EMR exam #2 Flashcards
EMR can do what?
- Provide immediate care
- lifesaving care for injured people until higher level care arrives
- assess patients
- perform basic life support
- control bleeding
- treat for shock
- stabilize fractures
- provide CPR
- assist with basic airway management
- take patient history
- monitor vitals signs
Organ you can live without
- One kidney
- spleen
- gallbladder
- appendix
- parts of the liver
- some parts of the intestines
Organs you CANNOT live without
- brain
- heart
- lungs
- both kidneys
- liver
Vector borne transmission
When a disease is transmitted to humans through a bite or the contact of a living organism
- malaria: transmitted by mosquitoes
Proximal
anatomical term used to reference a part of the body that is closest to the center of the body or the attachment of the body.
Distal
Distal is an anatomical term used to reference a part of the body farther away from the center of the body.
Medial
Medial is an anatomical term used to reference toward the middle or center of the body.
Lateral
Lateral is an anatomical term used to reference away from the middle or center of the body or the side of the body.
Engineering controls
- ventilation systems to remove airborne contaminants
- safety guard on machinery
- biological safety cabinets to handle hazardous substances
- noise barrier or sound proofing to protect against harmful noise
Duty to act
The legal obligation of a trained profession to provide care in an emergency situation when they are on duty or have taken responsibility for the patient.
-The trained professional needs to ensure that appropriate emergency care is delivered to individuals in need.
Scope of practice
what a health care professional can practice
-It outlines the specific procedures, treatments, and medication that a provider is authorized to administer
Standard of care
The level of care that a person would exercise in a similar situation.
-It’s a benchmark used to determine whether a healthcare provider has acted appropriately.
How long to flush the eye ?
20 minutes
what would go into your eye that you would want to wash out?
chemicals, debris, foreign object
When treating a patient, how do you determine “competence”?
Competence is determined by a healthcare provider’s education, training, certifications, and licensure
Least to most training
EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic
Good samaritan law
A protection act to those individuals who voluntarily provide emergency medical care to injured or ill persons.
- limit liability
When would you chose to move a patient ?
If the patient is in danger
Primary reasons to do an ongoing assessment
To look for any changes in the patient’s conditions.
- monitoring vital signs
- assessing level of consciousness
- checking for new injuries or symptoms
Emergency moves for suspected head/neck/spine injury
- leg roll
- spine board
- rapid extrication
- blanket pull
- shirt pull
1 PPE to use for treating bleeding wound
Glove to prevent bloodborne pathogens
6 MOI
- direct blow to a specific body part
- indirect for applied ot one part of the body that causes injury to another part 3. twisting force that can cause sprains or fractures
- penetrating trauma caused by a sharp object piercing skin
- blunt force trauma caused by a blunt object striking the body
- blast injury caused by an explosion
If a patient is stable, when do you reassess?
every 15 minutes
If a patient is unstable, when do you reassess the patient?
every 5 minutes
A cloud of gas (but no fire) and a noticeable odor indicates what type of an emergency?
Hazardous material emergency and local fire department or emergency service
Would you want to tell someone who is going to be moved what you are about to do?
yes
-Communication is helpful in preventing further injury and making sure the patient is comfortable.
ways to move a patient
- log roll
- drag
- lift
- carry
What is your first responsibility as an EMR?
Your first responsibility as an EMR is to ensure your personal safety.
hat do you do after someone goes unconscious after you have attempted to clear an object when they were conscious?
Call 911 and being CPR
When calling 911, what information do they want from you and in what order?
Location, nature of emergency, number of patients, condition of patients, and specific needs or requests
Suction babies no more than ___ seconds
10 sec
Suction children nor more than __ seconds
15 sec
Suction adults no more than ___ Seconds
15 sec
Examples of anatomical airway obstructions?
- Tongue
- foreign body
- edema
- infection
Examples of mechanical airway obstructions?
- vomit
- blood
- secretions
planes of movement!
- transverse
- frontal
- coronal
Largest organ in the body?
skin
How to you do a jaw-thrust technique
- kneel besides patient’s head
- place fingers hind the angle of the jaw
- lift the jaw forward, without moving the head
What separates abdominal cavity from the thoracic?
diaphragm
When can you use an OPA?
On a unconscious patient who does not have a gag reflex
- When do you replace an O2 tank with a new one?
Replace the tank when the pressure gauge reads into the red zone- typically around 500 PSI
If someone has low blood glucose, what do you give them?
