Ch 38 EMT: EMS Operations
Studies have shown that drivers of other vehicles do not usually see or hear ambulances or other emergency vehicles until they are within ________ feet of it. A. 100 B. 150 C. 200 D. 250
A. 100
A patient-carrying device should have at least ________ straps to hold the patient securely. A. 3 B. 5 C. 2 D. 1
A. 3
You have transported a patient to the emergency department and are in the process of cleaning the ambulance while your partner is completing all required paperwork. At what point is the final phase of an ambulance call complete? A. After all required paperwork is complete and the ambulance has been completely cleaned and restocked B. As soon as you get back to the station and notify your dispatch center you are in quarters C. As soon as you put the stretcher back in the ambulance with a clean sheet and you notify your dispatch center you are available D. As soon as your partner completes the patient care report and you are restocking the supplies used during the call
A. After all required paperwork is complete and the ambulance has been completely cleaned and restocked
Regarding the use of emergency sirens, which of the following is false? A. Ambulance operators are not affected by siren noise. B. The sound of the siren may increase the patient's anxiety. C. EMTs should assume that other drivers cannot hear the siren. D. Dense shrubbery may block the sound of the siren.
A. Ambulance operators are not affected by siren noise.
How many straps should a patient-carrying device have? A. At least three B. At least four C. At least one D. At least two
A. At least three
Which of the following is allowed for EMTs driving an emergency ambulance in most states? A. Exceeding the posted speed limit B. Driving without due regard if the patient is critical C. Proceeding through a red light without slowing D. Speeding through school zones
A. Exceeding the posted speed limit
Which of the following is required to be a part of the on-board, permanently mounted equipment in a basic life support ambulance? A. Fixed suction unit B. AED C. Backboard D. Sterile burn sheets
A. Fixed suction unit
Which of the following is a type of ambulance identified by the U.S. Department of Transportation? A. Medium duty B. ALS C. BLS D. Type A
A. Medium duty
Which phase of an ambulance call is characterized by receiving a report from the off-going shift and checking the functionality of equipment? A. Preparing for the ambulance call B. Terminating the call C. Receiving and responding to a call D. Transferring the patient to the ambulance
A. Preparing for the ambulance call
When heading back to quarters, on what should you place your emphasis? A. Returning safely B. Documenting the call C. Refueling the ambulance for the next call D. Reorganizing the ambulance
A. Returning safely
Which of the following is the correct order of operations when transferring a stable patient from his or her house to the ambulance? A. Select the proper patient-carrying device, package the patient for transport, move the patient to the ambulance, and load the patient into the ambulance. B. Package the patient for transport, select the proper patient-carrying device, move the patient to the ambulance, and load the patient into the ambulance. C. Select the proper patient-carrying device, move the patient to the ambulance, package the patient for transport, and load the patient into the ambulance. D. Package the patient for transport, move the patient to the ambulance, select the proper patient-carrying device, and load the patient into the ambulance.
A. Select the proper patient-carrying device, package the patient for transport, move the patient to the ambulance, and load the patient into the ambulance.
You have transported a stable patient with complaints of abdominal pain for the last three weeks to the hospital. On arrival, you notice the emergency department is very busy and there are no empty beds to be found. You have attempted to get the attention of a hospital staff member to transfer the patient, but all are currently helping other patients. Your partner tells you to take the patient to the waiting room and leave him because the dispatcher of your service is holding several serious calls. What could possibly happen to you if you leave the patient in this fashion? A. You could possibly be charged with abandonment. B. You could possibly be charged with false imprisonment. C. Nothing; there are other people who are in need of an ambulance. D. Nothing, provided that your supervisor authorizes this action.
A. You could possibly be charged with abandonment.
After you clean up blood, vomitus, and other body fluids that have soiled the floor of your ambulance, you wipe down any equipment that has been splashed. Place disposable towels you used to clean up blood or body fluids directly in: A. a red biohazard bag. B. any biohazard container nearby. C. a nearby wastebasket. D. a clear plastic bag marked "disposables."
