Free EMT Patient Treatment Practice Test – Part 3

1. A 22-year-old patient with asthma is experiencing an acute exacerbation. Which finding is MOST characteristic of asthma during expiration?

2. Which oxygen saturation target is MOST appropriate for a patient with COPD who requires supplemental oxygen?

3. A 68-year-old female with a history of congestive heart failure presents with difficulty breathing. She has pink, frothy sputum, distended neck veins, and crackles heard in both lung bases. Which condition is MOST likely causing her symptoms?

4. A 16-year-old male with a history of asthma is experiencing severe respiratory distress. He is sitting in a tripod position, using accessory muscles, and can only speak one or two words between breaths. He has a prescribed albuterol inhaler. What is the MOST appropriate action?

5. A 71-year-old male with severe COPD requires supplemental oxygen. After applying 2 L/min via nasal cannula, his SpO2 increases from 84% to 97%. The patient becomes drowsy and his respiratory rate decreases from 18 to 8 breaths per minute. What is the MOST appropriate action?

6. A 55-year-old patient with pneumonia presents with fever, productive cough, and crackles in the right lower lobe. Her SpO2 is 91% on room air. She is alert but appears fatigued. Which intervention is MOST appropriate for this patient?

7. You are assessing a 4-year-old child who has been coughing and has a high-pitched inspiratory sound when breathing. The child is sitting upright, drooling, and appears anxious. The parent reports the symptoms started suddenly about 20 minutes ago. The child has NO fever. Which condition should you MOST suspect?

8. A 62-year-old male with a history of COPD and congestive heart failure presents with severe shortness of breath. Assessment reveals: BP 168/94 mmHg, HR 112, RR 28, SpO2 86% on room air. He has diffuse wheezing, bilateral crackles, 2+ pitting edema in both lower extremities, and JVD. After administering bronchodilator therapy, minimal improvement is noted. Which condition is the PRIMARY cause of his respiratory distress, and what is the MOST appropriate next intervention?

9. A 19-year-old female with severe asthma is in respiratory distress. Initially, she had loud wheezing, but now her breath sounds are diminished bilaterally with only faint wheezes. She is extremely anxious, has cyanosis around her lips, and can no longer speak. Her SpO2 is 82% on 15 L/min via non-rebreather mask. What does the change in breath sounds indicate, and what is the appropriate response?

10. A 45-year-old male with a history of type 1 diabetes is found unresponsive. Family reports he has had the “stomach flu” for two days with vomiting and inability to keep food down. His skin is warm and dry, breathing is rapid and deep with a fruity odor, and his pulse is rapid and weak. Blood glucose reads “HIGH.” What is the MOST likely diagnosis, and what should be your PRIMARY intervention?

11. A patient is experiencing an acute myocardial infarction (MI). Which medication should be administered FIRST if the patient has no allergies and no contraindications?

12. Which cardiac rhythm is characterized by chaotic, disorganized electrical activity with no identifiable QRS complexes on the ECG, and is associated with no pulse?

13. A 58-year-old male presents with chest pain that he describes as “crushing” and radiating to his left arm and jaw. He is diaphoretic, nauseated, and appears anxious. Which finding is MOST characteristic of an acute myocardial infarction?

14. A 34-year-old female with a known bee allergy was stung by a bee 10 minutes ago. She is now experiencing difficulty breathing, widespread hives, and facial swelling. Her BP is 86/54 mmHg, HR 118, RR 28, SpO2 90%. She has an epinephrine auto-injector prescribed to her. What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?

15. A 67-year-old male with a history of hypertension and diabetes is found confused. His family reports he took his usual insulin dose this morning but then did not eat breakfast due to feeling nauseous. His skin is cool and clammy, and he is diaphoretic. His blood glucose reads 38 mg/dL. What is the MOST appropriate intervention?

16. You are caring for a 72-year-old female with chest pain. She has a history of angina and takes nitroglycerin as needed. Her BP is 102/64 mmHg, HR 88, RR 18, SpO2 96%. She has not taken any nitroglycerin today. After confirming no allergies to nitroglycerin, what is the MOST appropriate action?

