Chapter 35 Lifting and Moving Patients

Which of the following statements regarding an emergency patient move is correct? A. The patient is dragged against the body's long axis during an emergency move. B. The spine must be fully immobilized prior to performing an emergency move. C. It is not possible to perform an emergency move without injuring the patient. D. An emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment.

The correct answer is: An emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment.

You have two patients who were involved in a motor vehicle crash when their SUV struck a tree—one with neck and back pain, and the other with a deformed left femur. The patient with the deformed femur states that he does not want to be placed on a hard board, nor does he want a collar around his neck. What is the MOST appropriate and practical method of securing these patients and placing them into the ambulance? A. Immobilize both patients with a cervical collar and long backboard based on the mechanism of injury; place one on the wheeled stretcher and the other on the squad bench. B. Immobilize the patient with neck and back pain on a long backboard and place him on the squad bench; allow the patient with the deformed femur to sit on the wheeled stretcher. C. Apply a traction splint to the patient with the deformed femur and place him on the wheeled stretcher; place the patient with neck and back pain on the squad bench immobilized with a cervical collar and scoop stretcher. D. Immobilize the patient with neck and back pain on a long backboard and place him on the wheeled stretcher; place the patient with the deformed femur on a folding stretcher secured to the squad bench.

The correct answer is: Immobilize the patient with neck and back pain on a long backboard and place him on the wheeled stretcher; place the patient with the deformed femur on a folding stretcher secured to the squad bench.

Which of the following statements regarding the power lift is correct? A. It involves using your lower back instead of your legs to lift. B. The leg muscles should remain relaxed during the power lift. C. It is the safest and most powerful method of lifting a patient. D. It is not recommended for people with weak knees or thighs.

The correct answer is: It is the safest and most powerful method of lifting a patient.

You and your partner enter the residence of an elderly couple, both of whom are found unconscious in their bed. There is no evidence of trauma. As you begin your assessment, you and your partner notice the smell of natural gas in the residence. Which of the following should be your MOST appropriate action? A. Request another ambulance to assist with lifting and moving the patients. B. Quickly exit the residence and request the fire department to move the patients. C. Rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag. D. Perform a rapid assessment and then move the patients from their residence.

The correct answer is: Rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag.

Which of the following statements regarding patient weight distribution is correct? A. The EMT at the patient's head will bear the least amount of weight. B. A semi-sitting patient's weight is equally distributed on both ends. C. The majority of a horizontal patient's weight is in the torso. D. Most of the patient's weight rests on the foot end of the stretcher.

The correct answer is: The majority of a horizontal patient's weight is in the torso.

In which of the following situations would a direct ground lift be the MOST A. a conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain B. a pedestrian with back pain after being struck by a car C. an unconscious patient with a possible ischemic stroke D. a patient who complains of hip pain following a fall

The correct answer is: a conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain

Situations in which you should use the rapid extrication technique include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. a patient who can be properly assessed while still in the vehicle. B. a patient whose condition requires immediate transport to the hospital. C. a patient who blocks access to another seriously injured patient. D. a patient who needs immediate care that requires a supine position.

The correct answer is: a patient who can be properly assessed while still in the vehicle.

Which of the following conditions or situations presents the MOST unique challenge to the EMT when immobilizing an elderly patient on a long backboard? A. naturally deformed bones B. patient disorientation C. abnormal spinal curvature D. joint flexibility

The correct answer is: abnormal spinal curvature

An unrestrained patient is sitting in his car after an automobile crash. He is conscious and alert, has no visible trauma, and is complaining of neck and back pain. Before removing him from his car, you should: A. apply a cervical collar and immobilize him with a vest-style device. B. maintain manual stabilization of his head and grasp him by the clothes. C. perform a detailed head-to-toe assessment and apply a cervical collar. D. slide a scoop stretcher under his buttocks and rotate him laterally.

The correct answer is: apply a cervical collar and immobilize him with a vest-style device.

To avoid injury when pushing a patient or other object, you should: A. push the patient from an overhead position if possible. B. avoid pushing the patient with your elbows fully extended. C. kneel if you are pushing an object that is above waist level. D. push from the area of your body between the knees and hips.

The correct answer is: avoid pushing the patient with your elbows fully extended.

An EMT may injure his or her back, even if it is straight, if the: A. shoulder is aligned over the pelvis. B. back is bent forward at the hips. C. hands are held close to the legs. D. force is exerted straight down the spine.

The correct answer is: back is bent forward at the hips.

The MOST appropriate carrying device to use when moving a patient across rough or uneven terrain is the: A. wheeled stretcher. B. scoop stretcher. C. stair chair. D. basket stretcher.

The correct answer is: basket stretcher.

General guidelines for carrying a patient on a stretcher include: A. slightly twisting your body when carrying. B. maintaining slight flexion of your back. C. leaning back from your waist when lifting. D. constant communication with your partners.

The correct answer is: constant communication with your partners.

