Deck 7: Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Terminology

Question 1

A patient complains of pain to the upper jaw. This would be documented as pain in the:

A) mandible.
B) zygoma.
C) maxilla.
D) mastoid.

Answer 1

C

Question 2

After you apply and use the automated external defibrillator, a patient regains his pulse and has adequate respirations. The paramedic asks you to place the patient in a lateral recumbent position. How should you position this patient?

A) On his back
B) On his left side
C) On his stomach
D) Supine with head turned left

Answer 2

B

Question 3

A 23-year-old male has been shot with a rifle. The bullet entered his chest just above the left nipple and exited his body just left of his lumbar spine. Proper documentation of this injury would include which of the following?

A) Entry wound to anterior thorax
B) Exit wound to the posterior thorax
C) Entry wound to the abdomen
D) Exit wound to the posterior torso

Answer 3

A

Question 4

Which of the following anatomical statements is true?

A) The hand is proximal to the elbow.
B) The shoulder is distal to the hand.
C) The hip is distal to the knee.
D) The knee is proximal to the ankle.

Question 5

In which of the following respiratory structures would an occlusion cause total cessation of air flow into and out of the lungs?

A) Right bronchi
B) Nasopharynx
C) Trachea
D) Esophagus

Question 6

Another EMT informs you that a patient has been stabbed once with a knife in the left midaxillary region. Where is this injury located?

A) Left chest
B) Left shoulder
C) Left lateral chest
D) Left side of the abdomen

Question 7

Involuntary or smooth muscles are found on which one of the following structures?

A) Muscles of the arms and legs
B) Blood vessels and intestines
C) Central nervous system
D) Heart and blood vessels

Question 8

Which of the following best describes the anatomical position?

A) Supine position with arms at the side and palms facing downward
B) Standing with the arms down at the side and palms facing forward
C) Prone position with arms upward and palms facing upward
D) Upright and facing backward with the arms raised and legs straight

Question 9

A patient has fractured bones in his left leg. Which of the following could be broken?

A) Acetabulum, calcaneus, or carpals
B) Femur, tibia, or fibula
C) Orbit, lumbar, or shin
D) Radius, ulna, humerus, or carpals

Question 10

A paramedic tells you that a patient with a probable spinal injury still retains his plantar reflexes. As a knowledgeable EMT, you should understand that the patient has reflex activity in what part of the body?

A) Hands
B) Feet
C) Arms
D) Fingers

Question 11

The segment of the spinal column that forms the posterior pelvis is the:

A) thoracic spine.
B) cervical vertebrae.
C) lumbar segment.
D) sacral vertebrae.

Question 12

Which plane would show the liver, stomach, and spleen?

A) Transverse plane
B) Midline plane
C) Abdominal plane
D) Sagittal plane

Question 13

A female patient has suffered a stroke to the right side of her brain and has paralysis to the contralateral portion of the body. Which one of the following is true?

A) She is paralyzed on the right side of her body.
B) Her left and right legs are paralyzed.
C) She cannot move her arms or legs.
D) She cannot move her left arm and leg.

Question 14

An 89-year-old female patient has fallen in her living room and has pain in her left hip. As you approach, you note that she is on her back with her left leg turned inward. When relaying this information to the receiving hospital, which of the following statements would you make regarding her position?

A) Supine with lateral rotation of the left lower extremity
B) Lateral recumbent with dorsal rotation of the left leg
C) Supine with medial rotation of the left lower extremity
D) Supine with left rotation of the right leg

Question 15

What is the function of the respiratory system?

A) Transport oxygen throughout the body
B) Provide nutrients to the cells
C) Release oxygen from the body
D) Provide the body with oxygen

Question 16

A patient informs you that he injured a tendon in his knee three years ago and has had a difficult time walking since. You recognize that this injury involves a structure that:

A) connects muscles to the knee.
B) connects the muscles surrounding the knee.
C) holds and secures the bones of the knee.
D) attaches a ligament to the knee.

Question 17

You have been called to transport a patient who is suffering from an illness that has impaired the ability of the involuntary muscles to contract. Which of the following conditions would you expect?

A) Decreased movement of wastes through the large intestine
B) Decreased heart rate and increased blood pressure
C) Difficulty in walking and grasping objects with his hands
D) Difficulty in maintaining an upright posture

Question 18

A female patient suffers from a muscular disease and cannot walk, thus requiring a wheelchair. Because she cannot ambulate, you would recognize that the muscles affected are:

A) voluntary.
B) involuntary.
C) cardiac.
D) smooth.

