Prehospital Emergency Care Chapter 9 Life Span Development

1) A mother has called 911 for medical assistance. She states that her 3-month-old son has a rectal temperature of 99.7°F and is not feeding. Which statement would be appropriate when talking with the mother about the infant's temperature?

A) "You are right, he does have a fever. Have you given him any Tylenol?"

B) "Fever in babies is always a concern. Has he ever had a febrile seizure?"

C) "Why don't we get him undressed so we can cool him down?"

D) "Given his age, a temperature of 99.7°F is normal."

Answer: D

2) A young new mother has called 911 because her baby will not stop crying. On scene, you find a 6-month-old baby who alternates between crying and sleep. Which statement to the mother would be most appropriate given the infant's crying?

A) "Is there a possibility of child abuse?"

B) "Does this cry seem different to you?"

C) "Has the baby had all his immunizations?"

D) "It is normal for babies to cry, and he seems to be sleeping well."

Answer: B

3) When assessing a sick 3-week-old baby, which finding would be most concerning?

A) Fontanelle level with the skull

B) Soft spot to the top of the head

C) Mucus occluding both nares

D) Rectal temperature of 99.4°F

Answer: C

4) The mother of a 9-month-old baby informs you that her child has yet to make any sounds that resemble words or speech. She asks you if this is normal. What is your best response?

A) "Babies typically begin making words at 6 months. It may be a good idea to call your pediatrician for additional information."

B) "It usually takes 10 to 12 months for babies to begin talking. Give it time. This is normal."

C) "To be honest, all babies develop at their own pace; this is likely fine."

D) "Why don't you take him to your pediatrician to find out what is wrong."

Answer: A

5) When assessing a 5-month-old baby girl, you note that she cries when her mother holds her but is quiet and at peace when her father takes her. Assessment reveals no outward problems. Based on your knowledge of psychosocial development, what is a likely explanation?

A) The father is most likely the baby's primary caregiver.

B) Female babies tend to bond more closely with their father.

C) The baby was most likely breast-fed by the mother.

D) There is a problem with the baby's normal development.

Answer: A

6) You must assess a crying 7-month-old baby who is vomiting. To best assess this patient, you should:

A) Wait for the baby to stop crying.

B) Allow the mother to hold the baby.

C) Secure the baby to the cot and then assess her.

D) Have the mother leave the room.

Answer: B

7) You are assessing a 4-year-old child with a fever and cough. The child is very calm and receptive to your presence. Given this, which action would be most appropriate during your ongoing assessment?

A) Ask the mother to leave until the assessment is complete

B) Take the child to the ambulance for assessment

C) Have the mother remain with the child for the assessment

D) Refrain from touching the patient until in the ambulance

Answer: C

8) A 7-year-old child has fallen and exhibits deformity of his left wrist. He will not cooperate with you as you attempt a closer examination of the wrist. Which statement would be appropriate given the patient's age and behavior?

A) "This will not hurt you at all. Please let me see your wrist."

B) "I know that you are scared, but I need to see your hand."

C) "The doctor is going to get upset with me if you do not let me see what is wrong."

D) "You can trust me. If I can see your wrist, I will get you kid's stickers at the hospital."

Answer: B

9) You are en route to a home for an 8-year-old child with "noisy" breathing and a cough. As you respond, which piece of advice would you give your partner, a new EMT?

A) "We will need to be careful. Children of this age group tend to throw tantrums, and we could get hurt if we are not careful."

B) "The scene probably will be chaotic, so let's just get the patient out to the ambulance and assess him there."

C) "Although most children of this age are trusting of authority, let's approach slowly and make the scene work for us."

D) "Most children in this age group have a short attention span, so we need to assess him as quickly as possible before he gets angry or upset.

Answer: C

10) When assessing and treating a 15-year-old female patient for abdominal pain, the EMT must remember that:

A) The patient probably will be scared and most likely to answer questions when her mother or father is present.

B) There is no need to ask about sexual activity since the complaint is abdominal pain.

C) If the patient has experienced menstruation, the EMT should leave the assessment to the emergency physician at the hospital.

D) A parent's or guardian's consent should be obtained prior to assessment and treatment.

Answer: D

11) You have received a grant to promote healthy living habits among the 20- to 40-year-old age group. Given the most common cause of death within this age group, which topic should be the focus of your program?

