EMS Exam 2 Questions

The posterior part of the mouth is called the:

A. oropharynx.
B. nasopharynx.
C. trachea.
D. none of the above.

Parts of the body used in breathing include the:

A. oropharynx and nasopharynx.
B. lungs and diaphragm.
C. trachea.
D. all of the above.

The first step in assessing a patient's airway is to:

A. place the patient on his or her back.
B. look and listen for signs of breathing.
C. check for responsiveness.
D. use the head tilt-chin lift technique.

A mechanical suction device:

A. should be used continuously until the patient arrives at a medical facility.
B. can be used with a rigid suction tip or a flexible whistle-tip catheter.
C. is used in the same way for all nonbreathing patients.
D. all of the above.

If an unconscious patient is breathing, the recovery position can be used to keep the airway open:

A. if the patient has not suffered trauma.
B. by allowing secretions to drain out of the mouth.
C. because gravity will help keep the patient's tongue and lower jaw from blocking the airway.
D. all of the above.

Signs of inadequate breathing include:

A. wheezing or gurgling.
B. pale or blue skin, especially around the lips or fingernail beds.
C. a lack of chest movement and lack of breath sounds.
D. all of the above.

Partial or complete obstruction of the respiratory passages:

A. may be caused by food, vomitus, or objects.
B. will not cause unconsciousness.
C. is called the Heimlich maneuver.
D. all of the above.

If it has been determined that a patient's airway is partially obstructed, the patient should be instructed not to cough.

TRUE
FALSE
True False

Airway obstruction in a conscious infant may require a combination of back slaps and chest thrusts. 

TRUE
FALSE
True False

If a patient is wheezing and has blue lips, medical personnel should begin rescue breathing. 

TRUE
FALSE
True False

Which of the following statements regarding the airway of infants and children is FALSE?

A. Children and infants have smaller lungs than adults.
B. In children and infants, the tongue is proportionately larger than in adults.
C. The trachea of infants and children is more rigid than that of an adult.
D. The structures of the respiratory system in children and infants are smaller than they are in adults.

The jaw-thrust maneuver should be used to open the airway of all nonbreathing patients. 

TRUE 
FALSE
True False

To determine the proper size oral airway, measure from the patient's:

A. nose to the chin.
B. earlobe to the tip of the nose.
C. earlobe to the corner of the mouth.
D. chin to the ear.

An oral airway should be inserted upside down and then rotated 180 degrees.

TRUE
FALSE
True False

In an unconscious patient, a blocked airway is most likely caused by:

A. a foreign object.
B. the epiglottis.
C. the larynx.
D. the tongue.

The first step in correcting a blocked airway is to:

A. attempt to give rescue breaths.
B. position the head properly.
C. shake the patient to determine responsiveness.
D. clear foreign matter from the throat.

To open the airway in an unconscious adult with no suspected spinal injury, you should use the:

A. jaw-thrust technique.
B. head lift–chin tilt technique.
C. tongue–jaw lift technique
D. manual suction device.

An oral airway of proper size will extend from the:

A. corner of the patient’s mouth to the tip of the earlobe.
B. lips to the larynx.
C. nose to the angle of the jaw.
D. none of the above

When inserting a nasopharyngeal airway, lubricate the outside of the tube with:

A. a water-soluble lubricant.
B. a silicone-based lubricant.
C. petroleum jelly.
D. an oil-based lubricant.

When at rest, the normal breathing rate for an adult is ______ times per minute.

A. 60 to 80
B. 12 to 20
C. 30 to 40
D. 75 to 100

Signs of inadequate breathing in an adult include all of the following except:

A. the patient is unable to speak in full sentences.
B. breathing is very shallow, is very deep, or appears labored.
C. respirations that are slowed.
D. a respiratory rate of 14 to 18 breaths per minute.

To correct breathing, the very first step you should take is to:

A. open the airway.
B. clear the mouth.
C. apply positive-pressure ventilation.
D. administer oxygen.

If a patient is coughing forcefully with something caught in the throat:

A. give abdominal thrusts.
B. sweep out the mouth.
C. encourage the patient to cough.
D. check the pulse.

If gastric distention occurs while you are doing CPR, it is probably caused by:

A. too much force while doing chest compressions.
B. air entering the patient’s stomach.
C. too much fluid in the patient’s stomach.
D. rescue breaths that are too small.

