Chapter 1 multiple choice questions

How many nationally recognized levels of EMS practitioner are​ there? A. Five B. Four C. Two D. Three

B. Four There are four nationally recognized​ levels: EMR,​ EMT, AEMT, and Paramedic.

The​ EMT's FIRST and MOST important priority​ is: A. the safety of other rescuers. B. personal safety. C. patient welfare. D. proper vehicle maintenance.

B. personal safety

What do many fire departments require of an​ employee? A. ​Cross-training as a firefighter B. ​Cross-training as an EMT C. ​Cross-training as a volunteer D. ​Cross-training as a policeman

B. ​Cross-training as an EMT

Direct contact with a​ physician, by telephone or​ radio, to obtain guidance in emergency care is​ called: A. protocol. B. ​on-line medical direction. C. ​off-line medical direction. D. direct medical control.

B. ​on-line medical direction.

Confidence and initiative are examples of a good​ EMT's: A. knowledge and skills. B. patient care advocacy. C. physical demands. D. personal traits.

D. personal traits.

One of your roles and responsibilities as an EMT is patient advocacy. This means that as an emergency care​ provider, you are responsible​ for: A. ensuring scene safety. B. gaining access to the patient. C. providing emergency care. D. protecting the​ patient's rights.

D. protecting the​ patient's rights.

Off-line medical control for an EMT is provided by a physician​ through: A. radio contact. B. ​in-person direction. C. telephone contact. D. standing orders.

D. standing orders.

In which of the following quality improvement activities does the EMT participate MOST​ often? A. Writing new protocols B. Documentation C. Deposition D. Teaching EMS classes

B. Documentation

The NREMT is involved​ in: A. making reciprocity difficult. B. EMS curriculum development. C. rules and regulations for EMTs. D. establishing local EMS protocols.

B. EMS curriculum development.

The level of training previously known as​ EMT-B is now known​ as: A. EMR. B. EMT. C. Paramedic. D. AEMT.

B. EMT.

Which of the following patients would MOST likely be transported to the closest emergency department rather than a specialty facility for initial​ management, assuming that all the facilities were within the​ EMT's jurisdiction? A. An unresponsive overdose patient with airway complications B. A​ high-risk obstetric patient C. A pediatric patient who ingested a poison D. A multisystem trauma victim

A. An unresponsive overdose patient with airway complications

Where is the headquarters for the National Registry of EMTs​ located? A. ​Columbus, Ohio B. ​Columbus, Georgia C. ​Columbus, Iowa D. ​Columbus, Texas

A. Columbus, Ohio

Which step in the​ evidence-based medicine process deals with the concept of deciding what aspect of emergency medicine to​ investigate? A. Formulate a hypothesis B. Changing of protocol on the basis of the research outcome C. Searching medical literature D. Appraising evidence for validity and reliability

A. Formulate a hypothesis

Which of the following is the MOST important reason why documentation is an important part of any CQI​ program? A. It allows for better interpretation of the care that was rendered. B. The law requires it. C. It permits the CQI team to upload required statistics to the state trauma registry. D. It eliminates the risk of lawsuits.

A. It allows for better interpretation of the care that was rendered.

You notice that your EMT certification will expire in the next year. What is one way to stay current and renew your​ card? A. Participating in continuing education B. Doing a research project C. Performing community service D. Just working your regular shift

A. Participating in continuing education

Your CQI officer sends you a request for additional information about a patient you had six months ago who subsequently died. How should you respond to this​ request? A. Respond to this request to the best of your​ ability, given your memory of the call. B. Respond to this​ request, but do so in a way that is not incriminating to yourself. C. Contact a lawyer before responding to this request. D. Ignore this request because the law does not require it.

A. Respond to this request to the best of your​ ability, given your memory of the call.

After World War​ II, who was the person who usually provided ambulance​ transport? A. The local undertaker B. The local​ doctor's office C. The local National Guard D. The local police service

A. The local undertaker

For​ evidence-based research to be MOST applicable to the prehospital​ environment, which of the following conditions is​ important? A. The research should be conducted in the prehospital environment. B. The research should be approved by the NREMT or NAEMT. C. One of the researchers should be a certified EMT. D. A board of EMT providers must supervise the research.