17. You arrive to find a 65-year-old male unresponsive, apneic, and pulseless. The cardiac monitor shows ventricular fibrillation. After the first defibrillation, what is the MOST appropriate immediate action?

18. A 23-year-old male is actively seizing when you arrive. The seizure has lasted approximately 4 minutes. He has a history of epilepsy. His airway is patent, and he is cyanotic around the lips. What is the PRIORITY intervention for this patient?

19. A 56-year-old male complains of sudden, tearing chest pain that radiates to his back between his shoulder blades. He has a history of uncontrolled hypertension. His BP is 180/110 mmHg in the right arm and 145/90 mmHg in the left arm. He appears anxious and diaphoretic. Which condition should you MOST suspect, and what is the appropriate transport consideration?

20. A 42-year-old female with a history of alcoholism presents with confusion, ataxia, and nystagmus. Her friend reports she has not been eating well lately and has been drinking heavily. Blood glucose is 98 mg/dL. Which condition should you MOST suspect, and what is the appropriate field treatment?

21. A 62-year-old male with chest pain has a blood pressure of 110/70 and is sweating. He has a prescription for nitroglycerin. Which of the following is a contraindication to administering this medication?

22. A 54-year-old female is found unresponsive in her home. Her family states she has diabetes. Blood glucose is 38 mg/dL. She does not have a gag reflex. What should you do?

23. A 22-year-old male was stung by a wasp 10 minutes ago. He now has diffuse hives, swelling of his lips and tongue, difficulty breathing with wheezing, and a blood pressure of 84/52. What is the MOST appropriate intervention?

24. A 68-year-old male with COPD is in respiratory distress with labored breathing, an SpO2 of 86%, and appears exhausted. He is using accessory muscles and can only speak in short phrases. What is the MOST appropriate oxygen delivery?

25. A 71-year-old female has sudden onset of right-sided weakness and difficulty speaking. Her husband notes the symptoms started about 2 hours ago. Blood pressure is 168/94, blood glucose is 95 mg/dL. What should you do?

26. A 19-year-old male is unresponsive with pinpoint pupils and slow, shallow respirations (8 breaths/min). Friends report he may have taken “something.” What should you suspect and do?

27. A 55-year-old male has severe chest pain. He has a prescription for aspirin but no known allergies. His blood pressure is 140/90. After ensuring adequate oxygenation, what should you do?

28. A 35-year-old male was working in a hot environment and is now confused, has hot and dry skin, and a rapid pulse. What condition does this suggest and what is the appropriate treatment?

29. A 28-year-old female is experiencing a panic attack with rapid breathing, chest tightness, and numbness in her hands. She is alert but extremely anxious. What should you do?

30. A 32-year-old pregnant female at 38 weeks gestation is in active labor. You visualize the baby’s head crowning. What should you do?

31. What is the normal respiratory rate range for a 3-year-old child?

32. A 6-month-old infant is found unresponsive. The mother reports the baby was fine before naptime. When you assess the infant, you note the infant is limp, cyanotic, and not breathing. You do not feel a pulse. What is the MOST appropriate initial action?

33. A 4-year-old child is experiencing a seizure. The seizure has lasted approximately 3 minutes. The child is cyanotic around the lips and has noisy, labored breathing during the seizure activity. What is your PRIORITY intervention?

34. You are called to a home for a 2-year-old child with difficulty breathing. The mother reports the child has had a barking cough and fever for the past 12 hours. Upon assessment, you note inspiratory stridor, a seal-like barking cough, and hoarse voice. The child is sitting on the mother’s lap and appears anxious but is consolable. SpO2 is 94% on room air. What is the MOST likely diagnosis, and what is the MOST appropriate intervention?

35. A 34-year-old female who is 36 weeks pregnant is complaining of severe, constant abdominal pain and dark red vaginal bleeding. She reports she has not felt the baby move in several hours. Her blood pressure is 80/50 mmHg, heart rate is 120 bpm, and she is pale and diaphoretic. What is the MOST likely condition, and what is the PRIORITY intervention?

