Ch 2 Workforce Safety and Wellness Post Test EMT

A critical incident stress debriefing should be conducted no more than ________ hours following the incident. Select one: A. 72 B. 24 C. 6 D. 12

A. 72

Which of the following is the MOST significant factor in determining whether a person will become ill from certain germs? Select one: A. Immunity B. Age C. Gender D. Race

A. Immunity

A 15-year-old boy was killed when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He has numerous disfiguring injuries and has been placed in the back of the ambulance to shield him from curious bystanders. When the child's parents arrive at the scene, they demand to see him. You should: Select one: A. advise them that their son had severely disfiguring injuries and ask them if there is anyone they would like you to contact first. B. discreetly escort them to the back of the ambulance and allow them to see their child by themselves while you wait outside. C. express your sincere condolences over their loss and have them escorted away from the scene by a law enforcement officer. D. let them know that because of the circumstances of their child's death, they will not be permitted to see him at this time.

A. advise them that their son had severely disfiguring injuries and ask them if there is anyone they would like you to contact first.

Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via: Select one: A. animals or insects. B. smoke or dust. C. direct contact. D. inanimate objects.

A. animals or insects.

Common factors that influence how a patient reacts to the stress of an illness or injury include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. assessment by the EMT. B. history of chronic disease. C. fear of medical personnel. D. mental disorders

A. assessment by the EMT.

The spread of HIV and hepatitis in the health care setting can usually be traced to: Select one: A. careless handling of sharps. B. lack of proper immunizations. C. noncompliance with standard precautions. D. excessive blood splashing or splattering.

A. careless handling of sharps.

If it is not possible to adequately clean your ambulance at the hospital following a call, you should: Select one: A. clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated. B. quickly wipe down all high-contact surfaces with an antibacterial solution. C. thoroughly wash the back of the ambulance at a local car wash or similar facility. D. wait until the end of your shift and then disinfect the entire patient compartment.

A. clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated.

You are assessing a woman who was thrown from a horse. She is located in a large field and you can see that a thunderstorm is rapidly approaching. Suddenly, you feel your skin begin to tingle and the hair on your arms stands on end. The ambulance is located about 30 yards away. You should: Select one: A. crouch down in a position so that only your feet are touching the ground. B. sit down, bend your knees, and hold your crossed arms close to your body. C. immediately lie down on your side and draw your knees into your abdomen. D. quickly cover the patient with a blanket and then lie down flat on the ground.

A. crouch down in a position so that only your feet are touching the ground.

Vaccination against the hepatitis A virus is unnecessary if you: Select one: A. have been infected with hepatitis in the past. B. have a weak immune system. C. received a hepatitis B vaccination. D. are older than 35 years of age.

A. have been infected with hepatitis in the past.

You are dispatched to the scene of a crash involving a large tanker truck. While you are en route, dispatch advises you that there are multiple patients and that the fire department is en route as well. As you approach the scene, you should: Select one: A. maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars. B. immediately begin evacuating residents who live near the crash site. C. don personal protective equipment and quickly triage all patients. D. cordon off the area and quickly remove all of the injured patients.

A. maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars.

You are summoned to a convalescent center for an 88-year-old female with an altered mental status. A staff nurse advises you that the patient has terminal cancer and her physician stated that she would probably die within the next few hours; a valid do not resuscitate (DNR) order is presented to you. When caring for this patient, you should: Select one: A. make her comfortable and provide emotional support. B. begin chest compressions if she experiences cardiac arrest. C. depart the scene and allow her to die with dignity. D. provide no interventions and transport to the hospital.

A. make her comfortable and provide emotional support.

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: Select one: A. mark off a danger zone around the downed lines. B. remove the lines with a nonconductive object. C. proceed with normal extrication procedures. D. advise the patients to carefully get out of the car.

A. mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, an employer must: Select one: A. offer a workplace environment that reduces the risk of exposure. B. guarantee a 100% risk-free environment prior to employment. C. screen all prospective employees for blood-borne pathogens. D. provide gloves and other personal protective equipment to full-time paid employees only.

A. offer a workplace environment that reduces the risk of exposure.

After assessing a patient's blood glucose level, you accidentally stick yourself with the contaminated lancet. You should: Select one: A. report the incident to your supervisor after the call. B. discontinue patient care and seek medical attention. C. get immunized against hepatitis as soon as possible. D. immerse your wound in an alcohol-based solution.

A. report the incident to your supervisor after the call.

A positive TB skin test indicates that: Select one: A. you have been exposed to TB. B. the TB disease is currently dormant but may later become active. C. you are actively infected with TB. D. you have never been exposed to TB

A. you have been exposed to TB.

Which of the following statements would NOT be appropriate to say to the family of a dying patient? Select one: A. "Tell me how you are feeling." B. "Things will get better in time." C. "It is okay to be angry and sad." D. "This must be painful for you."

