Emergency Medical Services Flashcards
7 cards from real DHA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Emergency Medical Services flashcards as text
A patient in anaphylactic shock has received epinephrine but remains hypotensive after 5 minutes. What is the next most appropriate intervention?
Answer: Administer a second dose of epinephrine IM
A repeat dose of epinephrine IM can be given every 5-15 minutes if the patient remains symptomatic or hemodynamically unstable.
During a mass casualty incident (MCI), a patient tagged BLACK under START triage is found to have a weak carotid pulse. What should the EMS provider do?
Answer: Reassess and retag as RED only if resources allow
In MCI, black tags indicate expectant or deceased; upgrades are appropriate during secondary triage only when resources become available.
Which ECG finding is MOST consistent with a right ventricular myocardial infarction?
Answer: ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF with ST elevation in V4R
Right ventricular MI classically presents with inferior ST elevation plus ST elevation in right-sided lead V4R.
A 4-year-old child weighing 18 kg requires IO access. What is the preferred initial IO site in pediatric patients?
Answer: Proximal tibia (anteromedial surface)
The proximal tibia anteromedial surface is the preferred primary IO site in pediatric patients due to accessibility and low complication rates.
When managing a suspected tension pneumothorax in the pre-hospital setting, needle decompression should be performed at which landmark?
Answer: 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line, superior border of the 3rd rib
Needle decompression is performed at the 2nd ICS midclavicular line, inserting above the 3rd rib to avoid the neurovascular bundle.
A 70 kg adult patient in status epilepticus has not responded to two doses of benzodiazepine. Which agent is the preferred second-line treatment?
Answer: Any of the above are equally preferred per current guidelines
Current guidelines (Neurocritical Care Society) consider levetiracetam, valproic acid, and fosphenytoin/phenytoin equally effective second-line agents for status epilepticus.
Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of succinylcholine for rapid sequence intubation?
Answer: Crush injury occurring 6 hours ago
Succinylcholine is contraindicated after crush injuries (>6 hours) due to upregulation of acetylcholine receptors causing life-threatening hyperkalemia.