Chapter 2

Question 1

Question 1
A 75-year-old male with a terminal illness has died at home. As you and your partner enter the residence, a family member becomes verbally abusive, pushes you, and states that you took too long to get there. You should:
subdue the family member until the police arrive.
tell the family member that it is not your fault.
retreat and notify law enforcement personnel.
ignore the family member and assess the patient.

Answer 1

“retreat and notify law enforcement personnel.”

Question 2

Question 2
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, an employer must:
guarantee a 100% risk-free environment prior to employment.
screen all prospective employees for bloodborne pathogens.
provide gloves and other personal protective equipment to full-time paid employees only.
offer a workplace environment that reduces the risk of exposure.

Answer 2

“offer a workplace environment that reduces the risk of exposure.”

Question 3

Question 3
A critical incident stress debriefing should be conducted no longer than ________ hours following the incident.
24
six
72
12

Answer 3

“72”

Question 4

Question 4
After assessing a patient’s blood glucose level, you accidentally stick yourself with the contaminated lancet. You should:
immerse your wound in an alcohol-based solution.
report the incident to your supervisor after the call.
discontinue patient care and seek medical attention.
get immunized against hepatitis as soon as possible.

Answer 4

“report the incident to your supervisor after the call.”

Question 5

Question 5
A positive TB skin test indicates that:
you have never been exposed to TB.
you have been exposed to TB.
you are actively infected with TB.
the TB disease is currently dormant but might later become active.

Answer 5

“you have been exposed to TB.”

Question 6

Question 6
As an EMT, it is important to remember that the signs and symptoms of cumulative stress:
are most effectively treated with medications.
usually manifest suddenly and without warning.
might not be obvious or present all the time.
cannot be identified and can cause health problems.

Answer 6

“might not be obvious or present all the time.”

Question 7

Question 7
At the scene of an automobile crash, a utility pole has been broken, and power lines are lying across the car. The patients inside the car are conscious. You should:
proceed with normal extrication procedures.
remove the lines with a nonconductive object.
advise the patients to carefully get out of the car.
mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.

Answer 7

“mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.”

Question 8

Question 8
Carbon monoxide blocks the ability of the blood to oxygenate the body because it:
binds with the hemoglobin in red blood cells.
causes the body to expel too much carbon dioxide.
fills the alveoli in the lungs with thick secretions.
destroys the number of circulating red blood cells.

Answer 8

“binds with the hemoglobin in red blood cells.”

Question 9

Question 9
Critical incident stress management (CISM) can occur at an ongoing scene in all of the following circumstances, except:
before leaving the scene after the incident is resolved.
when patients are actively being assessed or treated.
when personnel are assessed during periods of rest.
before personnel are preparing to reenter the scene.

Answer 9

“when patients are actively being assessed or treated.”

Question 10

Question 10
Gloves, a mask, eye protection, and a face shield should be used:
while handling needles or other sharps.
during routine cleaning of the ambulance.
whenever you touch non-intact skin.
when performing endotracheal intubation.

Answer 10

“when performing endotracheal intubation.”

Question 11

Question 11
If it is not possible to adequately clean your ambulance at the hospital following a call, you should:
wait until the end of your shift and then disinfect the entire patient compartment.
clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated.
thoroughly wash the back of the ambulance at a local car wash or similar facility.
quickly wipe down all high-contact surfaces with an antibacterial solution.

Answer 11

“clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated.”

Question 12

Question 12
If you are exposed to a patient’s blood or other bodily fluid, your first action should be to:
report the incident to the infection control officer.
transfer care of the patient to another EMS provider.
abandon patient care and seek medical attention.
vigorously clean the area with soap and water.

Answer 12

“transfer care of the patient to another EMS provider.”

Question 13

Question 13
If you use a waterless handwashing substitute in the field, it is important to:
avoid donning another pair of gloves for at least 10 minutes.
wait at least five minutes before touching another patient.
wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital.
immediately dry your hands with a paper towel.

Answer 13

“wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital.”

Question 14

Question 14
Prescription glasses do not provide adequate eye protection because they:
offer little or no side protection.
are not secured with a strap.
do not have shatterproof lenses.
have large, rounded lenses.

Answer 14

“offer little or no side protection.”

Question 15

Question 15
The capacity of an individual to cope with and recover from stress is called:
distress.
wellness.
resilience.
eustress.

Answer 15

“resilience.”

Question 16

Question 16
The simplest, yet most effective method of preventing the spread of an infectious disease is to:
undergo annual testing for tuberculosis and hepatitis.
undergo an annual physical examination.
wash your hands in between patient contacts.
ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date.

Answer 16

“wash your hands in between patient contacts.”

Question 17

Question 17
Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via:
direct contact.
smoke or dust.
animals or insects.
inanimate objects.

Answer 17

“animals or insects.”

Question 18

Question 18
When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should:
clean all surfaces and patient contact areas with a mixture of alcohol and water.
spray the contaminated areas and then immediately wipe them dry with a towel.
use a bleach and water solution at a 1:2 dilution ratio to thoroughly wipe all surfaces.
allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.

Answer 18

“allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.”

Question 19

Question 19
Which of the following is an effective stress management strategy?
Modestly increasing caffeine consumption
Requesting overtime to occupy your mind
Frequently reflecting on troublesome calls
Developing a social network outside of EMS

Answer 19

“Developing a social network outside of EMS”

Question 20

Question 20
Which of the following scenarios most accurately depicts a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reaction?
A newly certified EMT becomes extremely nauseated and diaphoretic at the scene of an incident involving grotesque injuries.
An EMT with many years of field experience becomes irritable with her coworkers and experiences headaches and insomnia.
An EMT is emotionally exhausted and depressed after a school bus crash involving critical injuries and the death of several children.
An EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed.

Answer 20

“An EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed.”