Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

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Prepare for the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Test with focused study methods including flashcards and multiple-choice questions. Practice with hints and detailed explanations to boost your readiness for the exam.

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What physiological effect can occur during intense emotional stress?

Decreased blood pressure
Increased cortisol levels
Decreased heart rate variability
Increased digestive enzyme production

The correct answer is: Increased cortisol levels

During intense emotional stress, the body activates the stress response, which includes the release of stress hormones, particularly cortisol. This hormone is produced by the adrenal glands and plays a critical role in the body's response to stress. Increased cortisol levels can lead to various physiological changes, including heightened blood glucose levels and alterations in immune response, which are meant to provide immediate energy and support survival in stressful situations. The role of cortisol during stress is vital as it serves several functions, such as mobilizing energy resources, suppressing non-essential functions (like digestion and growth), and enabling the body to respond effectively to the perceived threat. Therefore, the increase in cortisol levels is a key physiological effect occurring during periods of intense emotional stress.