Chapter 38 - Incident Management

Question 1

A 49-year-old man has been removed from his overturned tanker, which was carrying a hazardous material. The tank ruptured and he was exposed to the material. When rescue personnel bring him to the decontamination area, they note that he is unconscious and has slow, shallow breathing. They should:
Select one:
A. request that EMS personnel don standard precautions, enter the warm zone, and begin immediate treatment of the patient.
B. cut away all of the patient’s clothing and do a rapid rinse to remove as much of the contaminating matter as they can.
C. defer the decontamination procedure and bring the patient directly to awaiting EMS personnel for immediate treatment.
D. decontaminate the patient as they would any other patient and then move him to the area where EMTs are waiting.

Answer 1

B. cut away all of the patient’s clothing and do a rapid rinse to remove as much of the contaminating matter as they can.

Question 2

According to the JumpSTART triage system, if a pediatric patient is not breathing, you should:
Select one:
A. give five rescue breaths and reassess.
B. triage him or her as expectant.
C. immediately check for a pulse.
D. open the airway and reassess breathing.

Answer 2

C. immediately check for a pulse.

Question 3

According to the START triage system, what should you do if a patient is found to have a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min?
Select one:
A. Administer high-flow oxygen.
B. Assess his or her neurologic status.
C. Assess for bilateral radial pulses.
D. Triage the patient as delayed.

Answer 3

C. Assess for bilateral radial pulses.

Question 4

As a triage supervisor, you:
Select one:
A. must not begin treatment until all patients have been triaged.
B. should communicate with area hospitals regarding their capabilities.
C. must prepare patients for transport before they leave the triage area.
D. are responsible for providing initial treatment to all patients.

Answer 4

A. must not begin treatment until all patients have been triaged.

Question 5

General principles for approaching a potential HazMat incident include:
Select one:
A. taking standard precautions before entering any HazMat scene.
B. maintaining a safe distance and viewing the scene with binoculars.
C. asking for wind direction from dispatch and entering downwind.
D. parking the ambulance in a location that is upwind and downhill.

Answer 5

B. maintaining a safe distance and viewing the scene with binoculars.

Question 6

If an incident increases in scope and complexity, the IC should consider:
Select one:
A. relinquishing command to someone with more experience.
B. requesting a second IC to assist him or her.
C. ceasing all operations until a revised plan is established.
D. maintaining responsibility for all of the command functions.

Answer 6

A. relinquishing command to someone with more experience.

Question 7

When victims involved in a mass-casualty incident are moved to the treatment area:
Select one:
A. secondary triage is performed and the appropriate treatment is rendered.
B. they will be rapidly assessed and prioritized according to their injuries.
C. all uninjured patients are placed in a holding area and closely observed.
D. definitive care is provided and preparations for transport will be made.

Answer 7

A. secondary triage is performed and the appropriate treatment is rendered.

Question 8

Which of the following MOST accurately describes a mass-casualty incident?
Select one:
A. an incident where patients have been exposed to hazardous materials
B. an incident that greatly taxes or depletes a system’s available resources
C. an incident that involves more than five critically injured or ill patients
D. an incident in which at least half of the patients are critically injured

Answer 8

B. an incident that greatly taxes or depletes a system’s available resources

Question 9

You and your partner are the first to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle accident. As you approach the scene, you can see multiple patients, some walking and others who are still in their vehicles. You should:
Select one:
A. declare a mass-casualty incident and request additional resources.
B. establish an incident command post until you are relieved of your duties.
C. begin rapidly triaging all patients before requesting additional help.
D. immediately move all ambulatory patients to a designated area.

Answer 9

A. declare a mass-casualty incident and request additional resources.

Question 10

You are approaching an overturned tanker truck to assess the driver, who appears to be unconscious. As you get closer to the vehicle, you note the smell of noxious fumes and find that you are in the midst of a vapor cloud. What should you do?
Select one:
A. Realize that you are in the danger zone and prevent others from entering.
B. Remain where you are and perform a visual assessment of the patient.
C. Exit the area immediately and gather information for the HazMat team.
D. Cover your face with your shirt and quickly extricate the injured driver.

Answer 10

C. Exit the area immediately and gather information for the HazMat team.