EMT 219 Flashcards
A medical director reviewing written EMS care paperwork is completing what kind of review?
d. Retrospective review
A network of services coordinated to provide aid and medical assistance from a primary response to definitive care is referred to as which area?
a. EMS system
A paramedic is asked to review a research paper. If the paramedic were interested in assessing the process used to select and randomize patients during the trial, which section of the paper would most likely contain relevant information?
b. Methods
A paramedic is assisting the medical director with the development of a new treatment protocol. The medical director asks the paramedic to conduct an observational study of the treatment protocol. Which course of action would be closest to the expectations of the medical director?
c. Survey other EMS systems, and describe the protocols used by each.
A paramedic is called to a physician’s office to provide care and transport to a patient suffering extreme respiratory distress. The patient’s personal physician is present. Which would be the most appropriate choice of action by the paramedic?
b. Refuse to provide care outside of established treatment protocols
A paramedic is in a study in which he or she gives a patient a coded vial of medication but doesn’t know what medication is being given. The patient is also unaware of which medication is being administered. Which type of study is this referred?
c. Double-blinded
A paramedic makes special efforts to keep family members apprised of progress during a cardiac arrest. This demonstrates which of the following characteristics?
a. Empathy
A paramedic participates in a study in which all patients over the age of 55 are asked whether they take an aspirin daily. Which type of research is this referred?
d. Descriptive
A paramedic participating in a research experiment contacts medical direction to allow the physician to administer informed consent to the subject. Which type of consent is being used?
b. Consent at a distance
A paramedic who places the needs of the patient before his or her self-interest is displaying:
a. Patient advocacy
its protocols. The medication is tested for the next 3 months and then its benefits are evaluated. What type of research is being conducted?
b. Prospective
An EMS system is participating in a study of a new treatment for chest pain. Which type of consent is likely to be used in this study?
d. Informed consent
Attending continuing education sessions demonstrates which characteristic of the paramedic as a health care professional?
d. Self-motivation
During which situation is professional conduct not expected of the paramedic?
b. Professionalism is expected during all situations
During which time frame were the most funds distributed by the federal government to assist the regional emergency medical services (EMS) system development?
b. 1968-1981
Encouraging citizens’ involvement in the EMS system achieves which goal?
b. Creating informed and independent advocates
National standard curricula for EMS providers are established by which agency?
d. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Off-line medical direction provides which benefit?
d. Standardized care
Online medical direction provides which benefit?
c. Patient-specific care
Participation in the development of which policy would be the most appropriate role for a physician medical director?
b. Personnel selection
Quality assurance (QA) differs from continuous quality improvement (CQI) in that CQI:
c. Is less rigid and considers many factors
The act of placing one’s name in a book of record is referred to as which term?
c. Registration
The practice of physician participation in education, equipment selection, and development of protocols for EMS systems is best described by which term?
a. Medical direction
Which action by a paramedic best demonstrates the characteristic of personal hygiene?
c. Ensuring that uniforms are clean
Which aspect contributes to the existence of a profession?
b. Specialized body of knowledge
Which aspect of professionalism is provided by belonging to national EMS groups?
c. A unified voice for EMS providers
Which behavior by a paramedic demonstrates self-confidence?
d. Trusting personal judgment on the need for endotracheal intubation
Which behavior by a paramedic is the best example of self-motivation?
c. Accepting constructive criticism
Which behavior would demonstrate the professional attribute of integrity?
d. Accurately documenting a medication error performed by a partner
Which best describes the paramedic when he or she is acting as a health care professional?
b. Displays honesty in all actions
Which best describes the role of the National Registry of EMTs?
c. Verification of the competency of EMS providers
Which characteristic differentiates EMT-paramedics from other recognized levels of EMS training?
b. Advanced training in drug therapy
Which document called for the preparation of nationally acceptable texts and courses of instruction for rescue squads, police, and ambulance personnel in 1966?
d. Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society
Which is a national organization that verifies competency for emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and parame
NREMT
Which is an attribute of an EMS system identified by the Emergency Medical Services Agenda for the Future?
a. Prevention activities
Which is considered to be a component of the EMS system, according to NHTSA’s Ten System Elements?
d. Trauma centers
Which is generally required for publication in a peer-reviewed journal?
b. Evaluation by an institutional review board
Which is the least likely benefit of paramedics’ teaching in the community?
c. Improved reimbursement
Which most accurately describes the term professionalism?