B. "Things will get better in time."

Which of the following would provide the EMT with the BEST cover in a situation involving active gunfire? Select one: A. Stacked empty barrels B. A concrete barricade C. Behind a car door D. A large cluster of shrubs

B. A concrete barricade

Which type of stress reaction occurs when an EMT is exposed to many insignificant stressors over a period of several months or years? Select one: A. Acute stress reaction B. Cumulative stress reaction C. Posttraumatic stress reaction D. Critical incident stress reaction

B. Cumulative stress reaction

Which of the following is an effective stress management strategy? Select one: A. Modestly increasing caffeine consumption B. Developing a social network outside of EMS C. Frequently reflecting on troublesome calls D. Requesting overtime to occupy your mind

B. Developing a social network outside of EMS

The final stage of death and dying MOST commonly takes the form of: Select one: A. depression. B. acceptance. C. anger. D. denial.

B. acceptance.

When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should: Select one: A. 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. C. spray the contaminated areas and then immediately wipe them dry with a towel. D. use a bleach and water solution at a 1:2 dilution ratio to thoroughly wipe all surfaces.

B. allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.

Carbon monoxide blocks the ability of the blood to oxygenate the body because it: Select one: A. causes the body to expel too much carbon dioxide. B. binds with the hemoglobin in red blood cells. C. destroys the number of circulating red blood cells. D. fills the alveoli in the lungs with thick secretions.

B. binds with the hemoglobin in red blood cells.

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: Select one: A. quickly begin the triage process. B. put on high-visibility safety vests. C. assist with vehicle stabilization. D. report to the incident commander.

B. put on high-visibility safety vests.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommended immunizations and tests include a: Select one: A. smallpox vaccine every 5 years. B. tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis booster every 10 years. C. two-shot hepatitis A vaccination series. D. TB skin test every 6 months.

B. tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis booster every 10 years.

Which of the following statements is MOST consistent with the bargaining phase of the grieving process? Select one: A. "I understand that my death is inevitable and I am ready to die when the time comes." B. "The doctors must be wrong in their diagnosis because I have always been healthy." C. "I will be compliant with all my medications if I can just see my grandson graduate." D. "It is because of our lousy health care system that I developed this brain tumor."

C. "I will be compliant with all my medications if I can just see my grandson graduate."

General adaptation syndrome is characterized by which of the following phases? Select one: A. Reaction and resistance, euphoria, and physical exhaustion B. Immediate reaction, psychological exhaustion, and recovery C. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery D. Delayed reaction, alarm response, and physical recovery

C. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery

Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately depicts a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reaction? Select one: A. 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. B. A newly certified EMT becomes extremely nauseated and diaphoretic at the scene of an incident involving grotesque injuries. C. An EMT with many years of field experience becomes irritable with her coworkers and experiences headaches and insomnia. D. An EMT is emotionally exhausted and depressed after a school bus crash involving critical injuries and the death of several children.

C. An EMT with many years of field experience becomes irritable with her coworkers and experiences headaches and insomnia.

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. Which route of transmission does this scenario describe? Select one: A. Vector-borne transmission B. Direct contact C. Indirect contact D. Airborne transmission

C. Indirect contact

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: Select one: A. maintain eye contact at all times and tell her that there is no need for her to be scared. B. tell her that you understand why she is scared and that everything will likely be okay. C. acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her. D. reassure her that after proper treatment in the hospital, she will regain her speech in time.

C. acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her.

When caring for the parents of a child who has died of leukemia, the EMT should: Select one: A. tell them that their feelings are understood. B. immediately refer them to a counselor. C. acknowledge the death of their child in private. D. refrain from using words such as "died" or "dead."

C. acknowledge the death of their child in private

The compliance-monitoring component of an infection control plan should: Select one: A. consist of a list of tasks that pose a risk for contact with blood or other body fluids. B. identify who to notify after an exposure and where treatment should be provided. C. ensure that employees understand what they should do and why it is important. D. address issues such as medical waste collection, storage, and ambulance disinfection.

C. ensure that employees understand what they should do and why it is important.

The hepatitis B vaccine program, a component of the infection control plan, addresses all of the following issues, EXCEPT: Select one: A. postvaccine antibody titers. B. record keeping and tracking. C. family history of hepatitis. D. vaccine safety and efficacy.

C. family history of hepatitis.

As an EMT, it is important to remember that the signs and symptoms of cumulative stress: Select one: A. cannot be identified and can cause health problems. B. usually manifest suddenly and without warning. C. may not be obvious or present all the time. D. are most effectively treated with medications.

C. may not be obvious or present all the time.

Prescription glasses do not provide adequate eye protection because they: Select one: A. do not have shatterproof lenses. B. have large, rounded lenses. C. offer little or no side protection. D. are not secured with a strap.

