NZREX Emergency Medicine

Question 1

A patient is found unresponsive. After ensuring scene safety, what is the correct first step in BLS?

Accepted Answer

Check for responsiveness by calling out and tapping the shoulders

Answer

Open the airway with head-tilt chin-lift

Answer

Start chest compressions immediately

Answer

Call for help first before approaching

Question 2

What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for adult CPR when performed by a single rescuer?

Accepted Answer

30:2

Answer

15:2

Answer

5:1

Answer

100:0 (compressions only always)

Question 3

A 22-year-old is brought by ambulance after a paracetamol overdose taken 2 hours ago. He is alert and stable. What is the most important early intervention?

Accepted Answer

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) administration after risk assessment using the Rumack-Matthew nomogram

Answer

Activated charcoal if within 1 hour of ingestion

Answer

Gastric lavage

Answer

Liver transplant assessment

Question 4

Which of the following findings would most support a diagnosis of tension pneumothorax requiring immediate needle decompression?

Accepted Answer

Absent breath sounds on the right, tracheal deviation to the left, haemodynamic instability

Answer

Absent breath sounds on the right with normal blood pressure

Answer

Dull percussion on the right with pleuritic chest pain

Answer

Bilateral crackles with oxygen desaturation

Question 5

A patient presents in septic shock. Which intervention has the strongest evidence for improving survival?

Accepted Answer

Early administration of appropriate IV antibiotics

Answer

IV crystalloid 30 mL/kg bolus alone

Answer

Vasopressors as the first intervention

Answer

Immediate blood transfusion

Question 6

Which of the following is the correct management of status epilepticus not responding to two doses of benzodiazepine?

Accepted Answer

IV levetiracetam, valproate, or phenytoin (second-line antiepileptic)

Answer

A third dose of diazepam

Answer

Immediate surgical intervention

Answer

Oral carbamazepine