EMT's who administer medication or assist patients in taking their prescribed meds according to protocols need to know about pharmacodynamics. An example of a result of understanding the pharmacodynamics of a specific medication is:

EMT's who administer medication or assist patients in taking their prescribed meds according to protocols need to know about pharmacodynamics. An example of a result of understanding the pharmacodynamics of a specific medication is:

A pediatric patients would normally require larger doses
B. geriatric patients have difficulty eliminating medications
C. heavier patients require ten times the normal dose
D. all of these




Answer: B

When a patient is administered tiny aerosol particles to treat a disease, such as asthma, this is considered the ___ route of administration.

When a patient is administered tiny aerosol particles to treat a disease, such as asthma, this is considered the ___ route of administration.

A. intravenous
B. sublingual
C. inhaled
D. oral

Answer: C

Your patient is taking a drug that was prescribed to help regulate his emotional activity, and to minimize the psychological and emotional peaks and valleys. These kinds of drugs are called:

Your patient is taking a drug that was prescribed to help regulate his emotional activity, and to minimize the psychological and emotional peaks and valleys. These kinds of drugs are called:

A. antidepressants
B. analgesics
C. antidysrhythmics
D. anticonvulsants

Answer: A

Your patient has had a seizure. You find on interviewing her after she wakes up that she has not been taking her medication this week. Drugs prescribed for prevention and control of seizures are called:

Your patient has had a seizure. You find on interviewing her after she wakes up that she has not been taking her medication this week. Drugs prescribed for prevention and control of seizures are called:

A. antiabetics
B. antuhypertensives
C. anticonvulsants
D. antipdepressants

Answer: C

Upon interviewing an asthmatic patient, you find that she is taking a medication for her disease. Drugs prescribed to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes are called:

Upon interviewing an asthmatic patient, you find that she is taking a medication for her disease. Drugs prescribed to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchial tubes are called:

A. bronchospasms
B. bronchodilators
C. anticonvulsants
D. bronchoconstrictors

Answer: B

Your patient tells you that she is taking a medication to control her irregular heartbeat. Drugs prescribed for heart rhythm disorders are called:

Your patient tells you that she is taking a medication to control her irregular heartbeat. Drugs prescribed for heart rhythm disorders are called:

A. antidiabetics
B. bronchodilators
C. antidysrhyhmics
D. anticonvulsants

Answer: C

Your history reveals that the suspected cardiac patient is also taking a medication to control his hypertension. Drugs prescribed to reduce high blood pressure are called:

Your history reveals that the suspected cardiac patient is also taking a medication to control his hypertension. Drugs prescribed to reduce high blood pressure are called:

A. antidysrythmics
B. analgesics
C. anticonvulsants
D. antihypertensives

Answer: D

You are treating a patient who is under a doctor's care for chronic pain and is taking medication for his condition. Drugs prescribed for pain relief are called:

You are treating a patient who is under a doctor's care for chronic pain and is taking medication for his condition. Drugs prescribed for pain relief are called:

A. antidysrhythmics
B. analgesics
C. anticonvulsants
D. antihypertensives

Answer: B

Part of the treatment to a seriously ill patient will involve administration of a drug. Prior to administering the medication, you must know all of the following except:

Part of the treatment to a seriously ill patient will involve administration of a drug. Prior to administering the medication, you must know all of the following except:

A. the route of administration
B. the proper dose to administer
C. the actions the medication will take
D. both the generic and chemical names

Answer: D

You are administering a medication for a specific purpose according to your treatment protocols. An action of a drug that is other than the desired action is called a:

You are administering a medication for a specific purpose according to your treatment protocols. An action of a drug that is other than the desired action is called a:

A. side effect
B. overdose
C. contraindication
D. systemic effect

Answer: A

Your patient tells you he is not supposed to take a specific medication when his blood pressure is low or he feels dizzy. A circumstance in which a drug should not be used because it may cause harm to the patient or offer no effect in improving the patient's condition or illness is called a:

Your patient tells you he is not supposed to take a specific medication when his blood pressure is low or he feels dizzy. A circumstance in which a drug should not be used because it may cause harm to the patient or offer no effect in improving the patient's condition or illness is called a:

A. indication
B. side effect
C. adverse reaction
D. contraindication

Answer: D

The name that the manufacturer uses in marketing a drug is called the ___ name:

The name that the manufacturer uses in marketing a drug is called the ___ name:

A. generic
B. trade
C. official
D. original

Answer: B

The comprehensive government publication listing all drugs in the United States is called the :

The comprehensive government publication listing all drugs in the United States is called the :

A. Physician's Desk Reference
B. Hazmat Guide
C. US Pharmacopoeia (USP)
D. National Medicine Guide




Answer: C

Your 62 year old patient has a history of cardiac problems and takes nitro. The drug nitroglycerin is used to ___ vessels.

Your 62 year old patient has a history of cardiac problems and takes nitro. The drug nitroglycerin is used to ___ vessels.

A. dilate the peripheral
B. constrict the peripheral
C. dilate the coronary
D. constrict the coronary

Answer: C

Your patient us a 52 year old female who states that she has a long history of asthma and chronic bronchitis. it would not be unusual for her to carry ____ in her purse.

Your patient us a 52 year old female who states that she has a long history of asthma and chronic bronchitis. it would not be unusual for her to carry ____ in her purse.

A. nitroglycerin
B. an epinephrine auto-injector
C. a bronchodilator
D. a bronchoconstrictor

Answer: C

As an important part of your history taking, you will determine if the patient is taking any specific medications. Examples of medications a patient may have in his or her possession and that the EMT may assist the patient in taking under the appropriate circumstances are:

As an important part of your history taking, you will determine if the patient is taking any specific medications. Examples of medications a patient may have in his or her possession and that the EMT may assist the patient in taking under the appropriate circumstances are:

A. glucose injections and anti convulsants
B. home oxygen, antihypertensives, and anti-inflammatories
C. epinephrine auto-injector, a bronchodilator inhaler, nitroglycerin, and aspirin
D. insulin, antihypertensives, and anticonvulsants

Answer: C

You are treating a patient who is a diabetic with an altered mental status. He has a gag reflex, so oral glucose is your treatment. This is given between the patient's cheek and gum using a tongue depressor because:

You are treating a patient who is a diabetic with an altered mental status. He has a gag reflex, so oral glucose is your treatment. This is given between the patient's cheek and gum using a tongue depressor because:

A. this method allows slow swallowing and absorption into the bloodstream
B. it will not be aspirated if the patient suddenly becomes unconscious
C. this area will cause the patient to regurgitate the stomach's content
D. it will assist in dilating the coronary vessels as much as possible.

Answer: A

Your patient is a teenager who's parent states, "she had not accepted her disease and is managing it poorly." Poorly managed diabetes can cause:

Your patient is a teenager who's parent states, "she had not accepted her disease and is managing it poorly." Poorly managed diabetes can cause:

A. hypoxia, or low oxygen
B. altered mental status
C. dilation of the coronary arteries
D. absorption of poisons

Answer: B

When might administration of aspirin be contraindicated?

When might administration of aspirin be contraindicated?

A. when there is no water available
B. if the patient has a history of GI bleeding
C. if the patient may be having a heart attack
D. all of these

Answer: B

Aspin is administered by the EMT in he field to:

Aspin is administered by the EMT in he field to:

A. treat headaches
B. dilate the coronary arteries
C. help prevent clot formation
D. eliminate the pain from a serious injury

Answer: C

Medications that are routinely carried on the EMT-level EMS unit are:

Medications that are routinely carried on the EMT-level EMS unit are:

A. aspirin, oral glucose and oxygen
B. oxygen and nitroglycerin
C. epinephrine and prescribed inhalers
D. all of these




Answer: A

The study of drugs, their solutions, and their effects is called:

The study of drugs, their solutions, and their effects is called:

