger than the right radial pulse. What should you suspect?
• A) Myocardial infarction
• B) Aortic dissection
• C) Tension pneumothorax
• D) Pericarditis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aortic dissection presents with sudden, severe tearing chest or back pain and can cause
differential blood pressures or pulses between arms. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring rapid
transport .
Question 4
A 58-year-old male complains of general weakness and tells you that he had severe chest pain and
shortness of breath the day before. You hear crackles at the bases of both lungs. His skin is pale, cool,
and clammy. Vital signs: BP 70/40, P 110 and weak, R 28. What should you suspect?
• A) Cardiogenic shock
• B) Hypovolemic shock
• C) Angina pectoris
• D) Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The history of chest pain followed by hypotension, crackles (pulmonary edema), and weak
pulses indicates cardiogenic shock—the heart is failing to pump adequately .
Question 5
A 53-year-old male complains of nausea and a headache. Which of the following statements is most
significant?
• A) "I have a family history of migraines."
, • B) "I just turned the furnace on last night."
• C) "I ate seafood for dinner."
• D) "I haven't slept well this week."
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Turning on the furnace for the first time raises suspicion for carbon monoxide poisoning,
which presents with headache, nausea, and confusion .
Question 6
Which cardiac rhythm will an AED most likely prompt you to shock?
• A) Atrial fibrillation
• B) Asystole
• C) Pulseless electrical activity
• D) Ventricular tachycardia
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: AEDs are designed to shock shockable rhythms: ventricular fibrillation and pulseless
ventricular tachycardia. They will not shock asystole or PEA .
Question 7
A 67-year-old male with a history of asthma complains of chest tightness and shortness of breath. He
took one nitroglycerin tablet without relief. He is pale and sweaty with an SpO2 of 76%. What should
you do?
• A) Administer aspirin
• B) Administer oxygen by non-rebreather mask
• C) Assist with another nitroglycerin
• D) Position him supine
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Severe hypoxia (SpO2 76%) requires immediate high-flow oxygen. Nitroglycerin is not
indicated for asthma and may worsen hypotension .
Question 8
A 40-year-old patient with a history of coronary artery disease and recent mastectomy complains of
chest discomfort. Vital signs: P 120, R 22, BP 80/54. What should you suspect?
, • A) Anaphylactic shock
• B) Cardiogenic shock
• C) Neurogenic shock
• D) Septic shock
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The combination of chest pain, hypotension, and tachycardia in a patient with CAD history
suggests cardiogenic shock from myocardial infarction .
Question 9
What action does aspirin have in the body that makes it beneficial for patients experiencing an acute
myocardial infarction (AMI)?
• A) Dilates coronary arteries
• B) Prevents platelets from clotting
• C) Reduces heart rate
• D) Increases blood pressure
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Aspirin inhibits platelet aggregation, preventing further clot formation at the site of coronary
artery occlusion. It does not dilate vessels .
Question 10
A 48-year-old male complains of difficulty breathing. His history reveals an acute myocardial infarction 8
months ago. Vital signs: BP 144/86, P 110, R 24. Auscultation reveals crackles in the lung bases. What
should you suspect?
• A) Pulmonary edema
• B) Pneumothorax
• C) Asthma exacerbation
• D) Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Crackles in the lung bases following an MI indicate pulmonary edema from left ventricular
failure .
