Final Exam Study Guide Flashcards
What is the scope of an EMT?
Basic life support, including automated external defibrillation, use of airway adjuncts, and assisting patient with certain medications.
What is the scope of an AEMT?
Specific aspects of ALS, such as IV therapy and the administration of certain emergency medications.
What is the scope of a paramedic?
Extensive training in ALS, including endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, and cardiac monitoring.
What is expressed consent?
When the patient verbally or otherwise acknowledges that he or she wants you to provide care or transport.
What is informed consent?
In order for consent to be valid, you explain the nature of treatment being offered, along with potential risks, benefits, alternatives and consequences of refusing.
What is implied consent?
When a person is unconscious or otherwise incapable of making a rational, informed decision about care, and unable to give consent, it is assumed that the patient would give consent if they were able to do so.
What is involuntary consent?
Falls under implied consent for an adult patient who is mentally incompetent.
In what case can a minor give consent?
If the minor is emancipated, they can give consent for themselves. A minor who is a parent can give consent for their child.
In what case can someone other than a parent or legal guardian give consent?
“In loco parentis” means that teachers or school officials may give consent for a child in a school setting.
Define assault.
Placing a person in fear of immediate bodily harm.
Define battery.
Touching a person with intent to cause harm. This includes providing emergency care without consent.
Define negligence.
Failure to provide the same care that a person with similar training would provide in the same or similar situation.
Define abandonment.
The unilateral termination of care by the EMT without the patient’s consent and without making any provisions for continuing care for the patient.
Define gross negligence.
Conduct that constitutes a willful or reckless disregard for a duty of standard of care.
What is the axial skeleton composed of?
The axial skeleton forms the foundation on which the arms and legs are hung and is composed of the skull, face, thoracic cage, and vertebral column.
What is the appendicular composed of?
The appendicular skeleton is composed of the shoulder girdle, the pelvis, the arms and the legs.
Define anterior.
The front surface of the body.
Define posterior.
The back surface of the body.
Define superior.
Closest to the head.
Define inferior.
Closest to the feet.
Define proximal.
Closest to the point of attachment.
Define distal.
Farthest from the point of attachment.
Define medial.
Closest to the midline.
Define lateral.
Farthest from the midline.
Define superficial.
Closest to the surface of the skin.
What is the function of the brain stem?
The brain stem is the controlling center for virtually all body functions that are absolutely necessary for life.
Appendix. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Storage of good bacteria; Hollow; RLQ
Gallbladder. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Reservoir for bile; Hollow; RUQ
Kidneys. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Filter waste from blood, control water balance; Solid, RUQ & LUQ
Large intestine. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Absorbs remaining nutrients and water to form stool; Hollow; LLQ (descending colon & left half of transverse colon), RLQ (ascending colon & right half of transverse colon)
Liver. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Filters toxins, bile produced for digestion of fat, storage of sugar; Solid; RUQ
Pancreas. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Where insulin is produced; Solid; RUQ & LUQ (posterior to stomach and spleen)
Small intestine. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
90% of nutrient aborbtion, especially fat; Hollow; RUQ (duodenum), LLQ, RLQ
Spleen. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Filter for blood, produces WBCs; Solid; LUQ
Stomach. What is it’s function? Is it hollow or solid? What quadrant?
Receives food, stores food, converts to chyme, provides for movement to small intestine; Hollow; LUQ
What does the sympathetic nervous system do?
The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the flight-or-flight response. Epinephrine and norepinephrine cause vasoconstriction, increased heartrate, and bronchodilation.
What does the parasympathetic nervous system do?
The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the rest-and-digest response. This response caused decreased heart rate and force of contraction.
What is the implication of bradycardia in a pediatric patient in respiratory distress?
As the heart muscle becomes increasingly hypoxic, it slows down, leading to bradycardia. This often leads to cardiopulmonary arrest. CPR should be performed on pediatric patients with a heart rate of less than 60 bpm.
How long can the body compensate for shock?
The body can only compensate for blood loss for so long. Once it loses a certain amount, blood pressure starts to drop, and shock is well developed.
Define radiating pain.
The “R” in OPQRST. Radiation refers to pain that travels to another part of the body.
What is a pertinent positive?
Given the chief complaint, a pertinent positive is a sign or symptom that is present that is consistent with your field impression.
What is a pertinent negative?
Given the chief complaint, a pertinent negative is a sign or symptom that is consistent with your field impression, but is absent in the patient.
When is appropriate to not complete the secondary assessment?
When you need to continually manage life threats identified in the primary assessment for a critically injured patient.
When is JVD normal? When does it indicate a problem?
JVD is a normal finding in a person who is lying down; however JVD in a patient who is sitting up suggests a problem with blood returning to the heart.
What are the contraindications for use of a comitube?
Conscious or semiconscious patient with a gag reflex, Children
Vitals for a neonate?
PR=90-180; RR=30-60; SBP=50-70
Vitals for an infant?
PR=100-160; RR=25-50; SBP=70-95