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What is nonmaleficence?
Nonmaleficence: The obligation to not intentionally or negligently cause harm to patients during care.
Describe expressed consent.
Expressed consent is a type of patient permission in which a person clearly and verbally or in writing agrees to receive medical care.
What is informed consent?
Informed consent: Permission given by a patient after being fully informed about the treatment, including potential risks, benefits, and alternatives.
What is online medical direction?
Online (or direct) medical direction is when EMS providers contact a physician—usually by radio, phone, or telemedicine—to receive immediate orders, advice, or approval for patient care decisions that are outside their standing protocols.
Does driving a vehicle over the speed limit help save travel time?
Driving faster feels like you’re saving time—but in reality, the time saved is usually minimal, and the risk increases significantly.
Why is it important to identify yourself and unit before talking to the receiving hospital.
Clear Communication is critical: It ensures the hospital knows who is calling and which EMS unit is bringing the patient.
Patient Tracking: Ensures the hospital can prepare the correct bed, team, and resources for the arriving patient. Supports accurate documentation and handoff.
Legal and Safety Consideration.Accurate identification is part of the documentation and chain of custody for patient care. Protects against miscommunication that could compromise patient care.
When trying to avoid exposure to toxic fumes during an accident, EMS responders must remember what key factors?
1. Uphill / Upwind Positioning Always approach from upwind and uphill if possible. Toxic gases are usually heavier than air and move downhill and downwind. Wind direction helps you avoid inhalation hazards.
Describe scope of practice.
The range of duties, procedures, and skills that a healthcare provider is legally licensed, authorized, and trained to perform.
What does EMS do to help prepare for a landing on a highway?
Choose and Secure a Safe Landing Zone
Flat, firm, and debris-free area—about 100 ft x 100 ft (minimum 75' x 75'). No overhead hazards: power lines, signs, lights, trees, or bridges.
Stop All Traffic. Shut down the highway in both directions. Position emergency vehicles to block lanes and create a buffer.
Describe a rotary wing transport.
A rotary wing transport refers to a medical or rescue aircraft that uses rotating blades (a rotor system) to generate lift—commonly known as a helicopter.
It does not require a runway and can land in small or uneven areas.
Why must you be absolutely accurate on a run report?
It is the official and legal record of patient care. Inaccuracies can have serious consequences for patient safety and legal accountability.
Describe implied consent.
Implied consent: Permission for treatment that is assumed by law when a patient is unconscious, confused, or otherwise incapable (minors) of giving expressed consent, and care is necessary to save life or prevent serious injury.
Describe emancipated minor consent.
Emancipated minor consent refers to situations in which a person under 18 years old is legally considered an adult for medical decisions and can consent to their own care without parental permission.
What are some of the key functions of EMS dispatch?
Call triage and prioritization: Quickly determines the urgency and severity of each call. Assigns the appropriate response level (ALS, BLS, fire, police, etc.).
Resource Allocation: Decides which units are closest and best equipped to respond.
Communication Hub: Relays critical information between EMS, fire, police, hospitals, and other agencies.
Describe a fixed wing transport.
An aircraft (airplane) with solid, non-moving wings that generate lift as the plane moves forward through the air. These aircraft are used to move patients over long distances—often between hospitals, across states, or internationally.
Why should you never guess a patient's vital sign or other pertinent information?
Patient Safety: Inaccurate information can lead to wrong treatment decisions, medication errors, or delayed interventions.
Legal and Professional Responsibility: EMS documentation is a legal record of patient care. Falsifying or guessing information can be considered negligence, misconduct, or fraud.
After a multi-vehicle MVC — Besides patient care, what mandatory safety steps must be done?
1. Scene Safety and Hazard Control: 360 degrees.
Look for leaking fuel, fire, hazardous materials, unstable vehicles, and traffic dangers.
Secure the Scene / Traffic Control. Use emergency lights, cones, flares, or blockers to divert or slow traffic.
What special techniques/equipment can help an emergency vehicle go through an intersection?
1. Lights and Sirens (Audible & Visual Warning Devices) Sirens include wail, yelp, hi-lo, and air horn to gain attention when others fail to yield.
2. Air Horn. Used in loud, congested, or distracted areas when standard siren tones aren’t effective.
3. Opticom / Preemption System. Transmitter that communicates with traffic lights. Changes red lights to green for emergency vehicles and holds cross traffic at red.
What do you do if you make a mistake on your run report?
Draw a Single Line Through the Error (Make the incorrect entry still legible.)
Initial and Date the Correction
Describe duty to act?
Duty to act is a legal and ethical obligation that requires certain professionals—like EMS providers—to provide care when it is their responsibility to do so.
Why is it important EMS understands the meaning of a DNR and the EMS responsibility?
EMS Responsibilities: Verify the DNR: Check for a valid, signed DNR order, bracelet, or state-specific form. Does not mean “do not treat”: You still provide care for breathing, bleeding, pain, or other medical needs.
What is the purpose of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act?
Protects patients’ medical information (privacy).
Establishes rules for handling, storing, and sharing health records.
Ensures confidentiality of patient data in healthcare and EMS.
If you must change anything in a crime scene, what steps should be taken.
Protect evidence: Take care not to alter, contaminate, or tamper with any potential evidence.
Minimize moving items: Only move items if absolutely necessary. If you must, document the original position and the reason for moving.
What does DNR stand for and how does it affect EMS?
DNR stands for Do Not Resuscitate. It respects the patient’s wishes regarding end-of-life care. I tprevents unwanted resuscitation efforts that may be medically futile or against the patient’s values.
Describe breach of duty.
Breach of duty is a legal term used in EMS and healthcare to describe a situation where a provider fails to meet the standard of care that they are legally or professionally obligated to provide.