Question 1

Which one of the following is the primary stimulus to breathe in normal human beings?

Accepted Answer

A)  Level of CO₂ in the body 
B)  Amount of oxygen required by the body 
C)  Level of oxygen in the body 
D)  Amount of nitrogen in air 
A)  Level of CO₂ in the body 
B)  Amount of oxygen required by the body 
C)  Level of oxygen in the body 
D)  Amount of nitrogen in air

Question 2

A patient with severe iron deficiency anemia is hypoxic. What is definitive care for this patient?

Accepted Answer

A)  IV fluids by paramedics 
B)  Supplemental oxygen 
C)  Positive pressure ventilation 
D)  Blood transfusion 
A)  IV fluids by paramedics 
B)  Supplemental oxygen 
C)  Positive pressure ventilation 
D)  Blood transfusion

Question 3

A drop in blood pressure below a critical threshold is a threat to the body because it directly impairs:

Accepted Answer

A)  anaerobic metabolism. 
B)  cellular perfusion. 
C)  airway patency. 
D)  the sympathetic nervous system. 
A)  anaerobic metabolism. 
B)  cellular perfusion. 
C)  airway patency. 
D)  the sympathetic nervous system.

Question 4

For the patient with a narrowed pulse pressure, which one of the following is occurring?

Accepted Answer

A)  The heart rate is decreasing. 
B)  The veins and arteries are dilating. 
C)  The blood vessels are constricting. 
D)  The blood is being pumped more slowly. 
A)  The heart rate is decreasing. 
B)  The veins and arteries are dilating. 
C)  The blood vessels are constricting. 
D)  The blood is being pumped more slowly.

Question 5

A patient's brain cells are undergoing anaerobic metabolism. As a result, those cells:

Accepted Answer

A)  are becoming dysfunctional in a highly acidic environment. 
B)  have too much adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to function properly. 
C)  are producing elevated quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂). 
D)  cannot make any energy in the form of ATP. 
A)  are becoming dysfunctional in a highly acidic environment. 
B)  have too much adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to function properly. 
C)  are producing elevated quantities of carbon dioxide (CO₂). 
D)  cannot make any energy in the form of ATP.

Question 6

A patient who is hypoxic has a pulmonary disease that involves low lung compliance. As such, you realize:

Accepted Answer

A)  the lung tissue is easily inflated and can be damaged. 
B)  oxygen and carbon dioxide cannot be exchanged across the alveolar wall. 
C)  the patient has tremendous swelling to the small airways. 
D)  ventilation with a bag-valve mask will require more effort. 
A)  the lung tissue is easily inflated and can be damaged. 
B)  oxygen and carbon dioxide cannot be exchanged across the alveolar wall. 
C)  the patient has tremendous swelling to the small airways. 
D)  ventilation with a bag-valve mask will require more effort.

Question 7

Which one of the following conditions is most likely to cause acidosis?

Accepted Answer

A)  Irregular heart rhythm 
B)  Hypothyroidism 
C)  Depressed respirations 
D)  Low blood glucose level 
A)  Irregular heart rhythm 
B)  Hypothyroidism 
C)  Depressed respirations 
D)  Low blood glucose level

Question 8

A patient is hemorrhaging internally within his colon, therein impairing perfusion to the cells of his body. Aside from the bleeding, the patient has no other problems. In this scenario, the problem impairing adequate perfusion would be:

Accepted Answer

A)  decreased blood volume. 
B)  inability to get oxygen to the blood. 
C)  poor myocardial pump function. 
D)  inadequate ventilation to eliminate carbon dioxide. 
A)  decreased blood volume. 
B)  inability to get oxygen to the blood. 
C)  poor myocardial pump function. 
D)  inadequate ventilation to eliminate carbon dioxide.

Question 9

Baroreceptors function in the body by:

Accepted Answer

A)  monitoring the heart rate. 
B)  ensuring adequate oxygenation of the red blood cells. 
C)  monitoring the blood pressure. 
D)  stimulating the production of red blood cells. 
A)  monitoring the heart rate. 
B)  ensuring adequate oxygenation of the red blood cells. 
C)  monitoring the blood pressure. 
D)  stimulating the production of red blood cells.

