AEMCA AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Musculoskeletal and Environmental Emergencies Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient rescued from a house fire presents with hot, dry skin; temperature 41°C (106°F); altered mental status; and no sweating. What condition is this?

Accepted Answer

Classic heat stroke

Answer

Heat exhaustion

Answer

Heat cramps

Answer

Exertional heat stroke

Question 2

What is the preferred prehospital cooling method for a patient with heat stroke?

Accepted Answer

Cold-water immersion or evaporative cooling with fanning

Answer

Oral hydration with cold water

Answer

Ice packs to the groin only

Answer

Antipyretics such as acetaminophen

Question 3

Which electrolyte abnormality is most associated with severe rhabdomyolysis following crush injury?

Accepted Answer

Hyperkalemia

Answer

Hyponatremia

Answer

Hypocalcemia

Answer

Hypomagnesemia

Question 4

A 30-year-old hiker presents with confusion, ataxia, and slurred speech after several days in the cold. Core temperature is 30°C (86°F). What dysrhythmia is classically associated with this temperature?

Accepted Answer

Osborn (J) waves on ECG with risk of VF

Answer

Ventricular fibrillation

Answer

Third-degree heart block

Answer

Atrial flutter

Question 5

When should CPR be withheld in a hypothermic cardiac arrest patient in the prehospital setting?

Accepted Answer

Obvious lethal injury or the chest wall is non-compressible (frozen solid)

Answer

Core temperature below 30°C

Answer

Patient appears frozen with no signs of life

Answer

Asystole on the monitor

Question 6

What is the correct prehospital management priority for a patient with a closed femur fracture?

Accepted Answer

Traction splint application and IV access for fluid resuscitation

Answer

Immediate surgical consultation by phone

Answer

Apply a tourniquet proximal to the fracture

Answer

Ice packs and elevation alone