Paramedics Exam Paramedic Exam EMT 5

Question 1

A 22-year-old female is 32 weeks pregnant and presents with a BP of 165/110 mmHg, severe headache, and visual disturbances. What condition does this presentation suggest?

Accepted Answer

Severe preeclampsia

Answer

Hypertension above 160/110 mmHg with severe symptoms (headache, visual changes) after 20 weeks gestation defines severe preeclampsia, which requires urgent treatment.

Question 2

A patient in diabetic ketoacidosis has the following ABG: pH 7.20, PaCO2 24 mmHg, HCO3 9 mEq/L. What type of acid-base disturbance is present?

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation

Answer

Low pH with low bicarbonate confirms metabolic acidosis; the low PaCO2 indicates the lungs are compensating by blowing off CO2 (Kussmaul respirations).

Question 3

Which medication is contraindicated when a patient presenting with chest pain is taking a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (e.g., sildenafil) within the last 24 hours?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin

Answer

Combining nitroglycerin with phosphodiesterase inhibitors can cause severe, potentially fatal hypotension due to synergistic vasodilatory effects.

Question 4

An 18-month-old child presents with a barking seal-like cough, stridor at rest, and mild respiratory distress. What is the most likely diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)

Answer

The classic barking cough and inspiratory stridor in a toddler are hallmarks of viral croup (laryngotracheobronchitis), most commonly caused by parainfluenza virus.

Question 5

When performing an IO insertion on a pediatric patient, which is the PREFERRED primary site?

Accepted Answer

Proximal tibia, 2 cm below the tibial tuberosity

Answer

The proximal tibia is the preferred primary IO site in pediatric patients due to its large, flat medial surface and ease of identification.

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Practice Test

Paramedics Exam Paramedic Exam EMT 5