Injury and Illness Patterns Practice Questions

42 multiple-choice questions on Injury and illness patterns for paramedic and EMT students, from Chapter 3 (Public Health). Read each question, pick your answer, then tap Show answer to check it and read the explanation.

42 practice questions

1. Among people aged 1 to 44 years in the United States, a leading cause of death is:

   1. A. Hemorrhagic stroke
   2. B. Coronary heart disease
   3. C. Unintentional injury
   4. D. Cancer of all types
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Unintentional injury

   Motor vehicle crashes, poisoning, and falls account for much of it.

2. The leading cause of injury death among older adults is:

   1. A. Residential fires and burns
   2. B. Motor vehicle crashes
   3. C. Falls in and around the home
   4. D. Drowning in pools and bathtubs
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Falls in and around the home

   Fall prevention assessments in the home are high-value EMS work.

3. Risk factors for falls in older adults include:

   1. A. Fair skin and heavy sun exposure
   2. B. Sedating drugs, poor vision, and clutter
   3. C. High cholesterol that is treated with diet
   4. D. A history of childhood asthma
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Sedating drugs, poor vision, and clutter

   Most of these are modifiable during a home visit. Medication side effects and loose rugs are among the most common culprits. Sun exposure is a skin cancer risk, and treated cholesterol and past childhood asthma are not recognized fall risk factors.

4. Motor vehicle crash risk is increased by:

   1. A. Vehicles equipped with front and side airbags
   2. B. Consistent use of seat belts by occupants
   3. C. Alcohol, speeding, and distraction
   4. D. Driving during daylight on familiar roads
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Alcohol, speeding, and distraction

   Teen drivers carry high risk from inexperience and distraction.

5. Drowning risk is highest among:

   1. A. Middle-aged adults who swim alone
   2. B. Young children and teenagers
   3. C. Adults over 65 years of age
   4. D. Adult women who swim for exercise
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Young children and teenagers

   Toddlers drown in pools and tubs; teens more often in open water, often with alcohol involved. The circumstances differ between the two groups. Adult women have among the lowest drowning rates.

6. Unintentional poisoning deaths in recent decades have been driven largely by:

   1. A. Agricultural and garden pesticides
   2. B. Drug overdose, particularly opioids
   3. C. Carbon monoxide from home heaters
   4. D. Household cleaning products
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Drug overdose, particularly opioids

   Naloxone distribution and referral programs are EMS responses to this.

7. A common cause of house fire deaths is:

   1. A. Faulty electrical wiring in older homes
   2. B. Direct flame burns from cooking oil fires
   3. C. Space heaters igniting bedding
   4. D. Smoke inhalation without working alarms
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Smoke inhalation without working alarms

   Smoke alarm programs are a proven EMS and fire prevention activity.

8. Firearm injury prevention efforts in health care commonly focus on:

   1. A. Teaching children to shoot safely
   2. B. Mandatory reporting of gun ownership
   3. C. Advocating bans on ownership
   4. D. Safe storage and identifying risk
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Safe storage and identifying risk

   Safe storage reduces unintentional injury and suicide risk. Clinicians are not required to report gun ownership, and training children to shoot is not a health care prevention strategy.

9. Occupational injuries are significant because they:

   1. A. Are common and largely preventable
   2. B. Affect only construction workers
   3. C. Are rarely reported or recorded
   4. D. Have little effect on productivity or cost
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Are common and largely preventable

   OSHA standards exist to address them. They strike working-age adults and respond to engineering controls and training.

10. Traumatic brain injury in young children is often associated with:

    1. A. Falls and abusive head trauma
    2. B. Organized sports participation
    3. C. Submersion and drowning events
    4. D. Motor vehicle crashes alone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Falls and abusive head trauma

    Injuries inconsistent with the story should raise concern for abuse. Abusive head trauma is a concern mainly in infants.

11. Chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease are relevant to EMS because they:

    1. A. Cannot be prevented or managed
    2. B. Affect only adults older than 65
    3. C. Rarely lead to acute emergencies
    4. D. Drive many 911 calls and worsen outcomes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Drive many 911 calls and worsen outcomes

    Prevention and management of chronic disease reduce emergency calls.