The carotid artery is located in the:

A. groin.
B. arm.
C. wrist.
D. neck.

Cardiac arrest means:

A. a sudden ceasing of heart function.
B. that oxygen is not getting to the organs.
C. a patient is unconscious and not breathing.
D. all of the above.

The cause of cardiac arrest should be determined before beginning treatment.

TRUE
FALSE
True False

Chest compression:

A. mimics the squeezing and relaxation cycles of a normal heart.
B. should be used if there is no carotid pulse.
C. requires a firm, horizontal surface.
D. all of the above.

Chest compressions on an adult should be at the rate of 100 compressions per minute. 

TRUE
FALSE
True False

__________ is the movement of air in and out of the lungs.

A. Ventilation
B. Defibrillation
C. Compression
D. all of the above

Signs of effective CPR include which of the following?

A. The patient's skin color improves.
B. The chest visibly rises during ventilations.
C. There is a carotid pulse during chest compression.
D. all of the above

Gastric distention:

A. may cause vomiting.
B. requires a change in the CPR technique.
C. may signal a partially obstructed airway.
D. all of the above.

Two-rescuer CPR is usually more effective than one-rescuer CPR. 

TRUE
FALSE
True False

CPR should not be started when reliable signs of death are present.

TRUE
FALSE
True False

If you are alone with an adult cardiac arrest victim, you should call 9-1-1 before beginning CPR. 

TRUE
FALSE
True False

The first step before beginning CPR on a cardiac arrest victim of any age is to determine unresponsiveness. 

TRUE 
FALSE
True False

The ratio of chest compressions to breaths in child CPR is:

A. 5:1.
B. 15:2.
C. 15:1.
D. 30:2.

Automated external defibrillators (AEDs) can only be used by EMTs.

TRUE 
FALSE
True False

What are the four most
appropriate places to check a patient’s pulse if you suspect cardiac arrest?

A. ________________________________

B. ________________________________

C. ________________________________

D. ________________________________

Which condition should exist before starting CPR?

A. pale skin
B. absence of breathing and pulse
C. shallow breathing
D. dilated pupils

Place the following links in the Chain of Survival in the appropriate order.

A. early defibrillation

B. early CPR

C. early advanced care

D. early recognition

If you are alone with a pulseless adult patient, you should:

A. activate the EMS system before beginning CPR.
B. perform CPR for 1 minute before activating the EMS system.
C. perform CPR for 3 minutes before activating the EMS system.
D. perform CPR for 5 minutes before activating the EMS system.

Which of the following is a reliable sign of death?

A.   decapitation
B.   rigor mortis
C.   dependent lividity
D.   all of the above

To perform chest compressions on an adult patient, you should press on the:

A. center of the chest, in between the nipples.
B. lower half of the sternum.
C. upper half of the sternum.
D. xiphoid process.

The rate of chest compressions in an adult patient is:

A. 60 to 80 per minute.
B. 100 per minute.
C. less than 60 per minute.
D. 80 to 100 per minute.

When performing two-rescuer CPR on an adult patient, the ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths is:

A. 1 to 15.
B. 30 to 2.
C. 15 to 1.
D. 5 to 1.

Which of the following statements about defibrillation is true?

A. It identifies the ineffective pulsations of the heart in cardiac arrest and reorganizes them into effective heartbeats.
B. It is a rapid, disorganized, ineffective pulsation of the heart that occurs when a person is in cardiac arrest.
C. It is a serious condition of the heart known as “V-fib.”
D. It is a procedure that replaces the need for CPR.

Place the five steps of the patient assessment in the correct order.

A. Examine from head to toe
B. Initial patient assessment
C. Obtain a medical history
D. Scene size-up
E. Ongoing assessment

Performing a scene size-up includes all of the following except:

A. forming a general impression of the patient.
B. determining the need for additional resources.
C. assessing the mechanism of injury or illness.
D. determining the number of patients.