Question 19

Which line divides the body into right and left halves?

A) Midaxillary line
B) Anterior axillary line
C) Midline
D) Midclavicular line

Question 20

The bones of the upper extremities include:

A) humerus and radius.
B) humerus and calcaneus.
C) phalanges and tibia.
D) radius, ulna, and tarsals.

Question 21

As you arrive on scene, an Emergency Medical Responder informs you that the patient has agonal respirations. By this description, you would expect the patient's breathing to be:

A) irregular and shallow.
B) deep and gasping.
C) rapid and shallow.
D) deep and fast.

Question 22

A patient is experiencing the backup of blood and fluid in her lung tissue. Failure of which one of the heart's valves is likely responsible for this condition?

A) Tricuspid
B) Right
C) Mitral
D) Pulmonary

Question 23

A patient is complaining of extreme dizziness and headache. Which one of the following conditions is most likely to be responsible for this complaint?

A) Occlusion of the carotid arteries
B) Clot in the abdominal aorta
C) Rupture of the radial vein
D) Occlusion of the popliteal vein

Question 24

The left side of a patient's heart is in severe failure, causing blood to back up behind it. What sign or symptom are you most likely to observe?

A) Swelling in the feet
B) Decreased respirations
C) Bone pain in the legs
D) Crackles in the lungs

Question 25

Which portion of the heart is in failure when it can no longer effectively pump blood into the lungs?

A) Left atrium
B) Left ventricle
C) Right ventricle
D) Pulmonary vein

Question 26

The EMT shows correct understanding of the circulatory system when he identifies the primary function of the heart as:

A) transferring oxygen to the cells.
B) pumping blood throughout the body.
C) oxygenating blood in the lungs.
D) maintaining the volume of blood.

Question 27

When palpating a pulse on top of the foot, the EMT is assessing blood flow in what vessel?

A) Posterior tibial vein
B) Femoral vein
C) Coronary artery
D) Dorsalis pedis artery

Question 28

Which action produces inhalation?

A) Intercostal muscles relax.
B) Chest cavity decreases in size.
C) Diaphragm contracts.
D) Pressure in the chest increases.

Question 29

Which one of the following best represents the correct sequence for the passage of air into the lungs?

A) Nose, bronchi, larynx, trachea, pharynx
B) Larynx, esophagus, trachea, bronchi, alveoli
C) Epiglottis, trachea, cricoid, bronchi, alveoli
D) Mouth, pharynx, trachea, bronchi, alveoli

Question 30

A patient has severe swelling of the leaf-shaped flap that helps to prevent food from entering the lower respiratory system. Knowing that the suffix "itis" refers to inflammation, which one of the following conditions is the patient suffering from?

A) Epiglottitis
B) Tracheitis
C) Pharyngitis
D) Bronchitis

Question 31

The pediatric airway differs from the adult airway in that:

A) the child's tongue takes up proportionately more space in the mouth.
B) the trachea is highly rigid and less flexible to movement.
C) all respiratory structures are proportionally smaller and more easily obstructed.
D) the epiglottis is smaller and located behind the esophagus.

Question 32

A patient has a total occlusion of the left femoral artery. Regarding this condition, which of the following might the EMT expect to find?

A) Pale skin to the left foot
B) Swelling in the legs
C) Difficulty moving the left arm
D) Decreased radial pulse

Question 33

Which of the following is the vessel that carries oxygen-depleted blood to the right atrium?

A) Posterior tibial
B) Internal jugular
C) Vena cava
D) Aorta

Question 34

Following radiation therapy for breast cancer, a female has a low white blood cell count. What condition does this place her at risk to acquire?

A) Hypoxia
B) Infection
C) Bleeding
D) Low blood pressure

Question 35

The structure containing a person's "voice box" is termed the:

A) pharynx.
B) larynx.
C) trachea.
D) sternum.

Question 36

You are assessing a patient who informs you that her body abnormally forms blood clots, even when they are not needed to stop bleeding. Which one of the following conditions should you expect the patient to have?

A) Low red blood cell numbers
B) High white blood cell counts
C) Decreased clotting factors
D) Elevated number of platelets

Question 37

The alveoli of a patient's lungs are filled with fluid and pus secondary to pneumonia. For which of the following is the patient at risk?

