OEC Medical Conditions & Ongoing Care 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient on the slopes reports sudden unilateral leg weakness, facial drooping, and slurred speech. What condition does this most suggest?
- Hypoglycemia
- Transient ischemic attack or stroke (Correct answer)
- Alcohol intoxication
- Carbon monoxide poisoning
Correct answer: Transient ischemic attack or stroke
Unilateral weakness, facial droop, and slurred speech are hallmark signs of stroke or TIA, requiring immediate evacuation for definitive care.
Question 2: Which of the following is a late sign of shock that indicates decompensation in an adult patient?
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Tachycardia
- Falling blood pressure (Correct answer)
- Pale and diaphoretic skin
Correct answer: Falling blood pressure
Blood pressure drops late in shock as compensatory mechanisms fail; tachycardia, anxiety, and pallor are earlier signs.
Question 3: A child in the patrol room has a respiratory rate of 50 breaths per minute and nasal flaring. What is the most appropriate intervention?
- Reassure the parents and observe
- Administer high-flow oxygen and prepare for rapid evacuation (Correct answer)
- Give oral fluids and recheck in 20 minutes
- Apply a rebreather mask at 2 LPM
Correct answer: Administer high-flow oxygen and prepare for rapid evacuation
Tachypnea of 50 bpm with nasal flaring indicates significant respiratory distress in a child, requiring oxygen and urgent ALS evacuation.
Question 4: A patient reports a history of anaphylaxis and is now developing hives and throat tightness after a bee sting. The correct first-line treatment is:
- Oral diphenhydramine only
- Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) to the lateral thigh (Correct answer)
- Cold pack to the sting site
- Position supine and apply oxygen only
Correct answer: Epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) to the lateral thigh
Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis; antihistamines are adjuncts but do not reverse airway compromise.
Question 5: During patient handoff to EMS, which component of the SOAP or patient report format conveys the patient's vital signs and exam findings?
- Subjective
- Objective (Correct answer)
- Assessment
- Plan
Correct answer: Objective
The Objective section includes measurable findings such as vital signs, physical exam results, and SpO2 readings.
Question 6: A patient who was found hypothermic and rewarmed now has a heart rate of 38 bpm and altered mental status. The OEC technician should:
- Administer aspirin and monitor
- Avoid jostling, keep horizontal, and expedite ALS evacuation for possible cardiac dysrhythmia (Correct answer)
- Apply a cold pack to lower temperature further
- Encourage the patient to exercise to raise heart rate
Correct answer: Avoid jostling, keep horizontal, and expedite ALS evacuation for possible cardiac dysrhythmia
Severe hypothermia can cause life-threatening dysrhythmias; gentle handling and rapid ALS transport are critical to prevent ventricular fibrillation.
Question 7: A patient with known asthma is wheezing and reports using their rescue inhaler twice with minimal effect. Your priority is:
- Wait for spontaneous improvement
- Assist with a third dose of the inhaler and rapidly evacuate for advanced care (Correct answer)
- Apply ice packs to the chest
- Have the patient breathe into a paper bag
Correct answer: Assist with a third dose of the inhaler and rapidly evacuate for advanced care
Inadequate response to two doses of a rescue inhaler indicates status asthmaticus, requiring urgent evacuation for systemic bronchodilators or corticosteroids.
OEC Medical Conditions & Ongoing Care 3
A patient on the slopes reports sudden unilateral leg weakness, facial drooping, and slurred speech.
What condition does this most suggest?