Chapter 3: Lifting and Moving Patients [Pre/Post Test]
An ideal lifting arrangement is:
A. EMTs of different heights. B. EMTs with similar physical limitations. {C.} EMTs of similar strength and height. D. EMTs of different weights.
In reaching, what should be done every time?
A. Prolong the reach. B. Twist. C. Reach more than fifteen inches. {D.} Have a locked-in back.
You and your partner decide to use a short backboard to immobilize a patient. This patient is:
A. elderly or a child. {B.} possibly injured in the neck or spine. C. critically injured. D. obese.
During a cradle carry, one arm is across the patient's back and the other:
A. under her ankles. B. hanging free. C. around her neck. {D.} under her knees. [During a cradle carry, one arm is across the patient's back and the other under her knees.]
When lifting a stretcher or backboard, which of the following is the best number of people to use?
A. 7 {B.} 4 C. 3 D. 5 [You should always use an even number of people.]
Your patient is a 22-year-old female who was involved in a low-speed car crash. Her only complaint is some tenderness in her neck. What is the MOST appropriate way to care for her?
A. Ask her to sit on the long backboard on your stretcher, and strap her in B. Use the rapid extrication technique C. Use a long backboard to remove her from the vehicle {D.} Apply a short backboard while she is seated in the car [Because this is a non-urgent move, there are no indications for a rapid extrication, and you suspect that there may be a spine injury. Therefore, it is most appropriate to use the short spine device to immobilize the patient before moving her.]
Which of the choices is a CORRECT statement when transferring a patient from his or her bed to the stair chair?
A. Do not use the track to control the rate of descent. B. Do not use the straps that restrain the legs while carrying the patient. C. Do not use the device for noncritical patients. {D.} Do not use the device for unresponsive patients. [Contraindications for the stair chair include unresponsive patients and patients with possible spinal injury.]
If the weight is below your waist level, what is the proper position for pushing or pulling?
A. From a bent-over position. B. From a squatting position. C. From a standing position. {D.} From a kneeling position. [If the weight is below your waist level, pushing or pulling from a kneeling position is the proper position.]
Which of the following must be avoided in lifting?
A. Moving the patient quickly {B.} Twisting C. Use of the arm muscles D. Use of the large muscles of your legs [Twisting while lifting or carrying a patient can place an uneven load on the vertebrae of the spine, with the result that intervertebral disks could slip, causing a back injury. If you need to twist while lifting or carrying, shuffle your feet as you turn and avoid twisting with your back.]
During which type of drag should you take care not to bump the patient's head?
A. Shoulder B. Clothes C. Incline {D.} Foot [Take care not to bump the patient's head during a foot drag.]
Which of the following is an advantage of a vacuum mattress?
A. The cervical collar can be removed. {B.} It naturally pads voids for greater comfort. C. It does not require a pump. D. The device is nonconforming. [Vacuum mattresses naturally pad voids as air is withdrawn.]
In moving a patient on a stretcher, what is the safest level at which to do so?
A. The reclined position {B.} Closest to the ground C. A fully elevated position D. Mid-elevated from the ground
Before lifting any patient, consider the patient's:
A. cultural requirements. {B.} weight. C. physical fitness. D. gender.
The safest and MOST efficient methods for using one's body to facilitate lifting and moving are called:
A. lifting mechanics. B. lifting techniques. C. body structures. {D.} body mechanics.
An emergency move would be permitted in order to change a patient's position in a situation in which you:
A. need to splint an open fracture. B. need to apply a cervical spine collar. C. must assess the patient. {D.} need to perform CPR.
What is the BEST way to transport a patient securely who is suspected of having a spinal injury?
