Chapter 5 EMS Communications
Which of the following is not an example of an open-ended question? -"Can you tell me how this all started?" -"Does the pain radiate to your arm or jaw?" -"How did you feel when you awoke today?" -"Can you describe the pain you are feeling?"
"Does the pain radiate to your arm or jaw?"
An elderly man states that he is sad and depressed because his wife recently died of cancer. Which of the following statements from the paramedic demonstrates empathy? -"I understand why you are sad, and I am sad for you. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" -"I'm sorry to hear about your wife, but you should take comfort in the fact that she's in a better place." -"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know how I would feel in your situation, but I am sure it would be similar." -"Your wife's death is very tragic, but perhaps going to the hospital will provide you some relief."
"I'm sorry, sir. I don't know how I would feel in your situation, but I am sure it would be similar."
Encoded
A message is put into a code before it is transmitted
Open-Ended Question
A question that does not have a yes or no answer, and that does not give the patient specific options from which to choose.
Close-Ended Questions
A question that is specific and focused, demanding either a yes or no answer or an answer chosen from specific options.
Ten-Code
A radio code system using the number 10 plus another number
Transceiver
A radio transmitter and receiver housed in a single unit; a two-way radio
Remote Console
A terminal that receives transmissions of telemetry and voice from the field and transmits messages back, usually through the base station
When assessing mental status, you should assess the patient's: -Ability to obey commands. -Balance and agility. -Ability to smile. -Ability to complete activities of daily living.
Ability to obey commands.
If a patient asks for your advice regarding a treatment decision that his or her physician made, you should: -Only give advise if you disagree with the physician. -Advise the patient to consult with his or her physician. -Obtain specific information about the physician's decision. -Give your opinion, but state that you are not a physician.
Advise the patient to consult with his or her physician.
Which of the following is an example of non-verbal communication? -Eye contact -Touch -Posture -All of the above
All of the above
Enhanced 911 System
An emergency call in system in which additional information such as the phone number and location of the caller is recorded automatically through sophisticated telephone and the dispatcher need only confirm the information on the scene
Direct eye contact is a sign of aggression to: -Caretakers. -Animals. -Ambulances. -Physicians.
Animals
Base Station
Assembly of radio equipment consisting of at least a transmitter, receiver, and antenna connection at a fixed location.
If a patient is reluctant to communicate because he or she feels threatened, the paramedic should: -Cautiously approach the patient and use open posturing. -Defer further questioning until the patient appears calm. -Ask a law enforcement officer to help obtain information. -Maintain a position that is at or slightly above the patient.
Cautiously approach the patient and use open posturing.
Therapeutic Communication
Communicating with patients
The FCC requires that communications over frequencies allocated for emergency medical use to be what? -Confined to that use only. -Used for urgent messages. -Used for any messages. -Confined to dispatch use only.
Confined to that use only.
When dealing with hostile patients, you must: -Yell loudly. -Speak softly. -Defer to the police. -None of the above.
Defer to the police.
Emergency Medical Dispatcher
EMD A person who receives information and relays that information in an organised manner during the emergency
The purpose of a closed ended question is to: -Allow the patient to describe what he or she is feeling -Elicit a specific response from the patient -Obtain reliable information about a patient's complaint -Enable the paramedic to gauge the patient's mentation
Elicit a specific response from the patient
When the paramedic encounters a patient who has difficulty communicating, he or she should: -Transport the patient and advise the hospital of the situation -Enlist the help of a family member or primary caregiver -Suspect that the patient may have a psychiatric condition -Try to use sign language when asking a specific question
Enlist the help of a family member or primary caregiver
When dealing with a patient in pain, you should: -Ignore the patient's pain entirely. -Evaluate and ignore the pain. -Discuss and document the pain. -Evaluate and treat the pain.
Evaluate and treat the pain.
Federal Communications System
FCC The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satellite communications, all of which may involve EMS activity.
Statements such as, "Please say more" or "Please feel welcome to tell me about that" are examples of: -Clarification -Facilitation -Sympathy -Reflection
Facilitation
Emergency Medical Dispatch
First aid instructions given by specially trained dispatchers to callers over the telephone while an ambulance is en route to the call.
The term "frequency," as it applies to radio communications, is most accurately defined as: -The number of megahertz per cycle that the radio transmits -A predefined station designed for emergency use only -A relatively long wavelength that produces audible sound -How frequently a radio wave recurs in a given time
How frequently a radio wave recurs in a given time
Assessment of a patient's mental status begins with initial patient contact. The highest form of mental function is the spontaneous expression of: -Grief -Anger -Humor -Compassion
Humor
Hertz
Hz Unit of frequency equal to 1 cycle per second
Noise
In radio communications, interference in a radio signal
Frequency
In radio communications, the number of cycles per second of a signal; inversely related to the wavelength.
Which of the following is not part of the minimum information required for the EMD to gather? -Insurance information -Number of injured -The problem -Exact location
Insurance information
When beginning patient contact, you should start with which of the following? -Introduce yourself. -Use language like, "Hello, honey." -Talk with the patient's family. -Ask the patient's chief complaint.
