Treatment Planning & Management Flashcards
7 cards from real EMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Treatment Planning & Management flashcards as text
A patient is found unconscious with pinpoint pupils, slow respirations (6/min), and cyanosis. After establishing the airway, what is the NEXT priority treatment?
Answer: Administer naloxone (Narcan) per protocol
Naloxone rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression and is indicated for this classic opioid toxidrome presentation.
When managing a patient with anaphylaxis, which medication is the FIRST-LINE treatment?
Answer: Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM (1:1000)
Epinephrine 1:1000 administered IM into the anterolateral thigh is the first-line and life-saving treatment for anaphylaxis.
A trauma patient is immobilized on a long backboard in cold weather. After 30 minutes, which complication becomes a priority concern?
Answer: Hypothermia
Trauma patients lose heat rapidly due to exposure, impaired thermoregulation, and wet clothing, making hypothermia prevention critical during transport.
For a pediatric patient in respiratory distress, which finding indicates immediate need for positive pressure ventilation?
Answer: Inadequate chest rise with severe retractions
Inadequate chest rise despite significant accessory muscle use indicates respiratory failure requiring immediate BVM ventilation.
Which intervention is CONTRAINDICATED when managing a patient with suspected epiglottitis?
Answer: Attempting to visualize the oropharynx with a tongue depressor
Examination of the oropharynx in epiglottitis can cause complete laryngospasm and total airway obstruction.
A patient with known diabetes presents with altered mental status, cool diaphoretic skin, and a blood glucose of 42 mg/dL. What is the CORRECT treatment?
Answer: Administer glucagon 1 mg IM if unable to establish IV
When IV access cannot be established in an unconscious hypoglycemic patient, glucagon 1 mg IM stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis to raise blood glucose.
A patient experiencing a hypertensive emergency has a BP of 220/130 mmHg with altered mental status. What is the field management priority?
Answer: Lower BP by no more than 25% in the first hour per medical direction
Rapid BP reduction in hypertensive emergency can cause cerebral ischemia; a controlled reduction of no more than 25% in the first hour is the standard.