A. a red biohazard bag.
Tests have shown that ________ ambulance operators tend to speed up by 10 to 15 miles per hour when the siren is sounding. A. inexperienced B. all C. experienced D. privately employed
A. inexperienced
The process of combining the patient and patient-carrying device into a unit ready for moving and transporting the patient is called: A. packaging. B. wrapping. C. immobilizing. D. loading.
A. packaging.
When deciding whether or not to drive to the hospital with lights and siren activated for any patient, the driver should consider: A. potential risks of making the patient's condition worse. B. the patient's past medical history. C. how many calls are waiting for an available ambulance. D. the patient's preference for lights and siren.
A. potential risks of making the patient's condition worse.
When arriving as the first unit at the location of a motor vehicle collision on an interstate highway, you should position the ambulance so that: A. the crash is blocked by traffic with your vehicle as a barrier. B. it is at the bottom of the nearest on-ramp. C. you are nearest to the command post for easy communications with the incident commander. D. it is between the damaged vehicles.
A. the crash is blocked by traffic with your vehicle as a barrier.
It is not necessary for an Emergency Medical Dispatcher to ask for a call-back number if: A. the system is an enhanced 911 system. B. the patient is a minor. C. the chief complaint doesn't seem life-threatening. D. the chief complaint doesn't seem urgent.
A. the system is an enhanced 911 system.
Drivers expect a vehicle operating four-way flashers to be: A. traveling at a very slow speed. B. about to make a turn. C. easier to pass quickly. D. responding to an emergency.
A. traveling at a very slow speed.
Operators of emergency vehicles must drive with the safety of others in mind. This is known as driving: A. with due regard. B. as a public servant. C. with emergency privilege. D. defensively.
A. with due regard.
While staffing an emergency services dispatch center, an Emergency Medical Dispatcher (EMD) receives a call from someone who is very upset and screaming that her friend was just shot. Which of the following does the EMD need to do in this situation? A. Provide the caller with information about local hospitals. B. Ask the caller for her phone number. C. Notify the victim's family of the incident. D. Determine the location of the shooter.
B. Ask the caller for her phone number.
Which of the following is not essential equipment on an ambulance? A. Portable suction unit B. Automatic transport ventilator C. Pediatric oxygen administration devices D. Portable oxygen tanks
B. Automatic transport ventilator
Which of the following is NOT one of the actions necessary to ready an ambulance for its engine-on inspection? A. Set the parking brake, and put the transmission in park. B. Check the level of the fluids. C. Pull the ambulance from quarters, if engine exhaust fumes will be a problem. D. Have your partner chock the wheels.
B. Check the level of the fluids.
Which of the following is optional equipment? A. Disinfectant solution B. Infant oxygen masks C. Flashlights D. Lubricating jelly
B. Infant oxygen masks
Which of the following represents best practice when responding to a highway incident? A. Parking immediately behind the first unit on scene when you are a secondary unit B. Keeping the ambulance on the same side of the road as the incident C. Using the crossover on a limited-access highway during peak traffic hours D. Using emergency lighting rather than cones or flares to warn traffic of the incident
B. Keeping the ambulance on the same side of the road as the incident
What information should be given to the hospital staff first in providing a transfer of care report? A. Always start with the patient's age, sex, and chief complaint. B. The most important information should be provided first, such as any changes in the patient's condition. C. Start by asking the hospital staff what they want to know. D. The patient's insurance and primary physician should be provided first.
B. The most important information should be provided first, such as any changes in the patient's condition.
Which of the following operational reasons warrant the use of helicopter transport from the scene to a medical facility? A. The patient may go into shock shortly. B. The patient is located in a remote area. C. The distance to the medical facility is 15 minutes away. D. The patient is in cardiac arrest.