36. An 82-year-old male is found on the floor of his apartment by a neighbor. The patient is confused and unable to provide a history. His vital signs are: BP 90/60 mmHg, HR 102, RR 22, SpO2 91% on room air, Temp 101.8°F. His skin is warm and dry. The neighbor states the patient lives alone and has not been seen outside in two days. What is the MOST likely cause of his altered mental status and hypotension?

37. A 7-month-old infant presents with irritability, poor feeding, and a bulging anterior fontanelle. The mother reports the infant has had a fever for the past day and vomited twice this morning. On assessment, you note the infant is listless and has a high-pitched cry when disturbed. What is the MOST appropriate action?

38. A 45-year-old male with a history of schizophrenia is found wandering in traffic. When you approach, he appears disheveled, is talking to himself, and does not respond to your questions. He becomes agitated when you attempt to assess him and shouts, “They’re coming to get me!” What is the MOST appropriate approach to managing this patient?

39. A 3-year-old child is brought to you by his father. The child has multiple bruises in various stages of healing on his back, buttocks, and thighs. The father states the child “falls a lot” because he is “clumsy.” The child is quiet, avoids eye contact, and clings to his father. What is the MOST appropriate action?

40. You are called to a nursing home for a 76-year-old female with difficulty breathing. Staff report she has a history of dementia and COPD. Upon assessment, you note the patient is in a wheelchair, has a barrel-shaped chest, and is using accessory muscles to breathe. Her SpO2 is 89% on room air. She is alert but cannot provide a history due to her dementia. Which intervention is MOST appropriate?

41. A 62-year-old male with a history of COPD presents with severe wheezing and dyspnea. He has his prescribed albuterol inhaler with him. His blood pressure is 146/92 mmHg, pulse is 104/min, and SpO2 is 88% on room air. After initiating oxygen therapy, what is the most appropriate action regarding his medication?

42. You are treating a 24-year-old female having an acute asthma exacerbation. She has used her albuterol inhaler three times in the past hour without relief. She is sitting upright, using accessory muscles, and can only speak one or two words at a time. Her SpO2 is 89% on room air. Which finding indicates she is at greatest risk for respiratory failure?

43. A 35-year-old female was stung by a bee 10 minutes ago. She is now experiencing diffuse hives, facial swelling, and difficulty breathing. She has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector but cannot self-administer due to hand tremors. Her blood pressure is 92/58 mmHg. What is your priority intervention?

44. You are dispatched to a 71-year-old male with COPD who is having difficulty breathing. Family reports he has been using his home oxygen concentrator at 4 L/min. The patient appears cyanotic and is breathing 8 times per minute with minimal chest rise. What is the most appropriate oxygen therapy for this patient?

45. A 58-year-old male is complaining of substernal chest pain that began 20 minutes ago. He has a history of hypertension and has a prescribed bottle of nitroglycerin tablets. His vital signs are: BP 132/84 mmHg, pulse 88/min, respirations 18/min. Which of the following would be a contraindication to assisting with nitroglycerin?

46. You are assessing a 78-year-old female who woke up suddenly at 3 AM with severe shortness of breath. She is sitting upright in bed, appears anxious, and has pink, frothy sputum coming from her mouth. Bilateral crackles are heard on auscultation. Her blood pressure is 168/94 mmHg. What is the most likely diagnosis and appropriate field treatment?

47. You are treating a 64-year-old male with chest pain suggestive of acute coronary syndrome. You have obtained medical direction authorization to assist with aspirin. The patient has his own bottle of 81 mg aspirin tablets. What is the correct dose and administration route?

48. A 72-year-old nursing home resident is being evaluated for possible pneumonia. Staff report she has had a productive cough with yellow-green sputum for three days and fever. On assessment, you note decreased breath sounds over the right lower lung field. Which additional finding would be most consistent with this diagnosis?

49. You are called to a residence for a 56-year-old male with altered mental status. Family states he has type 1 diabetes and has not eaten today. The patient is conscious but confused, unable to follow commands. His blood glucose level is 42 mg/dL. What is the most appropriate treatment?

50. You are called to assist a 44-year-old female experiencing an allergic reaction after eating shellfish. She is alert but anxious, with diffuse hives and mild facial swelling. She has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector (0.3 mg). After contacting medical direction, you are authorized to assist. Which statement correctly describes the proper administration technique?