A. Semi-Fowler's on the cot with the five-point harness attached B. Sitting in the stair chair with the lap and shoulder belt on C. Supine on a scoop stretcher {D.} Fully immobilized with necessary spinal precautions
When a stretcher is lifted, the number of rescuers lifting from the head and foot of the stretcher should be:
A. three. B. one. C. four. {D.} two. [When the stretcher is lifted, two EMTs should lift at opposite ends of the stretcher]
Which of the following techniques will NOT contribute to the safe and efficient movement of a patient from an upstairs bedroom to the ambulance?
{A.} Calling for assistance only if you find that you and your partner cannot lift the patient B. Being aware of the physical abilities and limitations of each team member C. Sizing up the scene accurately D. Using the most appropriate equipment for the job [Before lifting the patient, the EMTs on scene should take a moment to accurately appraise the patient's weight and the capabilities of the first crew on scene. Call for help early, not after you learn that you cannot move the patient, because then you are placing the patient and yourself at greater risk of injury.]
When assessing a patient, you quickly decide that it is in the patient's best interest for you to do an emergency move. Which of the following is NOT an indication for an emergency move?
{A.} Dispatch is holding calls for your community. B. There is immediate danger to you. C. You are unable to provide lifesaving care to the patient because of the patient's location. D. You are unable to gain access to other patients who need lifesaving care.
Your patient is conscious, has no trauma, and is complaining of dyspnea. The patient is concerned that transport will aggravate the breathing difficulty. Which of the following is most likely the BEST way to position the patient during transport that would also address this patient's concern?
A. Left recumbent on a wheeled stretcher {B.} Sitting upright in a stair chair C. Supine on a vacuum mattress D. Lying flat on a long spine board
Which of the following is recommended when moving something heavy?
A. Reaching B. Pulling {C.} Pushing D. Twisting
Which is useful for narrow hallways but is not used for immobilization of a patient?
A. Short spine board B. Rigid cervical collar C. Long spine board {D.} Flexible stretcher [A flexible stretcher is made of canvas or some other rubberized or flexible material, often with wooden slats sewn into pockets, and has three carrying handles on each side. It is useful for narrow hallways but is not a device for immobilization of a patient.]
What are body mechanics?
A. The ability to use mechanical lift devices to help you carry heavier loads B. The process by which you package the patient and carry him or her to the ambulance {C.} The proper use of your body to prevent injury and facilitate lifting and moving .D. Research into how to minimize back pain while maximizing the weight that you can lift and carry in an emergency [Body mechanics is the proper use of your body to prevent injury and facilitate lifting and moving.]
Which of the following is an indication for an emergency move?
A. The patient is yelling for you to "hurry up." B. You need to practice your lifting technique. {C.} You are unable to gain access to other patients who need lifesaving care. D. Dispatch needs you to clear rapidly, as EMS calls are backing up. [Indications for an emergency move include (1) immediate environmental danger to the patient or rescuer, (2) inability to gain access to other patients who need lifesaving care, and (3) inability to provide lifesaving care because of the patient's location or position.]
Emergency moves may be necessary if:
A. additional calls are holding. {B.} there is a threat of fire or possible explosion. C. There is a meeting later in the afternoon that you do not want to miss. D. the patient is really screaming. [There are three situations that may require the use of an emergency move: The scene is hazardous, care of life-threatening conditions requires repositioning, or you must reach other patients.]
In a Fowler or semi-Fowler position, it is normal and not a cause for concern if the patient:
A. becomes unresponsive. B. experiences an occluded airway. {C.} is in a semi-sitting position. D. vomits. [Take special care when carrying a patient in a Fowler or semi-Fowler position in case the patient vomits. Also monitor that the patient does not become unresponsive or develop airway problems. The Fowler or semi-Fowler position is a semi-sitting position, so that is normal and expected.]
The term that has to do with patients who are significantly overweight or obese is:
A. calorimetric. {B.} bariatric C. geriatric. D. pediatric [Bariatric is the term that has to do with patients who are significantly overweight or obese.]
