AEMT Medical / OB / GYN practice questions

Correct answer: B. 22 to 37 breaths per minute

The normal respiratory rate for a 2-year-old toddler is roughly 22 to 37 breaths per minute. Pediatric ranges shift with age, so a number that would alarm you in an adult may be entirely normal in a small child.

• A. That range corresponds to a 4-year-old preschooler rather than to this age group.
• B. This is the accepted normal respiratory rate range for a 2-year-old toddler.
• C. That range corresponds to a 15-year-old adolescent rather than to this age group.
• D. That range corresponds to a 9-year-old school-aged child rather than to this age group.

Correct answer: D. intravascular volume replacement

Normal saline is an isotonic crystalloid given for intravascular volume replacement. Matching each drug to the single problem it is designed to correct is what keeps administration deliberate rather than reflexive. Local protocol governs when and whether you may give it.

• A. That is the indication for nitrous oxide, which is an analgesic gas.
• B. That is the indication for glucagon, which is a hormone.
• C. That is the indication for epinephrine 1:10,000, which is a sympathomimetic.
• D. This is the indication normal saline is given for; it acts as an isotonic crystalloid.

Correct answer: A. A postictal period of confusion afterwards

A postictal period of confusion afterwards is what separates a seizure from syncope. Syncope is followed by prompt return to baseline once the patient is supine. Knowing the one finding that discriminates between two similar presentations is more useful than memorizing long symptom lists for each.

• A. This is the discriminating finding. Syncope is followed by prompt return to baseline once the patient is supine.
• B. That finding does not separate these two; it distinguishes cardiac tamponade in a different comparison.
• C. That finding does not separate these two; it distinguishes a myocardial infarction in a different comparison.
• D. That finding does not separate these two; it distinguishes a tension pneumothorax in a different comparison.

Correct answer: A. Sympathomimetic

Epinephrine 1:1,000 is a sympathomimetic. Knowing a drug's class lets you predict its effects and its likely adverse effects even when the specific agent is unfamiliar.

• A. Epinephrine 1:1,000 is a sympathomimetic, which is why it is used for anaphylaxis and severe asthma unresponsive to bronchodilators.
• B. That class describes aspirin, which is given for suspected acute coronary syndrome.
• C. That class describes ondansetron, which is given for nausea and vomiting.
• D. That class describes naloxone, which is given for respiratory depression from suspected opioid toxicity.

Correct answer: D. 18 to 25 breaths per minute

The normal respiratory rate for a 9-year-old school-aged child is roughly 18 to 25 breaths per minute. Pediatric ranges shift with age, so a number that would alarm you in an adult may be entirely normal in a small child.

• A. That range corresponds to a 2-year-old toddler rather than to this age group.
• B. That range corresponds to a 4-year-old preschooler rather than to this age group.
• C. That range corresponds to a 6-month-old infant rather than to this age group.
• D. This is the accepted normal respiratory rate range for a 9-year-old school-aged child.

Correct answer: D. 20 to 28 breaths per minute

The normal respiratory rate for a 4-year-old preschooler is roughly 20 to 28 breaths per minute. Pediatric ranges shift with age, so a number that would alarm you in an adult may be entirely normal in a small child.

• A. That range corresponds to a newborn rather than to this age group.
• B. That range corresponds to a 2-year-old toddler rather than to this age group.
• C. That range corresponds to a 15-year-old adolescent rather than to this age group.
• D. This is the accepted normal respiratory rate range for a 4-year-old preschooler.

Correct answer: A. A cholinergic toxidrome

Pinpoint pupils with salivation, lacrimation, bronchorrhea and incontinence together define a cholinergic toxidrome. Recognizing a toxidrome lets you treat a poisoning correctly even when the substance is unknown, which is the usual situation in the field.

• A. These findings together define a cholinergic toxidrome.
• B. An opioid toxidrome instead presents with pinpoint pupils with respiratory depression and depressed mentation.
• C. A sympathomimetic toxidrome instead presents with dilated pupils with hypertension, tachycardia, hyperthermia and diaphoresis.
• D. A sedative-hypnotic toxidrome instead presents with depressed mentation and respiratory depression with normal or slightly small pupils.

Correct answer: A. Antiemetic

Ondansetron is an antiemetic. Knowing a drug's class lets you predict its effects and its likely adverse effects even when the specific agent is unfamiliar.

• A. Ondansetron is an antiemetic, which is why it is used for nausea and vomiting.
• B. That class describes oxygen, which is given for hypoxia or suspected inadequate tissue oxygenation.
• C. That class describes nitrous oxide, which is given for moderate pain in a patient who can self-administer.
• D. That class describes dextrose, which is given for documented hypoglycemia with vascular access established.