A. The research should be conducted in the prehospital environment.

Which of the following EMS activities falls under public health and​ prevention? A. Vaccination programs B. Emergency driving C. Vehicle inspection D. Documentation

A. Vaccination programs

You respond to a domestic violence call with your partner and the local volunteer fire department. If you are all threatened by the​ patient, who should you make sure is safe​ first? A. Yourself B. The patient C. Your partner D. The firefighters

A. Yourself

A 911 system that allows the call taker to automatically view the​ caller's location and phone number is known​ as: A. enhanced 911. B. localized 911. C. GPS 911. D. rapid 911.

A. enhanced 911 (E-911)

A term for treatments backed by research that proves that the interventions have positive effects in patient care​ is: A. evidence-based medicine. B. traditional approach. C. early​ goal-directed therapy. D. authority-based treatment.

A. evidence-based medicine.

Treatment decisions based on research are​ called: A. evidence-based. B. ​off-line protocols. C. standard of care. D. higher medical authority.

A. evidence-based.

A teachable moment during a call when a patient is advised to wear his seat belt next time he drives a car is an example of an​ EMT's role​ in: A. injury prevention. B. stress prevention. C. crisis intervention. D. crime prevention.

A. injury prevention.

A physician who is legally responsible for the clinical and patient care aspects of an EMS system is known as the​ system's: A. medical director. B. chief medical officer. C. clinical manager. D. operations director.

A. medical director.

Maintaining current​ knowledge, skills and EMT certification or licensure​ is: A. part of your role as an EMS professional. B. the responsibility of your service medical director. C. the role of your regional EMT training council. D. the responsibility of your service training officer.

A. part of your role as an EMS professional.

One aspect of quality improvement in which every EMT can participate​ is: A. participating in continuing education. B. rewriting agency protocols. C. developing standing orders. D. ignoring controversial local statutes.

A. participating in continuing education

The system by which the medical community oversees the basic health of a population is known​ as: A. the public health system. B. emergency medical services. C. best clinical practices. D. ​hospital-based care system.

A. the public health system.

Between​ calls, you have been reading over the​ state's local traffic laws and ordinances. This is an example​ of: A. the responsibility of the EMT to improve his or her knowledge base. B. a​ stress-relieving activity to help the time pass. C. job requirements for the EMT. D. course requirements to take the recertification exam

A. the responsibility of the EMT to improve his or her knowledge base.

Which of the following terms is the description of medical techniques or practices that are supported by scientific evidence confirming their safety and​ efficacy? A. ​Evidence-based B. Quality improvement C. Patient outcomes D. Injury prevention

A. ​Evidence-based

The decision to abandon a particular EMS intervention secondary to the discovery that it does NOT contribute to a positive patient outcome would be an example​ of: A. ​evidence-based research. B. quantitative research. C. ​intervention-based research. D. qualitative research.

A. ​evidence-based research.

In what year was the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians​ established? A. 1973 B. 1970 C. 1940 D. 1966

B. 1970

Which of the following will help to prevent errors that may jeopardize the​ patient's safety? A. Use intuition and judgment rather than protocols. B. Ask for assistance if you need it. C. Always go with your first instinct. D. Never admit that you do not know what to do.

B. Ask for assistance if you need it.

Which of the following should you do to improve the quality of your documentation​ skills? A. Ask the patient to read your encounter form. B. Ask your partner to read your encounter form. C. Ask any physician to read your encounter form. D. Ask your supervisor to read your encounter form.