The main objective of the primary assessment is to:

A. identify immediate life threats.
B. determine treatment priorities.
C. correct life-threatening conditions.
D. all of the above.

Place the seven steps of the primary assessment in the correct order.

A. Assess the patient’s breathing and correct any life-threatening conditions.

B. Assess the patient’s airway and correct any life-threatening conditions.

C. Update responding EMS units.

D. Form a general impression of the patient.

E. Assess the patient’s circulation, including severe bleeding.

F. Assess the patient’s responsiveness and stabilize the spine if necessary.

G. Acknowledge the patient’s chief complaint.

A patient who moans when you pinch her earlobe should be classified as which level on the AVPU scale?

A. P
B. V
C. U
D. A

What are the vital signs taken by EMRs during a secondary assessment?

Where is the carotid pulse point located?

A. on the patient’s foot
B. on the patient’s wrist
C. on the patient’s neck
D. on the patient’s upper arm

Place the steps of the reassessment in the proper order.

A. Identify and treat changes in the patient’s condition.

B. Reassess the chief complaint.

C. Repeat the primary assessment.

D. Reassess the patient.

E. Provide a hand-off report.

F. Reassess vital signs.

G. Recheck the effectiveness of the treatment.

Your dispatcher should have obtained:

a. the safety level of the scene.
b. the number of people involved in the incident.
c. the location of the incident.
e. all of the above.

The primary patient assessment includes:
A. forming a general impression.
B. SAMPLE history.
C. physical examination.
D. medical history.

The AVPU scale is a four level scale used for:

A. communicating the patient's vital signs to the hospital.
B. describing a patient's level of consciousness.
C. determining how rapidly you will need to transport the patient. 
D. all of the above.

To check a patient's breathing:

A. see if the chest rises and falls with each breath.
B. place the side of your face next to the patient's nose and mouth.
C. listen for air exchange. 
D. all of the above.

Immediate action used to control severe bleeding is to:

A. apply direct pressure.
B. elevate the body part.
C. bandage the wound.
D. apply pressure on a pressure point.

Yellowish skin often indicates:

A. increased circulation.
B. lack of oxygen.
C. liver problems.
D. decreased circulation.

Pale skin often indicates:

A. decreased circulation.
B. increased circulation.
C. liver problems.
D. lack of oxygen.

When you check a patient's respiration rate:

A. one complete cycle of inhaling and exhaling is counted as one breath.
B. count for two minutes.
C. tell the patient you are counting respirations.
D. all of the above.

The patient's skin condition should be checked for:
A. color.
B. temperature.
C. moisture.
D. all of the above.

Flail chest can result from:

A. inadequate oxygen supply.
B. internal bleeding.
C. multiple rib fractures.
D. all of the above.

In which part of the SAMPLE history would you ask a patient if he or she is under the care of a physician? 

A. A
B. M
C. S
D. P

The S in the acronym DOTS stands for:

A. symptoms.
B. sweating.
C. swelling.
D. signs.

Cyanotic skin will appear:

A. red.
B. blue.
C. yellow.
D. white.

The palpation method of measuring blood pressure does not give you a diastolic pressure. 

TRUE 
FALSE
True False

When you shine a penlight into a patient's eyes, the pupils should:

A. dilate.
B. constrict.
C. not change.
D. none of the above.

Name the steps in the full-body assessment:

What does DOTS stand for?

What is the "S" in SAMPLE stand for?

What is the "A" in SAMPLE stand for?

What is the "M" in SAMPLE stand for?

What is the "P" in SAMPLE stand for?

What is the "L" in SAMPLE stand for?

What is the "E" in SAMPLE stand for?

To determine the proper size nasal airway, measure from the patient's:

A. chin to the ear.
B. earlobe to the corner of the mouth.
C. earlobe to the tip of the nose.
D. nose to the chin.

When performing two-rescuer CPR on an child patient, the ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths is:

A. 5 to 1.
B. 30 to 2.
C. 15 to 1.
D. 15 to 2.