Paramedics Exam Special Patient Populations 3

Question 1

An elderly patient on warfarin fell and struck his head but appears asymptomatic. What is the most critical concern?

Accepted Answer

Delayed intracranial hemorrhage due to anticoagulation

Answer

Anticoagulated patients are at high risk for delayed intracranial hemorrhage after head trauma even when initially asymptomatic.

Question 2

Which presentation is MOST consistent with epiglottitis in a pediatric patient?

Accepted Answer

High fever, drooling, tripod positioning, muffled voice

Answer

Epiglottitis classically presents with high fever, drooling, tripod positioning, and a muffled (not barking) voice due to supraglottic swelling.

Question 3

A patient with autism spectrum disorder becomes combative when you attempt to place an oxygen mask. The BEST approach is to:

Accepted Answer

Offer blow-by oxygen and reduce sensory stimulation in the environment

Answer

Blow-by oxygen and minimizing sensory stimulation reduces distress in patients with autism while still providing supplemental oxygen.

Question 4

You are called for a 28-week pregnant patient in active labor. On delivery, the neonate is born limp and apneic. Your FIRST action is to:

Accepted Answer

Warm, dry, stimulate, and position the airway

Answer

The initial steps of neonatal resuscitation are warming, drying, stimulating, and positioning the airway before any advanced intervention.

Question 5

Which physiologic change in pregnancy increases the risk of aspiration during airway management?

Accepted Answer

Decreased gastric motility and elevated intra-abdominal pressure

Answer

Pregnancy delays gastric emptying and increases intra-abdominal pressure, raising aspiration risk during any airway intervention.

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