EMS Systems
Workforce Safety and Wellness
Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues
Communications and Documentation
Abbreviations
100

a form of off-line (indirect) medical control—involves performing certain life-saving interventions (ie, CPR, defibrillation, bleeding control) before contacting a physician for further instructions.

 Standing orders

100

A disease that can be spread from person-to-person is known as:



 A communicable disease can be spread from one person or a species to another.

100

You arrive at the scene of an older woman complaining of chest pain. In assessing her, she holds her arm out for you to take her blood pressure. This is an example of:


Expressed consent (also called actual consent) is when the patient authorizes you to provide treatment and transport, either verbally or nonverbally. For example, a patient who holds out his or her arm to allow you take a blood pressure is nonverbally giving you expressed consent.

100

When health care providers force their cultural values onto their patients because they believe their values are better, they are displaying:


Forcing your own cultural values onto others because you believe your values are better is referred to as cultural imposition.

100

Pt

patient

200

Quality control in an EMS system is the ultimate responsibility of the:


The medical director is responsible for maintaining quality control, which ensures that all staff members who are involved in caring for patients meet the standard of care on every call.

200

The MOST effective way of preventing the spread of disease is:


According to the CDC, the most effective way of preventing the spread of disease is thorough handwashing

200

An AEMT transfers care of a patient to an EMR is an example of

 Abandonment 

when patient care is terminated without the patient’s consent or when care is transferred to a provider of lesser training and level of certification.

200

When communicating with an older patient, you should:

A.approach the patient slowly and calmly.

B.step back to avoid making the patient uncomfortable.

C.raise your voice to ensure that the patient can hear you.

D.obtain the majority of your information from family members.

Answer: A

Rationale: Approach an older patient slowly and calmly, use him or her as your primary source of information whenever possible, and allow ample time for the patient to respond to your questions. Not all older patients are hearing impaired; if the patient is hearing impaired, you may need to elevate your voice slightly.

200

AMS

Altered mental status

300

Upon arriving at the scene of a domestic dispute, you hear yelling and the sound of breaking glass from inside the residence. You should:


 Never enter a scene in which signs of violence are present, including yelling, screaming, or the sound of breaking glass. Law enforcement must secure the scene prior to the EMT’s entry.

300

While caring for a trauma patient, the EMT has blood splashed into her eyes. This is an example of:


Exposure occurs when a person comes in (direct or indirect) contact with blood or other bodily fluids. Blood splattered into the eyes is an example of direct contact. It is important to note that exposure does not always lead to infection. Proper use of PPE minimizes this risk.

300

The unauthorized confinement of a person without legal authority or the person’s consent.


False imprisonment 

300

While caring for a 5-year-old boy with respiratory distress, you should:

A.avoid direct eye contact with the child, as this may frighten him.

B.avoid letting the child hold any toys, as this may hinder your care.

C.avoid alerting the child prior to a patient procedure.

D.allow a parent or caregiver to hold the child if the situation allows.

Answer: D

Rationale: When caring for children, take special care to avoid upsetting them. Allowing a parent to hold the child or allowing the child to play with a favorite toy often helps to keep the child calm. Never lie to a child, or any other patient for that matter; children can see through lies and deceptions. Assure the child that you can be trusted and are there to help by maintaining eye contact.

300

PMS

Pulse Motor Sensory 

400

All of the following are components of ______.

Periodic review of run reports

Discussion of needs for improvement

Remedial training as deemed necessary by the medical director

 continuous quality improvement (CQI)

400

Protective measures that prevent health care workers from coming into contact with germs are referred to as:



Standard precautions prevent health care workers from coming into contact with germs.

400

Failure of the EMT to provide the same care as another EMT with the same training is called:


 An EMT could be held liable for negligence if he or she fails to provide the same care as another EMT with the same training would provide in the same situation. For example, if an EMT fails to give oxygen to a patient with shortness of breath (an intervention that is clearly indicated), he or she may be held liable for negligence.

400

Which of the following pieces of patient information is of LEAST pertinence when giving a verbal report to a nurse or physician at the hospital?

A.The patient’s name and age

B.The patient’s family medical history

C.Vital signs that may have changed

D.Medications that the patient is taking

Answer: B

Rationale: Information given to the receiving nurse or physician should include the patient’s name and age, vital signs (especially if they have changed), a summary of the past medical history, and the patient’s response to any treatment that you rendered. Family medical history is not essential in the emergency treatment of a patient.

400

ALS

Advance Life Support

500

All of the following are responsibilities of _____.

Serving as a liaison to the medical community.

Ensuring that the appropriate standards are met by EMTs.

Ensuring appropriate EMT education and continuing training.

the medical director serves as a liaison to the medical community, ensuring that appropriate standards are met by EMS personnel, and ensuring appropriate EMT education and continuing training. 

500

What is the second stage of response in the stress response known as the general adaptation syndrome?


The body typically reacts to stress in three stages: the alarm response, which is followed by reaction and resistance, and then recovery. If the individual cannot reduce stress, the last stage may progress to exhaustion.

500

An 8-year-old boy was struck by a car, is unconscious, and is bleeding from the mouth. A police officer tells you that he is unable to contact the child’s parents. You should:

A.continue to treat the child and transport as soon as possible.

B.cease all treatment until the child’s parents can be contacted.

C.continue with treatment only if authorized by medical control.

D.provide airway management only until the parents are contacted.

Answer: A

Rationale: The child in this scenario is critically injured and requires immediate treatment and transport; waiting until his parents are contacted wastes time and increases his chance of a negative outcome. If you are unable to contact a minor’s parents or legal guardian, you should proceed with care based on the law of implied consent.

500

Which of the following statements about the patient care report (PCR) is true?

A.It is not a legal document in the eyes of the law.

B.It cannot be used for patient billing information.

C.It helps ensure efficient continuity of patient care.

D.It is intended for use only by the prehospital care provider.

Answer: C

Rationale: The PCR is an important document for more than one reason. It helps to ensure efficient continuity of patient care by providing the hospital with an account of all prehospital assessments and treatment. It also serves as a legal document that reflects the care provided by the EMT.

500

A&O__

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4

Person

Place

Time

Event