Ambulance Paramedic Foundation

Question 1

When does a person have capacity?

Answer 1

If they can:

• understand the facts and choices involved
• weigh up the consequences
• communicate their decision

Question 2

What is competency?

Answer 2

a person’s status, under law, to be able to make a decision about their healthcare and well-being (in patients without chronic compromise of cognitive function)

Question 3

What do you need to document on the EMR regarding competency and capacity when not transporting?

Answer 3

Receive
Believe
Retain
Explain

Question 4

What does Receive mean in capacity?

Answer 4

The Pt can listen and concentrate sufficiently to receive the information being given to them

Question 5

What does Believe mean in capacity?

Answer 5

The patient can understand, accept and believe the information being given to them

Question 6

What does Retain mean in capacity?

Answer 6

The patient can remember the information being given for long enough to consider and analyse it and they can demonstrate the ability to remember information after the paramedic has left

Question 7

What does Explain mean in capacity?

Answer 7

The patient can explain the information they have received and the risks involved with non-transport in their own words

Question 8

Who is the responsible person for people not capable of consenting?

Answer 8

• guardian (appointed or enduring)
• spouse or partner
• carer
• relative or friend

Question 9

When recognising the sick baby or child, what type of vomit dictates the Pt must be transported?

Answer 9

Bilious (green) vomiting in infants

Question 10

What can Bilious (green) vomiting indicate?

Answer 10

intestinal malrotation with volvulus

Question 11

What is intestinal malrotation

Answer 11

birth defect where the intestine does not make the turns as it should.

• It occurs equally in boys and girls
• More boys have symptoms by the first month of life

Question 12

What is a volvulus?

Answer 12

A blockage in the bowel from twisting caused by malrotation which preveents the digestion of food.

Can result in dehydration, ischemia and intestinal damage.

Question 13

What age infants should receive a heightened level of concern with transport for further assessment/treatment recommended?

Answer 13

ALL infants <3 months

Question 14

What life-threatening conditions require immediate treatment of reversible causes whilst on scene with all other treatment en-route with rapid transport?

Answer 14

• Unrelieved Upper Airway Obstruction (burns, epiglottitis, foreign bodies)
• Severe Breathing Problems (chest injuries with deterioration, severe pulmonary oedema, asthma or COPD unresponsive to treatment)
• Severe Circulatory Problems (uncontrollable haemorrhage, penetrating trauma (excluding isolated injury to hands and feet), severe shock of any type, dysrhythmias with poor perfusion, cardiac arrest, return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest)
• Depressed LOC (V, P, or U - head injuries, overdose unresponsive to naloxone, uncontrolled fitting)
• Emergency of Other Types - (maternal emergencies (including trauma), severe poisoning, uncontrolled severe pain, acute coronary syndrome, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, eye injuries, penetrating or chemical, stroke (FAST and Hyper Acute Stroke Mandatory criteria positive or sudden onset headache or neurological deficit, fever with lethargy, major trauma (Trauma Triage Tool criteria)
• Direction from Protocol - Where required, specific protocols may mandate/recommend urgent transport for specific conditions and/or specific presentations within these conditions