a. Adherence to standards of conduct
Which organization is the federal agency with jurisdiction over EMS systems?
d. NHTSA
Which research design characteristic carries the highest risk of participant bias?
a. Unblinded
Which research design characteristics would be used to help prevent selection bias?
a. Randomization of subjects
Which responsibility would be considered a primary responsibility of the paramedic?
a. Documentation
Which term refers to a process by which an authority grants permission to engage in an activity that would otherwise be unlawful?
c. Licensure
Which term refers to guidelines that define the scope of prehospital intervention practiced by emergency care providers?
b. Treatment protocols
Which term refers to the process by which a competent authority provides a document verifying that the individual has met predetermined qualifications to participate in an activity?
a. Certification
Which treatment protocol for an EMS system requires consultation with a physician at the base hospital before the administration of certain medications?
a. Online medical direction
Which would be the least valuable component of a CQI program?
b. Comparison of individual paramedic IV success rates
Which would indicate that a research project was carried out in an ethical manner?
d. Evaluation by an institutional review board
A continuous quality improvement (CQI) project aims to standardize the care of patients with chest pain while integrating the care in the prehospital environment with emergency department care. Which focus area of CQI best describes this project?
c. Process management
A male paramedic has a body mass index (BMI) of 32. What does this indicate?
d. Severely overweight
A paramedic beginning a new exercise program should aim to keep his or her heart rate in the target zone for _____ minutes to increase cardiovascular endurance.
20
A paramedic has been exposed to repeated stressful emergency calls with no stress relief. His or her home life is also stressful. The paramedic has begun to lose concentration at work and is withdrawing from co-workers. What term best describes the paramedic’s current state?
d. Chronic anxiety
A paramedic has been under extreme stress because of forced overtime following a flood in the local township. A small child was killed in the flood, and the paramedic attempted to resuscitate the patient. The paramedic has not been able to deal with rising stress levels and is beginning to use some defense mechanisms to deal with this elevated stress.
What term describes a paramedic that continues to be frustrated by the forced overtime but enthusiastically tells co-workers that he or she welcomes the overtime and the opportunity to help the flood victims?
b. Reaction formation
A paramedic has been under extreme stress because of forced overtime following a flood in the local township. A small child was killed in the flood, and the paramedic attempted to resuscitate the patient. The paramedic has not been able to deal with rising stress levels and is beginning to use some defense mechanisms to deal with this elevated stress.
What term describes a paramedic trying to keep the memories of the attempted resuscitation of the child out of conscious memory?
Repression
A paramedic has been under extreme stress because of forced overtime following a flood in the local township. A small child was killed in the flood, and the paramedic attempted to resuscitate the patient. The paramedic has not been able to deal with rising stress levels and is beginning to use some defense mechanisms to deal with this elevated stress.
What term describes a paramedic that begins to criticize the patient care skills of other paramedics to cover for his or her own perceived mistakes in resuscitating the child?
Projection
A paramedic is talking to a patient with a newly identified heart disease. Which dietary guideline provides good advice for this patient?
b. Limit cholesterol to 200 mg a day.
A steady diet rich in cold-water fish and canola oil will have what effect to the body?
a. Lowering blood cholesterol from polyunsaturated fats
A veteran paramedic has been responding to emergency calls for 15 years. The person has developed _____ to the alarm response.
Resistance
An 80-year-old woman has just died in her home. Her anxious family members ask you how she is doing. What is the most appropriate response?
a. “She has died.”
Approximately what percentage of the human body is composed of water?
55%
During the alarm reaction phase of the stress response, what physical reaction takes place?
a. ACTH is released.
During the grieving process, a “Why me?” response is an example of what might be said during which stage?
Anger
How can most infectious diseases be avoided?
d. Handwashing and following universal precautions
How do 3- to 6-year-old children deal with death and dying?
c. Might engage in magical thinking and feel responsible for the death
Levels of what compound and hormone influence periods of sleepiness and wakefulness?
c. Melatonin and cortisol
What action should a patient with total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL, LDL of 160 mg/dL take?
c. Try to lower overall cholesterol intake.
