EMT Review Questions Test One

Mental status is not considered a vital sign because it does not directly measure the physiological functions of the body. Vital signs are objective measurements that provide information about a person's overall health and indicate how well the body is functioning. Pulse, respiration, and blood pressure are all vital signs as they reflect the cardiovascular and respiratory systems' performance. Mental status, on the other hand, refers to a person's cognitive and emotional state, which is important for assessing mental health but not considered a vital sign.

The opposite of anterior is posterior. Anterior refers to the front or forward-facing direction, while posterior refers to the back or rear-facing direction. In anatomical terms, anterior and posterior are used to describe the relative positions of body parts or structures. Therefore, in this context, posterior is the correct opposite of anterior.

An EMT should take vital signs every 5 minutes for unstable patients because their condition can rapidly change, and frequent monitoring is necessary to detect any deterioration or improvement in their vital signs. This allows the EMT to provide timely interventions and make informed decisions regarding the patient's care.

The correct answer is "last oral intake" because in the medical field, the acronym SAMPLE is often used to gather important information about a patient's history. Each letter in the acronym stands for a specific piece of information, and in this case, the "L" stands for "last oral intake." This refers to the last time the patient ate or drank anything, which can be crucial information for medical professionals when assessing a patient's condition or planning further treatment.

The term "medial" refers to a position that is closer to the midline of the body. In anatomical terms, the midline is an imaginary line that divides the body into left and right halves. Therefore, when something is described as "medial," it means it is situated towards or nearer to the midline. In contrast, "lateral" refers to a position that is further away from the midline.

The diaphragm is a dome-shaped muscle that separates the thoracic cavity, which contains the heart and lungs, from the abdominal cavity, which contains the stomach and other digestive organs. It plays a crucial role in breathing, as it contracts and relaxes to help draw air into the lungs. The diaphragm also helps maintain the pressure within the thoracic and abdominal cavities, allowing for proper organ function and preventing the mixing of contents between the two cavities.

The base vital signs that are typically measured include pulse, eyes, and skin. These measurements provide important information about a person's overall health and can help identify any potential issues or abnormalities. However, defecation is not considered a vital sign as it is not directly related to the body's physiological functioning or immediate health status. Therefore, it is not included in the list of vital signs that are measured.

The given correct answer, implied, suggests that EMS personnel can treat unconscious patients based on the assumption that rational patients would give their consent to treatment if they were conscious. Implied consent is a form of consent where the individual's actions or circumstances imply their agreement or permission. In this case, the law recognizes that unconscious patients would likely consent to treatment if they were able to do so consciously. Therefore, EMS personnel can provide treatment based on this implied consent.

When checking pupils, an EMT should look for equality, size, and reactivity. The color of the pupils is not a reliable indicator of their condition or any potential issues.

When assessing a responsive medical patient's chief complaint, the "T" in OPQRST stands for time. This refers to the duration of the symptoms the patient is experiencing. It helps the healthcare provider understand how long the symptoms have been present, whether they have been constant or intermittent, and if there have been any changes over time. This information is crucial in determining the severity and urgency of the patient's condition, as well as guiding appropriate treatment decisions.

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On the AVPU scale, a patient who responds or attempts to respond only when spoken to is rated as V, which stands for "Voice." This means that the patient is only able to respond to verbal stimuli and does not show any response to other forms of stimulation, such as touch or pain. This level of responsiveness indicates that the patient is somewhat alert but still requires external stimulation to engage in any kind of response.

The respiratory rates of concern are less than 8 and greater than 24. A respiratory rate lower than 8 could indicate a potential problem with breathing, such as respiratory depression. On the other hand, a respiratory rate higher than 24 could suggest respiratory distress or an underlying health issue. Therefore, both of these ranges are considered concerning and should be monitored closely.

The correct answer is jaw thrust. When a person is unconscious after a fall, it is important to open their airway to ensure they can breathe properly. The jaw thrust method is preferred in this situation because it helps to maintain alignment of the head and neck without potentially causing further injury. This technique involves placing the hands on either side of the patient's jaw and gently lifting it forward, without tilting the head back. By doing so, the airway is opened without risking any potential damage to the spine.

The correct answer is "scope of practice". This refers to the specific actions and care that an EMT is legally allowed to perform within their profession. It outlines the boundaries and limitations of their responsibilities and ensures that they provide appropriate and safe care to patients.

The correct answer is 128 because in a blood pressure reading, the first number (systolic pressure) represents the pressure in the arteries when the heart beats and pumps blood. In this case, the systolic pressure is 128.

When deflating the cuff of a sphygmomanometer, the systolic blood pressure is the pressure at which the first beat or sound is heard. This indicates the point at which the blood starts flowing again through the artery, after the pressure in the cuff is reduced enough to allow blood flow. It is the highest pressure recorded during the measurement and represents the maximum force exerted by the heart when pumping blood.

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For non-critical patients, vital signs should be checked every 15 minutes. This frequency allows healthcare providers to closely monitor the patient's condition and detect any changes or abnormalities in their vital signs. Regular monitoring of vital signs is essential in ensuring the patient's stability and making timely interventions if necessary. Checking vital signs every 15 minutes allows healthcare providers to promptly address any potential issues and provide appropriate care to the patient.

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The normal respiratory rate for a one-year-old is 20-30 breaths per minute. This range is considered normal for a child of this age and indicates that their breathing is within a healthy range.

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At one year of age, the average respiratory rate (RR) is expected to be between 20 to 30 breaths per minute (BPM). This means that on average, a one-year-old child takes 20 to 30 breaths in a minute. The respiratory rate is an important measure of a person's breathing and can indicate any abnormalities or issues with the respiratory system.

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All of the options you’ve listed - femoral, radial, brachial, and dorsalis pedis - are indeed peripheral arteries1. Peripheral arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the extremities. Here’s a brief description of each:

Femoral artery: This is a large artery in the thigh and the main arterial supply to the leg.

Radial artery: This artery is in the forearm and is often used to check the pulse.

Brachial artery: This is the major blood vessel of the upper arm.

Dorsalis pedis artery: This artery supplies blood to the foot. 

The normal respiratory rate for healthy adults is between 12–20 breaths per minute. 

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The main purpose of the primary assessment is to obtain the chief complaint. This means that the primary assessment is focused on identifying and understanding the patient's main reason for seeking medical attention or their most significant symptom or problem. By obtaining the chief complaint, healthcare providers can prioritize their evaluation and treatment, ensuring that the patient's immediate needs are addressed first.