B. The patient is located in a remote area.
Which of the following statements about crossovers on highways is true? A. They are the safest way to turn around. B. They can be dangerous. C. They require a police escort. D. Ambulances are not permitted to use them.
B. They can be dangerous.
Which of the following is a type of ambulance identified by the U.S. Department of Transportation? A. Type A B. Type I C. Modu-van D. Rescue squad
B. Type I
The U.S. Department of Transportation has issued specifications for all of the following types of ambulances except: A. Type I. B. Type IV. C. Type II. D. Type III.
B. Type IV.
Disregarding certain traffic laws while responding to an emergency is: A. permitted only when a critical patient is on board. B. a privilege granted under law. C. against the law. D. legal only for municipal employees.
B. a privilege granted under law.
You are delivering a stable patient to the emergency department. Hospital personnel are busy, and you have a call holding. You transfer the patient to a hospital bed and hand the patient a copy of the patient care report. This is an example of: A. patient advocacy. B. abandonment. C. providing a written report. D. transfer of care.
B. abandonment.
Lock a wheeled stretcher to prevent movement in the ambulance: A. only in an emergency. B. at both ends. C. at the foot. D. at the head.
B. at both ends.
Two-way communications equipment is required on basic life support ambulances for communication between the EMS provider, the dispatcher, and: A. police and fire department personnel. B. medical direction. C. the patient's physician. D. other units.
B. medical direction.
You are at the scene of a vehicle collision and have found that there is one patient who is in stable condition. At this point, the call can be categorized as: A. a non-incident. B. no longer a true emergency. C. triaged. D. an unfounded call.
B. no longer a true emergency.
If you are not the primary or first-arriving unit to the scene of a highway collision, then: A. determine the resources needed when the primary unit has sized up the scene. B. park or stage your unit near the on-ramp. C. size up the incident from a distance. D. park next to the primary unit for staging.
B. park or stage your unit near the on-ramp.
If you are the first unit on the scene of an accident on the highway, you should: A. set up your staging area on a crossover. B. use your vehicle to protect the scene. C. set up a safe area to stage behind the incident. D. wait in your vehicle for additional units.
B. use your vehicle to protect the scene.
Because of the extra equipment now placed on ambulances for specialty rescue, advanced life support, and hazardous materials operations, their gross vehicle weight has been easily exceeded in some communities. This has necessitated introduction of a ________ truck chassis built for rugged durability and large storage and work areas. A. heavy-duty B. medium-duty C. specialty weight D. lightweight
B. medium-duty
What is an appropriate-sized landing zone for a helicopter? A. 75 feet by 75 feet B. 50 feet by 50 feet C. 100 feet by 100 feet D. 25 feet by 25 feet
C. 100 feet by 100 feet
At which point should you complete your prehospital care report (PCR)? A. At the end of your shift B. En route to the hospital C. As soon as you are free from patient duties D. As soon as you arrive at the hospital
C. As soon as you are free from patient duties
At what point for most services should your daily vehicle inspection checklist be performed? A. On being dispatched for your first call of the shift B. On returning to service after the first call of the shift C. At the beginning of your shift, before your first call D. When you arrive at the scene of the first call of your shift
C. At the beginning of your shift, before your first call
Full immobilization of a trauma patient, including placing a cervical collar and securing the patient to a backboard, should take place at which of the following points in time? A. En route to the hospital B. Before the primary assessment C. Before moving the patient to the ambulance D. After checking for cervical range of motion
C. Before moving the patient to the ambulance
Which of the following must be done during patient transport? A. Communication with medical direction B. Completion of the patient care report C. Continuous monitoring of the patient D. Confirmation of your field impression
C. Continuous monitoring of the patient
The medical acronym EMD stands for which of the following? A. Emergency Medical Doctor B. Emergency Medical Director C. Emergency Medical Dispatcher D. Emergency Medical Driver
C. Emergency Medical Dispatcher
Which of the following is true regarding helicopter transport and safety? A. Keep traffic and vehicles at least 30 feet from the helicopter. B. Approach a parked helicopter from the uphill side when the aircraft is on a hill. C. Helicopter crew should direct the loading of the patient. D. Always walk around the back of the helicopter near the tail rotor.
