FCTC Reading Comprehension Skills 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A passage states: 'The commissioner issued a directive requiring all units to document every patient contact, regardless of outcome.' What does 'regardless of outcome' mean in this context?
- Only successful patient transports must be documented
- Documentation is required only when a patient refuses care
- Every contact must be documented whether or not the patient received treatment (Correct answer)
- Outcome determines which form to use for documentation
Correct answer: Every contact must be documented whether or not the patient received treatment
'Regardless of outcome' means the requirement applies in all cases, no matter what the result of the contact was.
Question 2: Read: 'Cardiac arrest patients who receive bystander CPR prior to EMS arrival have significantly improved survival rates compared to those who do not.' Which conclusion is best supported?
- EMS response times have no effect on cardiac arrest survival
- Bystander CPR is more effective than EMS-administered CPR
- Early CPR by bystanders increases the chance of surviving cardiac arrest (Correct answer)
- Survival rates are equal whether or not bystander CPR is performed
Correct answer: Early CPR by bystanders increases the chance of surviving cardiac arrest
The passage directly states that bystander CPR prior to EMS arrival leads to significantly improved survival rates.
Question 3: A protocol reads: 'Administer oxygen via non-rebreather mask at 15 LPM for patients presenting with signs of hypoxia; titrate to maintain SpO2 above 94%.' What should you do if SpO2 rises to 99%?
- Increase oxygen flow to prevent a drop
- Maintain 15 LPM regardless of SpO2
- Titrate (adjust) the oxygen flow downward (Correct answer)
- Switch to a nasal cannula immediately
Correct answer: Titrate (adjust) the oxygen flow downward
Titrating means adjusting oxygen delivery to maintain the target SpO2 range, so you would reduce flow if SpO2 exceeds the target.
Question 4: Which reading strategy is MOST effective when you need to locate a specific fact within a long passage?
- Reading the entire passage word-for-word twice
- Scanning headings and keywords to locate the relevant section (Correct answer)
- Summarizing each paragraph before moving to the next
- Reading only the first and last sentence of the passage
Correct answer: Scanning headings and keywords to locate the relevant section
Scanning for keywords and headings allows you to efficiently locate specific information without reading every word.
Question 5: A memo states: 'Effective immediately, all EMTs must complete the new airway documentation field; failure to do so will result in the report being returned for revision.' What is the PRIMARY purpose of this sentence?
- To explain why airway documentation is medically important
- To inform EMTs of a new requirement and its consequence for non-compliance (Correct answer)
- To describe how to complete the airway documentation field
- To announce a change in the chain of command
Correct answer: To inform EMTs of a new requirement and its consequence for non-compliance
The sentence announces a new mandatory requirement and states what will happen if it is not followed.
Question 6: A passage describes two treatment protocols side by side. Which of the following is the BEST approach to compare them?
- Read only the protocol that applies to the current patient
- Note differences in indications, dosages, and contraindications for each (Correct answer)
- Memorize both protocols verbatim without analysis
- Focus only on the step with the highest drug dose
Correct answer: Note differences in indications, dosages, and contraindications for each
Effective comparison requires identifying key differences in criteria such as indications, dosages, and contraindications.
Question 7: The word 'contraindicated' in a medical protocol most nearly means:
- Strongly recommended for the patient's condition
- Advised only under physician supervision
- Not appropriate or potentially harmful in a given situation (Correct answer)
- Required before administering any medication
Correct answer: Not appropriate or potentially harmful in a given situation
Contraindicated means a treatment should not be used because it may be harmful in a particular situation.
FCTC Reading Comprehension Skills 4
A passage states: 'The commissioner issued a directive requiring all units to document every patient contact, regardless of outcome.' What does 'regardless of outcome' mean in this context?