12. Health behaviors that account for much of preventable death include:

    1. A. Skipping routine dental and eye exams
    2. B. Genetic inheritance and advancing age
    3. C. Tobacco, diet, inactivity, and alcohol
    4. D. Working long or irregular shifts
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Tobacco, diet, inactivity, and alcohol

    These four drive a large share of chronic disease.

13. An EMS agency wants a prevention program for adults ages 25 to 44, the group with the most years of potential life lost in its county. Based on national data, which focus would likely prevent the most deaths?

    1. A. Fall prevention through in-home safety checks for elders
    2. B. Overdose prevention with naloxone leave-behind kits
    3. C. Residential smoke alarm installation in older homes
    4. D. Pool fencing and water safety classes for families
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Overdose prevention with naloxone leave-behind kits

    Since the late 2010s, drug overdose, mostly opioids, has been the leading cause of injury death in US adults 25 to 64, and it is a major driver of years of life lost. Falls mainly kill older adults. House fires and drowning cause far fewer deaths in this age group.

14. Among infants under 1 year, the leading causes of death are:

    1. A. Childhood cancers and leukemia
    2. B. Birth defects, prematurity, and SUID
    3. C. Infections such as pneumonia
    4. D. Unintentional injuries such as falls
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Birth defects, prematurity, and SUID

    Safe sleep education addresses the preventable portion. SUID is sudden unexpected infant death.

15. Among children 1 to 4 years, common injury deaths include:

    1. A. Drowning, vehicle crashes, and fires
    2. B. Injuries from organized youth sports leagues
    3. C. Falls from playground climbing equipment
    4. D. Firearm injuries as the leading cause
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Drowning, vehicle crashes, and fires

    Supervision and environmental control prevent most.

16. Among US teenagers, the leading cause of unintentional injury death is:

    1. A. Falls from height
    2. B. Motor vehicle crashes
    3. C. Drowning in open water
    4. D. Sports-related trauma
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Motor vehicle crashes

    Motor vehicle crashes remain the leading cause of unintentional (accidental) injury death in teens. Inexperience, distraction, speeding, night driving, teen passengers, and alcohol all add to the risk, and graduated licensing and seat belt use lower it. When all intents are counted, firearm injuries (suicide, homicide, and unintentional) have been the leading cause of death in US children and teens since 2020. Falls, drowning, and sports injuries cause far fewer teen deaths.

17. Among adults 25 to 64, a leading cause of injury death in recent years has been:

    1. A. Residential fires
    2. B. Drug overdose
    3. C. Drowning in open water
    4. D. Falls at home or work
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Drug overdose

    Opioids drove much of the increase.

18. You are called to an 82-year-old woman who fell for the second time this month. She is uninjured and declines transport. Which finding in the home most needs to be addressed to prevent the next fall?

    1. A. She recently started a sedating sleep medication
    2. B. She keeps a cordless phone in her pocket
    3. C. She has a night-light in the hallway
    4. D. She wears snug, low-heeled shoes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. She recently started a sedating sleep medication

    Falls are the leading cause of injury death in older adults, and sedating medications are among the most important fixable risk factors. Report the medication to her physician as part of a fall-risk referral. A phone within reach, hallway lighting, and well-fitting shoes all lower fall risk.

19. Firearm deaths in the United States include:

    1. A. Mainly unintentional shootings
    2. B. Homicides, which are the majority
    3. C. Mostly suicides, then homicides
    4. D. Mostly law enforcement shootings
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Mostly suicides, then homicides

    Safe storage affects all three. Unintentional deaths make up a small share.

20. Which group is at highest risk of drowning in pools?

    1. A. Children ages 1 to 4
    2. B. Adults over age 65
    3. C. Teenagers ages 15 to 19
    4. D. Adults ages 25 to 44
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Children ages 1 to 4

    Fencing and supervision are the key interventions.

