AMCA Emergency Protocols 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient suddenly collapses in the waiting room and is unresponsive. After confirming unresponsiveness and calling for help, what is the FIRST action in adult CPR?
- Begin rescue breathing
- Check for a pulse for up to 10 seconds
- Start chest compressions (Correct answer)
- Apply the AED immediately
Correct answer: Start chest compressions
Current AHA guidelines prioritize chest compressions (C-A-B) before airway and breathing in adult CPR.
Question 2: During a medical emergency involving suspected anaphylaxis, which medication is the first-line treatment?
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Epinephrine (EpiPen) (Correct answer)
- Albuterol inhaler
- Hydrocortisone IV
Correct answer: Epinephrine (EpiPen)
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis because it reverses bronchoconstriction and vasodilation rapidly.
Question 3: A patient with diabetes becomes confused, diaphoretic, and pale. Blood glucose reads 45 mg/dL. What is the correct initial intervention?
- Administer insulin as prescribed
- Give 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrates orally if conscious (Correct answer)
- Call 911 immediately without further intervention
- Place the patient in Trendelenburg position
Correct answer: Give 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrates orally if conscious
Conscious patients with hypoglycemia are treated first with 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrates, followed by recheck in 15 minutes.
Question 4: When using an AED, which action is critical immediately before delivering a shock?
- Ensure oxygen is flowing to the patient
- Compress the chest three times
- Clear all personnel from contact with the patient (Correct answer)
- Remove the patient's pacemaker
Correct answer: Clear all personnel from contact with the patient
All rescuers must stand clear before AED shock delivery to prevent accidental electrocution.
Question 5: A patient is suspected of having a stroke. Which assessment tool is commonly used to quickly identify stroke symptoms in a clinical or prehospital setting?
- Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)
- FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time) (Correct answer)
- AVPU scale
- SAMPLE history
Correct answer: FAST (Face, Arms, Speech, Time)
FAST (Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call 911) is the standard rapid stroke recognition tool.
Question 6: A medical assistant notices a coworker has been stuck by a contaminated needle. What is the correct FIRST step?
- Complete an incident report immediately
- Wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 seconds (Correct answer)
- Notify the supervisor and go to the emergency department
- Apply an antiseptic and cover with a bandage
Correct answer: Wash the wound with soap and water for at least 15 seconds
Immediate wound washing with soap and water is the first step to reduce the risk of bloodborne pathogen transmission after a needlestick.
Question 7: What is the correct compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR?
- 15:2
- 30:2 (Correct answer)
- 5:1
- 10:1
Correct answer: 30:2
The AHA recommends a 30:2 compression-to-ventilation ratio for single-rescuer adult CPR.
AMCA Emergency Protocols 2
A patient suddenly collapses in the waiting room and is unresponsive.
After confirming unresponsiveness and calling for help, what is the FIRST action in adult CPR?