Anatomy & Physiology
Number of chambers in the heart
What is four
The prefix meaning "low"
What is "Hypo"
[Patient Assessment]
The ABC's in medicine
What is Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
Additional Info: In medicine, you always assess and treat these 3 things in order (unless it is a bleeding patient -control bleeding first-). If a patient's airway is blocked/not responsive, they can't breathe properly or get adequate circulation
[Patient Assessment/Trauma Assessment]
The mnemonic used during trauma/soft tissue injury assessment and what each letter represents
What is DCAP-BTLS | D: Deformities, C: Contusions, A: Abrasions, P: Penetrations, B: Burns, T: Tenderness, L: Lacerations, S: Swelling
[MCI/Triage Management]
How long do EMS personnel have to "play"/assess patients during a mass casualty incident?
Less than 30 seconds
Additional Info: In an MCI, the number of patients outnumbers the number of available resources, so first responders have to work fast and try to get every available unit on board. EMS personnel will be especially outnumbered, so they need to quickly assess patients and triage them. They do this by only working with patients for less than 30 seconds and tagging them accordingly to save ambulances so they can transport the most critical patients and have ground-support for the less critical/non-life-threatening patients.
The cavity/space the kidneys are located in
What is the retroperitoneal cavity | Alt. Retroperitoneal Space
[Psychiatrics]
The condition that is usually seen in trauma, abuse, war vets, etc. Triggers for these patients can vary. Other names include "Shellshock" and "War/Combat Fatigue".
What is PTSD/Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
[Respiratory Emergencies]
An asthma attack that can't be stopped through conventional means (Albuterol/Ventolin via meter-dosed inhaler or nebulizer)
What is Status Asthmaticus
[Soft Tissue Trauma/Bleeding Management]
The first step in bleeding management
What is direct pressure
[Patient Assessment]
You arrive on scene to a 15 y/o female patient who is lying on the ground from a skateboard v barrier crash. The patient is not responding and is unconscious. What is their AVPU and GCS score?
What is U (Unconscious) and 3
Additional Info: A person who is fully alert and oriented (A&Ox4) will receive a score of 15 on the GCS scale. A dead or unconscious person will receive a score of 3
The name of connective tissue that attaches bone to bone
What are ligaments
[Anatomy and Physiology]
The 3 formed elements in the blood
What are Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, and Platelets | Alt: Erythrocytes, Leukocytes, Thrombocytes
[Allergic Reactions/Envenomation]
The class of immunoglobulin (antibody) that is released by B Lymphocytes in response to an allergen or parasitic infection
What is IgE
Additional Info: IgE was initially a class of antibody that was used to fight off parasitic infections back in the old days where worm infections were common due to poor hygienic conditions. When proper hygienic practice became widespread around the world, parasitic infection rates went down significantly, leaving highly "aggressive" antibodies in the body. This is suspected to be the reason why people have allergies!
[Abdominal/Skeletal Trauma/MCI/Triage Management]
Scenario:
You respond to a mass casualty incident (MCI) and firefighters bring you three patients from the scene who present signs of deformities during your assessment. They are all A&Ox4 (ie. they're not losing consciousness) and the following is the list of patients and their chief complaints:
Patient 1: A 30 y/o female on a stretcher that presents second degree burns to both of their arms and complains of extreme pain and numbness around her hips.
Patient 2: A 14 y/o female walks alongside the firefighters and comes in with a broken humerus (upper arm)
Patient 3: A 48 y/o male on a stretcher that was extracted from a pile of rubble with a closed fracture to his femur with significant bruising and swelling
Rank the 3 patients from highest to lowest priority of treatment
Patient 1, Patient 3, Patient 2 | Alt: 1, 3, 2
Additional Info:
Aside from the second-degree burns, Patient 1 is expressing pain and numbness around her hips, indicating a pelvic fracture, which is more severe than a femur fracture. Between pelvic and femur fractures, pelvic fractures are more severe than femur fractures because the pelvic fractures bleed more than femur fractures. Patient 2 is walking, and a broken humerus is not as life threatening compared to a femur or pelvis fracture.
[Pharmacology]
Which of the following is always carried on an ambulance and can be given to a patient on hand?
A. Epi-Pen
B. Albuterol via MDI/Inhaler
C. Oral Glucose
D. Nitroglycerin
C. Oral Glucose
Additional Info: Epi-Pens, MDI Inhalers, and Nitroglycerin are all patient-prescribed medications and ambulances don't carry special prescriptions. Each patient is different and may be prescribed a different dosage compared to conventional ones. Oral glucose on the other hand is something ambulances always carry and it's basically just jelly sugar. Seriously, when's the last time you've seen someone carry oral glucose on them? You generally don't- they usually carry sweets like candy, cookies, juice, etc.
Trace a drop of blood throughout the heart and body starting at the right atrium (including the heart valves)
Right Atrium, Tricuspid Valve, Right Ventricle, Pulmonary Valve, Pulmonary Artery, Lungs, Pulmonary Vein, Left Atrium, Bicuspid/Mitral AV Valve, Left Ventricle, Aortic Valve, Aorta, - blood circulates throughout the body-, Inferior Vena Cava, Superior Vena Cava, back to the Right Atrium
[Pharmacology]
What do Alpha-Beta Agonist drugs do? Give an example of a drug that is an alpha-beta agonist.