A. anatomy
B. physiology
C. medicinology
D. pharmacology

Answer: D

You are an EMT treating a patient who has developed a rash and urticaria on her chest and face. If you were to begin treating this patient as a victim of a severe allergic reactions rather than questioning her about previous development of a similar rash, you would be exhibiting an example of:

You are an EMT treating a patient who has developed a rash and urticaria on her chest and face. If you were to begin treating this patient as a victim of a severe allergic reactions rather than questioning her about previous development of a similar rash, you would be exhibiting an example of:

A. an availability bias
B. an illusionary correlation
C. having overconfidence in your judgement
D. an appropriate shortcut to take

Answer: B

The EMT who wants to think like a highly experienced physician tries to do each of the following techniques except:

The EMT who wants to think like a highly experienced physician tries to do each of the following techniques except:

A. organize data in her or his head
B. reflect on what he or she has learned
C. realize that no one strategy works for everything
D. try not to learn from others

Answer: D

If you are an EMT who wants to think like a highly experienced physician in your assessment of patients, you should try to:

If you are an EMT who wants to think like a highly experienced physician in your assessment of patients, you should try to:

A. learn to hate ambiguity
B. utilize a single strategy in all cases
C. understand the limitations of technology and people
D. reflect on what others have learned

Answer: C

You are treating a patient who was found on the floor in the nursing home. It seems evident that he has a fractured hip as he lies on the floor in pain. If you stop the search for diagnosis as soon as you come up with the cause of today's problem, this can lead to:

You are treating a patient who was found on the floor in the nursing home. It seems evident that he has a fractured hip as he lies on the floor in pain. If you stop the search for diagnosis as soon as you come up with the cause of today's problem, this can lead to:

A. missing out on the secondary diagnosis
B. overconfidence and misdiagnosis
C. overestimating the frequency of the problem
D. all of these

Answer: A

The EMT should be skeptical about on condition being the actual cause of another condition a patient presents with. Drawing conclusions about the cause of a diagnosis can lead to a(n):

The EMT should be skeptical about on condition being the actual cause of another condition a patient presents with. Drawing conclusions about the cause of a diagnosis can lead to a(n):

A. anchoring adjustment
B. illusory correlation
C. search satisfying bias
D. availability bias



Answer: B

An EMT recently had a patient with heat stroke. The next time he or she has a patient in a warm environment, the EMT is more likely to think of this as the diagnosis as opposed to more common problems, such as dehydration. This bias is referred to as:

An EMT recently had a patient with heat stroke. The next time he or she has a patient in a warm environment, the EMT is more likely to think of this as the diagnosis as opposed to more common problems, such as dehydration. This bias is referred to as:

A. overconfidence
B. illusory correlation
C. confirmation
D. availability

Answer: D

When a patient does not fit the classic pattern, such as a cardiac patient without crushing chest pain, the EMT has to be careful not to make a(n) ___ error or bias.

When a patient does not fit the classic pattern, such as a cardiac patient without crushing chest pain, the EMT has to be careful not to make a(n) ___ error or bias.

A. confirmation
B. representativeness
C. overconfidence
D. availability

Answer: B

When a clinician is specifically looking for evidence that supports the diagnosis he or she already has in mind, he or she is committing a(n) _____ bias.

When a clinician is specifically looking for evidence that supports the diagnosis he or she already has in mind, he or she is committing a(n) _____ bias.

A. anchoring
B. confirming
C. satisfying
D. illusionary

Answer: B

Each of the following are considered common heuristics or biases except:

Each of the following are considered common heuristics or biases except:

A. illusory correlation
B. availability
C. representativeness
D. underconfidence

Answer: D

The traditional approach to diagnosis involves:

The traditional approach to diagnosis involves:

A. narrowing down a long list
B. jumping to conclusions
C. taking lots of shortcuts
D. eliminating similar conditions

Answer: A

When a highly experienced physician comes to a diagnosis, he or she most likely used:

When a highly experienced physician comes to a diagnosis, he or she most likely used:

A. heuristics
B. pattern recognition
C. shortcuts
D. all of these

Answer: D

The signs or symptoms that suggest the possibility of a particular problem that is very serious is referred to as a(n):

