Respiratory and Cardiac Medical Emergencies - NREMT: AEMT Level
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What is the recommended adult chest compression rate during CPR?
What is the recommended adult chest compression rate during CPR?
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Compression rate: $100$–$120$/min. Optimizes cardiac output by balancing speed and quality, per AHA resuscitation guidelines.
Compression rate: $100$–$120$/min. Optimizes cardiac output by balancing speed and quality, per AHA resuscitation guidelines.
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Which medication is commonly given for suspected cardiac chest pain if not contraindicated?
Which medication is commonly given for suspected cardiac chest pain if not contraindicated?
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Aspirin per protocol (if no allergy or active bleeding). Inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce thrombus formation in acute coronary syndromes.
Aspirin per protocol (if no allergy or active bleeding). Inhibits platelet aggregation to reduce thrombus formation in acute coronary syndromes.
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What is the preferred initial medication for bronchospasm in asthma or COPD with wheezing?
What is the preferred initial medication for bronchospasm in asthma or COPD with wheezing?
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Inhaled beta-$2$ agonist (albuterol) per protocol. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle to alleviate wheezing and improve airflow in reactive airway diseases.
Inhaled beta-$2$ agonist (albuterol) per protocol. Relaxes bronchial smooth muscle to alleviate wheezing and improve airflow in reactive airway diseases.
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Which medication is indicated for suspected anaphylaxis with respiratory compromise or hypotension?
Which medication is indicated for suspected anaphylaxis with respiratory compromise or hypotension?
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Epinephrine IM per protocol. Counteracts severe allergic reactions by causing vasoconstriction and bronchodilation to stabilize vital signs.
Epinephrine IM per protocol. Counteracts severe allergic reactions by causing vasoconstriction and bronchodilation to stabilize vital signs.
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What clinical finding most strongly suggests upper airway obstruction rather than lower airway disease?
What clinical finding most strongly suggests upper airway obstruction rather than lower airway disease?
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Stridor. Indicates high-pitched sound from turbulent airflow in narrowed upper airways, distinguishing it from wheezing in lower airways.
Stridor. Indicates high-pitched sound from turbulent airflow in narrowed upper airways, distinguishing it from wheezing in lower airways.
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What breath sound is most consistent with fluid in the alveoli, such as in CHF or pulmonary edema?
What breath sound is most consistent with fluid in the alveoli, such as in CHF or pulmonary edema?
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Crackles (rales). Reflects fine, discontinuous sounds from air moving through fluid-filled alveoli, typical in congestive conditions.
Crackles (rales). Reflects fine, discontinuous sounds from air moving through fluid-filled alveoli, typical in congestive conditions.
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What is the key treatment priority for acute pulmonary edema with severe dyspnea and hypertension?
What is the key treatment priority for acute pulmonary edema with severe dyspnea and hypertension?
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CPAP if not contraindicated, plus oxygenation/ventilation support. Applies positive pressure to reduce preload and afterload, improving oxygenation in cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
CPAP if not contraindicated, plus oxygenation/ventilation support. Applies positive pressure to reduce preload and afterload, improving oxygenation in cardiogenic pulmonary edema.
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What is the first-line prehospital treatment for suspected opioid-induced respiratory depression?
What is the first-line prehospital treatment for suspected opioid-induced respiratory depression?
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Ventilate with BVM; give naloxone per protocol. Reverses opioid-induced hypoventilation by antagonizing mu-receptors while supporting airway and breathing.
Ventilate with BVM; give naloxone per protocol. Reverses opioid-induced hypoventilation by antagonizing mu-receptors while supporting airway and breathing.
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Which assessment finding best indicates inadequate ventilation requiring assisted ventilations?
Which assessment finding best indicates inadequate ventilation requiring assisted ventilations?
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Altered mental status with poor tidal volume or slow rate. Signals hypoventilation leading to hypercapnia and acidosis, requiring intervention to ensure gas exchange.
Altered mental status with poor tidal volume or slow rate. Signals hypoventilation leading to hypercapnia and acidosis, requiring intervention to ensure gas exchange.
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What is the most reliable field indicator of oxygenation when a good waveform is present?
What is the most reliable field indicator of oxygenation when a good waveform is present?
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Pulse oximetry (SpO$2$) with reliable pleth waveform. Measures hemoglobin oxygen saturation noninvasively, with waveform confirming accuracy in perfusion assessment.
Pulse oximetry (SpO$2$) with reliable pleth waveform. Measures hemoglobin oxygen saturation noninvasively, with waveform confirming accuracy in perfusion assessment.
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What is the most reliable field indicator of ventilation and airway patency during assisted breathing?
What is the most reliable field indicator of ventilation and airway patency during assisted breathing?
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Waveform capnography (EtCO$2$) if available. Monitors end-tidal CO2 levels to confirm tube placement and assess ventilation adequacy in real time.
Waveform capnography (EtCO$2$) if available. Monitors end-tidal CO2 levels to confirm tube placement and assess ventilation adequacy in real time.
