Question 1

A patient informs you that he was recently diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). He states that the surgeon did not want to operate on it immediately because he felt it was stable and not worth the risks that surgery posed. Tonight the patient states that he suddenly developed abdominal pain and wants to be evaluated in the hospital to see if the AAA has increased in size. Given this history, which of the following assessment findings would cause the EMT to suspect that the AAA is the cause of the abdominal pain?

Accepted Answer

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) can cause severe and sudden abdominal pain that radiates to the back. This is often described as a "tearing" pain. The other options, such as fever (B), pain that subsides with rest (C), and inability to urinate (D), are not specific to AAA and can be present with a variety of medical conditions.

Question 2

A 26-year-old female is complaining of abdominal pain. She states that the pain is generalized to her abdomen and worsens when walking. She also tells you that she is having a foul-smelling, yellow-colored vaginal discharge. The primary assessment reveals no threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation. Her vital signs are: pulse 104, respirations 16, blood pressure 108/60, and oral temperature of 102.1∘F. She finished her last menstrual period three days ago. As such, you would treat her for what condition?

Accepted Answer

The foul-smelling, yellow-colored vaginal discharge along with abdominal pain and fever suggests pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), which is an infection of the female reproductive system. The recent menstrual period and absence of unilateral abdominal pain make ectopic pregnancy and ovarian cyst less likely. Mittelschmerz is a type of abdominal pain that occurs with ovulation and is not associated with vaginal discharge or fever.

Question 3

A patient who has just been raped states that she will not go with you to the hospital until she showers and cleans herself up. As an EMT, you would make which of the following statements:

Accepted Answer

It is important to inform the patient that showering may destroy evidence that could be used to identify the rapist. The patient may not be aware of the potential consequences of washing away evidence, and it is important to communicate this information in a calm and supportive manner. It is also important to reassure the patient that the priority is their safety and well-being, and that they will receive appropriate medical care and support.

Question 4

You have been dispatched for a male patient who is "sick." While enroute, Emergency Medical Responders inform you that the patient has esophageal varices, which appear to have ruptured. You would inform your partner to prepare what materials or piece of equipment?

Accepted Answer

Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the esophagus that can rupture and cause severe bleeding. The patient may be experiencing vomiting of blood, so a suction machine should be prepared to clear the patient's airway of any blood or other secretions. Automated external defibrillators are used in cardiac arrest scenarios and are not indicated for this patient. Trauma dressings and a long spinal board are also not necessary based on the information provided.

Question 5

While performing the secondary assessment on a patient's abdomen, you note a pulsating mass just above the umbilicus. Your next action would be to:

Accepted Answer

Palpating the remainder of the abdomen gently is the correct next action to avoid causing harm or exacerbating a potential abdominal aortic aneurysm, which the pulsating mass may indicate.

Question 6

You are transporting a visibly upset female who was raped after she let a male stranger into her house. When questioning the patient, which of the following would be appropriate for the EMT to ask?

Accepted Answer

Asking the patient where they are hurting is appropriate and focuses on assessing their immediate physical condition without judgment or causing further emotional distress.

Question 7

You suspect a patient with right lower quadrant pain may have appendicitis. The patient states that he has no health insurance and wants to refuse care and transport. He asks you what can happen if it is appendicitis and he does not go to the hospital. You would reply:

Accepted Answer

Failure to treat appendicitis can result in the appendix rupturing and causing a severe infection, which can lead to shock and potentially life-threatening complications. It is important for the patient to seek medical attention if they suspect they have appendicitis.

Question 8

Pelvic inflammatory disease is best described as a(n):

Accepted Answer

Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a bacterial infection of the female reproductive organs, which can lead to inflammation, pain, and damage to the fallopian tubes and other structures. It is usually caused by sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia or gonorrhea.

Question 9

For a normal pregnancy, within what structure must the sperm and egg come together for fertilization?

Accepted Answer

Fertilization typically occurs within the fallopian tube where the sperm and egg meet and form a zygote.

The other options (ovary, vagina, upper uterus) are not the site of fertilization. The ovary produces the egg but it must travel through the fallopian tube to meet the sperm. The vagina is the site of sexual intercourse but it is not where fertilization occurs. The upper uterus is where the fertilized egg eventually implants and grows into a fetus, but fertilization occurs before the egg reaches the uterus.

Question 10

When you are obtaining information for the medical history, which of the following items would be significant for a patient with suspected cholecystitis?

Accepted Answer

A diet high in fatty foods, like fried chicken, can trigger gallbladder attacks and is significant in the context of cholecystitis.

