SAMPLE PARAMEDIC CERTIFICATION EXAM (Answer Sheet Included) 1. ACUTE ABD 001 Solid organs in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space include the: A. Liver, spleen, and pancreas. B. Liver, pancreas, and gallbladder C. Spleen, pancreas, and gallbladder D. Pancreas, intestines, and colon 2. ACUTE ABD 002 Hollow organs in the abdominal cavity and retroperitoneal space include the: A. Stomach, intestines, and gallbladder. B. Pancreas, gallbladder, and intestines. C. Stomach, liver, and intestines. D. Pancreas, gallbladder, and stomach. 3. ACUTE ABD 003 An obese 42-year-old female presents with upper right quadrant abdominal pain which worsens after meals. The most likely assessment should be: A. Cholecystitis. B. Appendicitis. C. Aortic aneurysm. D. Abdominal trauma. 4. ACUTE ABD 004 An elderly patient complaining of acute, severe LLQ pain and nausea, tells you he has never had any abdominal complaints before today. He has a fever of 102o F. Of the following choices, which is the most likely the cause of his problem? A. Gastritis. B. Cholecystitis. C. Diverticulitis. D. Pancreatitis. 5. ACUTE ABD 005 All of the following disease processes are associated with non-hemorrhagic abdominal pain EXCEPT: A. Ovarian cysts. B. Esophageal varices. C. Pelvic inflammatory disease. D. Gastritus. 6. ACUTE ABD 007 The medical history of a 65-year-old male reveals long-term NSAID use for sore joints. He describes his stomach pain as burning or gnawing discomfort in the epigastric region which is improved following meals or by taking antacids. These symptoms and history suggest: A. Stomach cancer. B. Peptic ulcer. C. Colitis. D. Esophageal varices. 7. ACUTE ABD 008 A 58-year-old female patient has a history of hypertension and alcoholic liver cirrhosis. Her chief complaint today includes abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting of bright red blood. You suspect: A. Acute diverticulosis. B. Ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm. C. Ruptured esophageal varices. D. Exacerbation of a peptic ulcer. 8. ACUTE ABD 010 Which of the following questions is LEAST helpful in assessing abdominal pain? A. Is the pain aggravated while eating? B. Is the pain relieved by drinking milk? C. Is there diarrhea? D. Is there nausea or vomiting? 9. ACUTE ABD 012 A patient complaining of abdominal pain should be asked specific questions regarding his pain before an attempt is made to palpate the abdomen. When a patient can point to the exact site with his finger, a well- localized disease process is in progress, abdominal palpation should begin: A. Farthest from the site indicated by the patient. B. At the site where pain is occurring. C. Superior or inferior to the site of the pain. D. Opposite the site indicated by the patient. 10. ACUTE ABD 013 A patient with peritoneal inflammation often presents with: A. Bradycardia. B. Hematuria. C. Vomiting. D. Hematemesis. 11. ACUTE ABD 014 A patient with generalized inflammation in the abdomen usually presents with all of the following EXCEPT: A. Rigid abdomen. B. Tachycardia. C. Hematemesis. D. Orthostatic hypotension. 12. ACUTE ABD 015 An elderly patient presents with nausea, hematemesis, melena, and hypotension. Your most likely assessment is: A. Diverticulosis. B. Viral gastroenteritis. C. Lower GI bleed. D. Upper GI bleed. 13. ACUTE ABD 016 A 35-year-old female awoke in the night and noticed bright red rectal bleeding. She presents with tachycardia and hypotension. Your most likely assessment is: A. Perforated stomach ulcer. B. Lower GI bleed. C. Hemorrhoids. D. Diverticulitis. 14. ACUTE ABD 017 Your 81-year-old patient complains of a sudden onset of severe, constant pain in his abdomen which radiates to his lower back. Femoral pulses are weak, and you palpate a pulsating mass in his abdomen. If possible, to ensure the best outcome this patient should be taken to the nearest hospital that can provide: A. In-hospital surgeons and anesthesia. B. Chaplain services. C. Ultrasound capability. D. A CT scanner in service. 15. ACUTE ABD 018 A 29-year-old female is complaining of a gradual onset of a cramping type abdominal pain. She describes the pain as localized around the umbilicus initially, and most intense in the lower right quadrant. She tells you she feels a little nauseous and has no appetite. You suspect: A. Gastritis. B. Appendicitis. C. Cholecystitis. D. Diverticulitis. 16. ACUTE ABD 020 All of the following are appropriate management tools for the patient with abdominal pain EXCEPT: A. IV balanced salt solution. B. Morphine sulfate. C. Oxygen administration. D. ECG monitoring. 17. ACUTE ABD 021 Which of the following is LEAST likely to result in acute renal failure? A. Genitourinary infection. B. Severe trauma to the kidneys. C. Abuse of alcohol. D. A high dose of IV vasopressors. 18. ACUTE ABD 022 Chronic renal failure is usually: A. Not reversible. B. Of sudden onset. C. Associated with increased urinary output. D. Hereditary. 