EMT Practice: Systems, Safety and Care Part 1
A concise flashcard set covering essential EMT topics, including EMS systems, legal duties, patient care, communication, infection control, and certification standards. Perfect for quick study and exam prep.
National guidelines for EMS care are intended to __________.
-provide more consistent delivery of EMS care across the United States
-unify EMS providers under a single medical director
-facilitate a national EMS labor group
-reduce expenses at the local and state levels
Provide more consistent delivery of EMS care across the United States
Key Terms
National guidelines for EMS care are intended to __________.
-provide more consistent delivery of EMS care across the United States
-unify EMS providers under a single medical director
-facilitate a national EMS labor group
-reduce expenses at the local and state levels
Provide more consistent delivery of EMS care across the United States
The EMT is legally obligated to protect a patient's privacy according to _____.
-HIPAA
-CQI
-APGAR
-DCAP
HIPAA
Which of the following descriptions MOST accurately portrays emergency medical services (EMS)?
-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
-a team of paramedics and emergency physicians who are responsible for providing emergency care to critically injured patients
-a vast network of advanced life support (ALS) providers who provide definitive emergency care in the prehospital setting
-a team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured
A team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured
What is the EMT's primary service area?
-the main area in which the EMS agency operates
-the area serviced by the EMT's medical director
-the location where the EMT provides essential care during a 9-1-1 call
-the only area the EMT is certified to provide patient care
the main area in which the EMS agency operates
Online medical control requires _____.
-written protocols approved by medical control
-a physicians presence on the scene of the call
-phone or radio contact with the medical director
-the presence of an advanced-level provider
phone or radio contact with the medical director
As an EMT, you may be authorized to administer aspirin to a patient with chest pain based on:
-medical director approval
-the patient's condition
-the transport time to the hospita
-an order from a paramedic
medical director approval
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| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
National guidelines for EMS care are intended to __________. | Provide more consistent delivery of EMS care across the United States |
The EMT is legally obligated to protect a patient's privacy according to _____. | HIPAA |
Which of the following descriptions MOST accurately portrays emergency medical services (EMS)? | A team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured |
What is the EMT's primary service area? | the main area in which the EMS agency operates |
Online medical control requires _____. | phone or radio contact with the medical director |
As an EMT, you may be authorized to administer aspirin to a patient with chest pain based on: | medical director approval |
What should an EMT do to limit errors in the field? | follow the agency's written protocols |
Which of the following courses requires about 150 hours of training? | EMT |
The ability to understand others and have them understand you is known as __________. | communication |
Which of the following statements regarding the NREMT is correct? | the NREMT provides a national standard for EMS testing |
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: | EMS research |
Which of the following is a specific example of the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) model? | the paramedic administers a patient's flu vaccination |
Which of the following interventions is used by all levels if EMS providers? | automated external defibrillator |
You are encouraging a patient to go to the hospital by ambulance. You know that a transport will keep you on duty several hours after your regular quitting time. This is an example of __________. | patient advocacy |
The ability to handle multiple tasks based on their priority is called __________. | time management |
Prehospital patient care decisions should be based on __________. | EMS research |
You are caring for a driver who struck a light pole. She admits to drinking alcohol but orders you not to tell anyone. You should report the information to _____. | the receiving nurse or doctor |
The ability to take appropriate action with little direction is known as __________. | self-motivation |
Which of the following statements regarding the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is correct? | the ADA prohibits employers from failing to provide full and equal employment to those who are disabled |
American Heart Association protocols are based on __________. | evidence-based research |
Which of the following agencies is the source of the EMT Agenda for the Future, the multidisciplinary national review of all aspects of EMS delivery? | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration |
Which of the following is an example of secondary prevention? | providing cervical spine immobilization |
Which of the following is the process in which a person, institution, or program is evaluated and recognized as meeting predetermined standards to provide safe and ethical care? | Certification |
At what level is an individual who has training in basic life support, including automated external defibrillation, use of a definitive airway adjunct, and assisting patients with certain medications? | EMT |
What is the primary feature of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)? | it limits the availability if a patient's health care information |
Which organization developed and published the first curriculum that served as the guideline for EMT training? | Department of Transportation (DOT) |
Which of the following entities controls the licensure of EMTs? | the state in which the EMT practices |
Which of the following statements about health care in the United States is true? | health care in the United States is expensive but does not necessarily provide better health outcomes |
Public heath examines the health needs of entire populations. In the United States, public health focuses on education and what else? | prevention |