Alpha-Beta Agonists: Increase BP, increase HR, and Dilate the Airways. Ex: Adrenaline/Epinephrine
[AMS/Neuro/Diabetes/Pt. Assessment]
Scenario: You arrive on scene to a 36 y/o male on the pavement outside of a pub cursing out bystanders and other first responders. He is irritated and will not comply with your commands. After your team has restrained the patient and collect his vital signs, you note he has cool and clammy skin and sweating. You then realize what is wrong with the patient and administer care. Out of all of the vital signs taken, which one is most likely connected to the patient's condition?
Vitals:
BP: 106/82, HR: 93, RR: 18, BSG: 62 mg/dL, SPO2: 96%
Answer: BSG of 62 mg/dL
Additional Info: The patient's blood sugar is lower than 80 mg/dL, meaning he is hypoglycemic. This would explain the irritability, cool and clammy skin, and sweating episode. A normal blood sugar reading is between 80-120 mg/dL. Treatment would most likely be introducing a dextrose solution (sugar water) into the patient via IV.
Trivia: Oral glucose would not be used in this context because the patient can't follow commands.
[Head/Spinal Trauma]
Signs/Symptoms include Increased Blood Pressure, Lowered Pulse/Widening Pulse Pressure, JVD, Irregular Respirations and Projectile Vomiting
What is Cushing's Triad
Additional Info: This is seen in trauma or medical patients with ICP (intercranial pressure) due to a traumatic brain injury or a hemorrhagic stroke.
[OB/GYN]
You respond to a call for a 30-year-old female who is 6 months pregnant. She is complaining of sudden onset of severe abdominal pain and vaginal bleeding. She states that the pain started about 2 hours ago and has progressively worsened. She denies any trauma. Her vital signs are:
What is the diagnosis?
A) Ectopic pregnancy
B) Abruptio Placentae
C) Miscarriage
D) Placenta Previa
What is B) Abruptio Placentae
Additional Info: Abruptio Placentae, a.k.a Abrupt Placenta, is a condition where the placenta inside the uterus detaches prematurely (or abruptly) before the baby is delivered causing abdominal pain. It is a serious medical emergency as the baby can be deprived of oxygen and nutrients; early delivery may be required if too severe.
The number of vertebrae in the cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccygeal regions of the spine.
What is 7, 12, 5, 5, 4? | Alt. C7, T12, L5, S5, 4
[AMS/Neurological/Diabetic Emergencies]
You respond to a call for an elderly patient that is unconscious on the floor. Upon assessment, you notice the patient is breathing quickly and deeply and you smell something sweet while performing your assessment. His vitals are as follows: BP: 74/88, BSG: 479 mg/dL, RR: 28, and his pulse is very weak. What condition do you suspect this patient to have?
What is Diabetic Ketoacidosis/DKA?
Additional Info: Diabetic Ketoacidosis is a medical emergency where a person has an extremely high blood sugar (normal blood sugar ranges are around 80-120 mg/dL). Due to the high concentration of sugar in their bloodstream, the sweet smell is coming from their breath as they try to blow off excessive acid (ketones).
[Cardiac Emergencies]
You are called to a nursing home for a patient with swelling to her peripherals. Upon arrival, you find a 76-year-old patient sitting in a wheelchair. Assessment confirms pitting edema (swelling) to both lower legs and arms. You are able to feel a dorsalis pedal pulse bilaterally. Her skin is warm, pink, and dry. Her lungs are clear bilaterally. What condition do you suspect the patient has?
What is Right Sided CHF/ Congestive Heart Failure
Additional Info: Congestive Heart Failure has 2 types; Left and Right Sided. Left Sided CHF will result in fluids backing up into the lungs and Right Sided CHF will have fluids backing up to the rest of the body, mainly in the extremities such as the arms and legs, which causes swelling (edema).
[MVC/Head/Spinal Trauma Assessment]
You arrive on scene to a MVC (Motor Vehicle Crash) consisting of a 27 y/o male and a 22 y/o female. After firefighters stabilize the vehicle, you assess the two patients and recognize that both of them are having a hard time breathing/not breathing properly. During your assessment, you also document the male patient having a mild erection. As an experienced EMT, what type of injury do you suspect both patients have suffered based on your findings and what exactly was damaged? (Both patients will have the same type of injury)
What is a Spinal Injury; C3 and C4 are damaged
Additional Info: The cervical vertebrae C3 and C4 control breathing. If C3 is damaged, the patient can't breathe properly, and if C4 is damaged, the diaphragm muscle is completely paralyzed leading to breathing paralysis. The documentation of the male exhibiting an erection during your analysis further suggests that this is a spinal injury. An involuntary erection is called priapism. (bro *hopefully* didn't eat a honey packet prior)
[Cardiac Emergencies/Pharmacology]
You arrive on scene to a 35 y/o male who is complaining of chest pain. He claims he was on a morning jog when he started feeling chest discomfort. The patient informs you that he does have a history of MI/Heart Attacks and was prescribed nitroglycerin for the chest pain. His baseline blood pressure is 87/93. The patient requests you to help assist him with his medication. Do you help administer the nitroglycerin? Why or why not?
No, blood pressure is too low (<100mmHg).
Additional Info: Nitroglycerin is a vasodilating drug that causes the blood vessels to dilate, further lowering the BP of the patient. Vasodilating drugs are generally used to reduce chest pain by opening up blood vessels to reduce pressure. Nitroglycerin can be administered up to 3 times in 5-minute intervals, with each dosage being .4 mg.