Chapter 22 Quiz

Question 1

A 38-year-old male with a history of schizophrenia is reported by neighbors to be screaming and throwing things in his house. You are familiar with the patient and have cared for him in the past for unrelated problems. Law enforcement officers escort you into the residence when you arrive. The patient tells you that he sees vampires and is attempting to ward them off by screaming and throwing things at them. He has several large lacerations to his forearms that are actively bleeding. The MOST appropriate way to manage this situation is to:
Select one:
A. approach the patient and calm him by placing your hand on his shoulder.
B. request that the police officers arrest him and take him to the hospital.
C. restrain the patient with appropriate force in order to treat his injuries.
D. try to gain the patient’s trust by telling him that you see the vampires too.

Answer 1

C. restrain the patient with appropriate force in order to treat his injuries.

Question 2

A 40-year-old male intentionally cut his wrist out of anger after losing his job. Law enforcement has secured the scene prior to your arrival. As you enter the residence and visualize the patient, you can see that he has a towel around his wrist and a moderate amount of blood has soaked through it. You should:
Select one:
A. quickly tend to the bleeding wound.
B. calmly identify yourself to the patient.
C. tell the patient that you want to help.
D. approach the patient with caution.

Answer 2

B. calmly identify yourself to the patient.

Question 3

A behavioral crisis interferes with which of the following?
Select one:
A. Activities of daily living
B. Behavior that is acceptable to the community
C. Dressing, eating, or bathing
D. All of these answers are correct.

Answer 3

D. All of these answers are correct.

Question 4

A general impression of the patient is formed by an EMT:
Select one:
A. at a distance when the patient is first seen.
B. speaking with family members or bystanders first.
C. when the patient is in the ambulance.
D. speaking privately with the patient.

Answer 4

A. at a distance when the patient is first seen.

Question 5

Everyone exhibits some signs and symptoms of mental illness at some point in life ____________.
Select one:
A. but that does not mean a person is mentally ill
B. and needs medication administered to control them
C. and should be physically restrained for their own safety and the safety of the EMT
D. because mental illness affects everyone

Answer 5

A. but that does not mean a person is mentally ill

Question 6

From a mental health standpoint, an abnormal or disturbing pattern of behavior is a matter of concern if it lasts for at least:
Select one:
A. 2 weeks.
B. 1 week.
C. 1 month.
D. 3 weeks.

Answer 6

C. 1 month.

Question 7

Signs of excited delirium include:
Select one:
A. pallor, hypotension, and constricted pupils.
B. subdued behavior, crying, and suicidal thoughts.
C. slurred speech, bradycardia, and a high fever.
D. diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hallucinations.

Answer 7

D. diaphoresis, tachycardia, and hallucinations.

Question 8

The two basic categories of diagnosis that a physician will use for behavioral crises or psychiatric emergencies are ____________.
Select one:
A. organic brain syndrome and altered mental status
B. functional and nonfunctional
C. physical and psychological
D. All of these answers are correct.

Answer 8

C. physical and psychological

Question 9

What is the most common misconception surrounding mental illness?
Select one:
A. All persons with mental disorders are physically violent and dangerous.
B. Many mental illnesses stem from drug or alcohol abuse.
C. Feeling “bad” or “depressed” means that you must be “sick.”
D. Everyone has some form of mental illness.

Answer 9

C. Feeling “bad” or “depressed” means that you must be “sick.”

Question 10

When a psychiatric emergency arises, a patient is most likely to exhibit which of the following behaviors?
Select one:
A. Any behaviors unacceptable to the patient, family, or community
B. Any behaviors that are a violent threat to the patient, EMTs, or others
C. Disruptions to activities of daily living
D. Visual or auditory hallucinations

Answer 10

B. Any behaviors that are a violent threat to the patient, EMTs, or others

Question 11

When caring for a patient experiencing excited delirium, the EMT should remember that:
Select one:
A. sudden death can occur if the patient’s violence is not controlled.
B. lights and siren are effective in redirecting the patient’s behavior.
C. most patients will have low blood pressure and hyperglycemia.
D. excited delirium is worsened by nervous system depressant drugs.

