NREMT Paramedic Practice

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Prepare for the NREMT Paramedic Exam with comprehensive quizzes that cover essential topics, including patient assessment, treatment protocols, and emergency medical care. With multiple-choice questions and detailed explanations, you'll be ready to excel in your certification test.

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Which of the following indicates a pulmonary embolism?

Severe headache
Sudden onset chest pain
Fainting spells
Persistent cough

The correct answer is: Sudden onset chest pain

Sudden onset chest pain is a hallmark sign of a pulmonary embolism. This condition occurs when a blood clot travels to the lungs, blocking a pulmonary artery. The blockage can cause increased pressure in the blood vessels leading to the lungs, resulting in sharp, sudden chest pain that may worsen with deep breaths or coughing. This pain can be due to the irritation of the pleura (the lining of the lungs) or due to the strain on the heart that results from the pulmonary obstruction. Other symptoms may accompany this chest pain, such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, or even coughing up blood, but the critical factor that distinguishes it is the sudden and acute nature of the chest pain. Understanding this symptom is crucial for quick identification and management of a pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid intervention.