C. Helicopter crew should direct the loading of the patient.
Which of the following fluids is not checked by an EMT? A. Transmission B. Coolant C. Hydraulic D. Oil
C. Hydraulic
Which of the following is NOT a basic guideline for safe driving? A. Minimize lights-and-siren "hot" responses. B. Come to a complete stop at intersections. C. Ignore GPS and other distractions. D. Wear your seat belts.
C. Ignore GPS and other distractions.
Which of the following ambulance types is built for rugged durability and large storage? A. Type III B. Type I C. Medium duty D. Light duty
C. Medium duty
At the landing zone for a medical helicopter, which of the following actions is appropriate? A. If the landing zone is not flat, approach from the uphill side. B. Approach as soon as the helicopter skids touch the ground. C. Only approach when escorted by the flight personnel. D. Approach fully erect from the direction of the tail rotor.
C. Only approach when escorted by the flight personnel.
Which of the following contributes most significantly to the occurrence of ambulance crashes? A. Time of day B. Size of the vehicle C. Speed of the vehicle D. Weather conditions
C. Speed of the vehicle
Which of the following is most clearly a legitimate reason for requesting air medical transport of a critical patient? A. The receiving hospital is in the response area. B. The weather is stormy, and visibility is low for ground transportation. C. The facility that is capable of caring for the patient is 45 minutes away by ground. D. Extrication of a high-priority patient can be completed quickly.
C. The facility that is capable of caring for the patient is 45 minutes away by ground.
Which of the following statements about passing other vehicles in a no-passing zone on an emergency call is true? A. Ignore precautions against danger to property. B. Signaling is unnecessary. C. The way must be clear. D. Never pass a school bus under any circumstances.
C. The way must be clear.
Which of the following is a purpose for carrying an aluminum foil roll on an ambulance? A. To control major arterial bleeding B. To care for amputated parts C. To keep a newborn warm D. None of the above
C. To keep a newborn warm
Failure to formally transfer the patient to medical staff in the emergency department could place the EMT in danger of being held liable for: A. unlawful consent. B. patient endangerment. C. abandonment. D. false imprisonment.
C. abandonment.
Before removing any pressure caps, you should: A. chock the wheels. B. pull the ambulance from quarters. C. allow the engine to cool. D. turn on the engine.
C. allow the engine to cool.
Police escorts of ambulances driving at emergency status are typically discouraged because: A. there is no guarantee that the police officer knows where the call is located. B. police officers are not accustomed to driving an ambulance. C. drivers who pull over for the police officer often pull back in front of the ambulance. D. ambulances do not move as fast as police cruisers.
C. drivers who pull over for the police officer often pull back in front of the ambulance.
If resuscitation is required, a patient with a suspected spinal injury: A. can be propped on the right side, for drainage of fluids from the mouth. B. can be transported in a sitting position, for comfort. C. must remain supine, with constant monitoring of the airway and suctioning equipment ready. D. can be propped on the left side, for drainage of fluids from the mouth.
C. must remain supine, with constant monitoring of the airway and suctioning equipment ready.
Covering a patient in the ambulance does all of the following except: A. maintain body temperature. B. ensure privacy. C. prevent infection. D. prevent exposure to the elements.
C. prevent infection.
Emergency Medical Dispatchers are trained to: A. administer advanced life support. B. review EMS encounter forms. C. provide prearrival medical instructions. D. provide medical direction.
C. provide prearrival medical instructions.
Obtaining your release from the hospital: A. typically happens only when the chief of emergency medicine authorizes you to go. B. is a formal process involving the completion and approval of a written form. C. simply requires asking the emergency department nurse or physician if you are still needed. D. is implicit upon completion of patient transfer, without your needing to speak to anyone.
