Midterm

Question 1

What is the purpose of the modern emergency medical services (EMS) system?

Answer 1

To have trained personnel respond quickly and provide emergency care on the scene, during transport, and at the hospital.

Question 2

What was the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians founded to establish?

Answer 2

Professional standards for emergency medical services personnel.

Question 3

Why is it important for EMTs to participate in quality improvement programs?

Answer 3

To identify problems and develop a plan to prevent their recurrence.

Question 4

What is a common term used to describe the items needed for Standard Precautions or body substance isolation precautions?

Answer 4

Personal protective equipment

Question 5

What may be helpful to cope with on-the-job experiences due to EMS personnel often being exposed to both acute and chronic stressors?

Answer 5

Critical Incident Stress Management

Question 6

What reference provides important info regarding hazardous materials, emergency care, and procedures in case of accidental fire or release; supplies definitions of placard colors and identification numbers; and should be standard issue on-board all ambulances and rescue units?

Answer 6

Emergency Response Guidebook

Question 7

What factors should be considered before lifting any patient?

Answer 7

The weight of the patient, your physical limitations, communication.

Question 8

What should you do when reaching for something?

Answer 8

Keep your back in a locked-in position, avoid twisting, avoid reaching more than 15-20 inches in front of your body.

Question 9

When treating an unconscious patient who does not have a possibility of spinal injury and who is breathing adequately, what is the best position for transporting the patient?

Answer 9

Recovery position

Question 10

What refers to the set of regulations that defines the legal actions expected and limitations placed on the EMT?

Answer 10

Scope of practice

Question 11

In what situations should an EMT withhold resuscitative measure from a patient in cardiac arrest?

Answer 11

The patient’s caregiver presents a DNR order signed by the patient and his physician.

Question 12

What regulation requires training, policies, and procedures related to storing, accessing, and sharing patient info?

Answer 12

HIPAA

Question 13

Define the anatomical position?

Answer 13

Standing, facing forward, with arms at the side, palms forward.

Question 14

What are the two most easily injured portions of the spine?

Answer 14

Cervical and lumbar

Question 15

What type of muscles control the size of the bronchioles in the lungs?

Answer 15

Smooth muscles

Question 16

What body system produces hormones?

Answer 16

Endocrine system

Question 17

What is the study of how disease affects the functioning of the human body?

Answer 17

Pathophysiology

Question 18

What is the process by which glucose and other nutrients are converted into energy?

Answer 18

Metabolism

Question 19

What is the basic nutrient of the cell and the building block for energy?

Answer 19

Glucose

Question 20

How many milliliters of air are moved during a typical breath?

Answer 20

500 mL

Question 21

What is it called when you place your finger in an infant’s palm and they grasp it with their fingers?

Answer 21

Palmar reflex

Question 22

When suctioning the airway, what is the maximum number of seconds suction should be applied for?

Answer 22

10 seconds

Question 23

What is the correct method of suctioning?

Answer 23

Insert the catheter or tip to the desired depth prior to applying suction.

Question 24

The normal stimulus to breathe is stimulated by the chemoreceptors that measure the change of what two gases?

Answer 24

High carbon dioxide and low oxygen

Question 25

16-yr-old patient, labored breathing, increased resp. rate, increased heart rate, leaning forward w/ hands on his knees, skin pink, pulse oximetry is 96. Patient is suffering from what respiratory condition?

Answer 25

Respiratory distress

Question 26

Call for “man down,” male, mid-60s, awake, does not acknowledge my presence, perspiring profusely, cyanosis of ears and lips, rapid & shallow resp. What do you do first?

Answer 26

Assist ventilations w/ a bag-valve mask and supplemental oxygen.

Question 27

How many PSI is a safe residual for an oxygen cylinder?

Answer 27

200 PSI

Question 28

The oxygen flow rate for a nasal cannula should not exceed how many liters per min?

Answer 28

6 liters per min.

Question 29

What is the purpose of the primary assessment?

Answer 29

To detect and treat immediately life-threatening problems

Question 30

A patient whose mental status can be described as “verbal” is able to do what?

Answer 30

Respond to speaking or shouting by opening the eyes.

Question 31

What is a normal capillary refill time in a pediatric patient?

Answer 31

2 seconds

Question 32

What is the proper position for maintaining the airway in a child with a decreased level of consciousness?

Answer 32

Placing the head and neck in a neutral position; using a folded towel under the shoulders if necessary.

Question 33

During the primary assessment of a responsive adult patient, where should the pulse be checked?

Answer 33

At the radial artery

Question 34

During the primary assessment of an unresponsive infant, which pulse should be palpated?

Answer 34

Brachial

Question 35

What is the mnemonic AVPU used to evaluate?

Answer 35

The patient’s level of responsiveness

Question 36

What is the correct order of assessment for the EMT during the primary assessment from start to end?

Answer 36

General impression, mental status, airway, breathing, circulation, patient priority

Question 37

How would you describe a patient with a pulse rate of 120 beats/min?

Answer 37

Tachycardia

Question 38

Where do baseline vital signs fit into the sequence of patient assessment?

Answer 38

Secondary assessment

Question 39

What are the vital signs that need to be recorded?

Answer 39

Pulse, respiration, skin color, skin temperature and condition, pupils, and blood pressure

Question 40

48-yr-old male, unconscious, scene safe, patient gurgling. What is next action?

Answer 40

Suction the airway

Question 41

What is the danger of an improperly sized cervical collar?

Answer 41

It may obstruct the airway

Question 42

Lateral impact car collision, segment of chest wall moving in the opposite direction from rest of chest. What is this called?

Answer 42

Paradoxical movement

Question 43

For a patient w/o a previous history of chest pain, what question would be most useful in obtaining the history of a patient with a complaint of chest pain?

Answer 43

“How would you describe the way the pain feels?”

Question 44

When using the memory aid SAMPLE, what would you do to determine L?

Answer 44

Ask “When was the last time you had anything to eat or drink?”

Question 45

What medical problems should you suspect from a patient that tells you he has a prescription for nitroglycerin?

Answer 45

Heart problem

Question 46

What is the purpose of trending?

Answer 46

It allows the EMT to determine if the patient’s condition is improving or deteriorating.

Question 47

What piece of info should not be relayed during your radio report to the hospital?

Answer 47

Patient’s name

Question 48

23-yr-old male, stab wound to abdomen, I bandaged wound and am transporting to a trauma center, during reassessment the bandage is seen to be soaked w/ blood. What should priority be w/ patient?

Answer 48

Control the bleeding

Question 49

20-yr-old soccer patient, ankle injured during match, injury appears isolated, no significant past medical history. How frequently should you perform a reassessment?

Answer 49

15 min

Question 50

On which patients should a reassessment be performed?

Answer 50

All patients, after lifesaving interventions.