Midterm Flashcards
What is the purpose of the modern emergency medical services (EMS) system?
To have trained personnel respond quickly and provide emergency care on the scene, during transport, and at the hospital.
What was the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians founded to establish?
Professional standards for emergency medical services personnel.
Why is it important for EMTs to participate in quality improvement programs?
To identify problems and develop a plan to prevent their recurrence.
What is a common term used to describe the items needed for Standard Precautions or body substance isolation precautions?
Personal protective equipment
What may be helpful to cope with on-the-job experiences due to EMS personnel often being exposed to both acute and chronic stressors?
Critical Incident Stress Management
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?
Emergency Response Guidebook
What factors should be considered before lifting any patient?
The weight of the patient, your physical limitations, communication.
What should you do when reaching for something?
Keep your back in a locked-in position, avoid twisting, avoid reaching more than 15-20 inches in front of your body.
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?
Recovery position
What refers to the set of regulations that defines the legal actions expected and limitations placed on the EMT?
Scope of practice
In what situations should an EMT withhold resuscitative measure from a patient in cardiac arrest?
The patient’s caregiver presents a DNR order signed by the patient and his physician.
What regulation requires training, policies, and procedures related to storing, accessing, and sharing patient info?
HIPAA
Define the anatomical position?
Standing, facing forward, with arms at the side, palms forward.
What are the two most easily injured portions of the spine?
Cervical and lumbar
What type of muscles control the size of the bronchioles in the lungs?
Smooth muscles
What body system produces hormones?
Endocrine system
What is the study of how disease affects the functioning of the human body?
Pathophysiology
What is the process by which glucose and other nutrients are converted into energy?
Metabolism
What is the basic nutrient of the cell and the building block for energy?
Glucose
How many milliliters of air are moved during a typical breath?
500 mL
What is it called when you place your finger in an infant’s palm and they grasp it with their fingers?
Palmar reflex
When suctioning the airway, what is the maximum number of seconds suction should be applied for?
10 seconds
What is the correct method of suctioning?
Insert the catheter or tip to the desired depth prior to applying suction.
The normal stimulus to breathe is stimulated by the chemoreceptors that measure the change of what two gases?
High carbon dioxide and low oxygen
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?
Respiratory distress
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?
Assist ventilations w/ a bag-valve mask and supplemental oxygen.
How many PSI is a safe residual for an oxygen cylinder?
200 PSI
The oxygen flow rate for a nasal cannula should not exceed how many liters per min?
6 liters per min.
What is the purpose of the primary assessment?
To detect and treat immediately life-threatening problems
A patient whose mental status can be described as “verbal” is able to do what?
Respond to speaking or shouting by opening the eyes.
What is a normal capillary refill time in a pediatric patient?
2 seconds
What is the proper position for maintaining the airway in a child with a decreased level of consciousness?
Placing the head and neck in a neutral position; using a folded towel under the shoulders if necessary.
During the primary assessment of a responsive adult patient, where should the pulse be checked?
At the radial artery
During the primary assessment of an unresponsive infant, which pulse should be palpated?
Brachial
What is the mnemonic AVPU used to evaluate?
The patient’s level of responsiveness
What is the correct order of assessment for the EMT during the primary assessment from start to end?
General impression, mental status, airway, breathing, circulation, patient priority
How would you describe a patient with a pulse rate of 120 beats/min?
Tachycardia
Where do baseline vital signs fit into the sequence of patient assessment?
Secondary assessment
What are the vital signs that need to be recorded?
Pulse, respiration, skin color, skin temperature and condition, pupils, and blood pressure
48-yr-old male, unconscious, scene safe, patient gurgling. What is next action?
Suction the airway
What is the danger of an improperly sized cervical collar?
It may obstruct the airway
Lateral impact car collision, segment of chest wall moving in the opposite direction from rest of chest. What is this called?
Paradoxical movement
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?
“How would you describe the way the pain feels?”
When using the memory aid SAMPLE, what would you do to determine L?
Ask “When was the last time you had anything to eat or drink?”
What medical problems should you suspect from a patient that tells you he has a prescription for nitroglycerin?
Heart problem
What is the purpose of trending?
It allows the EMT to determine if the patient’s condition is improving or deteriorating.
What piece of info should not be relayed during your radio report to the hospital?
Patient’s name
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?
Control the bleeding
20-yr-old soccer patient, ankle injured during match, injury appears isolated, no significant past medical history. How frequently should you perform a reassessment?
15 min
On which patients should a reassessment be performed?
All patients, after lifesaving interventions.
