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EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
Dyspnea is MOST accurately defined as: A. a marked increase in the exhalation phase. B. shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. C. a complete cessation of respiratory effort. D. labored breathing with reduced tidal volume. - correct answers B. Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing In a healthy individual, the brainstem stimulates breathing on the basis of: A. decreased carbon dioxide levels. B. increased oxygen levels. C. decreased oxygen levels. D. increased carbon dioxide levels. - correct answers D. increased carbon dioxide levels A conscious and alert 29-year-old female with a history of asthma complains of difficulty breathing that began after her morning jog. The temperature outside is 40°F (5°C). On exam, you hear bilateral expiratory wheezing. After providing supplemental oxygen, you should: A. determine if she has been prescribed a beta-agonist inhaler. B. contact medical control and administer an antihistamine. C. call medical control and ask how to proceed with treatment. D. place her in a recumbent position to facilitate breathing. - correct answers A. determine if she has been prescribed a beta-agonist inhaler
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
At the onset of an acute asthma attack, patients commonly experience difficulty breathing and: A. profound cyanosis. B. audible stridor. C. expiratory wheezing. D. rales and rhonchi. - correct answers B. audible stridor Alkalosis is a condition that occurs when: A. the level of carbon dioxide in the blood increases. B. slow, shallow breathing eliminates too much carbon dioxide. C. blood acidity is reduced by excessive breathing. D. dangerous acids accumulate in the bloodstream. - correct answers C. blood acidity is reduced by excessive breathing A 60-year-old male presents with acute respiratory distress. He is conscious and alert, has pink and dry skin, and has respirations of 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. Which of the following treatments is MOST appropriate for this patient? A. Oxygen via a nasal cannula, vital signs, and prompt transport to the hospital B. Positive-pressure ventilations and immediate transport to the closest hospital C. Assisted ventilation with a bag-valve mask and a head-to-toe exam D. Oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and a focused secondary assessment - correct answers D. Oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and a focused secondary assessment
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
Which of the following statements regarding pulse oximetry is correct? A. Caution must be exercised when using the pulse oximeter on a patient with carbon monoxide poisoning because falsely low readings are common. B. The pulse oximeter is a valuable assessment tool that measures the percentage of red blood cells that contain hemoglobin molecules. C. Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen but does not measure the actual hemoglobin content of the blood. D. Most otherwise healthy patients can maintain adequate oxygenation and good skin color with oxygen saturation readings as low as 70% to 80%. - correct answers C. Pulse oximetry measures the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen but does not measure the actual hemoglobin content of the blood. When assessing for fluid collection in the lungs during auscultation of lung sounds, you should: A. auscultate the posterior chest first and compare the apex of one lung to the base of the opposite lung. B. note the presence of a high-pitched whistling sound, which is an indicator of fluid in the lungs. C. pay special attention to the exhalation phase because this is when you will likely hear rales or rhonchi. D. start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start hearing clear breath sounds. - correct answers D. start at the lower lung fields and determine at which level you start hearing clear breath sounds
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
You are assessing a patient with respiratory distress and are unsure if the cause is congestive heart failure or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Which of the following clinical signs would be the MOST helpful in determining whether the patient has chronic heart failure or COPD? A. Rapid breathing B. Cyanosis of the skin C. Jugular vein distention D. Altered mental status - correct answers C. Jugular vein distention Harsh, high-pitched inspiratory sounds are characteristic of: A. stridor. B. wheezing. C. rhonchi. D. rales. - correct answers A. stridor A pleural effusion is MOST accurately defined as: A. diffuse collapsing of the alveoli. B. a bacterial infection of the lung tissue. C. fluid accumulation outside the lung. D. a unilaterally collapsed lung. - correct answers C. fluid accumulation outside the lung When the level of arterial carbon dioxide rises above normal:
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
C. Most anaphylactic reactions occur within 60 minutes of exposure. D. The signs of anaphylaxis are caused by widespread vasoconstriction. - correct answers B. Anaphylaxis is characterized by airway swelling and hypotension The respiratory distress that accompanies emphysema is caused by: A. repeated exposure to cigarette smoke. B. acute fluid accumulation in the alveoli. C. massive constriction of the bronchioles. D. chronic stretching of the alveolar walls. - correct answers D. chronic stretching of the alveolar walls Treatment with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) would MOST likely be contraindicated in which of the following situations? A. Pulmonary edema, history of hypertension, and anxiety B. Conscious and alert patient with an oxygen saturation of 85% C. Shortness of breath and a blood pressure of 76/56 mm Hg D. Difficulty breathing, two-word dyspnea, and tachycardia - correct answers C. Shortness of breath and a blood pressure of 76/56 mmHg Which of the following is MOST characteristic of adequate breathing? A. 20 breaths/min with shallow movement of the chest wall and pallor B. 24 breaths/min with bilaterally equal breath sounds and pink skin C. 30 breaths/min with supraclavicular retractions and clammy skin
