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

Question 1

A patient rescued from a house fire presents with hot, dry skin; temperature 41°C (106°F); altered mental status; and no sweating. What condition is this?

Accepted Answer

Classic heat stroke

Answer

Classic heat stroke is characterized by hyperthermia >40°C, anhidrosis, and CNS dysfunction, typically in elderly or sedentary individuals.

Question 2

What is the preferred prehospital cooling method for a patient with heat stroke?

Accepted Answer

Cold-water immersion or evaporative cooling with fanning

Answer

Cold-water immersion or evaporative cooling with fanning achieves the fastest core temperature reduction in heat stroke patients.

Question 3

Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with severe rhabdomyolysis following crush injury?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Rhabdomyolysis releases intracellular potassium from damaged muscle cells, causing life-threatening hyperkalemia.

Question 4

A 30-year-old hiker presents with confusion, ataxia, and slurred speech after several days in the cold. Core temperature is 30°C (86°F). What dysrhythmia is classically associated with this temperature?

Accepted Answer

Osborn (J) waves on ECG with risk of VF

Answer

Hypothermia at this level produces Osborn (J) waves on ECG and significantly increases the risk of ventricular fibrillation.

Question 5

When should CPR be withheld in a hypothermic cardiac arrest patient in the prehospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Obvious lethal injury or the chest wall is non-compressible (frozen solid)

Answer

CPR should be withheld only when an obvious lethal injury is present or the chest wall cannot be compressed due to freezing.

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

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