question

Why should EMTs study pharmacology?

answer

As an EMT, you will be trusted to administer medications in emergency situations; many of these may be lifesaving, but there is potential to do harm.

question

Which of the following is a complete list of the medications an EMT can assist the patient in taking or administer under the direction of the Medical Director?

answer

Aspirin, oral glucose, oxygen, prescribed bronchodilator inhalers, nitroglycerin, and epinephrine auto-injectors

question

Why do EMTs give aspirin to the patient on the ambulance?

answer

Aspirin reduces the blood's ability to clot and works to prevent clot formation in patients suffering chest pain.

question

What condition must be present before you give oral glucose?

answer

The patient must be conscious and able to swallow with an altered mental status and history of diabetes.

question

What medication is given when a patient suffers from a medical or traumatic condition called hypoxia?

answer

Oxygen

question

Which of the following statements is true concerning oxygen?

answer

Never withhold oxygen to any patient who needs it.

question

Nitroglycerin is indicated for which of the following chief complaints?

answer

Chest pain

question

Which of the following is a potential side effect of nitroglycerin?

answer

Decreased blood pressure

question

Which of the following is often prescribed for a patient with a heart condition?

answer

Nitroglycerin

question

Epinephrine delivered by auto-injector may be indicated for patients with which of the following conditions?

answer

Severe allergies to peanut, shellfish, penicillin, or bee stings

question

Which of the following is a desired action of epinephrine delivered by auto-injector?

answer

Constriction of blood vessels

question

Which of the following BEST describes a contraindication to a medication?

answer

A reason why you should avoid giving a medication to a patient

question

A drug's form refers to which of the following?

answer

Its physical state, such as powder, liquid, or gas

question

Which of the following describes the sublingual route of medication administration?

answer

The medication is placed under the tongue

question

Your patient is a 59-year-old woman with a history of emphysema. Per protocol, you have assisted the patient in using her medication inhaler. Which of the following must be documented?

answer

The patient's response to the medication

question

As a powder, which is premixed with water

answer

How is activated charcoal, which is carried by some EMS systems, supplied for use in emergency situations?

question

How is activated charcoal, which is carried by some EMS systems, supplied for use in emergency situations?

answer

As a powder, which is premixed with water

question

You have just administered nitroglycerin to a 68-year-old patient. Within a few minutes, she complains of feeling faint and lightheaded, but states that she is still having some chest pain. Which of the following would be the BEST sequence of actions?

answer

Lower the head of the stretcher and take the patient's blood pressure.

question

You respond to a medical call for a 59-year-old female complaining of tightness in her chest. You place her on a high concentration of oxygen and prepare for a short 5-minute transport to the hospital. The patient tells you she is on nitroglycerin, which she has not taken. Your partner tells you that you can give aspirin per protocol. Should you delay the patient transport to give the medication and why?

answer

Yes, the nitroglycerin will cause the blood vessels to dilate and restore some blood flow, and the aspirin will slow the clotting process.

question

Which of the following instructions should you give to a patient whom you are about to assist with administering epinephrine?

answer

I am going to inject medication into your thigh. .

question

Bronchodilator inhalers have several common side effects, which include:

answer

jitteriness and increased heart rate.

question

What is the first step in giving aerosol medications?

answer

Determine that the inhaler actually belongs to the patient.

question

Nitroglycerin (Nitro) is used for patients with recurrent chest pain or a history of heart attack. Nitro is supplied in what two ways?

answer

Pills and spray

question

What are the actions of nitroglycerin on the human body?

answer

It causes the dilation of coronary blood vessels that supply the heart muscle

question

A serious negative interaction for giving Nitrostat is a drug interaction with what medications?

answer

Viagra, Levitra, or medication for erectile dysfunction

question

Name the type of medical direction consisting of standing orders and protocols.

answer

Off-line

question

It will help constrict the patient's blood vessels and relax the airway passages.

answer

What is the indication for giving an epinephrine auto-injector in a life-threatening allergic reaction?

question

What are the names given to each medication listed in the U.S. Pharmacopoeia?

answer

Trade, chemical, and generic

question

The symptoms or circumstances for which a medication is given are called:

answer

indications.

question

When you give patients nitroglycerin, they sometimes develop a headache. This would be called a:

answer

untoward effect.

