CPC Respiratory Assessment and Management

Question 1

A community paramedic auscultates a patient's lungs and hears high-pitched, continuous musical sounds on expiration. These sounds are MOST consistent with:

Accepted Answer

Wheezes

Answer

Crackles (rales)

Answer

Rhonchi

Answer

Pleural friction rub

Question 2

A community paramedic performs a pulse oximetry reading on a patient with COPD and records SpO2 of 88%. The patient is asymptomatic at rest. Per standard COPD management guidelines, what is the appropriate oxygen saturation TARGET for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Titrate oxygen to maintain SpO2 88–92%

Answer

Increase oxygen to achieve SpO2 ≥98%

Answer

No intervention needed — COPD patients are always hypoxic

Answer

Administer high-flow oxygen via non-rebreather mask

Question 3

The Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea scale classifies a patient who reports breathlessness only with strenuous exercise as which grade?

Accepted Answer

Grade 0

Answer

Grade 1

Answer

Grade 2

Answer

Grade 3

Question 4

A community paramedic conducts a home visit for a patient being managed for pulmonary hypertension. Which finding warrants the MOST urgent escalation?

Accepted Answer

Syncope during minimal exertion

Answer

Mild bilateral ankle edema

Answer

Oxygen saturation of 94% at rest

Answer

Mild dyspnea climbing one flight of stairs

Question 5

During a COPD home visit, a patient reports their sputum has changed from its usual white/clear color to yellow-green with increased volume. This MOST likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Acute COPD exacerbation with possible bacterial infection

Answer

Adequate hydration and normal mucus production

Answer

Resolution of a prior pneumonia episode

Answer

Normal variation in COPD sputum production

Question 6

A community paramedic is assessing respiratory rate in a patient. What is the correct technique for measuring respiratory rate?

Accepted Answer

Count breaths for a full 60 seconds without informing the patient

Answer

Count breaths for 15 seconds and multiply by 4

Answer

Ask the patient to count their own breaths for 30 seconds

Answer

Count breaths while simultaneously taking the pulse for accuracy