What are fats found primarily in meat and dairy products that raise cholesterol levels in the blood called?
b. Saturated fats
What are two main components of wellness and physical well-being?
a. Mental and emotional health
What form of stress is associated with the need to be liked?
a. Personality
What is a benefit of performing isometric exercises?
d. Strengthens muscles at joint angles
What is an aspect of water-soluble vitamins?
d. Must be ingested through daily food intake
What is an element of essential amino acids?
a. Obtained from food sources
What is another name for antioxidants?
a. Free-radical scavengers
What is the purpose of critical-incident stress management?
b. Allows emergency workers opportunities to vent their feelings
What nervous system mediates the alarm reaction phase of a stress response?
b. Autonomic
What rhythm is most likely disturbed if a paramedic works 12-hour day shifts for 3 days followed by 12-hour night shifts for 3 days?
b. Circadian
What statement best describes Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s stages of death and dying?
c. Not rigid and may fluctuate among stages and order in each person
What term describes an active process in which one gathers information and uses it to change or adjust to a new situation?
Coping
What term is best described as a positive stress that is considered to be protective?
Eustress
What term is best described as an apprehensive uneasiness or painful dread about an impending event?
Anxiety
When lifting and moving patients, what action should be implemented to help prevent injury?
c. Keep the load close to the body. Correct
When should critical-incident stress debriefings be held?
a. After any situation in which workers are exposed to significant stress Correct
Where are carbohydrates primarily obtained?
a. Plant foods
Which statement is true about cholesterol?
b. Cholesterol is found in all foods of animal origin.
You are feeling really stressed out after a week of aggravating calls where nothing seemed to go right. You are having trouble sleeping and haven’t been feeling “up” to helping out with base chores. Which strategy would be the healthiest to deal with this situation?
c. Exercise for 30 minutes per day.
A person escaping injury during a vehicle crash because the air bags deployed has benefited from which of the three Es of injury prevention?
b. Engineering
Based on the Haddon matrix scenario, a child’s correctly installed safety seat prevents him or her from being injured in a crash. This represents injury prevention in which phase?
Event
Based on the Haddon matrix scenario, teaching students not to drink and drive prevents injury in which phase?
Pre-event
Complicated long-term consequences of a crash that are avoided because of proper emergency care on the scene represent prevention in which phase?
Post-event
EMS providers caring for a patient after he or she has been injured is which type of injury prevention?
b. Tertiary
If a person does not speed while driving so as to avoid an expensive traffic ticket, the driver is responding to which of the three Es of injury prevention?
Enforcement
Injury-prevention discussions after an injury should possess which characteristic?
a. Last about 30 to 60 seconds
Motor vehicle crashes, gunshot wounds, and poisoning are related to which events?
d. Related through the resulting tissue damage and can be studied as “unintentional injury”
Primary injury data include which aspect?
c. The mechanism of injury
The Haddon matrix helps us remember which aspect?
a. Understand the entire injury sequence
What is the evaluation of a community’s population demographics, resource allocation, and environmental conditions?
a. Community health assessment
What is the period after a patient has been injured during which he or she is particularly receptive to injury-prevention tips?
a. Teachable moment
What program prevents a problem before it occurs?
Primary
Which of the following is an example of a positive injury prevention strategy?
d. Suggest removing a loose rug that could be a fall hazard to an elderly woman who is complaining of weakness.
Which of the following statements about unintentional injuries in the United States is true?
d. Unintentional injuries result in more potential life lost than any other cause.
How is a descriptive research method best described?
c. Observational
Inferential statistics infers whether the relationships seen in a sample are likely to occur in which situation?
b. A larger population
Traditionally, medical practices have been based on a single source. What is this best described as?
d. Medical knowledge
What are factors that can make it difficult to draw accurate conclusions from a study?
b. Nuisance variables
What are the two main types of research methods?
b. Descriptive and experimental
What is a research design considered in which the research is conducted after the data already exist?
a. Retrospective
What is a research design known as in which the hypothesis and data collection are defined before beginning the study?
b. Prospective
What is a significant purpose of EMS research?
a. Learn of intended effects and cost-effectiveness of EMS interventions
What is a statement that is tested on multiple occasions known as?
b. Hypothesis
What is a type of research in which the paramedic observes a group of subjects, usually for a short period of time?
a. Cross sectional
What is an aspect of a population that is hard or impossible to measure called?
a. Parameter
What is practice that is based on current scientific evidenceknown as?
c. Evidence-based
What is testing a procedure called when the paramedic is made aware of the procedure being tested, and the patient is not aware?
