Special Patient Populations Flashcards
7 cards from real Paramedics Exam practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Special Patient Populations flashcards as text
When calculating pediatric drug doses in the field, the MOST reliable method is to:
Answer: Use a length-based resuscitation tape (e.g., Broselow tape)
The Broselow tape provides weight-based dosing and equipment sizing directly correlated to the child's measured length, minimizing dosing errors.
A 34-week pregnant patient develops generalized tonic-clonic seizures. After securing the airway, your next priority is:
Answer: Administer IV or IM magnesium sulfate
Magnesium sulfate is the first-line treatment for eclamptic seizures in pregnancy because it addresses the underlying pathophysiology.
Which pediatric age group is at GREATEST risk for submersion injury due to their developmental stage?
Answer: Toddlers (1–4 years)
Toddlers are at highest risk for drowning because they are mobile, curious, and lack the judgment to avoid water hazards.
An older adult patient tells you she 'falls a lot lately.' Beyond the current injury, what assessment finding would MOST concern you for elder abuse?
Answer: Multiple bruises in various stages of healing on the torso
Multiple bruises in various stages of healing, especially on protected body areas, are a red flag for elder abuse rather than accidental falls.
When managing an obese patient requiring IV access, which site should be considered if peripheral access fails?
Answer: External jugular vein or intraosseous route
The external jugular vein or intraosseous route are appropriate prehospital alternatives when peripheral IV access fails in obese patients.
A 3-year-old ingested an unknown number of iron tablets. Which finding would indicate systemic iron toxicity?
Answer: Vomiting with bloody diarrhea progressing to lethargy and shock
Iron toxicity classically progresses through GI hemorrhage followed by a latent phase, then systemic toxicity with metabolic acidosis, shock, and multiorgan failure.
During delivery, after the head delivers, you note the cord is wrapped tightly around the neck and cannot be slipped over. The correct action is:
Answer: Clamp and cut the cord before delivering the shoulders
A tight nuchal cord that cannot be reduced should be double-clamped and cut to allow safe delivery of the shoulders.