An efficient way of transferring a patient between a hospital and nursing home that uses the patient's bed in the transfer is the:
A. direct carry method. B. extremity lift. {C.} draw-sheet method. D. direct ground lift.
A method of transferring a patient from bed to stretcher, during which two or more rescuers curl the patient to their chests then reverse the process to lower the patient to the stretcher, is:
A. direct ground lift. B. draw-sheet method. {C.} direct carry. D. body mechanics
You arrive on scene and assess the need for a bariatric ambulance for transport of a patient because the patient is:
A. elderly. B. a child. C. violent. {D.} obese.
You want to navigate a responsive patient down several narrow, curving stairways. You want to transport the patient in a sitting position, which means you use a:
A. long backboard. B. scoop stretcher. C. wheeled stretcher. {D.} stair chair. [A stair chair is useful when a wheeled stretcher cannot traverse narrow corridors and doorways, small elevators, and stairways. The benefit of this device is that the patient is in a sitting position, which makes it easier to navigate steps, small elevators, and other types of confined spaces.]
Of the two types of spine boards, the one used for the transport of patients in the supine position is the:
A. pediatric spine board. B. padded spine board. C. pneumatic spine board. {D.} long spine board.
To use your legs instead of your back to lift, you must:
A. place your palms downward. B. keep the weight at arm's length. {C.} keep the weight close to your body. D. lock both elbows straight.
When pushing or pulling, you should:
A. reach and twist at the same time. B. keep your back in a bent position for flexibility. C. push or pull overhead whenever possible. {D.} keep the line of pull through the center of your body. [When pushing or pulling, you should keep the line of pull through the center of your body.]
To minimize or prevent aggravation of a spinal injury during an emergency move, the EMT should move the patient in the direction of the:
A. short axis of the body. {B.} long axis of the body. C. vertical axis of the body. D. lateral axis of the body.
Forming a plan for lifting and carrying a patient should be:
A. unnecessary in cases when extra help is available. {B.} communicated to your partner before putting the plan into action. C. done before assessing the weight of the patient. D. done before assessing your own physical limitations. [Communicate your plan for lifting and carrying a patient to your partner before putting the plan into action, but continue to communicate about the plan while performing it.]
Which of the following techniques is used by power weight lifters?
A. Knee-chest lift B. Squat thrust C. Clean-and-jerk lift {D.} Power lift
A stair chair should be used in which of the following circumstances?
{A.} When traversing narrow corridors and doorways B. When the patient has a lower-extremity injury C. When the patient has a suspected spinal injury D. When the patient has altered mental status
When lifting, keep the weight:
{A.} close to your body. B. higher than your shoulders. C. away from your body. D. lower than your knees. [When lifting, keep the weight as close as possible to your body.]
An important key to preventing injury while lifting or moving is:
{A.} not compensating when lifting with one hand. B. maintaining an outward curve of the back to reduce the potential for spinal injury. C. extending or flexing the wrists and knees to prevent injury to the extremities. D. using manual force instead of equipment when possible.
Bending all fingers at the same angle and placing the hands ten inches apart are two key elements of the:
{A.} power grip. B. stretcher operation. C. power lift. D. traction lift.
When executing a power lift, to keep the weight as close to your body as possible:
{A.} straddle it if possible. B. bend forward over the weight. C. lift from the back. D. lift from in front. [To keep the weight as close as possible to your body during a power lift, straddle the weight if possible.]
An obese patient is upset that a special stretcher is to be used for him and that you have called for a bariatric ambulance. The BEST way to respond is to explain that:
{A.} this equipment enables you to provide the best assessment and care for the patient. B. you and other EMTs must avoid overexerting themselves as much as possible. C. this situation indicates another reason to lose weight other than health benefits. D. it's a lucky thing that such equipment is available for use with this patient.
How many rescuers are recommended in moving a patient with a stair chair?
{A.} Three B.One C.Two D.Five [At least two rescuers are needed, but three are recommended: two to lift and one to serve as a spotter.]