The signs or symptoms that suggest the possibility of a particular problem that is very serious is referred to as a(n):

A. red flag
B. black triage tag
C. unstable situation
D. none of these

Answer: A

When a clinician draws up a list of conditions that may be the cause of the patient's condition today, this is referred to as the:

When a clinician draws up a list of conditions that may be the cause of the patient's condition today, this is referred to as the:

A. admission diagnosis
B. presenting problem
C. differential diagnosis
D. assessment finding

Answer: C

The basic approach that clinicians use to arrive at a diagnosis includes each of the following except:

The basic approach that clinicians use to arrive at a diagnosis includes each of the following except:

A. gather information
B. administer many lab tests
C. consider the possibilities
D. reach a conclusion

Answer: B

The analytical process that assists the EMT in reaching a field diagnosis is referred to as:

The analytical process that assists the EMT in reaching a field diagnosis is referred to as:

A. active assessment
B. passive assessment
C. critical thinking
D. detailed assessment




Answer: C

The term used to describe the conclusion that an EMT makes about a patient's condition after assessing that patient is called the:

The term used to describe the conclusion that an EMT makes about a patient's condition after assessing that patient is called the:

A. presumptive diagnosis
B. EMT diagnosis
C. EMS diagnosis
D. all of these are correct

Answer: D

Of the following, which is an example of a patient who requires reassessment of your interventions en route to the hospital?

Of the following, which is an example of a patient who requires reassessment of your interventions en route to the hospital?

A. a patient with a minor respiratory complaint
B. a patient who had multiple fractures and to which you applied splints
C. a patient whose airway you have spent the entire call attempting to clear
D. a patient who was stable and had minor injuries

Answer: B

During your reassessment of an unresponsive 45 year old female patient whom you are treating for a suspected stroke. You hear gurgling airway sounds. What intervention is the most appropriate for you to take?

During your reassessment of an unresponsive 45 year old female patient whom you are treating for a suspected stroke. You hear gurgling airway sounds. What intervention is the most appropriate for you to take?

A. sit the patient up
B. suction the patient
C. check the oxygen tubing
D. all of these are most appropriate

Answer: B

You are treating a 22 year old female who has a chief complaint of back pain from a fall. You should repeat the reassessment en route to the hospital:

You are treating a 22 year old female who has a chief complaint of back pain from a fall. You should repeat the reassessment en route to the hospital:

A. after you have noticed and documented trends.
B. whenever you or your partner has the time and opportunity to do so.
C. whenever you believe there may have been a change in the patient's condition.
D. when directed to do so by medical direction.

Answer: C

You are treating a 22 year old male patient who sustained a closed head injury when he was thrown off his bike. He is breathing adequately yet is confused about the day of the week and his location. The recommended interval for reassessment is every ___ minutes because this patient's status is ____.

You are treating a 22 year old male patient who sustained a closed head injury when he was thrown off his bike. He is breathing adequately yet is confused about the day of the week and his location. The recommended interval for reassessment is every ___ minutes because this patient's status is ____.

A. 5; unstable
B. 15; stable
C. 10; unstable
D. 20; stable

Answer: A

You are treating a patient who fell and sustained a laceration to his right arm. The bleeding is controlled and there are no other injuries. If the patient has normal vital signs, you would consider his condition to be ___ and the recommended interval for reassessment is every ___ minutes.

You are treating a patient who fell and sustained a laceration to his right arm. The bleeding is controlled and there are no other injuries. If the patient has normal vital signs, you would consider his condition to be ___ and the recommended interval for reassessment is every ___ minutes.

A. stable; 5
B. stable; 15
C. unstable; 10
D. unstable; 20

Answer: B

You are treating a 37 year old male patient who has chief complaint of breathing difficulty. The best way to determine if the patient is improving or deteriorating en route to the hospital is to:

You are treating a 37 year old male patient who has chief complaint of breathing difficulty. The best way to determine if the patient is improving or deteriorating en route to the hospital is to:

A. ask the hospital what needs to be done next
B. contact medical direction by radio
C. do frequent reassessments of the patient
D. keep repeating the primary assessment

Answer: C

Your patient is a 15 year old male who fell off his bike and struck his head. Frequently reassessing this patient establishes _____, which is (are) ____ for quality patient care.