C. simply requires asking the emergency department nurse or physician if you are still needed.
Inexperienced ambulance drivers tend to ________ while driving with the siren operating. A. pull to the right B. stop C. speed up D. pull to the left
C. speed up
When using a siren, remember that: A. some drivers will not get out of the way even if they hear the siren, and must be intimidated to allow passage. B. all motorists except those with hearing impairments will hear the siren and respond appropriately. C. the continuous sound of the siren tends to have an effect on the ambulance operators themselves. D. if any driver does not yield, you are required by law to report that motorist's license number.
C. the continuous sound of the siren tends to have an effect on the ambulance operators themselves.
You respond to a major automobile collision involving multiple patients. Which of the following patients would receive Priority 1 transport? A. 45-year-old with no vital signs B. 6-year-old with lower leg fracture and normal vital signs C. 25-year-old with abdominal bruising and signs of shock D. 68-year-old with mild respiratory distress and seat belt burns
C. 25-year-old with abdominal bruising and signs of shock
Which of the following cleaning products or procedures would be appropriate for cleaning and killing germs on ambulance floors and walls? A. Soap and water B. Sterilization C. EPA-approved germicide D. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer
C. EPA-approved germicide
Which of the following should be checked with the vehicle engine turned off? A. Warning lights B. Dash-mounted gauges C. Windshield wiper operation D. Battery
D. Battery
For which of the following purposes would low-level disinfection be appropriate? A. Cleaning your bandage shears B. Cleaning a disposable rigid suction catheter C. Cleaning your stethoscope D. Cleaning the cot mattress surface
D. Cleaning the cot mattress surface
Most state statutes allow an emergency vehicle operator to do which of the following on emergency calls? A. Pass a stopped school bus with its red flashers on. B. Drive around lowered cross-arms at a railroad crossing. C. Be exempt from liability in the event of a collision. D. Exceed posted speed limits if life and property are not endangered.
D. Exceed posted speed limits if life and property are not endangered.
Which of these statements about the general nature of state laws that govern emergency ambulance operations is true? A. In an emergency, saving the patient's life overrides all other considerations. B. Most states allow an exemption for reckless driving performed while responding to an emergency. C. You must use red lights and siren any time you are responding to a call. D. If you do not exercise due regard for the safety of others, you are liable for the consequences.
D. If you do not exercise due regard for the safety of others, you are liable for the consequences.
How will a patient with difficulty breathing but no possibility of a spinal injury likely prefer to be transported? A. Supine B. In a lateral recumbent position C. In Trendelenburg position D. In a seated position
D. In a seated position
Which of the following actions is part of the engine-off ambulance inspection and can be performed in quarters? A. Check dash-mounted gauges for proper operation. B. Test the parking brake. C. Check the headlights. D. Inspect the body of the vehicle.
D. Inspect the body of the vehicle.
Which of the following patients is NOT a candidate for medical helicopter transportation from a crash scene to a trauma center? A. Abdominal trauma with signs of shock B. Penetrating injury to the chest C. Head injury with altered mental status D. Nonhypothermic cardiac arrest
D. Nonhypothermic cardiac arrest
Which of the following is an appropriate infection control measure to be taken at the completion of a call? A. Using sterilization processes for all ambulances surfaces B. Using gel hand sanitizer to clean your hands C. Placing blood-saturated dressings and disposable items in regular hospital waste containers D. Placing soiled linens in an approved dirty linen bag or hamper
D. Placing soiled linens in an approved dirty linen bag or hamper
Which of the following is not a responsibility of the Emergency Medical Dispatcher? A. Coordinating with other public safety agencies B. Prioritizing calls that come in C. Providing emergency instructions to the caller D. Providing medical direction to the responding units
D. Providing medical direction to the responding units
To which of the following guidelines should you adhere when setting up a landing zone for a helicopter? A. Choose ground with a slope of greater than 8 degrees. B. Shine a light into the cockpit as the helicopter approaches, to signal where you are. C. Mark each corner of the landing zone with flares and place a fifth warning device on the downwind side of the landing zone. D. Select an area that is a flat square with 100-foot-long sides.
