47) When a patient has a serious open wound to the neck, you are concerned about the possibility
of an air embolism. The reason an air embolism can occur is because of:
A) the higher pressure in the vessels of the neck.
B) the negative pressure in the chest.
C) vessel pressure that is lower than atmospheric pressure.
D) damage to the trachea.
Objective: 29.9
48) Your patient has had his throat slashed during a robbery attempt. You are concerned since it
is apparent that the vessels in his neck have been lacerated. A breach in which of the following
vessels would be most likely to lead to an air embolism?
A) Capillaries
B) Arterioles
C) Arteries
D) Veins
Objective: 29.9
21
49) Which of the following observations may the EMT use to rule out a spinal injury in a trauma
patient?
A) Patient is able to walk at the scene.
B) There is a lack of mechanism of injury.
C) There is a lack of numbness and paralysis of the extremities.
D) Patient denies pain in his spine.
Objective: 29.10
50) Your patient is a 10-year-old male whose jacket hood caught on a branch as he jumped out of
a tree. He was momentarily suspended about 12 inches off the ground but was immediately
lowered to the ground by his brothers. Which of the following injuries should you suspect?
A) Cervical spine injury
B) Lumbar spine injury
C) Soft-tissue injury of the neck only
D) Thoracic spine injury
Objective: 29.10
22
51) A 17-year-old girl was injured when her car was struck from behind while she was stopped at
a red light. She is complaining of a headache with neck and back pain. You suspect she has
sustained a(n):
A) distraction injury.
B) compression fracture.
C) extension injury.
D) whiplash injury.
Objective: 29.10
52) You are treating a 35-year-old male patient that has been involved in a motorcycle incident.
The patient is unresponsive with a blood pressure of 60/40, a pulse of 66 beats per minute, and
respirations of 18 breaths per minute. The patient’s presentation is most likely caused by which
of the following?
A) Cardiogenic shock
B) Septic shock
C) Increased intracranial pressure
D) Neurogenic shock
Objective: 29.11
23
53) In most cases, which of the following is the correct way to provide initial management of a
suspected cervical spine injury?
A) Hold the patient’s head still in a neutral, “eyes forward” position.
B) Gently apply pressure to the top of the patient’s head.
C) Maintain the patient’s head and neck in the position they are found.
D) Provide approximately 15 pounds of upward cervical traction.
Objective: 29.11
54) Which of the following is NOT a common field finding in spinal injuries?
A) Deformity
B) Impaired breathing
C) Tenderness
D) Pain
Objective: 29.11
55) Which of the following is the underlying cause of neurogenic shock?
A) Blood loss from damaged spinal blood vessels
B) Failure of the heart to adequately pump blood
C) Extreme emotional response to paralysis
D) Dilation of blood vessels
Objective: 29.11
24
56) Your patient has a suspected cervical spine injury from falling from a rope swing. His vital
signs are pulse 62, respirations 20, and blood pressure 90/56. He has no feeling below his mid-
chest area but is able to breathe on his own. You should suspect:
A) cardiogenic shock.
B) hypovolemic shock.
C) neurogenic shock.
D) psychogenic shock.
Objective: 29.11
57) Which of the following may result from the application of a cervical collar that is too large
for the patient?
A) Rotation of the head and neck
B) Hyperflexion of the neck
C) Hyperextension of the neck
D) Excessive lateral movement of the mandible
Objective: 29.12
25
58) Which of the following pieces of equipment is acceptable for use in the prehospital
stabilization of suspected cervical spine injuries?
A) Soft cervical collars
B) Five-pound sand bags
C) Rigid cervical collars
D) 2″ × 4″ wood cribbing
Objective: 29.12
59) Your patient is a 38-year-old male driver of a vehicle that left the roadway and struck a bus
stop shelter and a tree. He is conscious and alert, he has some abrasions on his forehead, his skin
is warm and dry, and he has a strong radial pulse and no difficulty breathing. Which of the
following descriptions represents the MOST appropriate way for removing the patient from the
vehicle?
A) Apply a cervical collar and perform rapid extrication onto a long backboard.
B) Have the patient stand up and then do a “standing take-down” onto a long backboard.
C) Place the backboard on the stretcher and have the patient stand, turn, and lie down on the
backboard while you maintain manual in-line stabilization of the cervical spine.
D) Apply a cervical collar and short spine immobilization device before removing to a long
backboard.
Objective: 29.12
26
60) When using a short spine immobilization device, which part of the body is secured last?
A) Arms
B) Torso
C) Head
D) Legs
Objective: 29.12
61) For which of the following patients would the use of a short spine immobilization device be
appropriate?
A) 52-year-old female who crashed her vehicle into the front of a convenience store and who is
awake, oriented, and complaining of neck pain
B) Unresponsive driver who was found in the driver’s seat of a pickup truck that crashed into a
tree
C) 15-year-old male who struck a curb with his motorized scooter and flipped over the
handlebars
D) 77-year-old female who fell down a flight of stairs and is in an awkward position lying on her
side on the landing
Objective: 29.12
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