- Glucose tablets
- sugary drink (juice, soda)
to get their blood sugar levels back up
What is a Myocardial infarction?
A heart attack- when blood flow to a part of the heart muscle is blocked due to a blood clot.
When do we not use an OPA?
Should not be used on a conscious patient
Steps for suctioning a patient?
- position patient to able drainage from mouth
- gently insert the catheter into mouth
- apply suction intermittently while moving the catheter
When someone says they hurt, what do you say?
- Acknowledge their pain,
- offer comfort such as moving them into a more comfortable position
- follow protocols for pain management
How do you know an airway is open and clear?
-When a patient is breathing regularly and effortlessly.
- The air movements in and out of the mouth and nose.
-The chest rises and falls.
-Clear sound of the lungs when listening.
How do you treat a patient who is having a seizure?
- move them away from hazards and placing them on their side to prevent choking
- monitor, time, observe, and note the seizure
- when the seizure is done, place the patient into recovery position and monitor
breathing and pulse - if seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes or there is multiple call 911
Describe a stroke? What happens?
Stroke happens when blood flow to the brain is interrupted causing brain cells to die
- sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arms, legs, on one side of the body
- sudden confusion or trouble speaking or understanding
- trouble seeing in or both eyes
- trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
- severe headache with no known cause
Signs/symptoms of stimulant drug overdose?
- increased heart rate and blood pressure
- rapid breathing
- dilated pupils
- sweating
- tremors
- seizures
- chest pain
- confusion
What is a chief complaint
The main reason a patient seeks medical attention.
When you smell sulfur at an emergency scene, what might be the cause? What do you do?
Sulfur could indicate the presence of hydrogen sulfide gas which can be caused by a leak in a natural gas line, a chemical spill, or other things.
- If smelt, evacuate the area, alert others, go up stream, and call hazmat
- What do you do for a jellyfish sting?
- rise with seawater or vinegar
- soak in hot water
- remove viable tentacles
- apply cream
- take painkillers
How do you help someone with a behavioral issue?
- Approach the situation being an understanding person,
- patience and be appropriate. - - Be calm in this situation and allow them to be heard.
What do you do if you think a child has been abused?
- Ensure immediate safety,
- recognize signs of abuse,
- report the suspected abuse,
- avoid getting yourself involved,
- give the child support
- document observations
When do you use an occlusive dressing?
To seal wounds and prevent air, water, or other contaminants from entering the wound
How do you treat shock?
- Recognize the signs of shock
- Call 911 for help
- Ensure safety by making sure the area is safe for both the victim and the
responder - Lay the person flat on their back
- Elevate their legs
- Keep the head level with the body
- Keep the person warm by covering them with a blanket or clothing this is to
prevent heat loss - Check for signs of breathing and pulse and be ready to give CPR if needed
- do not give food or drink
- reassure and comfort
- keep monitoring till further medical staff arrives
Do children suffer from cardiac arrest? If so, why?
Yes, although it is very uncommon than in adults
- It can occur due to congenital heart defects, respiratory illnesses, trauma, sudden cardiac death syndrome, infections, and electrolyte imbalances
what does FAST mean
F- face
A- arm
S- speech
T- time
How do you control external bleeding?
- Ensure safety
- Apply direct pressure using cloth, gauze or bandage
- Elevate the injured area above the heart
- Use a dressing or bandage to maintain pressure
- Apply a tourniquet if necessary
- Monitor for shock
- Call 911 if it is severe bleeding
What is the Incident Command System?
A standardized, flexible, and scalable structure used for managing emergencies, incidents, or planned events. This is used to create a way for coordinating resources, communication, and responsibilities across multiple agencies and organizations
What is the National Incidence Management System?
provides a core set of common concepts, principles, terminology and technologies in these areas:
- ICS
- MACS
- mutual aid and assistance
What is the National Response Framework?
Model for incident management systems and prepare for disasters and terrorism
How do you treat a compound fracture?
- Immobilize the joints above and below the injury
- Cut off/remove any clothing around the injury site
- Cover any bleeding or open wounds
- Do not attempt to straighten the fracture, splint the limb in the position found
- pad the splint
- secure the splint
- elevate the splinted part
What is an avulsion?
An open wound; a body structure is torn away from its normal place
What is a laceration?