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
D. 22 breaths/min with an irregular pattern of breathing and cyanosis - correct answers B. 24 breaths/min with bilaterlaly equal breath sounds and pink skin When auscultating the lungs of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear adventitious sounds. This means that the patient has: A. diminished breath sounds. B. abnormal breath sounds. C. normal breath sounds. D. an absence of breath sounds. - correct answers B. abnormal breath sounds An alert patient presents with a regular pattern of inhalation and exhalation and breath sounds that are clear and equal on both sides of the chest. These findings are consistent with: A. respiratory insufficiency. B. adequate air exchange. C. an obstructed airway. D. respiratory difficulty. - correct answers B. adequate air exchange Asthma is caused by a response of the: A. endocrine system. B. cardiovascular system. C. respiratory system. D. immune system. - correct answers D. immune system
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
When administering supplemental oxygen to a hypoxemic patient with a chronic lung disease, you should: A. adjust the flow rate accordingly until you see symptom improvement, but be prepared to assist his or her ventilations. B. recall that most patients with chronic lung diseases are stimulated to breathe by increased carbon dioxide levels. C. begin with a low oxygen flow rate, even if the patient is unresponsive, because high- flow oxygen may depress his or her breathing. D. avoid positive-pressure ventilation because the majority of patients with chronic lung disease are at increased risk for lung trauma. - correct answers A. adjust the flow rate accordingly until you see symptom improvement, but be prepared to assist his or her ventilations You receive a call for a 70-year-old female with respiratory distress. Her husband tells you that she has congestive heart failure; however, he does not think that she has been taking her medications as prescribed. The patient is laboring to breathe, appears tired, and has cyanosis around her lips. You should: A. apply a pulse oximeter and assess her vital signs. B. assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device. C. obtain a complete list of all of her medications. D. administer oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. - correct answers B. assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
You are dispatched to a residence for a 67-year-old female who was awakened by shortness of breath and sharp chest pain. Her husband tells you that she was recently discharged from the hospital after having hip surgery. Your assessment reveals dried blood around her mouth, facial cyanosis, and an oxygen saturation of 88%. You should suspect: A. right-sided heart failure. B. spontaneous pneumothorax. C. acute pulmonary embolism. D. acute pulmonary edema. - correct answers C. acute pulmonary embolism Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to result in hypoxia? A. Severe anxiety B. Pulmonary edema C. Pleural effusion D. Narcotic overdose - correct answers A. severe anxiety A 59-year-old male with a history of emphysema complains of an acute worsening of his dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain following a forceful cough. Your assessment reveals that he has a barrel-shaped chest, unilaterally diminished breath sounds, and tachycardia. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's condition? A. Rupture of the diaphragm B. Spontaneous pneumothorax C. Acute pulmonary embolism D. Exacerbation of his COPD - correct answers B. Spontaneous pneumothorax
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
D. Ventolin. - correct answers D. ventolin A 22-year-old female patient is complaining of dyspnea and numbness and tingling in her hands and feet after an argument with her fiancé. Her respirations are 40 breaths/min. You should: A. request a paramedic to give her a sedative. B. position her on her left side and transport at once. C. provide reassurance and give oxygen as needed. D. have her breathe into a paper or plastic bag. - correct answers C. provide reassurance and give oxygen as needed Common signs and symptoms of acute hyperventilation syndrome include: A. tachypnea and tingling in the extremities. B. unilateral paralysis and slurred speech. C. altered mental status and bradycardia. D. anxiety, dizziness, and severe bradypnea. - correct answers A. tachypnea and tingling in the extremities A young female is unconscious after intentionally ingesting a large amount of aspirin. You will MOST likely find her respirations: A. rapid and shallow. B. slow and shallow. C. slow and deep.
EMERGENCIES EXAM 2025
D. deep and rapid. - correct answers D. deep and rapid A 62-year-old man with a history of congestive heart failure presents with severe respiratory distress and with an oxygen saturation of 82%. When you auscultate his lungs, you hear widespread rales. He is conscious and alert, is able to follow simple commands, and can only speak in two- to three-word sentences at a time. You should: A. place him in a position of comfort, deliver oxygen via nasal cannula, and closely monitor his breathing. B. force fluid from his alveoli by hyperventilating him with a bag-valve mask at a rate of at least 20 breaths/min. C. place him in a supine position and assist his ventilations with a bag-valve mask and high-flow oxygen. D. apply a CPAP device, monitor his blood pressure, and observe him for signs of improvement or deterioration. - correct answers D. apply a CPAP device, monitor his blood pressure, and observe him for signs of improvement or deterioration A 60-year-old male presents with acute respiratory distress. He is conscious and alert, has pink and dry skin, and has respirations of 22 breaths/min with adequate depth. Which of the following treatments is MOST appropriate for this patient? A. Assisted ventilation with a bag-valve mask and a head-to-toe exam B. Oxygen via nonrebreathing mask and a focused secondary assessment C. Oxygen via a nasal cannula, vital signs, and prompt transport to the hospital D. Positive-pressure ventilations and immediate transport to the closest hospital - correct answers B. oxygen via a nasal cannula, vital signs, and prompt transport to the hospital