A) Decreased movement of air into the lungs
B) Decreased movement of the diaphragm
C) Decreased absorption of oxygen into the body
D) Collapse of the trachea and bronchi

Question 38

The left atrium:

A) receives blood from the veins of the body.
B) receives blood from the pulmonary veins.
C) pumps blood to the lungs.
D) pumps blood to the body.

Question 39

What is the major artery of the thigh called?

A) Carotid artery
B) Femoral artery
C) Radial artery
D) Brachial artery

Question 40

When the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, which one of the following occurs?

A) Inhalation
B) Retraction
C) Expansion
D) Exhalation

Question 41

A patient has suffered a burn to the skin. Based on the function of the skin, which condition is he more susceptible to?

A) Infection
B) Fluid overload
C) Heart problems
D) Endocrine disorders

Question 42

The terms occipital, parietal, and frontal refer to which part of the body?

A) Chest
B) Cranium
C) Pelvis
D) Spine

Question 43

The nervous system is subdivided into the:

A) brain and vertebral column.
B) involuntary and voluntary.
C) skull and vertebral column.
D) central and peripheral systems.

Question 44

Assessment of an elderly male shows him to be confused. His family states that this is normal for him because he has a disease of his brain that has affected his ability to remember things. Based on this information, in what area of the brain is this disease located?

A) Pons
B) Brainstem
C) Cerebrum
D) Cerebellum

Question 45

In the healthy heart, the electrical impulses that cause contraction of the cardiac muscle are initiated in the:

A) sinoatrial node.
B) left atrium.
C) bundle branches.
D) ventricles.

Question 46

What body system protects internal organs and provides for movement?

A) Endocrine
B) Nervous
C) Musculoskeletal
D) Immune

Question 47

A patient suffering an orbital fracture is most likely to complain of:

A) pain around the ear.
B) difficulty swallowing.
C) pain when moving his lower jaw.
D) pain around the eye.

Question 48

Emergency Medical Responders inform you that a 73-year-old female has fallen and has a hematoma to the occipital area of her head. Based on this description, you should expect to find the injury in which area of the head?

A) Top
B) Side
C) Back
D) Front

Question 49

Which one of the following is a function of the skeletal system?

A) Producing blood cells
B) Securing the abdominal organs
C) Providing structure to blood vessels
D) Forming the vital organs of the body

Question 50

You are assessing a patient with an obvious left midshaft femur fracture. The most immediate threat to this patient's well-being is:

A) infection.
B) blood loss.
C) pain.
D) nerve damage.

Question 51

In which one of the following body systems are the thyroid glands, adrenal glands, pituitary glands, and gonads located?

A) Nervous
B) Endocrine
C) Hormonal
D) Respiratory

Question 52

A patient experiencing thoracic spine pain has pain in his:

A) neck.
B) lower back.
C) upper back.
D) tailbone.

Question 53

Which one of the following is the fluid that carries blood cells and nutrients?

A) Platelet fluid
B) Hemoglobin
C) Total body water
D) Plasma

Question 54

As a patient provides you with her past medical history, which one of the following should you recognize as directly related to the endocrine system?

A) Removal of the gallbladder
B) Failure of the kidneys
C) Removal of the thyroid
D) Failure of the appendix

Question 55

The spinal column is composed of what sections as described from superior to inferior?

A) Cervical, lumbar, thoracic, sacral, and coccyx
B) Coccyx, lumbar, thoracic, cervical, and sacral
C) Thoracic, lumbar, cervical, coccyx, and sacral
D) Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx

Question 56

A patient has taken a medication that increases the activity of his sympathetic nervous system. Which one of the following signs and symptoms would the EMT expect to find?

A) Decreased heart rate
B) Dilated pupils
C) Low blood pressure
D) Dry and flushed skin

Question 57

A patient's blood glucose (sugar) level begins to drop. Which one of the following organs would be affected first?

A) Spleen
B) Brain
C) Muscles
D) Heart

Question 58

The pressure exerted on the walls of the arteries as the left ventricle contracts is called:

A) systolic.
B) arterial.
C) diastolic.
D) osmotic.

Question 59

Degenerative disk disease is characterized by which one of the following?

A) Breakdown of the pads between the vertebrae
B) Arthritis of the spinal joints
C) Degeneration of the vertebral bone structure
D) Narrowing of the spinal canal

Question 60

A patient has suffered a stroke and injury to his brainstem. Which one of the following signs and symptoms might the EMT expect to see as a result of this condition?