21. Open-water drowning risk among teens and young adults is increased by:

    1. A. Alcohol and overestimating ability
    2. B. Cold water temperature alone
    3. C. Swimming too soon after eating a large meal
    4. D. Muscle cramps from cold drinks
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Alcohol and overestimating ability

    Alcohol is involved in a large share. Overconfidence in swimming ability also contributes. Eating before swimming and cramps from cold drinks are myths, not drowning risk factors.

22. During a fall call in an older man's home, you notice his only smoke alarm has no battery. Why is this an important finding to act on?

    1. A. Most fire deaths come from direct flame burns during cooking
    2. B. Smoke alarms mainly protect property, not people
    3. C. Fire risk is low for adults who live alone
    4. D. Most home fire deaths come from smoke at night, often with no working alarm
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Most home fire deaths come from smoke at night, often with no working alarm

    Most home fire deaths are from smoke inhalation, often at night while people are asleep and in homes without working alarms. A working alarm roughly halves the risk of dying in a home fire. Installing a battery or referring him to a smoke-alarm program is a quick, high-value prevention step. Flame burns cause a minority of deaths, alarms protect lives, and older adults living alone are at higher risk, not lower.

23. Scald burns in young children typically result from:

    1. A. Contact with open flames
    2. B. Hot liquids and tap water
    3. C. Household chemical spills
    4. D. Prolonged sun exposure
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Hot liquids and tap water

    Water heater settings and kitchen safety prevent them.

24. Traumatic brain injury commonly results from:

    1. A. Organized contact sports only
    2. B. Poor diet and dehydration
    3. C. Falls, crashes, and assaults
    4. D. Central nervous system infections
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Falls, crashes, and assaults

    Falls dominate in young children and older adults.

25. Abusive head trauma in infants is associated with:

    1. A. Rough but normal play
    2. B. Violent shaking or impact
    3. C. Short falls from furniture
    4. D. Sports and recreation
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Violent shaking or impact

    Caregiver education about crying reduces it. It often occurs in response to crying.

26. Sports injuries are significant because they:

    1. A. Mostly affect professional athletes
    2. B. Affect many youths, sometimes lastingly
    3. C. Seldom have long-term effects
    4. D. Are uncommon among young athletes
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Affect many youths, sometimes lastingly

    Concussion protocols address one aspect.

27. Occupational injuries most commonly involve:

    1. A. Falls, overexertion, and being struck
    2. B. Workplace violence and physical assault
    3. C. Repetitive strain injuries from office work
    4. D. Chemical and radiation exposures on the job
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Falls, overexertion, and being struck

    Most are preventable with controls. Transportation incidents are another major category.

28. Agricultural injuries are notable because:

    1. A. They occur mostly during the cold winter months
    2. B. Farms mix machinery, animals, and isolation
    3. C. They rarely involve serious injury mechanisms
    4. D. Most farm work is done by young and fit adults
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Farms mix machinery, animals, and isolation

    Rural EMS sees them regularly. Chemicals add another hazard.

29. Pedestrian injuries are increased by:

    1. A. Continuous sidewalks along busy roads
    2. B. Speed, poor lighting, and distraction
    3. C. Lower posted speed limits in town
    4. D. Bright, reflective clothing at night
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Speed, poor lighting, and distraction

    Pedestrian injury risk rises with vehicle speed, darkness and poor lighting, and distraction or impairment of drivers or pedestrians; survival drops sharply as impact speed rises. Continuous sidewalks separate walkers from traffic, lower speed limits reduce both crash risk and injury severity, and bright or reflective clothing makes pedestrians easier to see at night, so all three lower risk.

30. Which chronic disease accounts for the largest share of deaths in the United States?

    1. A. Diabetes
    2. B. Liver disease
    3. C. Kidney disease
    4. D. Heart disease
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Heart disease

    Cancer is close behind.

31. Stroke is significant as a public health problem because it:

    1. A. Is uncommon in the general population
    2. B. Has no effective time-sensitive treatment
    3. C. Is a leading cause of death and disability
    4. D. Occurs almost only in the elderly
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Is a leading cause of death and disability

    Hypertension control is the main prevention tool. It is the leading cause of serious long-term disability.

