EMS Systems
Which of the following situations would MOST likely disqualify a person for EMS certification?
A. A misdemeanor committed at age 17
B. Driving under the influence of alcohol
C. Possessing a valid driver’s license from another state
D. A mild hearing impairment that is corrected with hearing aids
Answer: B
Rationale: In most states, a person may be denied EMS certification for being convicted of a felony, such as driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.
A condition characterized by reexperiencing an event and overresponding to stimuli that recall the event is called:
A.acute stress reaction.
B.delayed stress reaction.
C.cumulative stress reaction.
D.posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Answer: D
Rationale: PTSD may develop after a person has experienced a psychologically distressing event.
An advance directive is:
A.a set of specific guidelines that clearly defines the different types of consent.
B.a formal list that defines by state law whether a patient has decision-making capacity.
C.a written document that specifies the care you should provide if the patient is unable to make decisions.
D.a verbal order given to you by a dying patient's family regarding whether treatment should be provided.
Answer: C
Rationale: An advance directive is a written document signed by the patient and a witness that specifies the medical care that should be provided if the patient loses decision-making capacity (ie, he or she is no longer deemed competent).
A device that receives a low-frequency signal and then transmits it at a relatively higher frequency is called a:
A.duplex.
B.scanner.
C.repeater.
D.receiver.
Answer: C
Rationale: A repeater receives messages and signals from one frequency and then automatically transmits them on a second, higher frequency.
RR/Resp
Respiration rate
Which of the following should be the EMT’s highest priority?
A. Controlling severe bleeding
B. Maintaining a patient’s airway
C. Ensuring patient safety
D. Ensuring personal safety
Answer: D
Rationale: Personal safety is of utmost concern for the EMT. This involves sizing up a scene to determine whether the scene is safe to enter. This will ensure the safety of all personnel.
______ is the fuel to make the body run.
A.Sleep
B.Exercise
C.Food
D.Work/life balance
Answer: C
Rationale: To perform efficiently, you must eat nutritious food. The physical exertion and stress of your job require high energy output.
Which of the following patients is competent and can legally refuse EMS care?
A.A confused young female who states that she is the president
B.A man who is staggering and states that he drank only three beers
C.A conscious and alert woman who is in severe pain from a broken leg
D.A diabetic patient who has slurred speech and is not aware of the date
Answer: C
Rationale: A patient who is of legal age (18 in most states), is conscious, and is alert to person, place, time, and event, likely has decision-making capacity and can legally refuse EMS care. However, patients who are confused, possibly intoxicated, or delusional are not capable of making rational decisions; therefore, you should provide care based on the law of implied consent.
When treating a potentially hostile patient, you should try to diffuse the situation by:
A.assuming an aggressive posture.
B.staring at the patient.
C.speaking calmly, confidently, and slowly.
D.verbally threatening the patient.
Answer: C
Rationale: Speak calmly, confidently, and slowly. With your backup clearly visible, advise the patient what needs to be done, or provide the patient with limited, acceptable choices. “Sir, I need you to sit on the ambulance cot now. Either you will sit on the cot, or we will help you to the cot.”
HR
Heart Rate (pulse)
A patient who requires cardiac monitoring in the field would require, at a minimum, which level of EMS provider?
A. EMR
B. EMT
C. Paramedic
D. AEMT
Answer: C
Rationale: Of all levels of EMS provider, the paramedic is trained in advanced medical care, including cardiac monitoring, IV therapy, and administration of a variety of emergency drugs.
Which stage of grieving commonly results in blame?
A.Denial
B.Anger, hostility
C.Bargaining
D.Depression
Answer: B
Rationale: The person may lash out at the EMT or blame the EMT for the unfortunate event.
You are treating a patient with an apparent emotional crisis. After the patient refuses treatment, you tell him that you will call the police and have him restrained if he does not give you consent. Your actions in this case are an example of:
A.assault.
B.battery.
C.negligence.
D.abandonment.
Answer: A
Rationale: Unlawfully placing a person in fear of immediate bodily harm (ie, having him restrained) without his consent constitutes assault.