A) Safe driving

B) Cancer screening

C) Safe sex practices

D) Healthy heart living

Answer: A

12) A common concern about the well-being of a female patient in the 41- to 60-year-old age group is:

A) Cancer.

B) Drug overdose.

C) Accidental death.

D) Low cholesterol levels.

Answer: A

13) You have been asked to speak to a local EMT class about caring for patients older than age 60 years. When presenting your material, which point would you emphasize?

A) All persons older than age 60 have chronic health problems.

B) Older adults often do not want to give up their independent lifestyle even if medical conditions necessitate it.

C) Most persons older than age 70 are in assisted living facilities or nursing homes.

D) Most persons older than age 60 now reside with their grown children.

Answer: B

After you transfer care of a 77-year-old female patient to the ED nurse, the patient informs the nurse that she has a history of heart problems with chest pain. On scene and throughout transport, the patient denied any complaint, despite repeated inquiry. This has upset your partner since he feels the patient made him look foolish in front of the ED staff. Based on your knowledge of the patient's age group which explanation would you give your partner?

A)It is very common for patients in this age group not to tell you everything because most have some form of early dementia

B)In the older population most do not trust young people with personal information, such as their medical history

C)This happens very frequently with people in this age group, so you must accept it and not get upset

D)Many times, persons in this age group will not be forthcoming with all that is going on because they fear losing their independence

Answer: D

15) You have been called for a 2-week-old male patient whose mother feels as though he is "sick." When assessing this patient and obtaining a history from the mother, which finding would be most concerning?

A) He has lost weight since he was born.

B) The fontanelles are lower than the level of the skull.

C) The father states that the baby feeds every 2 to 3 hours.

D) You observe that the baby seems to breathe only through his nose.

Answer: B

16) An EMT would recognize and categorize a 15-year-old female patient as a(n):

A) Adolescent.

B) School-age child.

C) Young adult.

D) Pubescent.

Answer: A

17) When assessing a neonate, which finding would deserve closer investigation?

A) Intermittent crying

B) Temperature of 99.6°F

C) Heart rate of 82 beats per minute

D) Respirations of 40 breaths/min

Answer: C

18) Which statement made by a 49-year-old female patient describes a situation common to those in this life stage?

A) "I have never felt better than I do now. I am in the best shape of my life!"

B) "I do not have time to see the doctor about my blood pressure. I am too busy taking care of my parents."

C) "Life is very enjoyable at this stage since I have managed to accomplish all the goals I set for myself."

D) "I am very careful when I drive since it is well known that car accidents pose the greatest risk to people my age."

Answer: B

19) The average years of life remaining based on an individual's date of birth is called:

A) Life span development.

B) Maximum life span.

C) Life expectancy.

D) Physiological expectancy.

Answer: C

20) Five minutes have passed since you assisted in the delivery of a full-term baby boy. Based on your knowledge of physiological changes in the neonate, which finding would be most concerning?

A) Heart rate of 88 beats/min

B) Respiratory drop from 52 to 38 breaths/min

C) Rectal temperature of 99.8°F

D) Systolic blood pressure of 70 mmHg

Answer: A

21) You are transporting a 3-week-old male patient who has a fever and cough to the hospital. When making your radio report, you would advise the emergency department that you are bringing in a(n):

A) Infant.

B) Baby.

C) Toddler.

D) Neonate.

Answer: D

22) You are caring for an 18-day-old baby with inadequate respirations. Which instruction would you provide to your new partner as she is ventilating him with the bag-valve mask?

A) "Squeeze the bag just enough so that you get a nice rise and fall of their chest."

B) "Do not be afraid to give a little extra pressure since his lungs are not fully developed."

C) "Since they are so small and does not need a lot of oxygen, just give 4 breaths per minute."

D) "Let's breathe for them until their heart rate gets above 60; then we can stop."

Answer: A

23) Which of these patients would be categorized as a toddler?

A) 6-month-old female

B) 48-month-old male

C) 4-1/2-year-old female

D) 23-month-old male

Answer: D

24) You are caring for a 6-month-old male patient who is fussy and crying, and who has a fever. Which action would be most appropriate?