B. Ask your partner to read your encounter form.

Which of the following is a personal trait that is expected of the​ EMT? A. Summoning law enforcement to witness care if the patient is a minor B. Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing C. Deciding whether or not the patient should be transported to the hospital D. Following up on patients after they have gone home

B. Communicating effectively both verbally and in writing

What is the MOST important reason for an EMT to practice the skills of driving an emergency​ vehicle? A. You will learn routes to the hospital and the scene. B. It may help to reduce the potential for crashes. C. It will enable you to arrive at the scene faster. D. It will enable you to get to the hospital faster.

B. It may help to reduce the potential for crashes.

Why would the failure of a CQI program to advise EMTs within the system about the​ system's overall performance pose a risk to future​ patients? A. It may lead to inaccurate reporting of issues to the state EMS office. B. It may lead to patient care errors from lack of knowledge about treatment protocols. C. It may result in inadequate data collection for billing purposes. D. It may result in​ "over-triage" of patients and the transport of patients to the hospital who should never have gone.

B. It may lead to patient care errors from lack of knowledge about treatment protocols.

Which of the following statements would BEST describe the beneficial effect to the CQI program when the EMT performs a maintenance check on the ambulance equipment before each​ shift? A. It will help to determine who will be awarded the CQI​ program's "EMT of the​ Month" award. B. It will identify whether any equipment is malfunctioning before its use in an actual patient emergency. C. It will have no beneficial effect for the CQI program. D. It will ensure that the EMT is doing the mandated morning checks of the ambulance.

B. It will identify whether any equipment is malfunctioning before its use in an actual patient emergency.

Which of the following is TRUE of​ EMTs? A. Most EMTs work for the fire department. B. Many EMTs are volunteer EMS providers. C. All EMTs are paid. D. EMTs must be municipal employees.

B. Many EMTs are volunteer EMS providers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a set of recommended standards for EMS systems called the Technical Assistance Program Assessment Standards. Which of the following is one of these ten​ standards? A. Personnel scheduling B. Medical direction C. Vehicle maintenance D. System access

B. Medical direction Each EMS system must have a physician as a medical director to provide medical oversight that includes overseeing patient care and delegating appropriate medical practices to EMTs and other EMS personnel.

What is the official name for the physician who assumes responsibility for all patient care aspects within a specific EMS​ system? A. Chief of staff B. Medical director C. Medical administrator D. Physician on call

B. Medical director

You are taking care of a patient who has been assigned to you during a​ mass-casualty incident. What should precede your emergency​ care? A. Communicating with law enforcement B. Patient assessment C. Leaving the scene D. Patient advocacy

B. Patient assessment

Why would positioning the ambulance properly on the scene of a​ one-car MVC help to prevent risks or injuries to the​ patient? A. Properly positioning the ambulance will keep the EMT out of legal trouble if a passing motorist runs into the crash scene. B. Properly positioning the ambulance will help to warn approaching​ drivers, prompting them to slow down. C. Properly positioning the ambulance will eliminate the need to keep the emergency lights illuminated. D. Properly positioning the ambulance will place resources for patient care at an appropriate distance.

B. Properly positioning the ambulance will help to warn approaching​ drivers, prompting them to slow down.

You have just become an EMS​ instructor, and now you are teaching a helmet safety awareness class for a local elementary school. This activity would be in support of which Technical Assistance Program Assessment Standard​? A. Human resources and training B. Public information and education C. Regulation and policy D. Evaluation

B. Public information and education

Which of the following is the BEST reason for an EMT to advise parents that younger children should NOT play with older​ children's toys? A. To develop their sense of ownership B. To prevent choking hazards C. To reduce the spread of​ blood-borne pathogens D. To reduce the spread of TB

B. To prevent choking hazards

Neatness​ cleanliness, and professionalism should be demonstrated by​ your: A. voice. B. appearance. C. empathy. D. mannerisms.

B. appearance.

To receive the highest quality of​ care, some patients need to be transported to special​ facilities, such as patients who​ have: A. a diabetic emergency or altered mental status. B. been critically burned or had a stroke. C. broken a long bone. D. been exposed to extremes of cold or heat.

