Chapter 2: Workforce Safety and Wellness

Question 1

Which of the following statements regarding stress is correct?
A) Eustress is the leading cause of suicide among EMS, fire, and law enforcement personnel.
B) By itself, any kind of stress has a negative effect on the human body and should be avoided.
C) The human stress reaction is exclusive to physical demands that are placed on the body.
D) The way one person reacts to stress may differ significantly from another person’s reaction.

Answer 1

D) The way one person reacts to stress may differ significantly from another person’s reaction.

Question 2

Biologic stress is MOST accurately defined as:
A) a predictable sequence of physiologic events caused by a stressor.
B) the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it.
C) stress that most often occurs following a positive event or situation.
D) a prolonged and severe discharge of the sympathetic nervous system.

Answer 2

B) the nonspecific response of the body to any demand made upon it.

Question 3

The kind of stress that motivates an individual to achieve is called:
A) eustress.
B) distress.
C) adapted stress.
D) displaced stress.

Answer 3

A) eustress.

Question 4

Negative or injurious stress is also called:
A) distress.
B) eustress.
C) projected stress.
D) redirected stress.

Answer 4

A) distress.

Question 5

Which of the following statements regarding stress is correct?
A) Most people see distress as noninjurious and are able to adapt to it easily.
B) Nearly everyone finds the same events or situations stressful to some degree.
C) The specific event that triggers a stress reaction varies from person to person.
D) Eustress is the type of stress that a person finds overwhelming and debilitating.

Answer 5

C) The specific event that triggers a stress reaction varies from person to person.

Question 6

All of the following are common triggers of distress, EXCEPT:
A) the loss of a loved one.
B) planning a lengthy vacation.
C) excessive responsibility at work.
D) having children that leave home.

Answer 6

B) planning a lengthy vacation.

Question 7

The MOST effective way to deal with stress is to:
A) seek psychiatric assistance and request a mild sedative drug.
B) recognize what causes the stress and eliminate it from your life.
C) avoid caffeine and get a minimum of 12 hours of sleep every day.
D) identify the stress triggers and take action to minimize their effects.

Answer 7

D) identify the stress triggers and take action to minimize their effects.

Question 8

According to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, which of the following stressors has the MOST profound effect on a person?
A) Gain of a new family member
B) Spouse begins or stops working
C) Change to a different line of work
D) Foreclosure of mortgage or loan

Answer 8

A) Gain of a new family member

Question 9

During a crisis, the paramedic is able to focus and function, but afterwards, he or she may be left with nervous, excited energy that continues to build. This is indicative of:
A) burnout.
B) an acute stress reaction.
C) a delayed stress reaction.
D) a cumulative stress reaction.

Answer 9

C) a delayed stress reaction.

Question 10

Signs and symptoms of cumulative stress include:
A) insomnia or hypersomnia.
B) increased sexual function.
C) bradycardia and hypotension.
D) decreased interest in alcohol.

Answer 10

A) insomnia or hypersomnia.

Question 11

Prolonged or excessive stress has been proven to be a strong contributor to:
A) depression.
B) hypotension.
C) schizophrenia.
D) bipolar disorder.

Answer 11

D) bipolar disorder.

Question 12

Chronic stress:
A) has actually been shown to lower one’s risk for cancer.
B) places the body in a continuous, unrelieved state of alert.
C) most commonly results from a single acute stress reaction.
D) is preferentially treated with a benzodiazepine medication

Answer 12

B) places the body in a continuous, unrelieved state of alert.

Question 13

Unrecognized or unrelieved stress:
A) is less harmful than acute stress.
B) results in nervous system failure.
C) can result in poor physical health.
D) requires antipsychotic medications.

Answer 13

C) can result in poor physical health.

Question 14

Which of the following is NOT an early warning sign of stress?
A) Heart palpitations
B) Dry, irritated skin
C) Chest pain or tightness
D) Difficult or rapid breathing

Answer 14

B) Dry, irritated skin

Question 15

When managing stress, it is important to:
A) consume only moderate amounts of alcohol.
B) avoid taking sleeping aids after a stressful event.
C) avoid vigorous exercise because it raises your heart rate.
D) increase your caffeine intake to increase your alertness.

