Medical Tests Medical Tests Certifications NREMT Questions & Answers

• Question 151:

  Which chamber of the heart pumps oxygen-rich blood out to the body tissues?

  A. Right atrium

  B. Right ventricle

  C. Left atrium

  D. *Left ventricle

  Correct Answer: D

  Oxygen-rich blood reaches the left atrium from the lungs via the pulmonary veins; then, the left ventricle pumps it out to the rest of the body.

• Question 152:

  Which patient is showing signs and symptoms of cardiac compromise?

  A. 85-year-old man: difficulty breathing, high fever, rapid pulse

  B. 72-year-old woman: wheezing, labored breathing, tightness in throat

  C. 53-year-old woman: dull chest pain, sudden sweating, difficulty breathing

  D. 51-year-old man: headache, dizziness, gagging, chest pain

  Correct Answer: C

  This woman shows classic signs of cardiac compromise: dull chest pain, sudden onset of sweating, and difficulty breathing.

• Question 153:

  Patients commonly describe heart attack pain as which of the following characteristic?

  A. Like "pins and needles"

  B. Crushing or squeezing

  C. Intermittent (comes and goes)

  D. Less severe than indigestion

  Correct Answer: B

  Myocardial pain is often difficult to determine because it can take on many different characters; however, patients most commonly (over 40% of the time) describe the pain of a myocardial infarction as a crushing, squeezing, pressure that radiates outward to the arms and upper back.

• Question 154:

  Which heart rhythm often converts to ventricular fibrillation?

  A. Asystole

  B. Ventricular tachycardia

  C. Atrial fibrillation

  D. Atrial tachycardia

  Correct Answer: D

  Ventricular tachycardia often converts to ventricular fibrillation, a life-threatening heart rhythm that the AED is designed to correct.

• Question 155:

  Your patient is a 62-year-old man with a history of heart disease. He is experiencing chest pain. Your first action should be to:

  A. Place the pads for the automated external defibrillator on his chest.

  B. Begin CPR while preparing the automated external defibrillator.

  C. Ask him if he has taken his nitroglycerin, and if not, offer to assist him.

  D. Place him in a comfortable position and administer high-flow oxygen.

  Correct Answer: D

  Your first action would be to administer oxygen and place the patient in a comfortable position; next, if not contraindicated, you would request permission to administer nitroglycerin. You should first obtain a set of vital signs to ensure he is not in cardiogenic shock. Never put defibrillator pads onto a conscious patient with a pulse; this procedure is contraindicated. AED pads are not serving the same function as the electrodes used by ALS providers to monitor the heart rhythm.

• Question 156:

  A 45-year-old male patient is experiencing chest discomfort. After placing him in his position of comfort, your next action should be to:

  A. Ventilate the patient with a nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute.

  B. Ventilate the patient with the bag-valve mask at 15 liters per minute.

  C. Administer oxygen by nonrebreather mask at 15 liters per minute.

  D. Administer oxygen by the nasal cannula at 6 liters per minute.

  Correct Answer: C

  There is no information to indicate that the patient requires ventilatory support. Any patient experiencing chest discomfort should receive the highest possible concentration of oxygen.

• Question 157:

  What does the Mitral valve do?

  A. Prevents blood from back-flowing into the left ventricle

  B. Prevents blood from back-flowing into the left Atrium

  C. Prevents blood from back-flowing into the lungs

  D. Prevents blood from flowing between the right and left ventricles

  Correct Answer: B

  The mitral valve is located between the left atrium and ventricle and prevents blood from flowing back into the left atrium.

• Question 158:

  The three-flap valve located on the right side of the heart is the:

  A. Tri-valve

  B. Mitral valve

  C. Tricuspid valve

  D. Triluminar valve

  Correct Answer: C

  The three-flap valve is called the tricuspid valve, and it divides the right atrium from the right ventricle.

• Question 159:

  Your patient is an 80-year old male with shortness of breath. Which of the following could your patient be suffering from?

  A. Congestive heart failure

  B. A myocardial infarction

  C. Cardiac compromise

  D. All of the above

  Correct Answer: D

  Geriatric patients do not always present the clear-cut signs and symptoms of cardiac problems. With the limited information given, this patient could be suffering from any of the above cardiac conditions, plus a wide variety of pulmonary illnesses as well.

• Question 160:

  What is the difference between angina pectoris and a myocardial infarction?

  A. As an EMT-B you cannot determine the difference

  B. The pain from angina pectoris will gradually get worse

  C. A myocardial infarction will go away with rest

  D. Angina pectoris is caused by physical or emotional stress

  Correct Answer: D

  Angina pectoris is typically caused by physical emotional stress. Symptoms usually last no more than 10 minutes and are relieved by rest.