question

You are called to the school where a 16-year-old female has trouble breathing from a possible allergic reaction. You arrive and find the patient wheezing, with cool clammy skin, and holding an epinephrine auto-injector. After you assess the patient and contact medical control, you are advised to give the medication. When you give the patient the epinephrine auto-injector she develops symptoms of anxiety: dizziness, headache, nausea, nervousness, paleness, sweating, tremors, vomiting, and weakness. These symptoms are considered:

answer

side effects

question

The epinephrine auto-injector is given via the _______________ route.

answer

parenteral

question

Nitroglycerin is given via the _______________ route.

answer

sublingual

question

Which of the following BEST describes the five rights?

answer

Right patient, right medication, right time, right dose, right route

question

The study of the effects of medications on the body in relation to age and weight is called:

answer

pharmacodynamics

question

The EMT, after administering any medication, must do which of the following?

answer

Document the administration, reassess the patient, and report to the receiving facility.

question

Which of the following signs of inadequate breathing is more prominent in children than in adults?

answer

See-sawing of the chest and abdomen, Grunting respirations, Nasal flaring

question

Which of the following does NOT occur during inspiration?

answer

Diaphragm relaxes

question

Which of the following is TRUE concerning expiration?

answer

The diaphragm moves upward.

question

Which of the following respiratory rates is considered an abnormal respiratory rate for an adult?

answer

8 breaths/min

question

Which of the following respiratory rates should be cause for alarm in a 2-month-old child?

answer

16 breaths/min

question

Which of the following BEST defines inadequate breathing?

answer

Breathing that is insufficient to sustain life

question

You are first on the scene of a 61-year-old female in need of assistance with her respirations. You have a pocket mask with supplemental oxygen. How can you determine that your artificial ventilation is effective?

answer

You assure oxygen is being delivered at 15 liters per minute.

question

Your patient is a 24-year-old woman with asthma who is struggling to breathe and is very agitated. She has cyanosis of her lips and nail beds, and is cool and clammy to the touch. When you attempt to assist her ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device, she becomes combative and repeatedly pushes the mask away from her face. Which of the following is the BEST option?

answer

Begin transport immediately and contact medical control for advice.

question

Your patient is a 15-year-old male with a history of multiple prior hospitalizations for asthma. Upon your arrival the patient responds only to painful stimuli and is making very weak respiratory effort. Which of the following should you do next?

answer

Assist the patient's ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device and supplemental oxygen.

question

Which of the following is a sign of adequate artificial ventilations in a pediatric patient?

answer

Pulse rate increases.

question

When ventilating a child with inadequate respirations, which of the following is the maximum rate at which artificial respirations should be delivered?

answer

20 per minute

question

You are ventilating a 6-year-old child and note that his heart rate has decreased from 70 to 54. Which of the following is NOT appropriate?

answer

Notify medical control that the patient's condition has improved.

question

Your patient is a 6-year-old male who appears very anxious, is using increased effort during expiration, and has a fever. He is wheezing and has a respiratory rate of 34. The patient's skin is very warm and dry. He does not have any cyanosis. The child is drooling and his mother states that he complained of a sore throat and pain on swallowing earlier in the afternoon. Which of the following conditions is most likely causing the patient's distress?

answer

Epiglottitis

question

Which of the following is NOT a sign of difficulty breathing?

answer

Curling up in the fetal position

question

Your patient is a 30-year-old female who may have overdosed on antidepressant medications. On your arrival, she is lying supine on her bed with her head on a pillow. She is unresponsive to painful stimuli and is snoring. She appears to be pale and her skin is cool and clammy. What should you do first?

answer

Remove the patient's pillow.

question

Which of the following patients with difficulty breathing should NOT receive supplemental oxygen?

answer

None of these patients should have oxygen withheld

question

What is the primary effect on the body when an EMT assists a patient with a prescribed inhaler if the patient is short of breath?

answer

Relaxation of the bronchioles

question

Which of the following is proper when assisting a patient with the use of a prescribed inhaler?

answer

Have the patient hold the inhaled medication in his lungs as long as possible

question

In which of the following circumstances is medical control necessary when assisting a patient with the use of a prescribed inhaler?

answer

Medical control is necessary in all situations in which an EMT assists with a prescribed inhaler.

question

When you hear wheezes while auscultating your patient's breath sounds, which of the following is most likely the cause?

answer

The lower air passages in the lungs are narrowed.

question

Which of the following inhalers would NOT be used to reverse an asthma attack?

answer

Beclomethasone

question

Which of the following is the primary cause of COPD?