Answer 15

B) avoid taking sleeping aids after a stressful event.

Question 16

To prepare for or handle stress, you should:
A) increase your caffeine intake to facilitate the fight-or-flight mechanism.
B) stop taking any prescribed anxiolytic medications so you can stay focused.
C) exercise vigorously and regularly during the 12 hours preceding your shift.
D) avoid using alcohol during the 12-hour period before the start of your shift.

Answer 16

C) exercise vigorously and regularly during the 12 hours preceding your shift.

Question 17

Most of a patient’s psychological stress responses to an illness or injury are:
A) predictable, so the paramedic can prepare for them.
B) not under his or her conscious control.
C) related to the patient’s level of maturity.
D) a direct result of the paramedic’s presence.

Answer 17

B) not under his or her conscious control.

Question 18

When you enter a situation in which everyone is under stress, it is important to remember that:
A) most people respond to stress with isolated bouts of violence.
B) all human beings respond to stress in almost identical ways.
C) an authoritative tone of voice will quickly defuse the situation.
D) there is no guarantee that people are going to behave appropriately.

Answer 18

D) there is no guarantee that people are going to behave appropriately.

Question 19

Burnout is MOST accurately defined as:
A) an acute reaction to an overwhelming situation.
B) the exhaustion of physical or emotional strength.
C) cynicism after being a paramedic for many years.
D) a person’s emotional reaction to a stressful event.

Answer 19

B) the exhaustion of physical or emotional strength.

Question 20

The FIRST thing you should do if you think you are beginning to experience symptoms of burnout is:
A) take at least 3 weeks off from work and go on a vacation.
B) see a psychologist and try to identify the underlying cause.
C) reexamine your beliefs and your ways of responding to stress.
D) request to work at a busier station to keep your mind occupied.

Answer 20

C) reexamine your beliefs and your ways of responding to stress.

Question 21

General guidelines for preventing burnout include:
A) avoiding stress-relieving techniques while you are on duty.
B) taking a mild sedative to help get adequate sleep each night.
C) discussing your shift with your spouse or other family members.
D) engaging in social activities with people not involved in EMS.

Answer 21

D) engaging in social activities with people not involved in EMS.

Question 22

While caring for a woman with acute shortness of breath, your partner, a dedicated paramedic for many years, tells the patient that she should have driven herself to the hospital instead of calling EMS. Your partner’s behavior is MOST consistent with:
A) impending burnout.
B) an acute stress reaction.
C) a lack of interest for EMS.
D) a personal conflict with the patient.

Answer 22

A) impending burnout.

Question 23

Burnout is a consequence of:
A) a high call volume.
B) many years in EMS.
C) underlying depression.
D) chronic, unrelieved stress.

Answer 23

D) chronic, unrelieved stress.

Question 24

Which of the following is NOT a symptom of impending burnout?
A) Requesting additional shifts
B) Chronic fatigue and irritability
C) Decreased ability to concentrate
D) Frequent stomach upset or colds

Answer 24

A) Requesting additional shifts

Question 25

In general, paramedics who do not experience burnout are those who:
A) regularly see a psychiatrist or psychologist.
B) have been paramedics for fewer than 10 years.
C) consider the patient’s needs before their own.
D) have learned to value and respect themselves.

Answer 25

D) have learned to value and respect themselves.

Question 26

According to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines, the keys to controlling body weight include:
A) exercising more and increasing your caloric intake.
B) drinking less water per day and exercising regularly.
C) consuming more calories and eating fewer vegetables.
D) eating fewer calories while increasing physical activity.

Answer 26

D) eating fewer calories while increasing physical activity.

Question 27

Consequences of poor nutrition include all of the following, EXCEPT:
A) obesity.
B) diabetes.
C) hair loss.
D) heart disease.

Answer 27

C) hair loss.

Question 28

EMS providers who work 24-hour shifts are prone to poor nutritional habits on the job because:
A) they have a higher call volume.
B) their meals are interrupted frequently.
C) they are faced with greater stress.
D) their water intake often is increased.

Answer 28

B) their meals are interrupted frequently.