C. offer little or no side protection.

You arrive at the scene of a domestic violence situation. As you approach the doorway of the apartment, you hear screaming and the statement "He has a gun!" Your MOST appropriate action should be to: Select one: A. continue into the apartment using extreme caution. B. get in your ambulance and leave the scene immediately. C. seek a safe place and request law enforcement assistance. D. continue into the apartment and apprehend the gunman.

C. seek a safe place and request law enforcement assistance.

The simplest, yet most effective method of preventing the spread of an infectious disease is to: Select one: A. undergo annual testing for tuberculosis and hepatitis. B. ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date. C. wash your hands in between patient contacts. D. undergo an annual physical examination.

C. wash your hands in between patient contacts.

Critical incident stress management (CISM) can occur at an ongoing scene in all of the following circumstances, EXCEPT: Select one: A. when personnel are assessed during periods of rest. B. before leaving the scene after the incident is resolved. C. when patients are actively being assessed or treated. D. before personnel are preparing to reenter the scene.

C. when patients are actively being assessed or treated.

Gloves, a mask, eye protection, and a face shield should be used: Select one: A. while handling needles or other sharps. B. whenever you touch nonintact skin. C. when performing endotracheal intubation. D. during routine cleaning of the ambulance.

C. when performing endotracheal intubation.

While trying to make a family member feel better after a loved one has died, your partner states, "I know how you are feeling." The family members may view this as: Select one: A. coaching them through the grieving process. B. your partner's caring and supportive attitude. C. your partner's attempt to diminish their grief. D. a show of respect for the person who has died.

C. your partner's attempt to diminish their grief.

You and your partner respond to the residence of a 66-year-old male with shortness of breath. As you are assessing the patient, his wife tells you that he was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. The patient is verbally abusive and tells you that failure of the health care system caused his disease. Which stage of the grieving process is this patient's behavior consistent with? Select one: A. Bargaining B. Denial C. Depression D. Anger

D. Anger

Which of the following statements regarding the different stages of the grieving process is correct? Select one: A. It is rare that people will jump back and forth between stages. B. The grieving process typically begins with severe depression. C. Bargaining is the most unpleasant stage of the grieving process. D. The stages of the grieving process may occur simultaneously.

D. The stages of the grieving process may occur simultaneously.

Which of the following statements regarding HIV is correct? Select one: A. HIV is easily transmittable in the EMS field. B. HIV is far more contagious than hepatitis B. C. HIV is transmitted exclusively via blood. D. There is no vaccine against HIV infection.

D. There is no vaccine against HIV infection.

The BEST way to reduce your risk of contracting a work-related disease following exposure is to: Select one: A. be evaluated by a physician within 72 hours following the exposure. B. get vaccinated against the disease you think you were exposed to. C. vigorously wash the affected area with an antimicrobial solution. D. activate your department's infection control plan as soon as possible.

D. activate your department's infection control plan as soon as possible.

Hazards that are associated with a structural fire include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. risk of building collapse. B. smoke and toxic gases. C. high ambient temperatures. D. carbon dioxide deficiency.

D. carbon dioxide deficiency.

You are assessing a middle-aged man with chest pain that you suspect is caused by a cardiac problem. The patient tells you that he does not want to go to the hospital and insists that you leave him alone. You should: Select one: A. tell him that he is having a heart attack and that he needs to go to the hospital. B. proceed to treat him because the stress of the situation has impaired his thinking. C. reassure him that he will not receive a bill for the EMS call if he cannot pay. D. explain the seriousness of the situation to him, but avoid causing undue alarm.

D. explain the seriousness of the situation to him, but avoid causing undue alarm.

When treating a patient who is trapped in a vehicle and covered with broken glass, it is BEST to wear: Select one: A. firefighter gloves only, to preserve manual dexterity. B. thick firefighter gloves over two pairs of latex gloves. C. latex gloves with thick leather gloves underneath. D. puncture-proof leather gloves over your latex gloves.

D. puncture-proof leather gloves over your latex gloves.

Quid pro quo, a type of sexual harassment, occurs when the harasser: Select one: A. makes rude remarks about a person's body parts. B. touches another person without his or her consent. C. stares at certain parts of another person's anatomy. D. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.

D. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.

The MOST serious consequence of drug or alcohol abuse among EMS personnel is: Select one: A. punitive action and the loss of a job. B. tension among coworkers and supervisors. C. low morale and frequently missed shifts. D. substandard or inappropriate patient care.

D. substandard or inappropriate patient care.

The MOST effective way to preserve your own body heat when functioning in cold, wet weather is to: Select one: A. wear socks made of heavy-duty cotton. B. avoid outer clothing with zippers. C. wear a heavy, thick jacket or coat. D. wear at least three layers of clothing.

D. wear at least three layers of clothing.