B. been critically burned or had a stroke. Examples of specialty facilities include​ trauma, burn,​ obstetrical, pediatric,​ poison, stroke,​ cardiac, hyperbaric, spine​ injury, and psychiatric centers.

You believe that your patient should be given nitroglycerin for his chest pain. You do not have​ off-line protocols for​ this, so you​ should: A. encourage the patient to​ self-administer the medication. B. contact medical direction. C. administer the medication and document accordingly. D. transport the patient.

B. contact medical direction.

The Technical Assistance Program Assessment Standard specifying that each patient must be transported in a timely manner to the closest appropriate medical facility​ is: A. human resources and training. B. facilities. C. regulation and policy. D. transportation.

B. facilities The assessment standard for​ "facilities" identifies that each seriously ill or injured patient must be delivered in a timely manner to the closest appropriate medical facility. The human resources and training standard deals with​ certification, transportation deals with safe and reliable transfer via air or​ ground, and the regulation and policy standard is concerned with the state rules governing EMS.

Meeting the physical demands of the EMT profession​ includes: A. leadership ability. B. good eyesight and color vision. C. being able to make appropriate decisions quickly. D. good moral character.

B. good eyesight and color vision

An enhanced 911 system allows the emergency dispatcher​ to: A. respond to the scene of a medical incident much quicker. B. immediately access the phone number and address from which the call is being made. C. provide​ step-by-step CPR instructions to the caller. D. contact​ police, fire, and EMS personnel simultaneously.

B. immediately access the phone number and address from which the call is being made

The modern EMS system in the United States began in​ the: A. 1950s. B. 1980s. C. 1960s. D. 2000s.

C. 1960s.

Which of the following is LEAST likely to employ an​ EMT? A. Ambulance service B. Industrial setting C. Funeral home D. Fire department

C. Funeral home

Which of the following activities is most likely to lead to harm to the EMT or the patient if performed​ improperly?: A. Taking vital signs B. Communicating with the dispatcher C. Lifting and moving patients D. Conducting a patient history

C. Lifting and moving patients

You have just assessed a patient in her living​ room, and you notice the couch is in front of an open window. You are on the third​ floor, and the window has only a screen on it. If there are toddlers and preschoolers in the​ home, what would be good injury prevention advice for the​ family? A. Always keep the stairs free of clothing. B. Close the​ window, as children can easily get sick from exposure to outdoor air. C. Move the couch away from the window. D. Get an air conditioner instead of house fans.

C. Move the couch away from the window.

Which of the following is one of the two organizations that outlined the minimal standards for an​ EMT's scope of practice in the United​ States? A. World Health Organization B. World Centers for Disease Control C. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration D. U.S. Department of Labor

C. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration The minimum accepted standards are defined by the document National EMS Core Content​, which was jointly developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration​ (NHTSA) and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Of the four levels of prehospital emergency medical​ training, which provides the most advanced level of prehospital​ care? A. Emergency Medical Technician level B. Advanced EMT level C. Paramedic level D. Emergency Medical Responder level

C. Paramedic level

What is the name of the program that EMS services should establish to better assess the ongoing efficiency of the care they are rendering to​ patients? A. Continuing education B. Enhanced 911 C. Quality improvement D. Trauma registry

C. Quality improvement system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of an emergency medical system. To ensure that the public receives the​ highest-quality prehospital​ care, the goals of quality improvement are to identify the aspects of the system that can be improved and to implement plans and programs that will remedy any shortcomings.

Which step in the​ evidence-based medicine process deals with the concept of determining what we already know about a particular intervention or​ situation? A. Appraising evidence for validity and reliability B. Changing of protocol on the basis of the research outcome C. Searching medical literature D. Formulating a question

C. Searching medical literature

You are charged with revising the destination protocol for trauma patients in your EMS system. Having this policy in place helps to fulfill which of the Technical Assistance Program Assessment Standards​? A. Medical direction B. Transportation C. Trauma systems D. Facilities

C. Trauma systems Each state must develop a system of specialized care for trauma​ patients, including one or more trauma centers and rehabilitation programs plus systems for assigning and transporting patients to those facilities. The medical direction standard provides​ oversight; facilities deals with the transport of all patients​ (not just​ trauma); and transportation deals with the safe and reliable transfer of patients by air or ground.

