Chapter 2: The Well-being of the EMT Flashcards
Name Personal Protective Equipment
Gloves, Hand Cleaning, Eye and Face Protection, Gowns
What is Hepatitis B and C
Infection that causes inflammation of the liver; can live on surfaces in dried blood for several days; HepB is deadly but has a vaccine; HepC is also deadly but no vaccine available
What is Tuberculosis (TB)?
Infection of the lungs that is highly contagious and airborne
What does HIV do to the body?
It attacks the immune system, leaving the patient unable to fight off infection
What is AIDS?
A set of conditions that results when the immune system has been attacked by HIV. Contact with blood is the usual route of infection.
What is Ebola?
It is a hemorrhagic fever with a high rate of death and lacks definitive treatment.
How is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) spread?
It’s spread through respiratory droplets.
Where is Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) found?
Found primarily on the Arabian Peninsula
Name some characteristics of Avian flu.
Found in poultry; can affect humans; not easily transmissible from human to human
True or False: EMS personnel are at high risk of coming in contact with infectious diseases.
TRUE
Who sets guidelines for workplace safety ?
OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration
True or False: The OSHA standard on bloodborne pathogens does not require infection control to be the joint responsibility of the employer and the employee
FALSE
True or False: EMS agencies must provide training, protective equipment, and vaccinations to employees
TRUE
What does the Ryan White CARE act specifiy?
Allows EMS providers to find out if they have been exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases while providing patient care; designated officer gathers facts about potential exposures.
What is the notification system for the Ryan White CARE Act?
Two notification systems: airborne disease exposure and blood borne or other infectious disease exposure
What is the Tuberculosis (TB) compliance mandate?
Must use OSHA’s respiratory standard by wearing a NIOSH-approved N-95 or HEPA mask when you are caring for or transporting patients suspected of having TB.
What is the first stage of stress?
Alarm reaction (Fight or flight)
What is the second stage of stress?
Stage of resistance (coping)
What is the third stage of stress?
Exhaustion (loss of ability to resist or adapt to the stressor)
Name characteristics of acute stress reaction.
Often linked to catastrophe; signs and symptoms develop soon after incident; physical, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral symptoms; normal reactions to extraordinary situation; may require professional intervention
Name characteristics of delayed stress reaction.
Causes Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD); signs and symptoms not evident until long after incident; delay makes dealing with reaction much harder; requires intervention by mental health professional
Name characteristics of cumulative stress reaction.
Results from years of sustained low-level stressors; early signs include vague anxiety and emotional exhaustion; progresses to physical complaints, loss of emotional control, irritability, and depression; may present as severe withdrawal or suicidal thoughts requiring long-term psychological intervention
Name some causes of stress
Multiple-casualty incidents (MCI), calls involving infants or children, severe injuries, abuse and neglect, death of a coworker
Define eustress.
Positive form of stress that helps people work under pressure and respond effectively
Define distress
Negative stress causing immediate and long-term problems with health and well-being
What are ways to deal with stress?
Develop more healthful and positive dietary habits; exercise; devote time to relaxing; change shift or location for lighter call volume, different call types, more family time
What is critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)
Designed to help responders “defuse” after incident; team of trained peer counselors and mental health professionals meet with rescuers and health care providers involved in major incident; helps responders deal with stress
How do you respond to hazardous material incidents?
Maintain a safe distance from the source of the hazardous material; use placards; ensure your emergency vehicle is equipped with binoculars; correspond with coded colors and identification numbers. Do not treat patients until after they have undergone decontamination
True or False: Never perform acts that you are not properly trained to do
True
How do you prepare for violent situation?
Plan ahead; wear safe clothing; prepare your equipment so it is not cumbersome; carry a portable radio whenever possible; decide on safety roles
When encountering violence, what is the proper way to observe the scene?
Survey scene on approach; do not announce arrival; turn off lights and siren; drive few feet past residence so you can see front and sides
How do you react to danger?
Use the Three Rs: Retreat, Radio, and Reevaluate. Do not reenter a scene until it has been secured by police