answer

Cigarette smoking

question

Which of the following is a possible side effect of a prescribed inhaler for respiratory problems?

answer

Tremors

question

Which of the following devices is used by patients with respiratory problems to assist with the delivery of medication from an inhaler to the lungs?

answer

An AeroChamber

question

Which of the following is a benefit of using small-volume nebulizers for the treatment of respiratory problems?

answer

They allow greater exposure of the patient's lungs to the medication.

question

A patient who has shallow, slow, irregular gasping breaths is said to have ________ respirations.

answer

agonal

question

Which of the following may be seen just prior to respiratory arrest?

answer

Agonal respirations

question

Which of the following observations indicate that your patient may have overused his prescription inhaler?

answer

Nervousness

question

Which of the following is a prescribed medication used in an inhaled form for the emergency treatment of respiratory problems?

answer

Albuterol

question

Which of the following sounds may be heard in lower respiratory obstruction?

answer

Wheezing

question

Which of the following is the most proper dose of inhaled medication the EMT can assist the patient with administering?

answer

The number of sprays directed by medical control

question

After the administration of a prescribed inhaler, which of the following should the EMT NOT reassess?

answer

Pupillary size and reaction

question

Which of the following medications is indicated in the treatment of a 52-year-old male with difficulty breathing and a history of emphysema?

answer

Proventil

question

When should the EMT most likely expect to hear wheezes in a patient complaining of shortness of breath secondary to an asthma attack?

answer

While breathing out

question

Which breath sound is the EMT most likely to hear when caring for an adult male with a partial airway obstruction that occurred while eating steak?

answer

Stridor

question

While assessing the airway of a pediatric patient, you will notice that it is different than that of an adult. Which of the following is one of those differences?

answer

The trachea is smaller, softer, and more flexible, allowing it to be more easily obstructed.

question

Contraindications for the use of Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) include which of the following?

answer

History of pulmonary fibrosis

question

You are treating a 68-year-old female with difficulty breathing and you want to apply CPAP. How many centimeters of water would you start your treatment with?

answer

Follow local protocol

question

When the lung collapses without injury or any other cause, it is called which of the following?

answer

Spontaneous pneumothorax

question

Which of the following heart chambers pumps oxygenated blood to the body?

answer

Left ventricle

question

Which of the following would be the result of an obstruction in a branch of the pulmonary artery?

answer

Blood is not pumped to the lungs

question

Which of the following is the way in which the heart muscle receives oxygen?

answer

Blood from the aorta enters the coronary arteries.

question

Which of the following is the general term used to refer to a problem with the heart?

answer

Cardiac compromise

question

Which of the following BEST describes a fluttering sensation in the chest?

answer

Palpitations

question

Your patient is a 49-year-old male with a history of heart problems. Assuming he has a bottle of nitroglycerin tablets with him, under which of the following circumstances could you administer the nitroglycerin to the patient?

answer

The patient complains of chest pain and has a blood pressure of 132/90 mmHg

question

Assuming your protocol allows the administration of nitroglycerin when certain conditions exist, what is the maximum number of tablets to be administered in the prehospital setting?

answer

3 doses

question

In which of the following situations would the administration of aspirin to a cardiac patient be prohibited?

answer

The patient has a history of asthma.

question

Which of the following is the name of the condition in which fatty deposits form in the inner lining of the arteries?

answer

Coronary artery disease

question

A weakened area of an artery that balloons out and may rupture, causing catastrophic bleeding, is called

answer

aneurysm.

question

Which of the following cardiac dysrhythmias cannot produce a pulse?

answer

Ventricular fibrillation

question

Which of the following is the beneficial action of nitroglycerin in some cardiac emergencies?

answer

It dilates blood vessels throughout the body.

question

Which of the following is the result of a portion of the heart muscle dying due to a lack of oxygen?

answer

Myocardial infarction

question

Which of the following is the name given to the condition in which fluid accumulates in the lungs?

answer

Pulmonary edema

question

Which of the following statements concerning heart attacks and cardiac arrest is NOT true?

answer

The most common initial rhythm in sudden cardiac death is asystole.

question

Which of the following statements regarding the administration of nitroglycerin tablets is true?

answer

The patient may complain of a headache following administration

question

Which of the following statements regarding angina pectoris is true?

answer

It can be brought on by exertion or stress.

question

Which of the following is the beneficial action of a beta blocker medication?

answer

Slows the heart rate

question

Which of the following is NOT a typical indication of congestive heart failure?

