EMT Practice Exam Questions and Answers

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Children compensate for shock through increasedheart rate,respiratory rate, andvasoconstriction, which delays blood pressure drop. Therefore:

Tachycardiais often thefirst sign

Prolonged capillary refill(>2 seconds) is an early indicator

Tachypneasupports perfusion

Blood pressureis alate signin pediatric shock. SpO₂ is helpful but does not specifically indicate shock. Blood glucose may be abnormal in other metabolic conditions but is not an early marker of volume loss.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

If achoking patient becomes unresponsive, EMTs should:

Check for a pulse

Begin chest compressionsif no pulse is foundChest compressions can helpdislodge the object. After compressions, the airway should be opened and inspected. Back blows are not appropriate for unconscious patients.

Ventilation is attempted after clearing the airway or if no object is seen.Do not withhold compressions waiting for object removal.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Defusingis an informal, short-term intervention after acritical incident. It should:

Occur within hoursof the event (ideally the same shift)

Encourage voluntary open discussionin a confidential setting

It isnot a full debriefor counseling session and doesn’t requiremental health professionalspresent. Forcing participation or waiting too long (e.g., 72+ hours) can reduce its effectiveness.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

CPAPworks by delivering continuous positive pressure to keep alveoli open and improve oxygenation. However, complications include:

Hypotension: Due to reduced venous return and cardiac preload

Feeling of suffocation: Common psychological reaction to a tight-fitting mask and forced airflow

It isused to treat, not cause, pulmonary edema. It doesnot induce bronchospasmor myocardial infarction.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Perfusionrefers to delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. It depends on three essential components:

Patent airway: Ensures oxygen reaches lungs

Intact microcirculation: Capillary-level exchange must function

Sufficient blood volume: Maintains blood pressure and oxygen transport

Hypoxic drive relates toCOPD physiology, not perfusion.High alveolar pressure(like from CPAP) mayimpede venous return, and alow ventilation-perfusion ratiomeans poor oxygenation efficiency, which negatively affects perfusion.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation From Exact Extract:

Laundry detergent ingestion — especially in the case ofliquid detergent pods— is associated withcaustic airway and gastrointestinal injuries. The presence ofcracklesanddrowsinessare signs of aspiration and possiblerespiratory failure. Vomiting increases the risk ofaspiration pneumonitis, andesophageal perforationis a life-threatening complication from corrosive ingestion.

While seizure and hypoglycemia are possible complications of toxic ingestion, they are not as immediately linked to the detergent profile as airway injury and aspiration risk.