Midterm Test Flashcards
According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an EMT should be able to:
A. insert a peripheral IV line and infuse fluids.
B. administer epinephrine via the subcutaneous route.
C. assist a patient with certain prescribed medications.
D. interpret a basic (ECG) rhythm and treat accordingly.
C. assist a patient with certain prescribed medications.
An appropriate demonstration of professionalism when your patient is frightened, demanding, or unpleasant is to:
A. continue to be nonjudgmental, compassionate, and respectful.
B. ignore the patient’s feelings and focus on his or her medical complaint.
C. reassure the patient that everything will be all right, even if it will not be.
D. demand that the patient remain quiet and cooperative during transport.
A. continue to be nonjudgmental, compassionate, and respectful.
An EMS provider who has extensive training in various aspects of advanced life support (ALS) is called a(n):
A. advanced EMT (AEMT).
B. paramedic.
C. EMT.
D. EMR.
B. paramedic.
Cardiac monitoring, pharmacologic interventions, and other advanced treatment skills are functions of the:
A. paramedic.
B. AEMT.
C. EMR.
D. EMT.
A. paramedic.
Continuing education in EMS serves to:
A. confirm research and statistical findings in prehospital care.
B. enforce mandatory attendance at agency-specific training.
C. maintain, update, and expand the EMT’s knowledge and skills.
D. provide an ongoing review and audit of the EMS system.
C. maintain, update, and expand the EMT’s knowledge and skills.
EMS as we know it today had its origins in 1966 with the publication of:
A. The Emergency Medical Services Act.
B. The Department of Transportation’s White Paper: Death and Dying.
C. Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.
D. Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured.
C. Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.
If a defibrillator manufacturer claims that its device terminates ventricular fibrillation on the first shock 95% of the time, you should:
A. avoid purchasing the device because this claim is unrealistic.
B. purchase the device based solely on the manufacturer’s claim.
C. recognize that this does not mean the device will save more lives.
D. determine which device the American Heart Association recommends.
C. recognize that this does not mean the device will save more lives.
Obtaining continuing medical education is the responsibility of the:
A. EMS training officer.
B. individual EMT.
C. EMS medical director.
D. State Bureau of EMS.
B. individual EMT.
The continuous quality improvement (CQI) process is designed to:
A. administer punitive actions to EMTs who do not follow local protocols.
B. ensure that all EMTs maintain licensure through the state EMS office.
C. identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed.
D. focus specifically on the quality of emergency care provided to the patient.
C. identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed.
The determination that prompt surgical care in the hospital is more important than performing time-consuming procedures in the field on a major trauma patient is based mostly on:
A. EMS research.
B. local protocols.
C. regional trauma guidelines.
D. the lead EMT’s decision.
A. EMS research.
The EMT certification exam is designed to:
A. provide EMTs with the best possible wage once certification is achieved.
B. ensure that EMTs are competent and have the same level of knowledge and skills.
C. rank EMTs based on performance on the certification exam.
D. identify those EMTs who are prepared for advanced levels of training.
B. ensure that EMTs are competent and have the same level of knowledge and skills.
The standards for prehospital emergency care and the individuals who provide it are typically regulated by the:
A. American Heart Association.
B. state office of EMS.
C. regional trauma center.
D. National Registry of EMTs.
B. state office of EMS.
Which of the following criteria is required to become licensed and employed as an EMT?
A. Demonstration of the ability to lift and carry at least 200 pounds
B. Proof of immunization against certain communicable diseases
C. Successful completion of a recognized bystander CPR course
D. A minimum of 60 college credit hours that focus on health care
B. Proof of immunization against certain communicable diseases
Which of the following descriptions most accurately portrays emergency medical services (EMS)?
A. A team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured
B. A team of advanced life support (ALS) providers who provide definitive emergency care in the prehospital setting
C. A system composed exclusively of emergency medical responders (EMRs) and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who are responsible for providing care to sick and injured patients
D. A team of paramedics and emergency physicians who are responsible for providing emergency care to critically injured patients
A. A team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured
Which of the following errors is an example of a knowledge-based failure?
A. An EMT administers the wrong drug to a patient because she did not know the pertinent information about the drug.
B. An EMT gives the correct drug to a patient, although his protocols clearly state that he is not authorized to do so.
C. Due to improperly applied cervical collar, a patient’s spinal injury is aggravated and he is permanently disabled.
D. A patient is given nitroglycerin by an EMT who did not obtain proper authorization from medical control first.
A. An EMT administers the wrong drug to a patient because she did not know the pertinent information about the drug.
Which of the following is an example of a primary prevention strategy?
A. Protecting a patient’s spine from further injury after a fall from a significant height
B. The construction of a guardrail on a dangerous curve following a fatal motor vehicle crash
C. Teaching a group of new parents how to perform one- and two-rescuer infant CPR
D. Community awareness programs that emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving
D. Community awareness programs that emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving
Which of the following scenarios involves the administration of ALS?