The reaponsibility of the medical director to ensure the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call is called what? | quality control |
You are transporting an elderly woman who has possibly experienced a stroke. She is obviously scared but is unable to talk and cannot move the entire right side of her body. In addition to providing the medical care that she needs, you should: | acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her |
Which of the following is an effective stress management strategy? | developing a social network outside of EMS |
Which of the following statements regarding the different stages of the grieving process is correct? | the stages of the grieving process may occur similtaneously |
Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via: | animals or insects |
Which of the following statements regarding HIV is correct? | there is no vaccine against HIV infection |
When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should: | allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions |
After assessing a patient's blood glucose level, you accidentally stick yourself with the contaminated lancet. You should: | report the incident to your supervisor after the call |
The simplest yet most effective method of preventing the spread of an infectious disease is to: | wash your hands in between patient contacts |
At the scene of an automobile crash, a utility pole has been broken and power lines are lying across the car. The patients inside the car are conscious. You should: | mark off a danger zone around the downed lines |
Gloves, a mask, eye protection, and a face shield should be used: | when performing endotracheal intubation |
Vaccination against the hepatitis A virus is unnecessary if you: | have been infected with hepatitis in the past |
Which of the following would provide the EMT with the BEST cover in a situation involving active gunfire? | a concrete barricade |
Quid pro quo, a type of sexual harassment, occurs when the harasser: | requests sexual favors in exchange for something else |
Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately depicts a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reaction? | an EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed |
The EMT's first priority is_____. | personal safety |
The MOST serious consequence of drug or alcohol abuse among EMS personnel is: | substandard or inappropriate patient care |
General adaptation syndrome is characterized by which of the following phases? | alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery |
Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you note that two small cars collided head-on, the occupants are still in their vehicles. The fire department is in the process of stabilizing the vehicles and law enforcement personnel are directing traffic. After parking the ambulance at a safe distance, you and your partner should: | put on high-visibility safety vests |
Common factors that influence how a patient reacts to the stress of an illness or injury include all of the following, EXCEPT: | assessment by the EMT |
While providing care to a patient, blood got onto the ambulance stretcher. Because the stretcher was not properly cleaned afterward, a virus was transmitted to another emergency medical technician (EMT) several days later. What route of transmission does this scenario describe? | indirect contact |
Which of the following should you do when lifting something heavy? | bend your legs, not your waist |
bend your legs, not your waist | vector-borne transmission |
Recently you started noticing that a coworker is disinterested in his work. He has started coming in late and has taken to sitting alone and not socializing with other members of the team. The job has been stressful lately. Call volume has increased and you rarely have any downtime between calls. What is your coworker most likely experiencing? | cumulatuve stress reaction |
What blocks the ability of the hemoglobin to transport oxygen to body tissues? | carbon monoxide |
While treating a patient with a high fever and cough, you accudentally expose yourself to illness. What should you do? | report it to the infection control officer |
What was the focus of Dr. Elizabeth Kübler-Ross's On Death and Dying? | it introduced the stages of grief |
What are the three stages of general adaptation syndrome? | an alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery/exhaustion |
The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection that law enforcement agents use is called what? | cover |
You are responding to an accident scene involving an overturned semi truck carrying diesel fuel. Which reference source will be most helpful in this case? | DOT Emergency Response Guidebook |
What program, often available for EMS personnel, involves contracted agencies that provide a wide array of mental health, substance abuse, crisis management, and counseling services? | an employee assistance program |
Which type of consent is involved when a 39-year-old mentally competent female with a severe headache asks you to take her to the hospital? | expressed |
You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident. The patient, a 13-year old male, is unconscious and has multiple injuries. As you are treating the child, a law enforcement officer advises you that the child's parents will be at the scene in approximately 15 minutes. What should you do? | transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital |
When performing his or her duties, the EMT is generally expected to: | exercise reasonable care and act prudently |
You respond to the home of a 59-year-old man who is unconscious; has slow, shallow breathing; and has a weak pulse. The family states that the patient has terminal brain cancer and does not wish to be resuscitated. They further state that there is a DNR order for this patient, but they are unable to locate it. You should: | begin treatment and contact medical control as needed |
Where would you MOST likely find information regarding a patient's wishes to be an organ donor? | driver's license |
Which aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) MOST affects EMS personnel? | protecting patient privacy |
In which of the following circumstances can the EMT legally release confidential patient information? | the patient is competent and signs a release form |
