Chapter 4 - Communications and Documentation

Question 1

SAMPLE history

Answer 1

Signs and Symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Past medical history, injuries, illnesses
Last oral intake and menstruation
Events leading up to the injury and/or illness

Question 2

AVPU Scale

Answer 2

Alert - a fully awake patient.

Voice - the patient makes some kind of response when you talk to them.

Pain - the patient makes a response on any of the three measures on the application of pain stimulus, central pain stimulus or a peripheral stimulus
.
Unresponsive - Sometimes seen noted as ‘Unconscious’.

Question 3

Base Station Radios

Answer 3

Transmitter/receiver in fixed place
High Power (100 watts or more)
Tall antenna
May have repeater
MED channels for EMTs (VHF/UHF)
Trunking of UHF communications

Question 4

Mobile and Portable Radios

Answer 4

VHF 30-300 MHz
UHF 300-3,000 MHz
Mobile = vehicle installed
Portable = carried on person
Low Power (1-5 watts)
Cell phone not reliable in crowded conditons
Scanner seeks active channel
MDT = Mobile Data Terminal

Question 5

Simplex vs Duplex

Answer 5

Simplex = push to talk, release to listen
Duplex = simultaneous two-way communication

Question 6

MCI

Answer 6

Mass casualty incident, a medical emergency involving more patients than can be easily handled by the crews initially assigned to the incident

Question 7

Shannon-Weaver Model

Answer 7

system of human communications involving:
Encoding
Messaging
Decoding
in the presence of noise and using feedback

Question 8

Proxemics

Answer 8

The study of space between people and its effects on communication.

Question 9

Standing Orders

Answer 9

Protocols or written documents, signed by the EMS Medical Director, that outline specific directions, permissions and prohibitions regarding patient care.

Question 10

Reflection

Answer 10

Restating a patient’s statement made to confirm your understanding

Question 11

Facilitation

Answer 11

Encouraging the patient to talk more or provide more information

Question 12

Empathy

Answer 12

Being sensitive to the patient’s feelings and thoughts

Question 13

Confrontation

Answer 13

Making the patient who is in denial or in a mental state of shock focus on urgent and life-critical issues

Question 14

Interpretation

Answer 14

Summing up your patient’s complaint

Question 15

Functions of PCR (6)

Answer 15

Continuity of care.
Legal documentation.
Education.
Administrative information.
Essential research record.
Evaluation and CQI.