Emergency Medical Services Flashcards
7 cards from real FDNY 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 a residential fire is found confused with a cherry-red skin color. Which toxin is the MOST likely cause?
Answer: Carbon monoxide poisoning
Cherry-red skin discoloration is a classic — though late — sign of carbon monoxide poisoning, which binds hemoglobin with greater affinity than oxygen.
Which of the following Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores indicates a SEVERE traumatic brain injury?
Answer: GCS 8 or below
A GCS of 8 or below defines severe traumatic brain injury and typically indicates the need for airway management and urgent neurosurgical evaluation.
An EMT is treating a 60-year-old patient in suspected cardiogenic shock. Which combination of findings BEST supports this diagnosis?
Answer: Hypotension, tachycardia, cool and clammy skin with pulmonary edema
Cardiogenic shock presents with hypotension, compensatory tachycardia, cool/clammy skin from vasoconstriction, and pulmonary edema from pump failure.
A patient is found in an enclosed vehicle in winter, running the engine. He is unresponsive. After removing him from the vehicle, your PRIORITY is:
Answer: Administer 100% high-flow oxygen and assess for CO poisoning
CO poisoning must be assumed in any patient found in an enclosed space with a running engine; 100% O2 accelerates CO elimination and is the priority intervention.
Which maneuver is preferred for opening the airway in a trauma patient with a suspected cervical spine injury?
Answer: Jaw-thrust maneuver without head extension
The jaw-thrust maneuver opens the airway without extending the cervical spine and is the preferred technique when spinal injury is suspected.
During a mass casualty event in NYC, FDNY EMS activates the citywide Medical Coordination Center (MCC). Its PRIMARY role is to:
Answer: Coordinate hospital capacity and direct patient distribution across facilities
The NYC Medical Coordination Center monitors real-time hospital capacity and directs EMS units on where to transport patients to prevent overwhelming any single facility during MCIs.
A 3-year-old child swallowed an unknown household chemical 45 minutes ago. The mouth shows whitish burns and the child is drooling. You should:
Answer: Provide supportive care, airway management, and rapid transport without inducing vomiting
Caustic ingestions causing oral burns are contraindications for both activated charcoal and induced vomiting; supportive care and rapid transport are the correct approach.