A) Confusion
B) Abnormal respirations
C) Blindness
D) Muscle spasms

Question 61

A patient with kidney failure has lost his ability to:

A) produce all hormones.
B) absorb nutrients.
C) filter and excrete wastes.
D) digest fatty foods.

Question 62

A patient suffering a carpal fracture would most likely complain of pain in her:

A) ankle.
B) wrist.
C) knee.
D) elbow.

Question 63

Which one of the following is a beta₁ sympathetic (adrenergic) effect?

A) Bronchodilation
B) Increased heart rate
C) Vasodilation
D) Vasoconstriction

Question 64

Which one of the following statements regarding the integumentary system is true?

A) The skin protects the body against bacteria and other organisms.
B) The skin contains four layers: epidermal, dermal, subcutaneous, and nerve layer.
C) The epidermis is the thickest and most important layer of the skin.
D) The dermal layer is the outermost layer of the skin and contains sensory nerves.

Question 65

A patient informs you that he must sprinkle artificial digestive enzymes on all of his foods before eating them. Based on this, which one of the following organs should you assume is dysfunctional?

A) Small intestine
B) Adrenal glands
C) Spleen
D) Pancreas

Question 66

Knowing that muscular dystrophy affects the voluntary muscles, which one of the following patient problems should you expect to be a direct effect of the disease?

A) Constipation
B) Slow heart rate
C) Inability to walk
D) Vasodilation

Question 67

A patient with bronchitis is suffering from:

A) fluid in the trachea and bronchioles.
B) infection of the alveoli.
C) inflammation of the bronchioles.
D) accumulation of mucus in the trachea.

Question 68

A patellar fracture affects which part of the body?

A) Tibia
B) Hip
C) Elbow
D) Knee

Question 69

A patient with dentalgia is suffering from a(n):

A) painful tooth.
B) throat infection.
C) inflammation of the tongue.
D) sinus infection.

Question 70

A patient who has had both her thyroid and parathyroid glands removed would most likely have difficulty with which one of the following?

A) Producing hormones that govern sex characteristics
B) Maintaining strong and healthy bones
C) Regulating blood sugar
D) Maintaining an adequate blood pressure

Question 71

A patient with a calcaneal fracture has a broken:

A) foot.
B) thigh.
C) knee.
D) heel.

Question 72

You are using cryotherapy to treat a deformed and painful ankle. This involves the use of:

A) compression.
B) ice.
C) massage.
D) heat.

Question 73

An abrasion affects which part of the skin?

A) Epidermis
B) Dermal layer
C) Dermal and subcutaneous layers
D) Epidermal and dermal layers

Question 74

A patient informs you that he has had his gallbladder surgically removed. Based on the physiology of the gallbladder, which one of the following is true?

A) He may have difficulty digesting large amounts of fats.
B) He cannot store glycogen produced by the liver.
C) He will be more prone to gastric ulcers.
D) He must avoid meals high in complex carbohydrates.

Question 75

Assessment of a patient involved in a motor vehicle collision reveals tenderness over ribs 9-12 on the lateral right side. Based on this injury, which one of the following is your immediate concern?

A) Damage to the heart
B) Injury to the liver
C) Pain from possible rib fractures
D) Damage to the false ribs

Question 76

Pain that is documented as caustic is described by the patient as:

A) burning.
B) sharp.
C) stabbing.
D) achy.

Question 77

Which one of the following should the EMT expect when administering epinephrine to a patient?

A) Slowing of the heart rate
B) Increased blood pressure
C) Labored breathing
D) Generalized weakness

Question 78

Which one of the following best describes the difference between cardiac and smooth muscle?

A) Cardiac muscle can generate an electrical impulse; smooth muscle cannot.
B) Cardiac muscle is able to extend; smooth muscle can only contract.
C) Cardiac muscle relies on an electrical impulse to be stimulated; smooth muscle does not.
D) Cardiac muscle does not need a blood supply; smooth muscle does.

Question 79

Which one of the following statements regarding the endocrine system is true?

A) It includes the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal, and salivary glands.
B) It is a system of glands that releases hormones via ducts into the bloodstream.
C) It is a system of glands that regulates consciousness.
D) It is made up of several glands whose secretions cause specific actions in specific organs.

Question 80

An asthmatic is short of breath because her small airways are constricted. For this patient, the best medication is one that contains what sympathetic (adrenergic) properties?

A) alpha-1
B) beta-1
C) beta-2
D) alpha-2