The National Highway Safety Act charged which government entity with developing an EMS system and upgrading prehospital emergency​ care? A. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services B. State EMS agencies C. U.S. Department of Transportation D. American Red Cross

C. U.S. Department of Transportation

According to the National EMS Scope of Practice​ Model, an Advanced EMT should be trained​ to: A. initiate cardiac pacing. B. decompress a chest cavity. C. administer medications intravenously. D. perform a needle jet insufflation.

C. administer medications intravenously The AEMT provides all of the skills of the EMT with the addition of the use of advanced airway​ devices, monitoring of blood glucose​ levels, initiation of IV and IO​ infusions, and administration of a select number of medications via IV push.

As an​ EMT, your role in quality improvement​ includes: A. conducting​ follow-up interviews with patients. B. keeping your opinions and observations to yourself. C. carefully and thoroughly documenting each call. D. withholding important information from your CQI officer because it pertains to your partner.

C. carefully and thoroughly documenting each call.

​Off-line medical direction may be provided​ through: A. call review. B. medical direction by phone. C. standing orders. D. medical direction by radio.

C. standing orders.

EMS has a role in many public health​ issues, including: A. promoting safer vehicle design. B. enforcing the speeding laws. C. vaccination programs. D. regulating the number of work hours.

C. vaccination programs.

Which of the following BEST describes the professional​ EMT? A. A person with a sarcastic sense of humor B. A nervous person who does not like to improvise C. A person who demands respect D. A person with a calm and reassuring personality

D. A person with a calm and reassuring personality Personal traits the effective EMT should have include a calm and reassuring​ personality, leadership​ ability, good​ judgment, good moral​ character, stability and​ adaptability, the ability to​ listen, resourcefulness and the ability to​ improvise, and cooperation.

Which of the following settings would MOST likely have an EMT available for emergency​ assistance? A. DOT interstate construction crew B. A large supermarket chain store C. The local U.S. Postal Service branch D. An oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico

D. An oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico

You have just read an EMS article stating that the use of a backboard is not necessary for a patient with neck pain if the cervical vertebrae were cleared with an​ X-ray. Why is this research NOT applicable to your EMS​ system? A. Because none of the researchers was a certified EMT B. Because the research was not done in your EMS system C. Because your medical director has not read it yet D. Because EMS does not have access to​ X-ray findings when determining when to immobilize a patient

D. Because EMS does not have access to​ X-ray findings when determining when to immobilize a patient

What is one way in which an EMT can work toward​ high-quality care? A. By limiting his or her education to core requirements B. By writing run reports after a shift C. By advising against the QI process D. By checking and maintaining the equipment

D. By checking and maintaining the equipment

Which of the following is a role of EMS in public​ health? A. Supplying clean water B. Cleaning sewer systems C. Providing prenatal screening D. Conducting public vaccination programs

D. Conducting public vaccination programs

Which of the following is an example of a local public health​ emergency? A. A​ multiple-residence structural fire B. CO poisoning of a household C. A school bus crash D. Contaminated water supply due to flooding

D. Contaminated water supply due to flooding

You are out with friends eight hours before your next ambulance shift. Which of the following should you NOT​ do? A. Smoke a cigarette B. Fly in an airplane C. Go to a nightclub D. Drink alcohol

D. Drink alcohol

Which of the following is a certification level established by the National Registry of​ EMTs? A. Critical care nurse B. AMR C. Flight paramedic D. EMR

D. EMR

Which of the following statements about an EMS​ system's CQI program is​ FALSE? A. Continuing education will better prepare the​ EMTs, which in turn will improve how well they perform during CQI audits. B. Periodic reviews of each EMT in the system should be performed. C. Quality documentation will strengthen the CQI program. D. Feedback for the CQI process should be gathered only from the EMTs and the receiving facility.