A. A 64-year-old patient who is given aspirin for suspected cardiac chest pain
B. A 53-year-old patient who is assisted with his prescribed nitroglycerin
C. A 17-year-old patient who is receiving humidified supplemental oxygen
D. A 48-year-old patient whose airway is secured with a supraglottic device
D. A 48-year-old patient whose airway is secured with a supraglottic device
Which of the following skills or interventions is included at every level of prehospital emergency training?
A. Intranasal medication administration
B. Automated external defibrillation
C. Oral glucose for hypoglycemia
D. Use of a manually triggered ventilator
B. Automated external defibrillation
Which of the following statements regarding the NREMT is correct?
A. The NREMT provides a national standard for EMS testing.
B. The NREMT regulates EMS training standards.
C. The NREMT is a governmental agency that certifies EMTs.
D. The NREMT is the exclusive certifying body for EMTs.
A. The NREMT provides a national standard for EMS testing.
Which type of medical direction do standing orders and protocols describe?
A. Direct
B. Online
C. Off-line
D. Radio
C. Off-line
A critical incident stress debriefing should be conducted no longer than ________ hours following the incident.
A. six
B. 24
C. 72
D. 12
C. 72
A positive TB skin test indicates that:
A. you have never been exposed to TB.
B. you have been exposed to TB.
C. The TB disease is currently dormant but might later become active.
D. you are actively infected with TB.
B. you have been exposed to TB.
Characteristics of eustress following dispatch to a high-speed motor vehicle collision may include:
A. the inability to remain focused, because the task at hand is demanding.
B. long-term feelings of being overwhelmed by the nature of the call.
C. short-term feelings of energy due to the high physical demands of the job.
D. increased self-image from performing well under a challenging situation.
D. increased self-image from performing well under a challenging situation.
General adaptation syndrome is characterized by which of the following phases?
A. Immediate reaction, psychological exhaustion, and recovery
B. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery
C. Reaction and resistance, euphoria, and physical exhaustion
D. Delayed reaction, alarm response, and physical recovery
B. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery
Hazards that are associated with a structural fire include all of the following, except:
A. high ambient temperatures.
B. carbon dioxide deficiency.
C. smoke and toxic gases.
D. risk of building collapse.
B. carbon dioxide deficiency.
Prescription glasses do not provide adequate eye protection because they:
A. have large, rounded lenses.
B. offer little or no side protection.
C. are not secured with a strap.
D. do not have shatterproof lenses.
B. offer little or no side protection.
Quid pro quo, a type of sexual harassment, occurs when the harasser:
A. makes rude remarks about a person’s body parts.
B. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.
C. touches another person without his or her consent.
D. stares at certain parts of another person’s anatomy.
B. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.
The capacity of an individual to cope with and recover from stress is called:
A. eustress.
B. resilience.
C. wellness.
D. reactions.
B. resilience.
The most effective way to preserve your own body heat when functioning in cold, wet weather is to:
A. avoid outer clothing with zippers.
B. wear a heavy, thick jacket or coat.
C. wear at least three layers of clothing.
D. wear socks made of heavy-duty cotton.
C. wear at least three layers of clothing.
The most important consideration at the scene of a hazardous materials incident is:
A. identifying the hazardous material.
B. ensuring your personal safety.
C. calling the hazardous materials team.
D. evacuating the bystanders.
B. ensuring your personal safety.
The most serious consequence of drug or alcohol abuse among EMS personnel is:
A. low morale and frequently missed shifts.
B. substandard and inappropriate patient care.
C. punitive action and the loss of a job.
D. tension among coworkers and supervisors.
B. substandard and inappropriate patient care.
The simplest, yet most effective method of preventing the spread of an infectious disease is to:
A. ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date.
B. undergo annual testing for tuberculosis and hepatitis.
C. undergo an annual physical examination.
D. wash your hands in between patient contacts.
D. wash your hands in between patient contacts.
The spread of HIV and hepatitis in the healthcare setting can usually be traced to:
A. careless handling of sharps.
B. noncompliance with standard precautions.
C. lack of proper immunizations.
D. excessive blood splashing or splattering.
A. careless handling of sharps.
Sharps include needles, syringes, and lancets
Vaccination against the hepatitis A virus is unnecessary if you:
A. have been infected with hepatitis A in the past.
B. are older than 35 years of age.
C. received a hepatitis B vaccination.
D. have a weak immune system.
A. have been infected with hepatitis A in the past.
Vectorborne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via:
A. inanimate objects.
B. smoke or dust.
C. animals or insects.
D. direct contact.
C. animals or insects.
What should you do before attempting to access a patient trapped in a vehicle?
A. Check for other patients.
B. Request another ambulance.
C. Contact medical control.
D. Ensure the vehicle is stable.
D. Ensure the vehicle is stable.
When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should:
A. spray the contaminated areas and then immediately wipe them dry with a towel.
B. allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.
C. use a bleach and water solution at a 1:2 dilution ratio to thoroughly wipe all surfaces.
D. clean all surfaces and patient contact areas with a mixture of alcohol and water.
B. allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.
Which of the following infectious diseases confers no protection from reinfection after exposure?