answer

Low blood pressure

question

Your patient is a 44-year-old female who has collapsed while jogging. She has been unresponsive for 4 to 5 minutes by the time you arrive. Her husband appears to be performing high-quality CPR. Which of the following should be your first action?

answer

Apply the AED.

question

Your patient is a 60-year-old male who is complaining of severe chest pain and difficulty breathing. He is pale, sweaty, and pleads with you, "Don't let me die, I think I'm going to die." Which of the following measures is NOT part of your initial treatment of this patient?

answer

Applying the defibrillator pads to his chest

question

Which of the following BEST describes the EMT's intended role in the ideal provision of emergency cardiac care?

answer

Early defibrillation

question

Your patient is a 59-year-old man who has collapsed while working in the yard. He has been unresponsive for 4 to 5 minutes by the time you arrive. His neighbor is attempting CPR, but the quality is questionable. Which of the following should be your first action?

answer

Ask the neighbor to stop CPR so you can check the patient's pulse

question

Which of the following should NOT be done during defibrillation?

answer

Continued ventilation during the analysis phase to prevent hypoxia

question

Defibrillation is indicated for which of the following situations?

answer

Pulseless ventricular tachycardia

question

Which of the following is NOT a reason that an AED may indicate that there is "no shock advised"?

answer

The patient is in ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia

question

Which of the following is NOT a role of the EMT in providing emergency cardiac care?

answer

Administration of epinephrine

question

Which of the following patients should have an automated external defibrillator applied?

answer

A 19-year-old college athlete who collapsed during football practice and is pulseless and apneic

question

In which of the following ways does cardiac arrest in children differ from cardiac arrest in adults?

answer

Cardiac arrest in children is more likely to be due to respiratory failure

question

When using an AED, which of the following people is responsible for calling to "clear" the patient before delivering a shock?

answer

The EMT operating the defibrillator

question

Which of the following is the basis for applying an AED only to patients who are not breathing and who do NOT have a pulse?

answer

Defibrillators recognize ventricular tachycardia, which may be accompanied by a pulse.

question

Which of the following BEST describes an appropriate shock sequence for the patient in pulseless VT?

answer

Shock, 2 minutes of CPR, analyze, shock again

question

You are transporting a 50-year-old male patient whom you successfully defibrillated at the scene. You are 5 minutes away from the hospital when the patient goes back into cardiac arrest. Which of the following is the best course of action?

answer

Tell the driver to stop, analyze the cardiac rhythm, and deliver a shock as necessary.

question

You are the first on the scene of a 72-year-old patient in cardiac arrest. You have your medical supply kit, oxygen, and an AED. At least 4 to 5 minutes of high-quality CPR has been provided by the police officer who arrived before you. You have confirmed an open airway, apnea, and pulselessness. Which of the following should you do next?

answer

Apply the defibrillator pads and shock as indicated.

question

Your patient is a 66-year-old female who has regained a pulse after a shock with an AED; however, she remains unresponsive and is not breathing adequately. Which of the following should be done next?

answer

Assist ventilations with a bag-valve-mask device and supplemental oxygen and anticipate that the patient may go back into cardiac arrest.

question

Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of a continuous quality improvement program for AED?

answer

Improving patient outcomes in the community

question

Which of the following is an action of insulin?

answer

It increases the movement of sugar from the bloodstream to the cell.

question

For the reticular activating system to work correctly, what three substances are needed?

answer

Oxygen to perfuse brain tissue, glucose to nourish brain tissue, and water to keep the brain hydrated

question

Which of the following may result in hypoglycemia in the diabetic patient?

answer

Vomiting after eating a meal

question

During your primary assessment you find your patient has an altered mental status. This could indicate which of the following?

answer

Failing respiratory system

question

Your patient is a 25-year-old female with a history of diabetes. She is confused, agitated, and verbally abusive to you, and she is very sweaty. Although she refuses to give a history of the present illness, you should suspect which of the following as the likely cause of the patient's presentation?

answer

Failure to intake sufficient sugar

question

Your patient is a 44-year-old male with a history of diabetes. He is lying on the living room floor, unresponsive to all stimuli. He has a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute, heart rate of 112 beats per minute, and is pale and sweaty. Which of the following should you do to treat this patient?

answer

Place the patient in the recovery position, administer oxygen, and monitor his airway status.

question

Which of the following blood glucose levels is considered normal for an adult?