32. Diabetes contributes to emergency calls through:

    1. A. No acute problems, only chronic ones
    2. B. Hypoglycemic episodes and nothing else
    3. C. Infections alone, not glucose problems
    4. D. Glucose crises and complications
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Glucose crises and complications

    Management reduces all of them. That includes hypoglycemia, hyperglycemic crises, heart disease, and kidney failure.

33. Obesity is a public health concern because it:

    1. A. Raises risk mainly of type 1 diabetes
    2. B. Is mainly caused by thyroid disease
    3. C. Raises risk of diabetes and heart disease
    4. D. Affects adults but rarely affects children
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Raises risk of diabetes and heart disease

    Childhood obesity rates have risen. Cancer and joint disease risk rise as well. Obesity is linked to type 2 diabetes, not type 1, and thyroid disease explains only a small share of cases.

34. Tobacco use is called the leading preventable cause of death because it:

    1. A. Drives heart disease, cancer, and stroke
    2. B. Causes harm mainly after age 70
    3. C. Is now rare among adults in the US
    4. D. Harms only the person who smokes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Drives heart disease, cancer, and stroke

    Secondhand smoke harms others as well. It also causes chronic lung disease.

35. Alcohol contributes to injury through:

    1. A. Social problems with no link to injury
    2. B. Liver disease rather than traumatic injury
    3. C. No effect that is measurable in trauma data
    4. D. Impaired driving, falls, and violence
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Impaired driving, falls, and violence

    It is present in a large share of trauma patients. Drowning and poisoning are also linked.

36. Mental health conditions are a public health concern because they:

    1. A. Seldom respond to available treatments
    2. B. Usually begin only in late adulthood
    3. C. Are common, disabling, and often untreated
    4. D. Are uncommon in the general population
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Are common, disabling, and often untreated

    Access to care is a central problem. They contribute to disability and suicide.

37. Suicide prevention efforts include:

    1. A. Avoiding direct questions about suicide
    2. B. Means restriction and crisis lines
    3. C. Hospitalizing all at-risk people
    4. D. Medication as the sole approach
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Means restriction and crisis lines

    Means restriction is strongly supported by evidence. Screening and stigma reduction are also part of it.

38. Infectious disease remains a public health concern because:

    1. A. Vaccines are not widely available
    2. B. It has largely been eliminated in the US
    3. C. Only developing countries are affected
    4. D. New pathogens and resistance keep emerging
    Show answer

    Answer: D. New pathogens and resistance keep emerging

    Recent pandemics made this clear. Vaccine hesitancy adds to the risk.

39. Which is true about health disparities in injury?

    1. A. Injury affects all groups equally
    2. B. Disparities cannot be reduced by policy
    3. C. Differences are random and unexplained
    4. D. Rates differ by income, race, and place
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Rates differ by income, race, and place

    Targeting reduces them. Differing exposures and resources explain the gaps, and age matters too.

40. Rural residents face higher injury death rates partly because of:

    1. A. Longer distances to care and fast roads
    2. B. More violent crime than in large cities
    3. C. Younger average population age
    4. D. Heavier traffic congestion
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Longer distances to care and fast roads

    Time to definitive care matters. Occupational hazards such as farming also contribute. Rural areas generally have less violent crime, older residents, and lighter traffic; distance and high-speed roads drive the higher death rate.

41. Which seasonal pattern affects EMS call volume?

    1. A. Call volume stays about the same all year
    2. B. Heat in summer; falls and CO in winter
    3. C. Volume spikes only around major holidays
    4. D. Volume changes only with hours of daylight
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Heat in summer; falls and CO in winter

    Planning uses these patterns. Influenza also peaks in colder months.

42. Carbon monoxide poisoning rises in winter because of:

    1. A. Heaters, generators, and idling vehicles
    2. B. Water heaters being set hotter in the winter
    3. C. Holiday candles burning indoors
    4. D. Cold air temperatures acting by themselves
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Heaters, generators, and idling vehicles

    Detectors are the primary prevention. The danger comes from running them in enclosed spaces. Candles produce little carbon monoxide compared with fuel-burning heaters and engines.