Question 1

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:

Accepted Answer

Agonal respirations are a reflex breathing pattern that occurs when the brain is severely deprived of oxygen. The breathing is typically deep and gasping, with long pauses between each breath. It is often seen as a sign of impending cardiac arrest.

Question 2

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?

Accepted Answer

The mitral valve regulates blood flow between the left atrium and ventricle, making it responsible for preventing the backup of blood and fluid in the lung tissue. Failure of this valve can result in a condition known as mitral valve regurgitation, where blood leaks back into the atrium instead of flowing to the rest of the body. This can lead to the accumulation of fluid in the lungs and cause symptoms such as shortness of breath and fatigue.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Occlusion of the carotid arteries can lead to reduced blood flow to the brain, which can cause dizziness and headaches. Clot in the abdominal aorta, rupture of the radial vein, and occlusion of the popliteal vein are unlikely to cause these specific symptoms.

Question 4

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?

Accepted Answer

When the left side of the heart fails, there is an increased pressure in the lungs causing fluid to leak from capillaries into the alveoli, resulting in crackles (rales) heard in the lungs on auscultation. Swelling in the feet (edema) is a sign of right-sided heart failure. Decreased respirations and bone pain in the legs are not specific symptoms of heart failure.

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

The right ventricle is responsible for pumping blood to the lungs to receive oxygen. When it can no longer effectively pump blood into the lungs, it is known as right ventricular failure or right-sided heart failure.

Question 6

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

Accepted Answer

The primary function of the heart is to pump blood throughout the body, delivering oxygen and nutrients to the cells and removing waste products. While the lungs play a crucial role in oxygenating the blood, the heart's main responsibility is to circulate the blood. Maintaining the volume of blood is also important, but it is not the primary function of the heart.

Question 7

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

Accepted Answer

When palpating a pulse on the top of the foot, the EMT is assessing blood flow in the dorsalis pedis artery.

Question 8

Which action produces inhalation?

Accepted Answer

Inhalation is produced by the contraction of the diaphragm, which increases the volume of the chest cavity and decreases the pressure within it. This decrease in pressure leads to air rushing into the lungs. The intercostal muscles and chest cavity may also play a role in inhalation, but they are not the primary cause.

Question 9

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

Accepted Answer

Air enters through the mouth or nose, passes through the pharynx, enters the trachea, which then branches into the bronchi and finally reaches the alveoli in the lungs. Choice D correctly represents this sequence.

Question 10

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?

Accepted Answer

The epiglottis is the leaf-shaped flap that helps to prevent food from entering the lower respiratory system. "Itis" refers to inflammation, therefore the patient is suffering from epiglottitis. Tracheitis refers to inflammation of the trachea, pharyngitis refers to inflammation of the pharynx, and bronchitis refers to inflammation of the bronchi.

Question 11

The pediatric airway differs from the adult airway in that:

Accepted Answer

The answer of The pediatric airway differs from the adult...

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

A total occlusion of the left femoral artery would result in decreased blood flow to the left leg, which could lead to ischemia and pale skin. Swelling in the legs is not a typical finding with arterial occlusions. Difficulty moving the left arm and decreased radial pulse are not related to an occlusion of the left femoral artery.

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

The vena cava is the largest vein in the body and carries deoxygenated blood from the body back to the heart. The inferior vena cava brings blood from the lower body to the right atrium of the heart, while the superior vena cava brings blood from the upper body to the right atrium of the heart.

Question 14

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?

Accepted Answer

A low white blood cell count, or leukopenia, can greatly increase the risk of infection, as the white blood cells play a crucial role in the body's immune system. Hypoxia, bleeding, and low blood pressure are not directly related to a low white blood cell count.

Question 15

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

Accepted Answer

The larynx, also known as the voice box, is a structure in the neck containing the vocal cords, which vibrate to produce sound when air is passed over them during breathing.

Question 16

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?

Accepted Answer

The patient's statement about abnormal clotting indicates a possible condition known as thrombophilia, which is often characterized by elevated number of platelets. Low red blood cell numbers (anemia) and decreased clotting factors would actually result in increased bleeding rather than clotting, and high white blood cell counts are typically a sign of infection or inflammation rather than thrombophilia.

Question 17

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?

Accepted Answer

The fluid and pus in the alveoli impair gas exchange, leading to decreased absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream.

Question 18

The left atrium:

Accepted Answer

The left atrium receives blood from the pulmonary veins, which carry oxygenated blood from the lungs back to the heart. It does not pump blood to the body or to the lungs, as those functions are carried out by the left ventricle and right ventricle, respectively. The right atrium is responsible for receiving deoxygenated blood from the body.

Question 19

What is the major artery of the thigh called?

Accepted Answer

The major artery of the thigh is called the femoral artery.

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

When the diaphragm and intercostal muscles relax, the volume of the thoracic cavity decreases, leading to an increase in pressure, which forces air out of the lungs. This process is called exhalation.

Quiz 7: Anatomy, Physiology, and Medical Terminology