Answer 11

A. sudden death can occur if the patient’s violence is not controlled.

Question 12

Which of the following is a good guideline for physical examination of any patient?
Select one:
A. Avoid touching without permission.
B. Always work toe-to-head.
C. Complete the physical exam first, then check the ABCs.
D. Examine extremities first.

Answer 12

A. Avoid touching without permission.

Question 13

Which of the following is an example of a psychiatric emergency?
Select one:
A. A person violently attacking family members
B. A person who is experiencing a panic attack
C. A person who is depressed and no longer caring for himself
D. A person going on a week-long “bender” after losing a job

Answer 13

A. A person violently attacking family members

Question 14

Which of the following is considered an organic brain syndrome?
Select one:
A. Alzheimer dementia
B. Schizophrenia
C. Anxiety conditions
D. Depression

Answer 14

A. Alzheimer dementia

Question 15

Which of the following terms applies to a state of delusion in which the patient is out of touch with reality?
Select one:
A. Schizophrenia
B. Psychosis
C. Suicidal
D. Agitated delirium

Answer 15

B. Psychosis

Question 16

Why might EMTs encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large?
Select one:
A. It is a common misperception; EMTs do NOT encounter a larger proportion of violent patients than the population at large.
B. EMTs have to restrain patients.
C. EMTs respond to patients who, by definition, are having an emergency.
D. EMTs respond with law enforcement.

Answer 16

C. EMTs respond to patients who, by definition, are having an emergency.

Question 17

You are assessing a 45-year-old female who is severely depressed. She states that it seems as though her entire world is crashing down around her. She further states that she has had frequent thoughts of suicide, but is not sure if she can actually go through with it. How should you manage this situation?
Select one:
A. Ask the patient if she has developed a suicidal plan.
B. Encourage the patient to remain quiet during transport.
C. Have law enforcement place her in protective custody.
D. Leave the scene and have a neighbor check in on her.

Answer 17

A. Ask the patient if she has developed a suicidal plan.

Question 18

You are attending to a 27-year-old patient with a history of depression. The patient’s family tells you that she has been openly talking about harming herself and suicide, and they got scared when she tried to overdose on some medications. The patient did not take the pills and is alert and oriented. Despite all of your best efforts to convince her, the patient refuses to go to hospital for treatment. Based on this information, you should:
Select one:
A. call for the police to attend the scene and, once they arrive, release responsibility for patient transport to them
B. stay with the patient while you arrange for other transport options as a potentially life-threatening emergency exists.
C. ensure that the patient is competent and completes the required documentation, and leave her in the care of her family.
D. restrain the patient and transport her to the hospital as she represents a threat to her safety.

Answer 18

B. stay with the patient while you arrange for other transport options as a potentially life-threatening emergency exists.

Question 19

You are attending to a 32-year-old male patient. The patient’s wife tells you that he returned from Afghanistan last year. While he initially seemed fine, lately he has become withdrawn and distanced himself from his family and friends. He does not talk about it, but she knows that he has been having terrible nightmares that wake him up. The most appropriate question to ask regarding his experience in Afghanistan is:
Select one:
A. Can you tell me about your experience?
B. Have you ever been diagnosed with PTSD?
C. Were you in combat?
D. Were you shot at or under fire?

Answer 19

D. Were you shot at or under fire?

Question 20

You receive a call for a domestic dispute. When you arrive at the scene, you find a young male standing on the front porch of his house. You notice that an adjacent window is broken. The patient has a large body, is clenching his fists, and is yelling obscenities at you. Which of the following findings is LEAST predictive of this patient's potential for violence?
Select one:
A. His shouting of obscenities
B. The broken window
C. His clenched fists
D. His large body size

Answer 20

D. His large body size