Medical Emergencies & Patient Transport Flashcards
7 cards from real CEP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Medical Emergencies & Patient Transport flashcards as text
A patient presents with sudden-onset severe headache described as 'the worst of my life,' neck stiffness, and photophobia. Which condition should be your primary concern?
Answer: Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A sudden 'thunderclap' headache with meningeal signs is the classic presentation of subarachnoid hemorrhage until proven otherwise.
Which glucose level threshold generally requires paramedic intervention for symptomatic hypoglycemia in adults?
Answer: Below 60 mg/dL
Symptomatic hypoglycemia typically occurs below 60 mg/dL and warrants dextrose administration or oral glucose.
During patient transport, a STEMI patient becomes pulseless with ventricular fibrillation. What is the immediate priority?
Answer: Defibrillate as soon as possible
VF is a shockable rhythm requiring immediate unsynchronized defibrillation before any pharmacological intervention.
A 68-year-old diabetic male presents with diaphoresis, nausea, and jaw pain but denies chest pain. Which condition should top your differential?
Answer: Acute myocardial infarction
Diabetic patients often present with atypical AMI symptoms such as jaw pain, nausea, and diaphoresis without classic chest pain.
Which position is recommended for transporting an unresponsive patient without suspected spinal injury who is breathing adequately?
Answer: Recovery (lateral recumbent) position
The recovery position protects the airway from aspiration in unresponsive breathing patients without spinal precautions.
A patient with known COPD is in severe respiratory distress with SpO2 of 82%. What is the correct oxygen delivery approach?
Answer: Titrate oxygen to achieve SpO2 88–92%
COPD patients should receive titrated oxygen targeting SpO2 88–92% to relieve hypoxemia without eliminating hypoxic drive.
Which transport decision is most appropriate for a patient with suspected large vessel occlusion (LVO) stroke?
Answer: Bypass nearest ED and transport to a comprehensive stroke center
LVO strokes require mechanical thrombectomy, available only at comprehensive stroke centers, making direct transport the preferred approach.