D. Select an area that is a flat square with 100-foot-long sides.
Regarding ambulance warning devices, which of the following statements is not true? A. In most states it is illegal to drive at night with only one headlight. B. Four-way flashers should not be used as emergency lights. C. It is a good idea for the light package of the ambulance to combine several types of lights. D. The large lights on the outermost corners of the ambulance box should blink alternately.
D. The large lights on the outermost corners of the ambulance box should blink alternately.
Your ambulance is the first emergency vehicle to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle collision. How should you position your ambulance? A. In the median or off to the side of the road B. Immediately behind the vehicle where your patients are, to block the view of people driving by C. Ahead of the collision site, to avoid blocking traffic D. To create a physical barrier between traffic and the scene
D. To create a physical barrier between traffic and the scene
An ambulance is typically classified according to: A. durability. B. weight. C. speed. D. U.S. DOT specifications.
D. U.S. DOT specifications.
Which of the following is the most common device used for loading the patient into the ambulance? A. Scoop stretcher B. Folding backboard C. Stokes basket D. Wheeled ambulance stretcher
D. Wheeled ambulance stretcher
The K-Specs standards deal with: A. air evacuation of trauma victims. B. minimum standard medical protocols. C. training and education of field personnel. D. ambulance design.
D. ambulance design.
When transferring a patient to the ambulance, you must: A. use at least three rescuers. B. place the patient in the position of comfort. C. protect the patient's cervical spine. D. appropriately package the patient.
D. appropriately package the patient.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, many ground ambulance collisions occur: A. on wet roads. B. during inclement weather. C. at night. D. at intersections.
D. at intersections.
After responding to the scene of a patient complaining of difficulty breathing, you and your partner determine that the patient's condition is not life threatening based on a thorough assessment. You should transport the patient to an appropriate medical facility with: A. the emergency lights on, but without activating the siren. B. the emergency lights off, but activating the siren when traffic builds. C. both lights and siren activated. D. neither lights nor siren activated.
D. neither lights nor siren activated.
To make up an ambulance cot, you would first: A. remove all unsoiled blankets and pillows. B. clean the mattress surface. C. remove all soiled linen. D. raise the cot to a high-level position.
D. raise the cot to a high-level position.
An obstetrical kit should be kept on board all basic life support ambulances that is: A. included with other sterile items in a case. B. sufficient to provide ALS services to patients in labor. C. fixed and rigid. D. separate and sterile.
D. separate and sterile.
Among the miscellaneous equipment typically required on a basic life support ambulance is a: A. mobile phone. B. pediatric stethoscope. C. infant oxygen mask. D. sphygmomanometer.
D. sphygmomanometer.
When engaged in a nonemergency transport in an authorized vehicle while functioning as an EMT for an authorized emergency service, the actions you take while driving are: A. covered by your service's insurance carrier. B. not likely to result in an investigation in the event of a collision. C. allowable, provided you do not exceed 15 mph above the posted speed limit. D. subject to laws that govern all drivers.
D. subject to laws that govern all drivers.
For location, an Emergency Medical Dispatcher does NOT need: A. the nearest cross street. B. the name of the development or subdivision. C. the street name, with the direction designator. D. the exact route to the location from currently available responders.
D. the exact route to the location from currently available responders.
A true emergency requiring the emergency mode of ambulance operation is typically defined as: A. any traumatic injury requiring an EMS call. B. any medical condition requiring an EMS call. C. respiratory distress. D. the possibility of loss of life or limb.
D. the possibility of loss of life or limb.
When answering a call for help, an Emergency Medical Dispatcher will ask all of the following questions except which one? A. "What's the problem?" B. "What is your call-back number?" C. "What is your location?" D. "What is your insurance provider?"
D. "What is your insurance provider?"