Question 11

A patient states that after dinner, she suddenly developed right upper quadrant abdominal pain that radiated to her shoulder. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would recognize this characteristic pain pattern as most suggestive of:

Accepted Answer

The sudden onset of right upper quadrant abdominal pain that radiates to the shoulder is a characteristic symptom of gallbladder inflammation, also known as cholecystitis. The gallbladder is located in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen, and the pain may radiate to the right shoulder due to irritation of the phrenic nerve. This symptom pattern is not typically associated with a urinary tract infection, intestinal obstruction, or gastric ulcer.

Question 12

A 56-year-old male informs you that he has gastric ulcers. He states that he has had them for several months, but just recently the pain has been steadily increasing. If the cause of the abdominal pain is the gastric ulcers, how would you expect him to describe the pain?

Accepted Answer

Burning pain located to the left upper quadrant is a common symptom of gastric ulcers. The pain may also occur shortly after eating and may be temporarily relieved by antacids.

Question 13

Which of the following statements made by a female patient would make the EMT highly suspicious of mittelschmerz?

Accepted Answer

Mittelschmerz is characterized by sharp, abdominal pain that is typically short-lived and may occur around the middle of the menstrual cycle, coinciding with ovulation. This description matches the patient's statement in choice A, indicating transient sharp belly pain.

Question 14

A 38-year-old female was violently raped. The patient is conscious, upset, and actively bleeding from the vaginal canal. As an EMT, your best care would involve:

Accepted Answer

C) Applying a bulky dressing and gentle pressure to the external genitalia is the correct approach. This method helps control bleeding without further invading the patient's privacy or potentially destroying forensic evidence. It's important to manage the patient's physical injuries while being mindful of the psychological trauma and the need for evidence preservation in cases of sexual assault.

Question 15

You have been dispatched for a patient with severe abdominal pain. On scene, a 57-year-old male informs you that he has a past medical history of chronic pancreatitis, which has "flared up." Which of the following precipitating factors would the EMT identify as the most likely cause of the exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Consumption of alcohol is a common precipitating factor for acute exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis. Upper respiratory infections and dehydration may exacerbate abdominal pain in general, but they are not necessarily specific to pancreatitis. The use of antibiotics for a respiratory infection is unlikely to cause an exacerbation of chronic pancreatitis.

Question 16

Which statement regarding abdominal pain would lead the EMT to suspect appendicitis?

Accepted Answer

Pain that starts around the belly button and moves to the right side of the belly is a common symptom of appendicitis. The other statements do not indicate classic symptoms of appendicitis.

Question 17

You have been called for a 31-year-old male who experienced sudden left lower quadrant pain while lifting and moving a friend's couch to an upstairs bedroom. The EMT would recognize this history as suggestive of what type of abdominal injury?

Accepted Answer

The sudden onset of pain while lifting and moving something heavy is suggestive of a hernia, particularly an inguinal hernia. Cholecystitis typically presents with pain in the right upper quadrant, while appendicitis presents with pain in the right lower quadrant. Aortic aneurysm may present with abdominal pain, but sudden onset and associated activity are not typically described.

Question 18

Which of the following statements is true concerning the functions of the vagina?

Accepted Answer

The vagina serves as a passage for the fetus during delivery as well as an outlet for blood during menstruation. While the vagina is adjacent to the urethra, which permits the outflow of urine from the bladder, it is not a function of the vagina itself. Additionally, fertilization occurs in the fallopian tubes, not in the vagina. While the vagina may play a role in sexual intercourse, it is not specifically designed for accommodation of the penis.

Question 19

When obtaining a medical history from a female patient with abdominal pain, she tells you that she suffers from endometriosis. As an EMT, you know that this condition describes:

Accepted Answer

Endometriosis is a condition where endometrial tissue (the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus) grows outside of the uterus, typically on the ovaries, fallopian tubes, or other organs in the abdominal cavity. It can cause pelvic pain, heavy menstrual bleeding, and infertility.

Question 20

The primary assessment of a 27-year-old female who has been raped reveals no life threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation. The patient complains of pain in the vaginal area, but a focused assessment of her genitalia indicates no remarkable findings. When caring for this patient, which of the following statements would be most therapeutic for the patient?

Accepted Answer

Option A is the most therapeutic statement for the patient because it addresses her need for safety and reassurance. It acknowledges her fear and offers her a sense of security. Option B, on the other hand, may increase the patient's anxiety, while option C is invasive and unnecessary. Option D is misleading since not all rapists are caught by authorities.

Quiz 23: Abdominal, Hematologic, Gynecologic, Genitourinary, and Renal Emergencies