A. Mumps
B. Chickenpox
C. Syphilis
D. Rubella
C. Syphilis
Which of the following is the most significant factor in determining whether a person will become ill from certain germs?
A. Age
B. Race
C. Immunity
D. Gender
C. Immunity
You have been working at the scene of a major building collapse for eight hours. Many injured people are still being removed, and everyone is becoming frustrated and losing focus. This situation is most effectively managed by:
A. providing large amounts of caffeine to the rescue workers.
B. conducting a critical incident stress debriefing the next day.
C. requesting a CISM team to provide on-scene peer support.
D. allowing each worker to sleep in 15 to 30-minute increments.
C. requesting a CISM team to provide on-scene peer support.
A Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) team is made up of volunteer peer support and licensed mental health professionals. They are trained to help responders deal with normal reactions to abnormal events.
Which aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) most affects EMS personnel?
A. Preventing insurance fraud
B. Controlling insurance costs
C. Protecting patient privacy
D. Ensuring access to insurance
C. Protecting patient privacy
Which of the following general statements regarding consent is correct?
A. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse treatment.
B. Expressed consent is valid only if given in writing by a family member.
C. All patients older than 18 years can legally refuse treatment or transport.
D. Patients who are intoxicated are generally allowed to refuse treatment.
A. A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse treatment.
Which of the following most accurately defines negligence?
A. Deviation from the standard of care that might result in further injury
B. Transferring patient care to a provider with a lower level of training *
C. Transport of a mentally incompetent patient against his or her will
D. Providing care that is consistent with care provided by other EMTs
A. Deviation from the standard of care that might result in further injury
Which of the following patients has decision-making capacity and can legally refuse emergency medical treatment?
A. A conscious and alert woman with severe abdominal pain
B. A man who is staggering and states that he had three beers
C. A diabetic woman who has slurred speech and is not aware of the date
D. A confused young man who says he is the president
A. A conscious and alert woman with severe abdominal pain
Which of the following scenarios most accurately depicts abandonment?
A. An EMT gives a verbal report to an emergency room nurse.
B. An EMT transfers patient care to a paramedic.
C. A physician assumes patient care from an EMT.
D. A paramedic transfers patient care to an EMT.
D. A paramedic transfers patient care to an EMT.
Which of the following situations requires you to notify the appropriate authorities?
A. Drug overdose
B. Attempted suicide
C. Accidental knife wound
D. Cardiac arrest
B. Attempted suicide
Which of the following statements regarding Good Samaritan laws is correct?
A. Such laws will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.
B. Such laws do not protect EMTs who are off duty.
C. Such laws guarantee that the EMT will not be held liable if he or she is sued.
D. Such laws provide the EMT with absolute immunity from a lawsuit.
A. Such laws will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.
Which of the following types of consent allows treatment of a patient who is unconscious or mentally incapacitated?
A. Informed
B. Implied
C. Actual
D. Expressed
B. Implied
The manner in which the EMT must act or behave when caring for a patient is called the:
A. standard of care.
B. scope of practice.
C. code of ethics.
D. EMT oath.
A. standard of care.
You arrive at the scene of an apparent death. When evaluating the patient, which of the following is a definitive sign of death?
A. Absence of a pulse
B. Dependent lividity
C. Absent breath sounds
D. Profound cyanosis
B. Dependent lividity
Two EMTs witnessed a call in which a coworker gave adequate medical care but ignored the patient’s emotional needs. The coworker was deliberately rude solely because the patient was thought to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The EMTs ignored the coworker’s treatment of this patient and took no steps to prevent this behavior from happening again. This lack of action on the part of the two EMTs is considered:
A. illegal but ethical.
B. legal but unethical.
C. illegal and unethical.
D. legal and ethical.
B. legal but unethical.
Acting in such a way as to make another person fear immediate bodily harm is called:
A. battery.
B. negligence.
C. assault.
D. libel.
C. assault.
An EMT would most likely be held liable for abandonment if he or she:
A. terminated care of a competent adult patient at his or her request.
B. refused to care for a violent patient who is armed with a knife.
C. remained at the hospital for 30 minutes to give a patient report.
D. did not make provisions for continued care of an injured patient.
D. did not make provisions for continued care of an injured patient.
As an EMT, the performance of your duties will be compared to that of:
A. the medical director.
B. another EMT.
C. a paramedic supervisor.
D. the general public.
B. another EMT.
For a do not resuscitate (DNR) order to be valid, it must:
A. clearly state the patient’s medical problem.
B. be updated a minimum of every 6 months.
C. be dated within the previous 24 months.
D. be signed by the local justice of the peace.
A. clearly state the patient’s medical problem.
In many states, a minor may be treated as an adult for the purpose of consenting to or refusing medical treatment if the minor:
A. is mentally competent and able to refuse.
B. is self-supporting and lives by him- or herself.
C. possesses a valid driver’s license.
D. has a poor relationship with his or her parents.
B. is self-supporting and lives by him- or herself.