It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease. A. store B. throw out C. decontaminate D. burn

The correct answer is: decontaminate

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you find a single patient still seated in his car. There are no scene hazards. As you approach the vehicle, you note that the patient is semiconscious and has a large laceration to his forehead. You should: A. slide a long backboard under his buttocks and lay him sideways on the board. B. apply a vest-style extrication device before attempting to move the patient. C. apply a cervical collar and quickly remove the patient with a clothes drag. D. direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head.

The correct answer is: direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head.

Prior to applying medical restraints to a combative patient, you should: A. advise the patient that medical restraint is necessary, but can be removed if he or she cooperates with you during transport. B. place the patient in a prone position to avoid airway and breathing compromise once restrained and placed onto the stretcher. C. have at least three rescuers present, one for the upper extremities, one for the lower extremities, and one for the head. D. evaluate the patient for potentially correctible cause of combativeness, such as head injury, hypoxia, or hypoglycemia.

The correct answer is: evaluate the patient for potentially correctible cause of combativeness, such as head injury, hypoxia, or hypoglycemia.

You should not attempt to lift a patient who weighs more than 250 lb with fewer than _______ rescuers, regardless of individual strength. A. three B. six C. four D. five

The correct answer is: four

In contrast to typical wheeled ambulance stretchers, features of a bariatric stretcher include: A. a collapsible undercarriage. B. increased stability due to a wider wheelbase. C. two safety rails on both sides of the stretcher. D. a weight capacity of up to 650 lb.

The correct answer is: increased stability due to a wider wheelbase.

To minimize the risk of injuring yourself when lifting or moving a patient, you should: A. use a direct carry whenever possible. B. avoid the use of log rolls or body drags. C. keep the weight as close to your body as possible. D. flex at the waist instead of the hips.

The correct answer is: keep the weight as close to your body as possible.

The FIRST rule of safe lifting is to: A. spread your legs approximately 20″ apart. B. always lift with your palms facing down. C. keep your back in a slightly curved position. D. keep your back in a straight, vertical position.

The correct answer is: keep your back in a straight, vertical position.

The proper technique for using the power grip is to: A. rotate your palms down. B. position your hands about 6″ apart. C. hold the handle with your fingers. D. lift with your palms up.

The correct answer is: lift with your palms up.

Which of the following MOST accurately describes the correct position of the EMTs who are executing the diamond carry technique? A. two at the head, two at the feet, and a fifth EMT balancing the torso B. one at the head, one at the feet, and one on each side of the patient's torso C. two at the head, one at the feet, and one on the left side of the patient's torso D. one at the head, two at the feet, and a fourth EMT balancing the torso

The correct answer is: one at the head, one at the feet, and one on each side of the patient's torso

In most instances, you should move a patient on a wheeled ambulance stretcher by: A. pushing the foot of the stretcher while your partner guides the head. B. slightly lifting the stretcher to prevent unnecessary patient movement. C. retracting the undercarriage and carrying the stretcher to the ambulance. D. pushing the head of the stretcher while your partner guides the foot.

The correct answer is: pushing the head of the stretcher while your partner guides the foot.

The _________ is both the mechanical weight-bearing base of the spinal column and the fused central posterior section of the pelvic girdle. A. thorax B. coccyx C. ischium D. sacrum

The correct answer is: sacrum

Which of the following situations would require an urgent patient move? A. imminent risk of a fire or explosion in or near the patient's vehicle B. conscious patient with abrasions and a possibly fractured humerus C. semiconscious patient with shallow respirations and signs of shock D. stable patient who is blocking access to a critically injured patient

The correct answer is: semiconscious patient with shallow respirations and signs of shock

When a person is standing upright, the weight of anything being lifted and carried in the hands is FIRST reflected onto the: A. spinal column. B. thigh muscles. C. shoulder girdle. D. pelvic girdle.

The correct answer is: shoulder girdle.

As you and your partner are carrying a stable patient down a flight of stairs in a stair chair, you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your lower back. You should: A. stop the move and request additional lifting assistance. B. guide your partner while moving the chair backwards. C. reposition your hands and continue to move the patient. D. stop the move and have the patient walk down the stairs.

The correct answer is: stop the move and request additional lifting assistance.

In order to facilitate a safe and coordinated move, the team leader should: A. use preparatory commands to initiate any moves. B. speak softly but clearly to avoid startling the patient. C. be positioned at the feet so the team can hear. D. never become involved in the move, just direct the move.

The correct answer is: use preparatory commands to initiate any moves.

When carrying a patient up or down stairs, you should avoid: A. the use of a long backboard or scoop stretcher. B. flexing your body at the knees. C. the use of more than two EMTs. D. using a wheeled stretcher whenever possible.

The correct answer is: using a wheeled stretcher whenever possible.

The extremity lift would NOT be appropriate to use on a patient: A. with forearm lacerations. B. who complains of nausea. C. without a spinal injury. D. with a deformed humerus.

The correct answer is: with a deformed humerus.