Introduce yourself
Specific information concerning a patient's condition helps the emergency medical dispatcher (EMD) evaluate the urgency of the situation and decide if he or she needs to provide the caller with prearrival instructions by phone. The EMD should ask all of the following except: -Is the patient conscious? -Is the patient breathing? -Is the patient walking? -Is the patient bleeding badly?
Is the patient walking?
All of the following are external factors that can affect communication with a patient, except: -A disruptive scene. -Sensory impairment. -Language barriers. -Lack of empathy.
Lack of empathy
Cellular Telephones
Low-power radios that communicate through an interconnected series of repeater stations called "cells".
Multiplex
Method by which simultaneous transmission of voice and ECG signals can be achieved over a single radio frequency.
Simplex
Method of radio communication using a single frequency that enables transmission of voice OR ECG signal but is incapable of simultaneous transmission and reception.
Repeater
Miniature transmitter that picks up a radio signal and rebroadcasts it, extending the range of a radio communications system.
Measurable signs that you observe and record are known as what type of information? -Objective -Subjective -Critical -Patient
Objective
What type of questions should be utilized when assessing a patient to encourage the patient to think on his or her own? -Closed -Open-Ended -Open -Close-Ended
Open-Ended
Pervasive Developmental Disorders
PDDs A group of disorders that cause delays in many area of childhood development, such as the development of skills to communicated and interact socially, and may include repetitive body movements and difficulty with changes in routine; this includes autism and Asperger syndrome, among others.
Which of the following would not be part of the medical information during the report to the receiving facility? -Chief complaint -Patient's name -Current vital signs -EMS treatment
Patient's name
UHF has better ________ but shorter _______, and it's energy is readily absorbed by rain and environmental objects. -Clarity; Wavelength -Range; Penetration -Penetration, Range -Wavelength; Clarity
Penetration; Range
Duplex
Radio system using more than one frequency to permit simultaneous transmission and reception.
If patient avoids answering a specific question, you should: -Avoid repeating the question as this may upset the patient. -Redirect him or her to the question to elicit a response. -Conclude that the patient is trying to hide something. -Document that the patient did not answer the question.
Redirect him or her to the question to elicit a response.
A patient states, "I can't catch my breath," and the paramedic responds, "You say you can't catch your breath, ma'am?" This is an example of: -Interpretation -Reflection -Confrontation -Facilitation
Reflection
A(n) ______________ receives a weak signal and retransmits it at a higher power on another frequency. -Duplex -Encoder -Simplex -Repeater
Repeater
If the paramedic is unable to defuse a hostile patient's anger, the paramedic should: -Obtain a signed refusal and depart the scene. -Administer Valium or Haldol for sedation. -Restrain the patient and transport at once. -Request law enforcement assistance if needed.
Request law enforcement assistance if needed.
The basic model of communications involves what parts? -Technical hardware and training in medical terminology. -Sender, clear message, receiver, and feedback loop. -Both A and B -Neither A nor B
Sender, clear message, receiver, and feedback loop.
Trunking
Sharing of radio frequencies by multiple agencies or systems
A system that allows portable units to transmit or receive only in one mode at any given time is known as what? -Simplex -Duplex -Network -Trunking
Simplex
All EMS radio communications are regulated by what? -The DOT -The state EMS board -The FCC -The regional EMS council
The FCC
Wavelength
The distance in a propagating wave from one point to the corresponding point on the next wave.
Interpersonal Communications
The exchange of information between two or more persons
Digital Radio
The microwave transmission of digital signals through space or the atmosphere instead of transmission by radio waves
The effectiveness of an EMS communications network depends the most on what? -The technical hardware used. -The emergency medical dispatch. -The people who use it. -The IT department.
The people who use it.
Very High Frequency (VHF) Band
The portion of the radio frequency spectrum between 30 and 150 mHz
Ultrahigh Frequency (UHF) Band
The portion of the radio frequency spectrum between 300 and 3000 mHz.
Dispatch
To send to a specific destination or send on a task
Biotelemetry
Transmission of physiologic data, such as a ECG, from the patient to a distant point of reception (commonly referred to in EMS as telemetry)
Eye to eye contact with a patient reinforces: -Professional courtesy -Trust and honesty -Sympathy -Passive listening
Trust and honesty
One of the best ways to deal with a patient's fear is to: -Use compassion and professional competence. -Tell the patient what you are going to do. -Tell the patient that there is nothing to be afraid of. -Tell the patient to stop causing problems.
Use compassion and professional competence.
VHF stands for: -Very hurried frequency. -Very high frequency. -Variable hour frequency. -Variable help frequency.
Very high frequency
It would be most appropriate to ask a patient a close-ended question when: -You are trying to obtain medical history information. -You are using complex medical terminology -You are attempting to establish the quality of a patient's pain -The question requires the patient to think.
You are trying to obtain medical history information.