D. Feedback for the CQI process should be gathered only from the EMTs and the receiving facility.

Holding an NREMT certification may help you in which of the following​ situations? A. Passing an EMT examination B. Establishing protocols C. Providing prehospital care D. Gaining reciprocity

D. Gaining reciprocity

What is the MOST common destination facility to which an EMT will be transporting​ patients? A. Hospital​ cardiac, medical, or trauma​ intensive-care units B. Freestanding emergency care facility C. Private​ physician's office D. Hospital emergency department

D. Hospital emergency department

How is proper documentation on the patient care report important to the quality improvement​ process? A. If your service has sloppy​ PCRs, it will not get grants. B. The medical​ director's only view of the​ EMTs' skills is based on reading PCRs. C. The QI process is based solely on documentation. D. It is difficult to make generalizations about the quality of care when documentation is poor.

D. It is difficult to make generalizations about the quality of care when documentation is poor.

Which of the following statements best describes​ protocols? A. A process of continuous​ self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement B. A policy or protocol issued by a medical director that authorizes EMTs and others to perform particular skills in certain situations C. Oversight of the​ patient-care aspects of an EMS system by the medical director D. Lists of​ steps, such as assessments and​ interventions, to be taken in different situations

D. Lists of​ steps, such as assessments and​ interventions, to be taken in different situations

Which of the following are you most likely to do for every patient​ transport? A. Use lights and siren to minimize transport time. B. Obtain the​ patient's insurance information. C. Allow family members to ride in the patient compartment. D. Notify the receiving facility of the nature and extent of injuries.

D. Notify the receiving facility of the nature and extent of injuries.

You have arrived on scene as a backup unit. Another EMT tells you that the patient is an unresponsive​ 12-year-old boy who was found floating face down in a swimming pool. The patient has already been loaded into the transporting ambulance. Your EMT coworker asks you to drive to the hospital using lights and sirens. Given this​ information, what facility would MOST likely be your​ destination? A. Stroke center B. Cardiac center C. Spine injury center D. Pediatric center

D. Pediatric center

Which of the following governmental departments was responsible for developing EMS standards and assisting states to upgrade the quality of their prehospital emergency​ care? A. National Highway Traffic Safety Council B. National Registry of EMTs C. National EMS Council D. U.S. Department of Transportation

D. U.S. Department of Transportation The Highway Safety Act of 1966 required each state to establish a highway safety program that met prescribed federal standards and included emergency services. The U.S. Department of​ Transportation, through its National Highway Traffic Safety Administration​ (NHTSA), took a leadership role in the development of emergency medical services. The NREMT is not a government entity.

Refresher courses for EMTs are​ required: A. annually. B. as determined by each employer. C. only if the​ EMT's skills are poor. D. at​ 2- to​ 4-year intervals.

D. at​ 2- to​ 4-year intervals.

The​ EMT's first priority during a call is to​ protect: A. innocent bystanders. B. the​ patient's family. C. the patient. D. himself or herself.

D. himself or herself.

The EMT is on the scene treating a​ patient, and the​ patient's physician is on scene ordering the EMT to transport the patient to somewhere other than the closest appropriate facility. The BEST person the EMT could contact would​ be: A. the EMS chief. B. the EMS supervisor on duty. C. law enforcement. D. medical direction.

D. medical direction.

The EMT gains the authority to render care from​ the: A. supervisor. B. base hospital. C. NHTSA. D. medical director.

D. medical director.

When applying for a new job as an​ EMT, you had to watch a videotaped scenario and then complete a prehospital care report and give an oral patient​ hand-off report. This activity was designed to​ assess: A. your tolerance for an order from management. B. your empathy for the patient in the mock scenario. C. your ability to be polite and considerate in a stressful situation. D. the expected ability to maintain good verbal and written communication skills.

D. the expected ability to maintain good verbal and written communication skills.