When assessing a 53-year-old patient with bacterial meningitis, the nurse obtains the following data. The nurse recognizes all of the following as symptoms of bacterial meningitis.  Which finding is most important to report to the physician immediately?

The high pressure alarm is sounding on a home ventilator. As your partner prepares the bag-valve mask, you quickly determine that no problem exists with the machine itself. As positive pressure ventilation is initiated, you note high resistance to the ventilations and have a difficult time adequately squeezing the bag. Your next action would be to:

You have been called for a 27-year-old female who is 32 weeks pregnant. She states that she is experiencing uterine contractions but feels no pain with them, just a tightening in her abdomen. The contractions began three days ago and seem to be increasing in frequency today. She denies discharge or rupture of her membranes. Given this presentation, you should recognize:

When moving a patient with severe generalized hypothermia, which of these instructions is most appropriate to relay to your fellow EMS providers?

You are providing a “stand-by” service at the county fair. At midmorning, a 50-year-old male patient approaches your tent and states that he was bitten in the right shoulder by some sort of insect and has tremendous pain. Assessment reveals his shoulder to have a large-reddened area with a sting mark in the middle. The skin is warm to the touch. Your care of this patient should include:

When assessing a patient undergoing dialysis, including his AV graft, which finding would be of greatest concern to the EMT?

You are at a scene where a patient was calm and compliant until a few seconds ago. Now he is brandishing a knife and threatening to kill you and your partner if you do not immediately leave. The man is intoxicated, and police have been notified but have not yet arrived. What is your best course of action?

A 32-year-old female complains of the sudden onset of sharp pain to the left side of her abdomen. She denies any medical history and when asked, admits to being sexually active. Her last menstrual period was two months ago. As an EMT, you should immediately suspect:

By the time a fetus reaches full term, the tidal volume of the female has increased by:

The Emergency Medical Technician would recognize dehydration as a concern in a patient with diabetes owing to: