Exam 1 Review Flashcards
Function of NREMT
Asses competence of prospective EMTs through a valid testing process widely accepted across the country and agreed upon. Allows for easier reciprocity.
Who regulates standards under which EMT provide care?
State EMS office or agency (SNHD)
What did Nevada Highway Traffic Safety Administration establish?
National standards of EMS education.
Fell under organization due to original focus on traffic safety and trauma (The White Paper).
Medical Director
Ultimately determines what meds AEMT can give. Reason why national registry defers to local protocols.
What determines medication administration?
Area of work (rural vs. city)
Risk/benefit
Medical Director
Local protocols
What is negligence?
Failure to provide the same care that someone with similar training would provide.
What is proximate cause?
Must be proven if someone is being sued for negligence. Direct relationship between pt’s injury and AEMT’s actions.
What is your Legal Duty to Act?
You have a legal duty to provide medical care whether you are a witness of responding to the call.
Standard of Care
The manner in which you are require to act or behave as an AEMT
Good Samaritan Laws
Designed to protect people who try to help in emergency situation. Can protect from liability if determined that you provided good faith care.
What kinds of injuries and/illnesses require transport to a specialty facility?
Trauma Burn Stroke Cardiac Pediatric
What do you do if you get stuck with a sharp?
Inform partner to take over. Notify supervisor. Finish the call.
What do you do if you are transporting a patient to the hospital with minor injuries when you see a major car accident with potentially multiple patients?
Call dispatch and inform them of the MVA. Continue transporting to the hospital.
When do you change a portable O2 tank?
500 psi
DNR Requirements
Pt must be deemed mentally competent at the time of signing DNR.
Must be signed by physician
Notes diagnosis/terminal condition
Must have physical copy of DNR for EMS to honor wishes
What happens to a lung with COPD?
Alveoli lose elasticity and shape making it hard to exhale.
Air gets trapped in lungs.
Bronchial tubes become inflamed and narrowed.
Thick mucus forms causing chronic cough.
What happens to a COPD patient with PNA?
Pt unable to exhale and cough becomes ineffective. Cannot expel infectious sludge from PNA. Very difficult to heal.
What is the classic presentation of a patient with cardiogenic shock?
Cold and wet
Two components of cardiogenic shock
Systemic hypoperfusion due to low CO (cold)
Filling pressures are elevated (wet)
Why cardiogenic shock cannot be fixed with volume administrtion or removal?
Giving volume will worsen their pulmonary congestion and edema making them wet.
Removing volume will worsen their systemic hypoperfusion making them colder.
Why cardiogenic shock cannot be fixed with volume administration or removal?
Giving volume will worsen their pulmonary congestion and edema making them wet.
Removing volume will worsen their systemic hypoperfusion making them colder.
In addition to sudden severe pain in the abdomen, what are other s/s of a ruptured AAA?
Hypotension
Pallor
Diminish pulses in lower extremities
Additivity drug interaction
Commination of two or more chemical is the sum of the expected individual’s response. 1+1=2
Antagonism drug interaction
Exposure to one chemical results in a reduction in the effect of the other chemical. 1+1=0.5
Potentiation
Exposure to one chemical results in the other chemical producing an effect greater than if given alone. 1+0=2
Synergism
Exposure to one chemical causes a dramatic increase in the effect of another chemical. 1+1=3
Chief complaint vs. primary problem
CC : why you were called to the scene
Primary problem : what is most important to the patient
What are the components of plasma?
Plasma makes up 55% of blood component
Water 91%
Proteins 7% : albumins, globulins, fibrinogen
Other solutes 2% : electrolytes, nutrients, gases, wastes, vitamin, regulatory substances
What are the component of formed elements?
Makes up 45% of centrifuged blood
RBC (millions)
Platelets (hundreds of thousands)
WBC (thousands)
Percentage of each WBC in centrifuged blood?
Neutrophils 70% Lymphocytes 20% Monocytes 5% Eosinophils 4% Basophils 1%
Blood flow through the heart
Deoxygenated blood enters superior and inferior vena cava Right atrium Tricuspid Right ventricle Pulmonic valve Pulmonary artery to right and left lung Oxygenated blood enters pulmonary veins from left and right lungs Left atrium Mitral valve Left ventricle Aortic valve Aorta to body
What are the three meningeal layers?
Dura mater: outer layer lining skull
Arachnoid mater: contains blood vessels
Pia matter: covers brain
Obstructive shock can be caused by:
Cardiac tamponade
Tension pneumothorax
Massive pulmonary embolism
BP assessment on pediatrics
BP should be checked on children older than 3
What is the best indicator of perfusion in younger children?
Skin signs
Cap refill
When does the cardiac electrical conduction slow in the heart?
AV node