Open wound: when the skin results from tearing, stretching or shearing forces
What is Ventricular Fibrillation (V-fib)?
when the ventricular is quivering
- do not want V-fib bc the heart muscle isn’t getting enough blood and is unstable
What’s a finger sweep and when do you use it?
a way to remove and obstruct an unconscious choking victim
- Only use it for unconscious patients and only when foreign matter is visible in a patient’s mouth
You arrive on the scene and think someone is suffering from a substance abuse issue; what do you do?
- Size up the scene
- Perform a primary assessment
- Summon more advanced medical personnel
- Perform a physical exam
- Take a SAMPLE history to find out what was taken, how much was taken, and when it was taken
- Calm and reassure the patient
- Keep the patient from getting chilled or overheated
- Keep the patient’s airway clear
- If patient has difficulty breathing, administer supplemental oxygen, based on local protocols
When someone is burned (from heat), what is the treatment?
- Size up the scene for safety
- Remove the patient from the burn source
- Perform a primary assessment and physical exam
- Cool the burned area
- Cover the burn area
- Minimize shock
- Summon mor advanced medical personnel, and if airway/lungs are burned,
administer supplemental oxygen based on local protocols
How do you treat abdominal injuries?
- Carefully position the patient on their back
- Avoid applying direct pressure
- Bend the patient’s knee slightly
- Administer supplemental oxygen
- Take steps to minimize shock
- Summon more advanced medical personnel
How to care for open abdominal injuries
- Summon more advanced medical personnel
- Carefully position patient on their back
- Avoid applying direct pressure and pushing organs back inside the patient’s body
- Remove clothing from around the wound
- Apply moist, sterile or clean dressings loosely over the wound
How to care for closed abdominal injuries
- Carefully position the patient on their back
- Avoid applying direct pressure
- Bend the patient’s knee slightly
- Administer supplemental oxygen
- Take steps to minimize shock
- Summon more advanced medical personnel
If you find someone’s neck turned to one side, are you going to straighten it?
no could cause further damage
]What is extrication?
the safe and appropriate removal of a patient trapped in a motor vehicle or a dangerous situation
What are Braxton Hicks contractions?
irregular, non-labor uterine contractions that occur during pregnancy.
- They are sometimes called “practice contractions” because they help the uterus prepare for labor.
If someone is eviscerated, what do you do first?
Cover all exposed abdominal contents with moist, sterile towels and cover with an occlusive dressing
How to reduce fever
- Gently cool the child
- Remove excess clothing
- Do not use an ice water bath or rubbing alcohol to cool the body
- Do not give the child aspirin or aspirin-containing products
When do you call for air medical transport?
- When it will take more than 30 minutes by ambulance to transport the patient to a trauma center
- It will take longer to transport the patient to a trauma center by ambulance than air support
- The patient’s transport will be delayed by more than 30 minutes due to need for extrication
- The patient will require rapid transport to a specialty center
What is traumatic asphyxia?
A condition that occurs when the chest is compressed, preventing normal breathing
How is your care for an older adult different from others?
- Differs because the patient may tire easily or downplay symptoms
- May be difficult to assess peripheral pulses
- Handle patient’s skin with special care as it can tear easily
- Dentures and other dental devices can cause airway obstruction
- Difficult to tilt patient’s head back so you need to perform a jaw-thrust maneuver for breaths
- Blood-thinning meds can make bleeding more difficult to control
If you are in a collapsed building (trapped), it is called a
Structural collapse or crush entrapment
What is a “DuoDote Antidote Kit used for?
used to treat poisoning from organophosphate or carbamate pesticides and certain types of nerve agents
When do you use a nonrebreather mask?
used when a patient needs high levels of oxygen (usually 10-15 liters per minute) and is breathing on their own but not getting enough oxygen
When do you use a nasal cannula?
A nasal cannula is used to deliver low to moderate levels of oxygen to patients who are breathing on their own but need extra oxygen
When do you apply a tourniquet?
applied when there is severe bleeding that cannot be controlled by direct pressure, particularly in the limbs.
- It is used to stop life-threatening hemorrhage when other methods (like pressure dressings) fail
What does the respiratory system do?
responsible for taking oxygen from the air we breathe and delivering it to the bloodstream, while simultaneously removing carbon dioxide waste gas from the body through exhalation
What does the Immune system do?
body’s defense mechanism that protects against infection and disease by identifying and neutralizing harmful substances like bacteria, viruses, parasites, and even abnormal cells
What does the Endocrine system do?
a network of glands that produce hormones, which are chemical messengers that travel through the bloodstream to regulate various bodily functions like growth, metabolism, reproduction, mood, and response to stress
When wouldn’t you resuscitate someone?
if they have DND order in place
What’s the name for the bones in the shoulders?
clavicle (collarbone),
scapula (shoulder blade), humerus (upper arm bone)
Brady meaning
irregular and slow
tachy meaning
fast
Hyper meaning
above normal
Hypo meaning
below normal
How do you approach a conscious patient?
