Communications and Documentation: Ch 4

Question 1

Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; this spectrum is further divided into high and low bands.

Answer 1

VHF

Question 2

A trusting relationship that you build with your patient.

Answer 2

rapport

Question 3

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.

Answer 3

patient care report

Question 4

The condition requiring the most urgent intervention as determined by the provider’s assessment of the patient; it is not always the same as the chief complaint.

Answer 4

chief concern

Question 5

A special telephone line that is used for specific point-to-point communications; also known as a hotline.

Answer 5

dedicated line

Question 6

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

Answer 6

MED channels

Question 7

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

Answer 7

simplex

Question 8

The transfer of pertinent patient information and the responsibility for the patient’s care; often involves the physical movement of the patient and associated equipment; also known as handoff.

Answer 8

handover

Question 9

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

Answer 9

repeater

Question 10

A low-power portable radio that communicates through an interconnected series of repeater stations called cells.

Answer 10

cellular telephone

Question 11

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

Answer 11

multiplex

Question 12

The reason a patient called for help; also, the patient’s response to questions such as “What’s wrong?” or “What happened?”

Answer 12

chief complaint

Question 13

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

Answer 13

scanner

Question 14

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

Answer 14

therapeutic communication

Question 15

Any communications where disruption will result in the failure of the mission at hand.

Answer 15

mission-critical communications

Question 16

Questions that can be answered in short or single-word responses.

Answer 16

close-ended questions

Question 17

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

Answer 17

documentation

Question 18

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

Answer 18

ethnocentrism

Question 19

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

Answer 19

trunking

Question 20

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

Answer 20

interoperable communications system

Question 21

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

Answer 21

mobile data terminal

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Federal Communications Commission

Question 23

Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message.

Answer 23

noise

Question 24

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

Answer 24

open-ended questions

Question 25

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

Answer 25

paging

Question 26

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

Answer 26

base station

Question 27

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.

Answer 27

telemetry

Question 28

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously.

Answer 28

duplex

Question 29

The picture an individual has in his or her head of “what’s going on” in a given situation.

Answer 29

mental model

Question 30

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

Answer 30

channel

Question 31

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

Answer 31

communication

Question 32

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

Answer 32

cultural imposition

Question 33

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

Answer 33

standing orders

Question 34

A system that allows EMS providers to access relevant health data (eg, past medical problems, medications, allergies, end-of-life decisions), avoid unnecessary duplication of effort in data entry, and view patient outcomes related to hospital care.

Answer 34

health information exchange

Question 35

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz.

Answer 35

UHF

Question 36

The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and properly respond to the emotions of others.

Answer 36

emotional intelligence