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What is the typical target EtCO$2$ range for a ventilated adult with adequate perfusion?
What is the typical target EtCO$2$ range for a ventilated adult with adequate perfusion?
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EtCO$2$: $35$–$45$ mmHg. Represents normal range for eucapnia, guiding ventilation to avoid hypo- or hyperventilation complications.
EtCO$2$: $35$–$45$ mmHg. Represents normal range for eucapnia, guiding ventilation to avoid hypo- or hyperventilation complications.
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Which rhythm is treated with immediate defibrillation in an unresponsive, pulseless adult?
Which rhythm is treated with immediate defibrillation in an unresponsive, pulseless adult?
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Ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. These shockable rhythms respond to electrical cardioversion to restore organized cardiac activity.
Ventricular fibrillation or pulseless ventricular tachycardia. These shockable rhythms respond to electrical cardioversion to restore organized cardiac activity.
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Which rhythm requires immediate high-quality CPR and epinephrine rather than defibrillation?
Which rhythm requires immediate high-quality CPR and epinephrine rather than defibrillation?
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Asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Non-shockable rhythms require circulation support and vasopressors to address underlying causes.
Asystole or pulseless electrical activity (PEA). Non-shockable rhythms require circulation support and vasopressors to address underlying causes.
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What is the recommended adult chest compression depth during CPR?
What is the recommended adult chest compression depth during CPR?
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Depth: $2$–$2.4$ inches ($5$–$6$ cm). Ensures adequate cardiac output by compressing the heart sufficiently against the spine.
Depth: $2$–$2.4$ inches ($5$–$6$ cm). Ensures adequate cardiac output by compressing the heart sufficiently against the spine.
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What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for $2$-rescuer adult CPR without an advanced airway?
What is the recommended compression-to-ventilation ratio for $2$-rescuer adult CPR without an advanced airway?
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Ratio: $30:2$. Balances circulation and ventilation in basic life support to minimize interruptions.
Ratio: $30:2$. Balances circulation and ventilation in basic life support to minimize interruptions.
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What oxygen flow rate is typically used for an adult nasal cannula in prehospital care?
What oxygen flow rate is typically used for an adult nasal cannula in prehospital care?
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Nasal cannula: $1$–$6$ L/min. Provides low-flow oxygen delivery suitable for patients with mild hypoxia, delivering approximately 24-44% FiO2 depending on the rate.
Nasal cannula: $1$–$6$ L/min. Provides low-flow oxygen delivery suitable for patients with mild hypoxia, delivering approximately 24-44% FiO2 depending on the rate.
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Which medication is used for chest pain suspected to be ischemic when systolic BP is adequate and no contraindications exist?
Which medication is used for chest pain suspected to be ischemic when systolic BP is adequate and no contraindications exist?
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Nitroglycerin per protocol. Causes vasodilation to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve coronary perfusion.
Nitroglycerin per protocol. Causes vasodilation to reduce myocardial oxygen demand and improve coronary perfusion.
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What is the standard adult rate for bag-valve-mask ventilation without an advanced airway?
What is the standard adult rate for bag-valve-mask ventilation without an advanced airway?
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Ventilate $1$ breath every $5$–$6$ seconds. Prevents hyperventilation in respiratory arrest, providing 10-12 breaths per minute to maintain normal CO2 levels.
Ventilate $1$ breath every $5$–$6$ seconds. Prevents hyperventilation in respiratory arrest, providing 10-12 breaths per minute to maintain normal CO2 levels.
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What is the standard adult rate for bag-valve-mask ventilation with an advanced airway in place?
What is the standard adult rate for bag-valve-mask ventilation with an advanced airway in place?
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Ventilate $1$ breath every $6$ seconds ($10$/min). Maintains adequate ventilation during CPR without causing hyperventilation, aligning with AHA guidelines for advanced airways.
Ventilate $1$ breath every $6$ seconds ($10$/min). Maintains adequate ventilation during CPR without causing hyperventilation, aligning with AHA guidelines for advanced airways.
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What is the typical oxygen flow rate for a nebulizer driven by oxygen?
What is the typical oxygen flow rate for a nebulizer driven by oxygen?
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Nebulizer: $6$–$8$ L/min. Ensures adequate aerosolization of medication without excessive flow that could reduce drug delivery efficiency.
Nebulizer: $6$–$8$ L/min. Ensures adequate aerosolization of medication without excessive flow that could reduce drug delivery efficiency.
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What oxygen flow rate is typically used for an adult nonrebreather mask (NRB)?
What oxygen flow rate is typically used for an adult nonrebreather mask (NRB)?
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NRB: $10$–$15$ L/min. Delivers high-flow oxygen up to 90-100% FiO2 when the reservoir bag is inflated, ideal for severe hypoxia.
NRB: $10$–$15$ L/min. Delivers high-flow oxygen up to 90-100% FiO2 when the reservoir bag is inflated, ideal for severe hypoxia.
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