- Ensure safety for both you and the patient.
- Introduce yourself and explain your role.
- Establish rapport by speaking calmly and reassuringly.
- Ask open-ended questions about their condition and pain.
- Assess vital signs and check ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
- Ensure comfort and privacy as needed.
- Explain your actions and next steps.
- Reassure the patient and keep them informed.
- Monitor their condition for changes.
What is a ligament?
a fibrous connective tissue that attaches bone to bone, and usually serves to hold structures together and keep them stable.
what is a tendon
fibrous connective tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone or other structure, allowing the body to move
SAMPLE
S: Signs and symptoms
A: Allergies
M: Medications
P: Past medical history
L: Last meal or drink
E: Events leading to the incident
When do you put someone in the side lying recovery position?
when they are unconscious but still breathing normally;
-typically done after situations like fainting, seizures, intoxication, or any event where they might vomit and obstruct their airway if left on their back
What is the systolic blood pressure
Systolic blood pressure is the pressure in your arteries when your heart contracts and pumps blood out.
Diastolic blood pressure
It measures the pressure in your arteries when your heart is at rest between beats, when it is refilling with blood.
what does the term universal precautions mean
refer to a set of safety measures used to prevent the spread of infectious diseases in healthcare settings.
what does the term standard precautions mean
a set of infection control practices used to prevent the spread of infections in healthcare settings.
- These precautions are applied to all patients, regardless of their known or suspected infection status, and are designed to protect both healthcare workers and patients from exposure to infectious agents.
fixed rate O2 system
A fixed-rate oxygen system delivers a constant flow of oxygen at a set rate, regardless of the patient’s breathing.
variable rate O2 system
A variable-rate oxygen system adjusts oxygen delivery based on the patient’s breathing pattern, providing oxygen only when they inhale.
What is medical control
the oversight and guidance provided by a physician or medical professional to ensure appropriate care is given in emergency medical situations
what is AVPU
A – Alert: The patient is fully awake, aware of their surroundings, and responsive.
V – Verbal: The patient responds to verbal stimuli, such as speaking or making noises, but may not be fully alert.
P – Pain: The patient only responds to painful stimuli, such as a pinch or pressure.
U – Unresponsive: The patient does not respond to any stimuli (verbal or painful)
what are indirect orders
Orders given through a chain of command, not directly from the person giving the order to the person executing it.
what are direct orders
Orders given straight from one person to another, without intermediaries.
what are immediate orders
Orders that need to be carried out right away, often in response to an urgent or emergency situation.
poisioning by absorption
Occurs when toxic substances are absorbed through the skin or mucous membranes (e.g., eyes, mouth)
posioning by inhalation
It happens when toxic gases, fumes, or vapors are inhaled into the lungs.
posioning by injection
Occurs when a toxic substance is injected directly into the body, typically through a needle or bite/sting.
What do patients need dialysis?
when their kidneys are no longer working properly, typically due to chronic kidney disease (CKD) or acute kidney injury.
what is dialysis
Dialysis helps remove waste, excess fluids, and balance electrolytes when the kidneys can no longer do so effectively.
What do you do for someone you think is having a stroke?
Recognize the signs (F.A.S.T.):
Face: Is one side drooping?
Arms: Can they raise both arms?
Speech: Is their speech slurred?
Time: Call emergency services immediately.
Call 911 and describe symptoms, including when they started.
Keep the person calm and still. Don’t give them food or drink.
Monitor breathing: Perform CPR if they’re unconscious and not breathing. Note the time symptoms began for medical staff.
What is status epilepticus?
a medical emergency characterized by continuous seizures or a series of seizures without full recovery of consciousness between them, lasting for 5 minutes or longer.
What is oxycodone?
a powerful opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to severe pain. It works by altering the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.
Signs of heat exhaustion?
