Trivia Flashcards

Which condition is characterized by paradoxical chest wall movement during breathing after blunt thoracic trauma?

Answer: Flail chest

Flail chest occurs when three or more consecutive ribs are fractured in two places, creating a free-floating segment that moves opposite to the rest of the chest wall.

What does the acronym 'OPQRST' stand for in EMS patient assessment?

Answer: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time

OPQRST (Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time) is the standard mnemonic for characterizing a patient's chief complaint.

Which artery is palpated to assess circulation during adult CPR quality checks?

Answer: Carotid artery

The carotid artery is used to check for a pulse in adults during CPR because it is accessible and reflects central perfusion.

A patient with type 1 diabetes who has missed meals presents with confusion, diaphoresis, and a blood glucose of 40 mg/dL. After oral glucose fails, what is the next intervention?

Answer: Administer 1 mg glucagon IM

When a hypoglycemic patient cannot protect their airway for oral glucose, 1 mg glucagon IM stimulates hepatic glycogenolysis to raise blood sugar.

Which device is used to measure the percentage of hemoglobin saturated with oxygen non-invasively in the field?

Answer: Pulse oximeter

A pulse oximeter uses spectrophotometry to measure SpO2 by detecting differences in light absorption between oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin.

What is the proper depth of chest compressions recommended by AHA guidelines for an average adult?

Answer: At least 2 inches (5 cm), no more than 2.4 inches

AHA guidelines specify at least 2 inches but no more than 2.4 inches to optimize perfusion pressure without causing injury.

Which metabolic condition causes Kussmaul respirations as a compensatory mechanism?

Answer: Diabetic ketoacidosis

In diabetic ketoacidosis, the body compensates for metabolic acidosis by hyperventilating (Kussmaul breathing) to blow off CO2.