During your monthly internal quality improvement (QI) meeting, you review several patient care reports (PCRs) with the staff of your EMS system. You identify the patient's name, age, and sex, and then discuss the treatment that was provided by the EMTs in the field. By taking this approach to the QI process, you: | are in violation of HIPAA because you did not remove the PHI from the PCR beforehand |
When is forcible restraint permitted? | when the patient poses a significant threat to self or others |
Maintaining the chain of evidence at the scene of a crime should include: | not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons |
To help protect patients, EMS agencies are required to have __________. | a privacy officer to answer questions |
You are called to attend to an elderly patient with an extensive medical history who is now in cardiac arrest. The patient's family tells you that the patient has a DNR order. There is no paperwork available but the patient does have a MedicAlert bracelet indicating Do Not Resuscitate. You should: | confirm the patient identity and then confirm the DNR by calling the MedicAlert Foundation number on the bracelet |
Which of the following statements about the patient care report is correct? | it is difficult to prove actions were performed if they are not included on the report |
In which of the following situations does a legal duty to act clearly exist? | a call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change |
Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence? | duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation |
An an EMT, the standards of emergency care are often partially based on: | locally accepted protocols |
Which of the following general statements regarding consent is correct? | a patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated |
The EMT's scope of practice within his or her local response area is defined by the: | medical director |
Putrefication is defined as: | decomposition of the body's tissues |
You and your partner arrive at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash. The driver, a young male is severely entrapped in his car. He has an open head injury and massive facial trauma. He is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a palpable carotid pulse. You should: | have your partner check for a pulse to confirm that the patient is deceased |
Once your ambulance is dispatched to an emergency, you have an obligation to respond. What is this called? | duty to act |
You arrive at the scene of a call to find an elderly man complaining of chest pain. You introduce yourself and ask permission to examine him. He nods and extends his arm. Which type of consent is this? | expressed consent |
While evaluating a noncritical patient in the field, you receive a call from dispatch regarding a serious four-car accident. You inform the patient you are treating to have someone take him to his doctor to get checked out before leaving to attend to the more seriously injured people. This is an example of what? | adandonment |
What is the best way to care for your patient once he tells you he does not want to go to the hospital? | encourage him to call 9-1-1 again if his condition worsens |
The right of a patient to make decisions concerning his or her health is called what? | patient autonomy |
An obvious sign of death caused by discoloration of the body from pooling of the blood to the lower parts of the body is called what? | dependent lividity |
You belong to a small volunteer EMS company and are treating a patient with chest pain, and you feel that the administration of aspirin is indicated. You ask the patient if he is allergic to aspirin and he says no. Shortly after you administer the aspirin, the patient develops signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction. Later in the hospital, the doctor advises you that the patient's medical history indicates that the patient has an allergy to aspirin. The patient later sues you. Which of the following is your best defense strategy? | contributory negligence |
Which of the following describes a code of conduct that can be defined by society, religion, or a person, affecting character and conscience? | morality |
Which of the following gives surrogates the right to make decisions for patients regarding their health care in the event that the patient is incapacitated and unable to make such decisions? | durable power of attorney for health care |
You have responded to a vehicle accident call. Initially, the male patient allows you to splint his broken arm and complete a primary assessment. However, he rescinds comsent during transport and demands to be let out of the ambulance. If you refuse, which of the following might you be charged with? | false imprisonment |
Which of the following statements regarding a patient refusal is correct? | a mentally competent adult has the legal right to refuse EMS care and transport |
Which of the following is NOT a function of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)? | maintaining communications equipment on the ambulance |
Effective therapeutic communication skills require _________. | maintaining communications equipment on the ambulance |
The official transfer of patient care does not occur until the EMT | gives an oral report to the emergency room physician or nurse |
Immediately after being dispatched to a residence for an elderly patient with diabetic complications, you should: | confirm with dispatch that you received the call information |
As you are wheeling your patient through the emergency department doors, you receive another call for a major motor vehicle crash. You should: | respond only after guving a verbal patient report to a nurse or physician |
A patient's refusal of EMS treatment and/or transport must be: | an informed refusal |
You are caring for a 56-year-old male patient complaining of abdominal pain. Your service has recently switched to an electronic PCR system (ePCR). When completing the ePCR, it is important to be aware that: | the ePCR allows patient information to be transmitted directly to the receiving hospital's computers |
Which type of comminications equipment functions as a radio receiver and searches across several frequencies? | scanner |
During the alert and dispatch phase of EMS communications, the dispatcher's responsibilities include all of the following, EXCEPT: | discouraging the caller from providing care until the EMS unit arrives |