All of the following are functions of the emergency medical dispatcher, EXCEPT:
A.alerting the appropriate EMS response unit.
B.screening a call and assigning it a priority.
C.providing emergency medical instructions to the caller.
D.providing medical direction to the EMT in the field.
Answer: D
Rationale: Functions of the emergency medical dispatcher include screening a call and assigning it a priority, alerting the appropriate EMS response unit, coordinating EMS units with other public safety services, and providing prearrival emergency medical instructions to the caller.
BP
Blood Pressure
Which of the following is a professional responsibility of the EMT?
A. Telling the family of a dying patient that everything will be OK
B. Maintaining only the skills that he or she feels uncomfortable with
C. Maintaining a professional demeanor in even the most stressful situations
D. Advising an emergency department nurse that patient reports are given only to a physician
Answer: C
Rationale: Because the public relies upon the EMT to remain calm when others cannot, he or she must project a professional and calm demeanor even when under extreme stress.
Placards are used on:
A.buildings.
B.individual packages.
C.storage lockers.
D.storage papers.
Answer: A
Rationale: Placards are used for buildings and transportation vehicles.
The EMT has a legal duty to act if he or
she is:
A.off duty and witnesses a major car accident.
B.a volunteer, is on duty, and is dispatched on a call.
C.paid for his or her services, but is not on duty.
D.out of his or her jurisdiction and sees a man choking.
Answer: B
Rationale: The EMT—paid or volunteer—has a legal duty to act if he or she is on duty and is dispatched on a call, regardless of the nature of the call. If the EMT is off duty and/or out of his or her jurisdiction, he or she has a moral obligation to act, but not necessarily a legal one.
After receiving an order from medical control over the radio, the EMT should:
A.carry out the order immediately.
B.disregard the order if it is not understood.
C.obtain the necessary consent from the patient.
D.repeat the order to the physician word for word.
Answer: D
Rationale: After receiving an order from medical control, the EMT should repeat the order back to the physician word for word. This will ensure that he or she heard the order correctly. After confirming the order, the EMT should obtain the necessary consent from the patient.
C/C
Chief Complaint
Emergency patient care occurs in progressive phases. What occurs first?
A.Activation of EMS
B.Initial prehospital care
C.The patient receives definitive care
D.Incident recognition
Answer: D
Rationale: Someone must recognize an emergency before EMS can be activated.
The five most common hazards associated with a structural fire include:
A.smoke, oxygen deficiency, high ambient temperatures, toxic gases, and building collapse.
B.smoke, oxygen deficiency, inhalation of tar particles, injury from breaking glass, and building collapse.
C.smoke, high ambient temperatures, toxic gases, electric shock, and inhalation of tar particles.
D.oxygen deficiency, high ambient temperatures, toxic gases, electric shock, and injury from breaking glass.
Answer: A
Rationale: The five hazards most commonly associated with a structural fire are smoke, oxygen deficiency, high ambient temperatures, toxic gases, and building collapse.
Which of the following statements about records and reports is FALSE?
A.Legally, if it was not documented, it was not performed.
B.A complete, accurate report is an important safeguard against legal problems.
C.An incomplete or untidy patient care report is evidence of incomplete or inexpert emergency medical care.
D.Your patient care report does not become a part of the patient’s hospital record because your treatment was provided outside the hospital.
Answer: D
Rationale: The statement “Your patient care report does not become a part of the patient’s hospital record because your treatment was provided outside the hospital” is incorrect. Your patient care report does, in fact, become a permanent part of the patient’s hospital record.
When requesting medical direction for a patient who was involved in a major car accident, the EMT should avoid:
A. using radio codes to describe the situation.
B. questioning an order that seems inappropriate.
C. relaying vital signs unless they are abnormal.
D. the use of medical terminology when speaking.
Answer: A
Rationale: When giving a report to medical control or requesting medical direction, the EMT should avoid the use of codes, such as “10-50” or “Signal 70.” One cannot assume that the physician is familiar with these codes. Plain English is more effective.
YOF