Chapter 4 Communications And Documentation

Question 1

Communication

Answer 1

The transmission of information to another person- verbally or through body language

Question 2

Documentation

Answer 2

The recorded portion of the EMT’s patient interaction, either written or electronic. This becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record

Question 3

Ethnocentrism

Answer 3

When a person considers his or her own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture

Question 3

Therapeutic Communication

Answer 3

Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship

Question 3

Cultural Imposition

Answer 3

When one person imposes his or her beliefs, values, and practices on another because he or she believe his or her ideals are superior

Question 3

Noise

Answer 3

Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message

Question 4

Open-Ended Questions

Answer 4

Questions for which the patient must provide detail to give an answer

Question 5

Closed-Ended Questions

Answer 5

Questions that can be answered in short or single word responses

Question 6

Rapport

Answer 6

A trusting relationship that you build with your patient

Question 7

Patient Care Report (PCR)

Answer 7

The legal document used to record all patient care activities. This report has direct patient care functions but also administrative and quality control functions. PCRs are also known as prehospital care reports

Question 8

Base Station

Answer 8

Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver that is located in a fixed place

Question 9

Channel

Answer 9

An assigned frequency or frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communications

Question 10

Dedicated Linecations; also known as a hotline

Answer 10

A special telephone line that is used for specific point to point communi

Question 11

VHF (Very High Frequency)

Answer 11

Radio frequencies between 30 to 300 MHz; the VHF spectrum is further divided into ‘“high” and “low” bands

Question 12

UHF (Ultra-High Frequency)

Answer 12

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 MHz

Question 13

Repeater

Answer 13

A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency

Question 14

Telemetry

Answer 14

A process in which electronic signals are converted into coded, audible signals; these signals can then be transmitted by radio or telephone to a receiver with a decoder at the hospital

Question 15

Cellular Telephone

Answer 15

A low power portable radio that communicated through an interconnected series of repeater stations called “cells”

Question 16

Scanner

Answer 16

A radio receiver that searches or “scans” across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated

Question 17

Simplex

Answer 17

Single-frequency radio; transmissions can occur in either direction but not simultaneously in both; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is transmitting is unable to receive

Question 18

Duplex

Answer 18

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously

Question 19

Multiplex

Answer 19

The ability to transmit audio and data signals through the use of more than one communications channel

Question 20

MED Channels

Answer 20

VHF and UHF channels that the Federal Communications Commission has designated exclusively for EMS use

Question 21

Trunking

Answer 21

Telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies

Question 22

Interoperable Communications System

Answer 22

A communication system that uses voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) technology to allow multiple agencies to communicate and transmit data

Question 23

Mobile Data Terminal (MDT)

Answer 23

A small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly receives data from the dispatch center

Question 24

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Answer 24

The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satellite communications; al of which may involve EMS activity

Question 25

Paging

Answer 25

The use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers (“beepers”) or desktop monitor radios

Question 26

Standing Orders

Answer 26

Written documents, signed by the EMS system’s medical director, that outlines specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care; also called protocols