Chapter 2: The Well-being of the EMT

Question 1

Name Personal Protective Equipment

Answer 1

Gloves, Hand Cleaning, Eye and Face Protection, Gowns

Question 2

What is Hepatitis B and C

Answer 2

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

Question 3

What is Tuberculosis (TB)?

Answer 3

Infection of the lungs that is highly contagious and airborne

Question 4

What does HIV do to the body?

Answer 4

It attacks the immune system, leaving the patient unable to fight off infection

Question 5

What is AIDS?

Answer 5

A set of conditions that results when the immune system has been attacked by HIV. Contact with blood is the usual route of infection.

Question 6

What is Ebola?

Answer 6

It is a hemorrhagic fever with a high rate of death and lacks definitive treatment.

Question 7

How is Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) spread?

Answer 7

It’s spread through respiratory droplets.

Question 8

Where is Middle Eastern Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) found?

Answer 8

Found primarily on the Arabian Peninsula

Question 9

Name some characteristics of Avian flu.

Answer 9

Found in poultry; can affect humans; not easily transmissible from human to human

Question 10

True or False: EMS personnel are at high risk of coming in contact with infectious diseases.

Answer 10

TRUE

Question 11

Who sets guidelines for workplace safety ?

Answer 11

OSHA: Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Question 12

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

Answer 12

FALSE

Question 13

True or False: EMS agencies must provide training, protective equipment, and vaccinations to employees

Answer 13

TRUE

Question 14

What does the Ryan White CARE act specifiy?

Answer 14

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.

Question 15

What is the notification system for the Ryan White CARE Act?

Answer 15

Two notification systems: airborne disease exposure and blood borne or other infectious disease exposure

Question 16

What is the Tuberculosis (TB) compliance mandate?

Answer 16

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.

Question 17

What is the first stage of stress?

Answer 17

Alarm reaction (Fight or flight)

Question 18

What is the second stage of stress?

Answer 18

Stage of resistance (coping)

Question 19

What is the third stage of stress?

Answer 19

Exhaustion (loss of ability to resist or adapt to the stressor)

Question 20

Name characteristics of acute stress reaction.

Answer 20

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

Question 21

Name characteristics of delayed stress reaction.

Answer 21

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

Question 22

Name characteristics of cumulative stress reaction.

Answer 22

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

Question 23

Name some causes of stress

Answer 23

Multiple-casualty incidents (MCI), calls involving infants or children, severe injuries, abuse and neglect, death of a coworker

Question 24

Define eustress.

Answer 24

Positive form of stress that helps people work under pressure and respond effectively

Question 25

Define distress

Answer 25

Negative stress causing immediate and long-term problems with health and well-being

Question 26

What are ways to deal with stress?

Answer 26

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

Question 27

What is critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)

Answer 27

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

Question 28

How do you respond to hazardous material incidents?

Answer 28

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

Question 29

True or False: Never perform acts that you are not properly trained to do

Answer 29

True

Question 30

How do you prepare for violent situation?

Answer 30

Plan ahead; wear safe clothing; prepare your equipment so it is not cumbersome; carry a portable radio whenever possible; decide on safety roles

Question 31

When encountering violence, what is the proper way to observe the scene?

Answer 31

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

Question 32

How do you react to danger?

Answer 32

Use the Three Rs: Retreat, Radio, and Reevaluate. Do not reenter a scene until it has been secured by police