Question 10

A patient with a severe infection is very sick. Circulating toxins from bacteria in his blood have decreased his systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Which of the following would the EMT correlate to this condition?

Accepted Answer

A)  Blood pressure of 174/126 mmHg 
B)  Diastolic blood pressure of >200 mmHg 
C)  Blood pressure of 74/26 mmHg 
D)  Systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHg 
A)  Blood pressure of 174/126 mmHg 
B)  Diastolic blood pressure of >200 mmHg 
C)  Blood pressure of 74/26 mmHg 
D)  Systolic blood pressure of 160 mmHg

Question 11

A patient with a low blood sugar is unresponsive with snoring respirations. His breathing is labored and his pulse is rapid and weak. Examination of the skin reveals it to be cool and diaphoretic. Your partner informs you of the following vital signs: pulse 120, respirations 18, blood pressure 132/60, and SpO₂ at 84% on room air. Which one of the following actions would you perform first?

Accepted Answer

A)  Administer oral glucose. 
B)  Perform a head-tilt chin-lift. 
C)  Provide high-concentration oxygen. 
D)  Start positive pressure ventilation. 
A)  Administer oral glucose. 
B)  Perform a head-tilt chin-lift. 
C)  Provide high-concentration oxygen. 
D)  Start positive pressure ventilation.

Question 12

A 35-year-old male is lethargic and dehydrated after working at a construction site for 12 hours on a very hot day. You obtain the following vital signs: pulse 136, respirations 22, blood pressure 102/88, and SpO₂ 100% with supplemental oxygen. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would recognize:

Accepted Answer

A)  widened pulse pressure to circulate more blood. 
B)  elevated heart rate to increase cardiac output. 
C)  rapid respirations to decrease CO₂ loss. 
D)  low blood pressure to conserve the body's energy. 
A)  widened pulse pressure to circulate more blood. 
B)  elevated heart rate to increase cardiac output. 
C)  rapid respirations to decrease CO₂ loss. 
D)  low blood pressure to conserve the body's energy.

Question 13

A patient with cancer is receiving chemotherapy. As a side effect of the treatment, her white blood cell count is critically low. Given this situation, which sign or symptom should the EMT find particularly concerning?

Accepted Answer

A)  History of diabetes 
B)  Oral temperature 102.7ᵒF 
C)  Complaint of weakness 
D)  Blood pressure of 102/64 
A)  History of diabetes 
B)  Oral temperature 102.7ᵒF 
C)  Complaint of weakness 
D)  Blood pressure of 102/64

Question 14

A confused and lethargic 24-year-old male has intentionally overdosed on a narcotic medication. His vitals signs are: pulse 36, respirations 8, blood pressure 50/20, and SpO₂ 88% with 15 liters per minute of oxygen. The greatest danger to this patient's well-being is:

Accepted Answer

A)  decreased cellular perfusion. 
B)  altered mental status. 
C)  increased sympathetic nervous system stimulation. 
D)  left ventricular heart failure. 
A)  decreased cellular perfusion. 
B)  altered mental status. 
C)  increased sympathetic nervous system stimulation. 
D)  left ventricular heart failure.

Question 15

If a patient's blood pressure cannot be increased by adding volume, then which of the following actions would most likely be successful in increasing it?

Accepted Answer

A)  Blocking beta actions of the sympathetic nervous system 
B)  Decreasing the patient's preload 
C)  Vasoconstriction 
D)  Decreasing the patient's afterload 
A)  Blocking beta actions of the sympathetic nervous system 
B)  Decreasing the patient's preload 
C)  Vasoconstriction 
D)  Decreasing the patient's afterload

Question 16

A patient who is weak informs you that she has a history of her "iron being too low." This should concern the EMT because iron is needed to:

Accepted Answer

A)  make the white blood cells required for fighting infection. 
B)  help the blood to clot. 
C)  carry oxygen throughout the body. 
D)  maintain an adequate blood pressure in the body. 
A)  make the white blood cells required for fighting infection. 
B)  help the blood to clot. 
C)  carry oxygen throughout the body. 
D)  maintain an adequate blood pressure in the body.