Your patient is a 15 year old male who fell off his bike and struck his head. Frequently reassessing this patient establishes _____, which is (are) ____ for quality patient care.

A. a paper trail; helpful
B. trends; essential
C. legal evidence; required
D. a reason for treatment; needed

Answer: B

An example of checking interventions during the reassessment of a medical patient is:

An example of checking interventions during the reassessment of a medical patient is:

A. taking an initial blood pressure
B. ensuring adequacy of oxygen delivery
C. applying a tourniquet
D. bandaging a severe laceration

Answer: B

The mental status of an unresponsive child or infant can be checked by:

The mental status of an unresponsive child or infant can be checked by:

A. a sternal rub
B. assessing the capillaries for refill
C. shouting or by flicking the feet
D. asking the parent to stick a pin in the child's foot

Answer: C

During your reassessment of a 22 year old female who is complaining of abdominal cramps, you note that her pulse is rapid and her skin is cool, pale, and clammy. This may indicate:

During your reassessment of a 22 year old female who is complaining of abdominal cramps, you note that her pulse is rapid and her skin is cool, pale, and clammy. This may indicate:

A. deterioration in mental status
B. an occluded airway
C. heat exhaustion
D. the onset of shock

Answer: D

In route to the hospital, you will be reassessing your 25 year old male patient, who sustained a rib fracture. Which of the following is not a step you should do when repeating the reassessment?

In route to the hospital, you will be reassessing your 25 year old male patient, who sustained a rib fracture. Which of the following is not a step you should do when repeating the reassessment?

A. reestablish patient priorities
B. monitor skin color, temperature, and condition
C. maintain an open airway
D. apply a cervical collar

Answer: D

You have just conducted the reassessment of a 35 year old male patient who was struck by a vehicle. Which of the following is the last step in the reassessment?

You have just conducted the reassessment of a 35 year old male patient who was struck by a vehicle. Which of the following is the last step in the reassessment?

A. Reassess the vital signs
B. Check interventions
C. Repeat the primary assessment
D. Repeat the focused assessment

Answer: B

You are treating a 5 year old male who sustained multiple injuries in a fall. En route to the hospital, you will be conducting a reassessment, which includes all the following steps except:

You are treating a 5 year old male who sustained multiple injuries in a fall. En route to the hospital, you will be conducting a reassessment, which includes all the following steps except:

A. reassess vital signs
B. repeat the primary assessment for life threats
C. repeat the focused assessment
D. repeat all interventions

Answer: D

Your patient is a young child who was suddenly injured. During the reassessment of a child, the EMT should do which of the following and why?

Your patient is a young child who was suddenly injured. During the reassessment of a child, the EMT should do which of the following and why?

A. be sure to avoid eye contact at all times because it will scare the child
B. try to stand above the patient so he can look up at you and see you at all times
C. speak in a loud voice so the patient can hear every one your instructions
D. use a reassuring voice to help calm the patient

Answer: D

Reassessment is done on all patients. In a few instances, the reassessment may be omitted. This is appropriate only if:

Reassessment is done on all patients. In a few instances, the reassessment may be omitted. This is appropriate only if:

A. the PCR is not completed.
B. you do not want to interrupt patient conversation
C. life-saving interventions prevent doing it
D. a short transport time prevents completion

Answer: C

You will need to conduct a reassessment on each of your patients. Which one of the following statements is most accurate for describing the purpose of performing the reassessment?

You will need to conduct a reassessment on each of your patients. Which one of the following statements is most accurate for describing the purpose of performing the reassessment?

A. to stabilize the patient's condition or to treat any life threats
B. to detect and treat life threats and to evaluate the EMS system's effectiveness
C. to evaluate the EMS systems effectiveness and to detect changes in patient condition
D. to repeat key elements of assessment procedures already performed in order to detect changes in patient condition

Answer: D