Emergency Services Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the preferred airway management device for a conscious EMS patient who cannot maintain their own airway?
- Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) (Correct answer)
- Endotracheal tube
- Laryngeal mask airway
- Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
Correct answer: Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA)
An NPA is preferred for conscious or semi-conscious patients because it is better tolerated and less likely to trigger a gag reflex.
Question 2: Which vital sign abnormality is most indicative of hypovolemic shock?
- Bradycardia and hypertension
- Tachycardia and hypotension (Correct answer)
- Bradycardia and hypotension
- Tachycardia and hypertension
Correct answer: Tachycardia and hypotension
Hypovolemic shock causes compensatory tachycardia and decreased blood pressure due to fluid loss.
Question 3: What does 'SAMPLE' history stand for in EMS?
- Signs, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last oral intake, Events (Correct answer)
- Symptoms, Age, Medications, Pulse, Labs, Exam
- Scene, Assessment, Medical, Pain, Location, Events
- Signs, Assessment, Medical, Pertinent history, Last vitals, Exam
Correct answer: Signs, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last oral intake, Events
SAMPLE is a mnemonic for gathering patient history: Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past history, Last oral intake, and Events.
Question 4: What is the purpose of the START triage system?
- To rank hospital admission priority
- To rapidly categorize multiple casualties in a mass casualty incident (Correct answer)
- To determine treatment protocols for cardiac patients
- To assess scene safety
Correct answer: To rapidly categorize multiple casualties in a mass casualty incident
START (Simple Triage and Rapid Treatment) is used to quickly classify victims in mass casualty incidents into treatment priority categories.
Question 5: A patient with a GCS score of 8 requires what immediate intervention?
- IV access only
- Airway management (Correct answer)
- Cardiac monitoring only
- Wound care
Correct answer: Airway management
A GCS score of 8 or below indicates severe brain injury and necessitates immediate airway management to protect the airway.
Question 6: What is the treatment priority for a pregnant trauma patient in the third trimester?
- Fetal monitoring first
- Position the patient on her left side and treat as any trauma patient (Correct answer)
- Perform emergency C-section at the scene
- Transport in the supine position always
Correct answer: Position the patient on her left side and treat as any trauma patient
Left lateral tilt relieves aortocaval compression and improves venous return, while standard trauma protocols are applied.
Emergency Services Emergency Medical Services (EMS) 2
What is the preferred airway management device for a conscious EMS patient who cannot maintain their own airway?