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Question 1

What is a communicable disease?

Answer 1

A communicable disease is a disease that can be spread from one person or species to another.

Question 2

How can health care providers reduce the risk of infection?

Answer 2

Immunizations, simple handwashing, and other protective techniques can dramatically reduce the risk of infection.

Question 3

What is a pathogen?

Answer 3

A pathogen is a microorganism capable of causing disease in a susceptible host.

Question 4

What is exposure in the context of infectious diseases?

Answer 4

Exposure is a situation in which a person has had contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or airborne particles in a manner that may allow disease transmission to occur.

Question 5

What are the different ways infectious diseases can be transmitted?

Answer 5

Infectious diseases can be transmitted via contact (direct or indirect), aerosolized (in droplets), foodborne, and vector-borne (through insects or parasitic worms).

Question 6

What is contact transmission?

Answer 6

Contact transmission is the movement of an organism from one person to another through physical touch. It can be direct or indirect.

Question 7

What is direct contact transmission?

Answer 7

Direct contact occurs when an organism is moved from one person to another through touching without any intermediary. Example: A patient with hepatitis B bleeds, and the EMT’s cut is exposed to the patient’s blood.

Question 8

What are bloodborne pathogens?

Answer 8

Bloodborne pathogens are microorganisms present in human blood that can cause disease, such as hepatitis B or HIV.

Question 9

What is indirect contact transmission?

Answer 9

Indirect contact involves the spread of infection through an inanimate object called a fomite, like a stretcher or needle that has come in contact with infected materials.

Question 10

What is airborne transmission?

Answer 10

Airborne transmission involves spreading infectious agents through droplets or dust in the air. For example, sneezing can transmit diseases like the common cold or COVID-19.

Question 11

How can you prevent transmission of airborne pathogens?

Answer 11

Avoid covering your cough or sneeze with your hands. Instead, cough or sneeze into your elbow or use a tissue to minimize the spread of organisms.

Question 12

What is foodborne transmission?

Answer 12

Foodborne transmission occurs when food or water becomes contaminated with disease-causing organisms. Proper food handling, storage, and cleanliness help prevent this type of transmission.

Question 13

What is vector-borne transmission?

Answer 13

Vector-borne transmission involves the spread of infection by animals or insects that carry organisms from one person or place to another, such as fleas transmitting the bubonic plague.

Question 14

What is the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)?

Answer 14

OSHA develops and publishes guidelines to reduce hazards in the workplace and is responsible for enforcing these guidelines, including those related to bloodborne pathogens and infectious diseases.

Question 15

What does OSHA require EMTs to be trained in?

Answer 15

OSHA requires EMTs to be trained in handling bloodborne pathogens and in approaching patients who may have an infectious or communicable disease.

Question 16

What are standard precautions?

Answer 16

Standard precautions are protective measures designed to prevent health care workers from coming into contact with objects, blood, body fluids, and other potential risks that could lead to exposure to germs.

Question 17

What should you do if you are exposed to an infectious disease?

Answer 17

You must notify your designated officer if you are exposed to an infectious disease.

Question 18

How can immunity to a disease be gained?

Answer 18

Immunity can be gained through vaccination or by recovering from an infection, which allows the body to recognize and repel the pathogen if it appears again.

Question 19

What is the difference between complete and partial immunity?

Answer 19

Complete immunity means lifelong protection against reinfection, while partial immunity protects against new infections but may not prevent reactivation of the original infection.

Question 20

Can the body become re-infected after developing immunity?

Answer 20

Yes, pathogens that remain in the body from a previous infection may cause reinfection if the immune system is weakened, as seen in diseases like tuberculosis.

Question 21

What is an example of an infection where immunity may not be effective?

Answer 21

HIV is an infection where the body struggles to mount an effective immune response, which can lead to AIDS.

Question 22

What does OSHA require for protection from occupational exposure to bloodborne pathogens?

Answer 22

OSHA requires employers to create an infection control plan and offer the hepatitis B vaccine to employees at no cost. Employees who decline must sign a waiver but may later decide to take the vaccine at the employer’s expense.

Question 23

What happens if an EMT is exposed to hepatitis B?

Answer 23

If exposed, the EMT will be tested for antibodies. If they have antibodies (due to previous vaccination), no treatment is needed. If they lack antibodies, they will receive hepatitis B immune globulin followed by a series of three hepatitis B immunization shots.

Question 24

Is there treatment to prevent hepatitis C after exposure?

Answer 24

No, there is no treatment available to prevent hepatitis C infection after exposure.

Question 25

What does “cover” mean in emt scene safety

Answer 25

Involves the tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection

Question 26

What does “concealment” mean in emt scene safety

Answer 26

Involves hiding behind objects to limit a persons ability to see you

Question 27

What are the stages of the body's response to stress?

Answer 27

The stages are alarm response, reaction and resistance, followed by recovery or exhaustion if stress is prolonged. This is known as the general adaptation syndrome.

Question 28

What is the fight-or-flight response?

Answer 28

The fight-or-flight response is a physiological reaction where the endocrine and nervous systems trigger chemical and physical changes, preparing the body to either confront or flee from a stressor.

Question 29

What are some common physiological responses to stress?

Answer 29

Increased respirations, heart rate, and blood pressure; constricted venous vessels; dilated pupils; tensed muscles; increased blood glucose; perspiration; and decreased blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract.

Question 30

What is acute stress?

Answer 30

Acute stress reactions occur during a stressful situation, causing heightened focus and nervous energy. If unmanaged, it can lead to emotional and physical reactions that may overwhelm you.

Question 31

What is delayed stress?

Answer 31

Delayed stress reactions occur after a stressful event, where nervous energy continues to build, even after the crisis has passed.

Question 32

What is cumulative stress?

Answer 32

Cumulative stress happens after prolonged or excessive exposure to stress, making it harder to recover from each new stressful event. It can lead to physical and psychological symptoms like fatigue, irritability, and depression.

Question 33

What are some physical and psychological effects of cumulative stress?

Answer 33

Physical effects include fatigue, changes in appetite, gastrointestinal issues, and headaches. Psychological effects include depression, irritability, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.

Question 34

What is critical incident stress?

Answer 34

Critical incident stress results from unusually severe or emotional events, such as mass-casualty incidents, traumatic deaths, or the injury or death of a coworker in the line of duty.

Question 35

What is posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?

Answer 35

PTSD may develop after a psychologically distressing event, characterized by reexperiencing the event and overresponding to stimuli that recall it. Symptoms include depression, startle reactions, flashbacks, and dissociative episodes (e.g., amnesia of the event).

Question 36

What is critical incident stress management (CISM)?

Answer 36

CISM is a process designed to address acute stress situations and reduce the likelihood of PTSD. It involves confronting responses to critical incidents to help EMS personnel return to physical and emotional equilibrium.

Question 37

What are debriefing sessions in CISM?

Answer 37

Debriefing sessions occur 24 to 72 hours after a major incident, where participants express pent-up emotions. These sessions are led by CISM teams and should not be used for operational critiques.

Question 38

What is compassion fatigue?

Answer 38

Compassion fatigue, or secondary stress disorder, is the gradual loss of compassion over time, caused by caring for others who have experienced trauma. It differs from PTSD in that it is not caused by direct exposure to trauma.

Question 39

What are some symptoms of compassion fatigue?

Answer 39

Symptoms include high absenteeism, difficult relationships with colleagues, inability to work in teams, aggressive behavior toward patients, lack of empathy, negative attitudes toward work, and preoccupation with nonwork issues.