Question 17

Which of the following correctly identifies the primary way in which oxygen is transported to the cells?

Accepted Answer

A)  Red blood cell 
B)  White blood cell 
C)  Plasma 
D)  Plasma proteins 
A)  Red blood cell 
B)  White blood cell 
C)  Plasma 
D)  Plasma proteins

Question 18

A patient has a blood pressure of 140/98 mmHg. Which one of the following can the EMT ascertain from this reading?

Accepted Answer

A)  The pulse pressure is narrowed. 
B)  The afterload is increased. 
C)  The preload is diminished. 
D)  The SpO₂ level must be abnormal. 
A)  The pulse pressure is narrowed. 
B)  The afterload is increased. 
C)  The preload is diminished. 
D)  The SpO₂ level must be abnormal.

Question 19

Failure of the sodium potassium pump can result in:

Accepted Answer

A)  accumulation of acidic wastes. 
B)  excess amounts of sodium outside of the cell. 
C)  large amounts of potassium inside the cell. 
D)  cellular damage, swelling, and rupture. 
A)  accumulation of acidic wastes. 
B)  excess amounts of sodium outside of the cell. 
C)  large amounts of potassium inside the cell. 
D)  cellular damage, swelling, and rupture.

Question 20

Paramedics have administered a medication to a patient in heart failure. The medication specifically causes the veins to enlarge, thus decreasing the amount of blood coming back to the heart for pumping. The EMT would recognize this action as:

Accepted Answer

A)  afterload. 
B)  pulse pressure. 
C)  preload. 
D)  systemic vascular resistance. 
A)  afterload. 
B)  pulse pressure. 
C)  preload. 
D)  systemic vascular resistance.

Exam 8: Pathophysiology

Which one of the following is the primary stimulus to breathe in normal human beings?

A patient with severe iron deficiency anemia is hypoxic. What is definitive care for this patient?

A drop in blood pressure below a critical threshold is a threat to the body because it directly impairs:

For the patient with a narrowed pulse pressure, which one of the following is occurring?

A patient's brain cells are undergoing anaerobic metabolism. As a result, those cells:

A patient who is hypoxic has a pulmonary disease that involves low lung compliance. As such, you realize:

Which one of the following conditions is most likely to cause acidosis?

A patient is hemorrhaging internally within his colon, therein impairing perfusion to the cells of his body. Aside from the bleeding, the patient has no other problems. In this scenario, the problem impairing adequate perfusion would be:

Baroreceptors function in the body by:

A patient with a severe infection is very sick. Circulating toxins from bacteria in his blood have decreased his systemic vascular resistance (SVR). Which of the following would the EMT correlate to this condition?

A 35-year-old male is lethargic and dehydrated after working at a construction site for 12 hours on a very hot day. You obtain the following vital signs: pulse 136, respirations 22, blood pressure 102/88, and SpO₂ 100% with supplemental oxygen. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would recognize:

A patient with cancer is receiving chemotherapy. As a side effect of the treatment, her white blood cell count is critically low. Given this situation, which sign or symptom should the EMT find particularly concerning?

A confused and lethargic 24-year-old male has intentionally overdosed on a narcotic medication. His vitals signs are: pulse 36, respirations 8, blood pressure 50/20, and SpO₂ 88% with 15 liters per minute of oxygen. The greatest danger to this patient's well-being is:

If a patient's blood pressure cannot be increased by adding volume, then which of the following actions would most likely be successful in increasing it?

A patient who is weak informs you that she has a history of her "iron being too low." This should concern the EMT because iron is needed to:

Which of the following correctly identifies the primary way in which oxygen is transported to the cells?

A patient has a blood pressure of 140/98 mmHg. Which one of the following can the EMT ascertain from this reading?

Failure of the sodium potassium pump can result in:

Paramedics have administered a medication to a patient in heart failure. The medication specifically causes the veins to enlarge, thus decreasing the amount of blood coming back to the heart for pumping. The EMT would recognize this action as:

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