NREMT Practice Test Bank - Multiple Choice
for possible fibrinolytic therapy.
• B:administering 1 tube of
oral glucose to rule out hypo-
glycemia.
• C:closely monitoring the blood
pressure every 15 to 20 minutes.
• D:determining whether the pa-
tient has prescribed nitroglyc-
erin.
67. You are called to the residence
of a 39-year-old male with flu-like
symptoms. The patient tells you
that he has been feeling ill
for the last 2 days. He has a
fever, headache, and diarrhea,
and asks that you take him to the
hospital. His blood pressure is
120/60 mm Hg, his pulse is 110
beats/min, and his respirations
are 16 breaths/min. You should:
• A:request an ALS ambulance to
the scene to start an IV line.
• B:ask him if he has a history of
HIV infection or hepatitis.
• C:advise him that he can drive
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ask a family member or bystander when
the patient was last seen normal. In ad-
dition to providing supplemental oxygen,
transport the patient without delay so
that she may receive fibrinolytic therapy
(if she is a candidate) at the hospital.
Because fibrinolytic therapy decreases
the blood's ability to clot, its use is lim-
ited to patients with ischemic strokes. It
would increase intracerebral bleeding in
patients with hemorrhagic stroke; there-
fore, fibrinolytic therapy is contraindicat-
ed for these patients. Hypoglycemia can
easily be ruled out by assessing the pa-
tient's blood glucose level with a glu-
cometer. Nitroglycerin is of no relevance
in this scenario because the patient is
not suspected of having a cardiac event.
Monitor the patient's vital signs every
5 to 15 minutes, or as dictated by her
clinical condition, while en route to the
hospital.
You selected D; This is correct!
Reason:Although the patient is likely ex-
periencing the flu, there are other dis-
eases, some of which are communica-
ble, that can cause similar symptoms.
The patient is requesting EMS transport;
failure to comply constitutes abandon-
ment. Although he is tachycardic, the
remainder of his vital signs are stable;
therefore, requesting an ALS ambulance
to the scene to start an IV is not neces-
sary. Simply transport him in a position
of comfort and offer him supplemental
oxygen. If the patient is infected with HIV
or hepatitis, he may choose to voluntarily