Blinding
What term best describes the act of ensuring that there is proof that a procedure or interventions have benefit to the patient
a. Level of significance
When a paramedic is reviewing a research topic, which component should be examined first?
c. Population
When a paramedic is reviewing research, what is the last thing that is considered known as?
a. Relations to practice
When are evidence-based guidelines to be used?
d. In specific conditions
When identifying study limitations to ensure random sampling, what will the paramedic most likely use?
a. Random digits
b. Computer software
c. Flip-a-coin
——->ALL OF THE ABOVE
When referencing the ten basic steps to conducting research, the method of blinding is used in which step?
c. Identify study limitations. Correct
When referring to the ten basic steps to conducting research, after preparing a question, what is the next step the paramedic should undertake?
a. Write a hypothesis.
When referring to the ten basic steps to conducting research, after receiving permission for the study, what is the paramedic’s next step?
a. Obtain informed consent.
A person’s access to health insurance and treatments available when he or she has no money to pay for health care is an
a. Allocation of resources
Moral accountability refers to what?
b. Personal ethics
What is another word for autonomy?
d. Self-determination
What is known as a duty to confer benefits or do good deeds?
d. Beneficence
What is the fundamental question for ethical tests in health care?
a. “What is in the patient’s best interest?”
What is the impartiality test in ethical decision making designed to correct?
c. Personal bias
What role should the public be included for resolving ethical conflicts?
d. Creating laws
When considering the best decision to make in an ethical decision making scenario, you ask yourself, “Am I able to provide good reasons to justify and defend my actions to others?” Which ethical test is the paramedic applying?
a. Interpersonal justifiability
When considering the best decision to make in an ethical decision making scenario, you ask yourself, “Would I accept this action if I were in the patient’s place?” Which ethical test are you applying?
a. Impartiality
When considering the best decision to make in an ethical decision making scenario, you ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable having this action performed in all relevantly similar circumstances?” Which ethical test is the paramedic applying?
a. Universalizability
Which are components of autonomy?
d. Agency, independence, and rationality
Which aspect of care should the paramedic use when confronted with a situation having never before faced?
b. Medical direction or other resources
Which defines the Hippocratic Oath?
b. The rights of the patient
Which document provides guidance for a paramedic whose personal beliefs and commitments differ markedly from a patient’s?
b. EMT Code of Ethics
Which is an example of promoting patient access to reliable health care, promoting equality in health care systems, and informing patients of health care reform initiatives?
a. Advocate
Which is true of ethics and the legal system?
d. Ethical and legal issues are often entwined.
Which should the paramedic consider when care is futile?
c. Should be discussed with medical direction
Which standard is defined by honorable behavior that has been designed by a group and with which conformity is expected?
c. Ethics
A deceased patient has postmortem lividity, no rigor mortis, body temperature equal to environmental temperature, and no signs of decay. How long has the patient most likely been deceased for?
c. Less than 24 hours
A married 16-year-old who is supporting herself is refusing care following an injury. She is alert and oriented and in no apparent distress. How should the paramedic handle this situation?
a. Honor her decision after explaining the risks of refusing treatment.
A mentally competent adult is refusing medical care for a life-threatening medical emergency. How should the paramedic handle this situation?
d. Honor the patient’s decision after explaining the risks of refusing treatment.
A paramedic is called to the scene where a child has injuries, bruises, and burns inconsistent with the history given by the parents. What statute protects the paramedic from legal consequences associated with reporting this incident to proper authorities?
b. Immunity
A paramedic is called to treat a local politician’s child for a broken arm. The paramedic suspects that the injury was caused by abuse. Reporters are on the scene at the hospital and request an interview with the paramedic. In a written release to the media, the paramedic states that the politician is a child abuser. For what could the paramedic be sued?
Libel
A paramedic renders emergency care to a patient with head trauma who is confused and responding inappropriately. What form of consent was obtained?
Implied
A paramedic responds to a cardiac arrest. The patient has a valid DNR order, but family members request resuscitation. How should the paramedic handle this situation?
b. Provide CPR and contact medical direction.
A paramedic transports an injured patient to a county hospital instead of the patient’s hospital of choice because of the patient’s lack of medical insurance. What law has the paramedic violated?
b. EMTALA
A terminal cancer patient has a signed valid DNR. The patient’s family requests transport to the hospital and comfort measures such as IV fluid administration and pain medication. How should the paramedic handle this situation?
c. Provide appropriate care; DNR orders do not interfere with nonresuscitative care.
Ensuring that a patient understands the risks and dangers of a treatment is necessary for the patient to give what form of consent?