19. ACUTE ABD 024 A 21-year-old female presents with fever, dysuria, and lower abdominal pain. Your most likely assessment is: A. Kidney stone. B. Ovarian cyst. C. Severe dehydration. D. Urinary tract infection. 20. ACUTE ABD 025 A 68-year-old female with a history of hypertension complains of vomiting, dizziness, and oliguria. She tells you she is due for dialysis and is thirsty. Your most likely assessment should be: A. Hepatomegaly. B. Renal failure. C. Hypoglycemia. D. Dehydration. 21. ACUTE ABD 026 Initial signs and symptoms of renal failure include: A. Hypokalemia and generalized edema. B. Hypomagnesemia and hypertension. C. Pulmonary edema and signs of heart failure. D. Jaundice and ascites. 22. ACUTE ABD 028 Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate out-of-hospital intervention for a dialysis patient? A. Administration of high flow oxygen.. B. Administration of a fluid challenge C. Transport to an appropriate facility. D. Monitoring of cardiac rhythm. 23. ACUTE ABD 029 Which of the following is the classic presenting symptom for a patient with renal calculi (kidney stone)? A. An acute onset of flank pain radiating to the groin. B. A gradual onset of flank pain. C. An acute onset of abdominal pain radiating to the back. D. A gradual onset of retro-peritoneal pain. 24. ACUTE ABD 030 A 32-year-old male experienced an abrupt onset of severe, colicky flank pain on his right side radiating into the testicle, which woke him up. He says he is nauseous. His skin is cool, pale, and clammy, and he is unable to sit still. He is most likely suffering from: A. Pancreatitis. B. A kidney stone. C. A gall stone. D. Testicular torsion. 25. ACUTE ABD 032 A 49-year-old female who has just completed hemodialysis complains of sudden dyspnea with peripheral cyanosis. She is hypotensive, tachycardic, tachypneic and barely able to tell you she has sharp chest pain. Her skin is cool, pale, and diaphoretic. This patient is most likely suffering from: A. Pneumothorax. B. Congestive heart failure. C. An exacerbation of asthma. D. An air embolus. 26. ACUTE ABD 034 A 46-year-old female dialysis patient has an implanted vascular access device (VAD). Her family called 9-1-1 because it is Sunday, and they noticed her VAD site is swollen, red and draining. The patient presents with fever, generalized weakness and body aches. Before transport to a hospital, your treatment should include: A. IV access using the VAD for fluid administration. B. Flushing the VAD with heparin or saline solution. C. Application of a sterile dressing. D. Dislodging a clot if present. 27. ACUTE ABD 035 Any patient with a history of renal failure who is in cardiac arrest should be suspected of having severe: A. Seizure activity, and should receive Valium and dextrose 50% during resuscitation. B. Uremia, and should receive Ringer's lactate and nasogastric tube placement during resuscitation. C. Hemorrhage, and should receive fluids and pneumatic anti-shock garment during resuscitation. D. Hyperkalemia, and should receive calcium and sodium bicarbonate during resuscitation. 28. AIRWAY 001 A contraindication to endotracheal tube placement is when the: A. Glottic opening cannot be visualized. B. Patient has laryngospasms. C. Patient has had a laryngotracheotomy. D. Patient is conscious and has adequate respirations. 29. AIRWAY 002 All of the following are potential complications of nasotracheal intubation, EXCEPT: A. Epistaxis. B. Fracture of the cribriform plate. C. Vocal cord injury. D. Retropharyngeal laceration. 30. AIRWAY 003 Which statement below is true regarding nasotracheal intubation? A. Suction catheters will encounter an unusual resistance during suctioning. B. It is usually recommended over oral intubation in children. C. It can be a useful technique for the conscious patient. D. The angle of the tube in the nasopharynx prevents passage of suction catheters. 31. AIRWAY 004 All of the following are advantages of using a pocket mask over a bag-valve-mask, EXCEPT: A. With supplemental oxygen 80-90% oxygen can be provided. B. There is increased ease in maintaining a mask-to-face seal. C. A single rescuer can maintain spinal stabilization while ventilations are performed. D. Higher tidal volume can be obtained using a pocket mask. 32. AIRWAY 005 The LEAST invasive way to secure a patient's airway when intubation is unsuccessful is to: A. Perform a needle cricothyrotomy. B. Provide continuous suctioning of the airway. C. Place an pharyngeal esophageal airway device. D. Place a nasogastric tube. 33. AIRWAY 006 Which one of the following statements is FALSE with respect to paramedic continuing education? A. Everyone is subject to decay of knowledge and skills. B. Continuing education prevents occupational burn-out. C. Continuing education contributes to assurance that quality patient care is being delivered. D. As the volume of calls decreases, training should correspondingly increase. 34. AIRWAY 007 Paramedic skills may deteriorate over the course of time because skills learned during the initial course may: A.