Chapter 27

Question 1

When a person acts in a manner that is unacceptable to himself or those around him, this would be considered which of the following?

Answer 1

behavioral emergency

Question 2

You are confronted with a patient experiencing personality changes ranging from irritability to irrational behavior, altered mental status, amnesia or confusion, irregular respirations, elevated blood pressure, and decreasing pulse. It appears to be a psychiatric emergency. What else could cause this behavior?

Answer 2

head injury

Question 3

When dealing with a psychiatric emergency, which one of the following would generally be inappropriate behavior on your part?

Answer 3

Be as hurried as you can. It is extremely important to resolve the call and get the patient to the hospital as soon as possible.

Question 4

Your patient is exhibiting bizarre and aggressive behavior; he starts shouting and becomes violent. He has extra strength and appears insensitive to pain. Drug paraphernalia is visible on-scene. This behavior is known as:

Answer 4

excited delirium

Question 5

Neurotransmitters are chemicals within the body that transmit the message from the distal end of one neuron (presynaptic neuron) to the proximal end of the next neuron (postsynaptic neuron). While it sounds like a complicated process, it takes only milliseconds. Which one of the following sentences is false?

Answer 5

After the impulse is transmitted, the neurotransmitter goes through a process called reuptake, in which the neurotransmitter is returned to the postsynaptic neuron.

Question 6

When providing emergency care to an aggressive or hostile patient, what is the highest priority?

Answer 6

preforming a scene size up

Question 7

Which of the following must be treated by the EMT if present in a patient with an apparent behavioral emergency?

Answer 7

hypoglycemia

Question 8

You are dispatched to a local fast-food restaurant for a “nature unknown” call. You arrive on-scene and find a 47-year-old male in front of the counter repeatedly singing “Happy Birthday” to himself. Police are on-scene and the scene is safe. Which of the following would be considered appropriate care?

Answer 8

Quietly and carefully evaluate the situation and keep your emotions under control. Be as unhurried as you can.

Question 9

Which of the following factors suggest that a patient is at risk for suicide?

Answer 9

` Recent emotional trauma
Alcohol and drug abuse
Sudden improvement in depression

Question 10

When responding to an attempted suicide, which of the following is the EMT’s primary concern?

Answer 10

personal safety

Question 11

Which of the following statements concerning people who have made prior suicide attempts is true?

Answer 11

They are at an increased risk for a subsequent successful suicide.

Question 12

You are on the scene where a 23-year-old female has attempted suicide by cutting her forearms with a razor. She is sitting in the front yard and has lost a large amount of blood. She is conscious and holding a small razor blade, and she tells you to get away from her. Which of the following should not be done?

Answer 12

Take the razor blade away from her by force.

Question 13

It can sometimes be difficult to determine whether someone who is showing unusual behavior is having a psychological emergency or is showing an altered mental status due to a physical issue. Which of the following statements are true?

1. Consider patients who are exhibiting crisis or unusual behavior to be having an altered mental status from a nonpsychiatric cause until proven otherwise.
2. Many medical and traumatic conditions are likely to alter a patient’s behavior.
3. Lack of oxygen may cause restlessness and confusion, cyanosis (blue or gray skin), and altered mental status.
4. Stroke or inadequate blood to the brain may cause confusion or dizziness and what appears to be erratic behavior.

Answer 13

1 2 3 4

Question 14

Which of the following statements concerning forcible restraint of patients is true?

Answer 14

This is normally considered to be within the jurisdiction of law enforcement.

Question 15

When restraining a patient, which of the following is not a consideration?

Answer 15

patient’s informed consent

Question 16

It is important that, as an EMS provider, you avoid creating a situation where positional asphyxia could occur. Which of the following is positional asphyxia?

Answer 16

Positional asphyxia is inadequate breathing or respiratory arrest caused by a body position that restricts breathing.

Question 17

Which of the following is not an acceptable method or adjunct in restraining a patient?

Answer 17

Hog-tying the patient

Question 18

Your patient is a 24-year-old male who is severely depressed. He tells you that he can’t “handle the pressure” anymore and that he wants to die. He is refusing transport. Which of the following is the most appropriate decision regarding this patient’s care?

Answer 18

Transport the patient against his will with the assistance of law enforcement.

Question 19

According to coworkers, your 25-year-old female patient suddenly began acting aggressively and being verbally abusive. She tells you she is “starving” and you notice that she is pale and diaphoretic. Which of the following would be an appropriate general impression?

Answer 19

An underlying physical illness

Question 20

Which of the following may cause a patient to exhibit abnormal behavior?

Answer 20

hypoxia