- Heavy sweating
- Weakness or fatigue
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Headache
- Nausea or vomiting
- Muscle cramps
- Cool, pale, and moist skin
- Fast, weak pulse
- Low blood pressure
- Fainting or feeling faint
How do you treat for muscle cramps?
gently stretch the affected muscle, massage the area, apply heat to tight muscles or cold to sore muscles, and ensure you’re adequately hydrated; if the cramps are frequent, consider incorporating regular stretching into your routine and checking for potential electrolyte deficiencies
Arterial bleeding
Arterial bleeding occurs in the arteries, which transport blood from the heart to the body.
Venous bleeding
Venous bleeding happens in the veins, which carry blood back to the heart
What is an occlusive dressing used for?
Venous bleeding happens in the veins, which carry blood back to the heart
Examples of puncture wounds
Puncture wounds are injuries caused by sharp, pointed objects that penetrate the skin and underlying tissues
Examples of crush wounds
Crush wounds occur when a body part is subjected to intense pressure, often resulting in tissue damage, internal injury, and sometimes fractures.
what does delayed care of a patient mean
Delayed care of a patient refers to situations where medical treatment or intervention is provided later than ideal, which can result in worsened outcomes.
what is a dislocation
when a bone is forced out of its normal position in a joint, often due to trauma or excessive force. It results in joint instability and damage to surrounding tissues such as ligaments, tendons, and muscles.
what is a sprain
injury to a ligament caused by stretching or tearing due to excessive force. It commonly occurs when a joint is twisted or moved beyond its normal range of motion.
what is a strain
injury to a muscle or tendon (the tissue that connects muscles to bones), typically caused by overstretching, excessive force, or overuse. It is often referred to as a “pulled muscle.”
how do you treat an electrical burn
- Ensure safety: Turn off the power source- Ensure the electrical current is no longer active before approaching the patient. Do not touch the patient if they are still in contact with the power source.
- Call for help: Contact emergency services immediately. Electrical burns can cause internal injuries that are not visible.
- Assess the patient: Check for responsiveness, breathing, and pulse. If necessary, begin CPR if the patient is unresponsive and not breathing.
- Treat visible burns: Do not apply ointments, ice, or creams to the burns. Cover the burn with a dry, sterile, non-adhesive dressing. Avoid wet dressings, as they may worsen the wound or cause hypothermia.
- Monitor for complications: Watch for signs of shock, such as pale skin, rapid pulse, or shallow breathing, and treat by keeping the patient warm and elevating their legs if no spinal injury is suspected. Be alert for possible cardiac arrhythmias, common with electrical injuries.
- Look for entry and exit wounds: Electrical burns often have an entry point (where the current entered the body) and an exit point (where it left), which need evaluation.
- Avoid unnecessary movement: Suspect spinal injuries with high-voltage incidents or falls. Immobilize the spine if necessary.
- Transport to the hospital: Even if the injury seems minor, seek medical attention promptly to assess for internal injuries, muscle damage, or cardiac effects.
how is shock different in children than adults
Causes: In adults, shock is more commonly associated with cardiac events, major trauma, or blood loss.
Compensation: Children have a greater ability to compensate for shock through increased heart rate and vasoconstriction. Their blood pressure may remain normal until late stages of shock, masking its severity. Adults may show early drops in blood pressure as shock progresses.
Signs and symptoms: Children may present with tachycardia, delayed capillary refill, cold extremities, and pale skin before hypotension develops. Adults often show early hypotension and altered mental status as prominent signs.
Outcomes: Because children compensate for longer, signs of shock may be missed until it rapidly deteriorates into life-threatening conditions. Adults may show signs earlier, allowing for earlier intervention in some cases
do and don’t of using O2
Keep away from heat
Don’t use flammable products Don’t use near electrical appliances Don’t Smoke
Change the cannula
Turn off when not in use
Store properly
Get regular reviews
how do you treat chemical burns
Remove the victim from the exposure area and remove any clothing contaminated with the chemical.
Wear gloves to protect your hands.
Rinse the burn with cool running water for at least 15 minutes, or until the chemical is removed.
Don’t rub the burn, as this can spread the chemical.
Cover the burn with a sterile dressing or clean cloth.
Seek immediate medical help for major chemical burns, such as those that are deep, larger than 3 inches in diameter, or cover the face, hands, feet, groin, buttocks, or a major joint.
what is the exclusion zone
An exclusion zone is a geographic area where people are not allowed to go or do certain activities.
what kind of weapon of mass destruction are nerve agents
Chemical weapons are considered weapons of mass destruction and their use in armed conflict is a violation of international law. Primary forms of chemical weapons include nerve agents, blister agents, choking agents, and blood agents.