Informed
How do paramedics comply with HIPAA regulations?
c. Protect the privacy of a patient’s protected health information.
How long after a patient’s death can nonvital tissue donation occur?
d. Up to 24 hours
If a paramedic fails to perform EMS duties appropriately, what form of liability/discipline is the paramedic susceptible to receiving?
b. Civil and criminal liability
If a paramedic is sued by a patient for failing to treat him with the appropriate respect and concern for his welfare, what law has the paramedic violated?
d. Civil law
Paramedics respond to a motor vehicle crash and transport the patient to the emergency department without protecting the cervical spine. The patient has no spinal injuries. In this situation, why are the paramedics protected from a negligence lawsuit?
b. There was no damage to the patient.
Responding with respect to the physical and emotional needs of the patient and maintaining mastery of skills are examples of what form of responsibilities?
Ethical
The ACS Committee on Trauma designates a trauma center with the capability of providing care for every aspect of injury as what level trauma center?
Level I
The failure to do what action best describes negligence?
c. Act as a reasonable prudent paramedic would act in similar circumstances.
Under what provision could a paramedic be liable for an EMT’s actions?
d. Borrowed-servant doctrine
Unless the patient’s condition dictates otherwise, the patient should generally be transported to what location?
a. Hospital of the patient’s choice
Upon arrival at the hospital, you find the emergency department overflowing with patients. You can find no physician or nurse available to listen to your patient report. You ask an emergency department registration clerk to sign your prehospital care report, and you return to service. What infraction has the paramedic accomplished?
b. Abandonment
What are regulations that are developed by a governmental agency to provide details about the function and process of the law called?
b. Administrative law
What do the motor vehicle laws relating to emergency vehicle operation dictate?
d. Define standards of equipping and operating emergency vehicles.
What does the failure to operate emergency vehicles reasonably and prudently constitute?
a. Breach of duty to act
What is the best defense for a paramedic against a negligence lawsuit?
a. Having competent patient care skills
What is the legislation that governs the extent to which a physician can delegate authority to paramedics?
a. Medical practice act
What is the malpractice insurance carried by an employer to cover on-duty employees called?
a. Umbrella policy
What is the priority when responding to a crime scene?
b. Personal safety
What is the term that describes judge-made law or case law called?
a. Common law
What is the testimony that is taken under oath outside of a courtroom called?
a. Deposition
What is verbal or written consent to a treatment called?
b. Expressed
What law or regulation defines what a paramedic legally can do to treat a patient?
a. Scope of practice
What law/act protects a person rendering aid to a crash victim in good faith and without expectation of compensation?
b. Good Samaritan law
What law/statute limits the number of years, after an incident has occurred, during which a lawsuit can be filed?
a. Statute of limitations
What organ can a patient with no heartbeat donate?
d. Corneas
What phrase best describes advance directives?
c. Interpreted by a physician and formulated into a treatment plan
What role should EMS providers play in organ donation?
d. Talk to next of kin about a patient’s intent to donate organs.
What statement most accurately represents medical liability in EMS?
b. It is a valid concern for today’s EMS providers.
What term best describes physical contact with a patient without his or her consent?
a. Battery
What term best describes the conduct that is expected of an individual in a given situation and is measured against one’s conduct of a similarly trained individual?
b. The standard of care
What term best describes the step in the legal process that involves the exchange of documents and taking of depositions?
d. Discovery
What term describes intentional and unjustifiable detention of a person?
d. False imprisonment
When could resuscitative measures possibly be terminated in the field?
a. The patient does not respond to appropriate medications and countershocks.
When dealing with motor vehicle operation of the life support vehicle, what does the right-of-way privileges generally allow a paramedic to do?
d. Park in unauthorized areas
Which provision is part of the Ryan White Act?
a. Emergency workers must be informed when they have been exposed to an infectious disease.
Which situation fits the legal definition of “next of kin”?
a. A 20-year-old adult son
Which statement best describes the legal profession’s belief about patient care records?
d. “If it isn’t written down, it wasn’t done.”
While caring for a patient in cardiac arrest, a paramedic fails to identify that the endotracheal tube he placed is actually in the patient’s esophagus. What does this action constitute?
d. Misfeasance
Who does the paramedic have legal responsibilities to?
b. The patient, the employer, the medical director, and the public
Why is the standard of care used?
c. To measure the competence of a professional