A) Talk to the parents rather than the baby, since a stranger's voice is upsetting

B) Wait for the baby to stop crying so that you can properly assess him

C) Keep the parents calm even though you are actually caring for the baby

D) Distract the baby with a small toy or ball so that you can assess him

Answer: C

25) The systolic blood pressure of a 4-year-old female patient is 110 mmHg. Her mother is concerned because last year at the pediatrician's office the systolic blood pressure was 92 mmHg and now it is higher. How would you respond?

A) "Her blood pressure is most likely increased because she is sick."

B) "This is normal; not only will the blood pressure increase with age, but so will her heart rate."

C) "Her blood pressure will increase naturally. This is normal and healthy."

D) "I agree; that is a little bit of a jump in blood pressure. It very well could be the reason she is not feeling well."

Answer: C

26) A 3-year-old child is very fearful when you listen to his breathing and lungs with the stethoscope. Your best course of action would be to:

A) Forego listening to the child's breath sounds.

B) Listen to the breath sounds regardless of the child's reaction.

C) Have the child watch as you listen to his father's lungs.

D) Tell the patient that you must listen to his lungs and then do it.

Answer: C

27) Puberty is best described as:

A) Maturation of the sexual organs.

B) A milestone developmental stage in school-age children.

C) A two- to three-year growth spurt in adolescents.

D) A developmental stage that occurs earlier in males than in females.

Answer: A

28) A 16-year-old female patient has a history of bulimia. As a knowledgeable EMT, you would realize that bulimia is:

A) A normal stage of adolescence and often is self-limiting.

B) Probably rooted in a concern related to her body image.

C) Most often related to a developing taste and distaste for certain foods.

D) Driven by a drive for maximum health and fitness.

Answer: B

29) A 16-year-old male was killed after driving at excessive speeds and then losing control of his car. He was not wearing a seat belt. In an attempt to understand why such a tragedy would occur, you would recognize that:

A) During this stage of life, the "right versus wrong" part of the brain is not fully developed.

B) Adolescent boys have a drive to compete with their peers.

C) Within the adolescent period, there exists a strong desire to show independence and selfsufficiency.

D) Common to this age group is a perceived sense of strength and invulnerability.

Answer: D

30) During which stage of life do most chronic illnesses typically become evident?

A) Early adulthood

B) Middle adulthood

C) Late adulthood

D) Adolescence

Answer: B

31) A female patient informs you that she has already gone through menopause. You would realize that:

A) Her menstrual periods are irregular, and she cannot have a baby.

B) She has stopped outright menstrual periods but can still become pregnant.

C) She will still have menstrual periods but is incapable of pregnancy.

D) She has stopped menstrual periods and can no longer become pregnant.

Answer: D

32) You have been dispatched to a residence for an 82-year-old female with an unknown medical problem. En route to the scene, your partner states, "At 82 years old, she probably has a ton of medical problems." Your response would be:

A) "You are probably right since more than half of persons older than 60 years have heart disease."

B) "I am guessing she does not, given her age and the fact she is not in a nursing home."

C) "As we were taught in school, it is middle adulthood where people have the most medical problems."

D) "Maybe not, since in the late adulthood there is such a wide variety of health status."

Answer: D

33) Which statement is true regarding the maximum life span?

A) Almost all persons die before reaching the maximum life span.

B) The maximum life span is different for every person and takes into account health status and occupation.

C) The maximum life span is approximately 100 years of age.

D) The maximum life span is the average years a person is expected to live based on health status.

Answer: A

34) You are at the residence of an alert and oriented 87-year-old female patient who is very short of breath but is refusing to go to the hospital. Instead, she wants you to treat her at home and then leave when she feels better. As an EMT knowledgeable of the characteristics and behaviors of this age group, you would become suspicious that her request is based on the fact that she:

A) May have Alzheimer's dementia and has yet to be diagnosed.

B) Is concerned that she does not have the money to pay for the ambulance transport.

C) Is concerned that she may be giving up the independence of living in her home.

D) Does not trust those who are younger in age to take care of her.

Answer: C

35) Due to the body systems operating at optimal level and because typically individuals in this age bracket are in excellent physical condition, risky behavior and accidents are the leading causes of death in which stage of development?

A) Preschool-age children

B) Adolescence

C) Early adulthood

D) Late adulthood

Answer: C