answer

80 mg/dL

question

A 14-year-old female is found unconscious in the bathroom just before lunch. Several girls say they saw her shoot up earlier in the day and the school resource officer has found a syringe in her backpack. The patient has cool and clammy skin, snoring respirations, and she vomited before she slumped to the floor. What might be the cause of her altered mental status?

answer

Hypoglycemia

question

What is epilepsy?

answer

A condition in which a person has multiple seizures usually controlled by medication.

question

There are two types of seizures; if your patient is having a seizure that affects only one body part and does not cause her to lose consciousness, it is called a:

answer

partial seizure.

question

Your patient is a 19-year-old female who is 7 months pregnant. She has just experienced a seizure, although she has no previous history of seizures other than hypertension associated with the pregnancy. Which of the following is the most likely cause of the seizure?

answer

Eclampsia

question

Your patient is waking up from a seizure; it was the patient's first seizure ever. When you ask what happened, the patient tells you she had the smell of fresh mown grass just before she seized. We call this sensation a(n):

answer

aura.

question

Which of the following is the LEAST important question in obtaining the history of a seizure patient in the prehospital setting?

answer

Does the patient have a family history of seizures?

question

You respond to a 32-year-old female who is having a seizure. You arrive on the scene to find the patient drowsy, confused, and complaining of a headache. This patient is demonstrating the

answer

postictal phase.

question

Your patient is a 21-year-old female with a history of epilepsy. She is having a convulsion upon your arrival. Which of the following should you do?

answer

Move furniture and other objects away from the patient to prevent injury

question

The death of brain tissue due to deprivation of oxygen because of a blocked or ruptured artery in the brain is known as which of the following?

answer

Stroke

question

Which of the following is the cause of most strokes?

answer

Blockage of an artery supplying part of the brain

question

Which of the following is one of the most common characteristics of a stroke?

answer

Weakness on one side of the body

question

Which of the following refers to difficulty in speaking or understanding speech as a result of a stroke?

answer

Aphasia

question

Your patient is a 70-year-old man whose wife called EMS because her husband began exhibiting unusual behavior. Upon your arrival you introduce yourself to the patient, who responds, "Not until nine o'clock." This phenomenon is BEST described as:

answer

receptive aphasia

question

You have arrived on the scene of a call for a possible stroke. On your arrival, the patient denies signs and symptoms, is alert and oriented, and moves all extremities well. Her husband states that before you arrived the patient could not move her right arm and the left side of her face seemed to be "slack." Which of the following has most likely occurred?

answer

The patient suffered a transient ischemic attack.

question

The signs and symptoms of a transient ischemic attack may last up to:

answer

24 hours.

question

Which of the following is NOT a common sign or symptom of stroke?

answer

Chest pain

question

Your patient is a 59-year-old female with a sudden onset of slurred speech and weakness on her right side. Which of the following measures is appropriate?

answer

Immediately transport the patient to a hospital with specialized treatment for stroke patients.

question

Your patient is an unresponsive 30-year-old male wearing a Medic-Alert bracelet indicating that he is a diabetic. The patient's coworkers came by his house to check on him when he did not show up for work and did not call in sick. Your assessment does not clearly indicate to you whether the patient may be hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic. As you are completing your assessment, the patient's sister arrives at the scene. Which of the following should you do next?

answer

Apply oxygen and begin transport without taking further action.

question

Which of the following is the correct position of transport for a stroke patient with left-sided paralysis, a decreased level of consciousness, and an inability to maintain his or her airway?

answer

Lying on the left side

question

Which of the following is characteristic of a patient with hyperglycemia?

answer

Flushed, hot, dry skin and a "fruity" odor of the breath

question

For the EMT, which of the following is the most important question to ask of a diabetic patient or his family members?

answer

When was the last time you had something to eat?

question

Which of the following is within the EMT's scope of practice for the treatment of the diabetic patient?

answer

Administration of oral glucose

question

A patient who demonstrates any one of the three symptoms from the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale has a ______ percent chance of having an acute stroke.

answer

70

question

Which of the following is the most critical piece of equipment to have immediately available for the seizure patient who has just stopped convulsing?

answer

Suction

question

What are the three items that make up the Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale?

answer

Ask the patient to smile, hold his arms straight out in front of him with his eyes closed, and ask him to say a sentence to see if it is clear.

question

With advances in clot-busting (thrombolytic) drugs, the patient has a window of _______ hours to receive treatment.

answer

3

question

The medical term for fainting is:

answer

syncope.

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