AEMCA AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Musculoskeletal and Environmental Emergencies Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A patient in a lightning strike has cardiopulmonary arrest. In a mass casualty scenario involving multiple lightning strike victims, who is prioritized for CPR?

Accepted Answer

Patients in cardiopulmonary arrest (reverse triage)

Answer

Patients who are breathing and conscious

Answer

Oldest patients first

Answer

Patients with the most burns

Question 2

Which sign indicates compartment syndrome in an injured extremity?

Accepted Answer

Pain with passive stretch of muscles in the affected compartment

Answer

Crepitus on palpation

Answer

Ecchymosis overlying the fracture site

Answer

Weak but palpable distal pulse

Question 3

A construction worker is trapped under debris for 2 hours. During extrication, what phenomenon can occur that may cause sudden cardiac arrest?

Accepted Answer

Crush syndrome with potassium release causing dysrhythmia

Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

Air embolism

Answer

Aortic rupture

Question 4

At what altitude does acute mountain sickness (AMS) typically begin to manifest?

Accepted Answer

Above 2,500 meters (8,200 ft)

Answer

500–1,000 meters (1,640–3,281 ft)

Answer

Above 1,000 meters (3,281 ft)

Answer

Only above 5,000 meters (16,404 ft)

Question 5

A scuba diver surfaces rapidly and complains of joint pain, rash, and dyspnea. What condition should be suspected?

Accepted Answer

Decompression sickness (the bends)

Answer

Arterial gas embolism

Answer

Nitrogen narcosis

Answer

Pulmonary barotrauma

Question 6

What is the prehospital treatment for a patient with severe decompression sickness?

Accepted Answer

High-flow 100% oxygen and rapid transport to a hyperbaric facility

Answer

IV morphine and ice to affected joints

Answer

Immediate recompression by returning to depth

Answer

Aspirin and fluid restriction