EMS Chapter 8

Backboards are commonly used for patients who are found lying down. TrueFalse

True Correct. Backboards are commonly used for patients who are found lying down.

Bariatrics

A branch of medicine concerned with the management (prevention or control) of obesity and allied diseases.

Backboard

A long, flat board made of rigid, rectangular material that is used to provide support to a patient who is suspected of having a hip, pelvic, spinal, or lower extremity injury; also called a spine board, trauma board, and longboard.

Basket Stretcher

A rigid stretcher commonly used in technical and water rescues that surrounds and supports the patient yet allows water to drain through holes in the bottom. Also called a Stokes litter.

When pulling a patient, you should extend your arms no more than ________ in front of your torso. Select one: A. 15 to 20 inches B. 5 to 10 inches C. 20 to 30 inches D. 10 to 15 inches

A. 15 to 20 inches

You are attending to a 26-year-old female who is 34 weeks pregnant with her first child. Your patient has been having lower abdominal pains and cramping for the past two hours. In placing your patient on the stretcher and preparing for transport, you should place her: Select one: A. in a position of comfort. B. on her left side. C. supine with her legs elevated. D. in the Fowler position.

B. on her left side.

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate device to use when immobilizing a patient with a suspected spinal injury? Select one: A. Scoop stretcher B. Portable stretcher C. Long backboard D. Wheeled stretcher

C. Long backboard

Diamond Carry

A carrying technique in which one provider is located at the head end of the stretcher or backboard, one at the foot end, and one at each side of the patient; each of the two providers at the sides uses one hand to support the stretcher or backboard so that all are able to face forward as they walk.

Power Lift

A lifting technique in which the EMT's back is held upright, with legs bent, and the patient is lifted when the EMT straightens the legs to raise the upper body and arms.

Direct Ground Lift

A lifting technique that is used for patients who are found lying supine on the ground with no suspected spinal injury.

Extremity Lift

A lifting technique that is used for patients who are supine or in a sitting position with no suspected extremity or spinal injuries.

Stair Chair

A lightweight folding device that is used to carry a conscious, seated patient up or down stairs.

Emergency Move

A move in which the patient is dragged or pulled from a dangerous scene before assessment and care are provided.

Wheeled Ambulance Stretcher

A specially designed stretcher that can be rolled along the ground. A collapsible undercarriage allows it to be loaded into the ambulance. Also called the stretcher or an ambulance stretcher.

Flexible Stretcher

A stretcher that is a rigid carrying device when secured around a patient but can be folded or rolled when not in use.

Scoop Stretcher

A stretcher that is designed to be split into two or four sections that can be fitted around a patient who is lying on the ground or other relatively flat surface; also called an orthopedic stretcher.

Portable Stretcher

A stretcher with a strong, rectangular, tubular metal frame and rigid fabric stretched across it.

Power Grip

A technique in which the stretcher or backboard is gripped by inserting each hand under the handle with the palm facing up and the thumb extended, fully supporting the underside of the handle on the curved palm with the fingers and thumb.

Rapid Extrication Technique

A technique to move a patient from a sitting position inside a vehicle to supine on a backboard in less than 1 minute when conditions do not allow for standard immobilization.

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? Select one: A. Rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag. B. Perform a rapid assessment and then move the patients from their residence. C. Quickly exit the residence and request the fire department to move the patients. D. Request another ambulance to assist with lifting and moving the patients.

A. Rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag.

When performing the rapid extrication technique to remove a patient from his or her vehicle, you should: Select one: A. apply a cervical collar and remove the patient on a long backboard. B. apply a vest-style extrication device prior to moving the patient. C. grasp the patient by the clothing and drag him or her from the car. D. apply a cervical collar and immobilize the patient on a short backboard.

A. apply a cervical collar and remove the patient on a long backboard.

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

A. avoid pushing the patient with your elbows fully extended.

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

A. increased stability from a wider wheelbase.

The MOST serious consequence of a poorly planned or rushed patient move is: Select one: A. injury to you or your patient. B. confusion among team members. C. unnecessarily wasting time. D. causing patient anxiety or fear.

A. injury to you or your patient.

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

A. using a wheeled stretcher whenever possible.

It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease. Select one: A. throw out B. decontaminate C. properly store D. incinerate

B. decontaminate

The direct carry is used to transfer a patient: Select one: A. with a possible cervical spine injury. B. from a bed to the ambulance stretcher. C. with multiple long bone injuries. D. who cannot be placed on a backboard.

B. from a bed to the ambulance stretcher.

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

B. sacrum

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

B. use preparatory commands to initiate any moves.

You are dispatched to a house where an 80-year-old woman has fallen in an upstairs bathroom and hit her head on the sink. When you arrive she is unconscious. Which is the best equipment to use to move her to the ambulance? Stair chair Backboard Stretcher Stokes litter

Backboard: Because the patient is unconscious and must be moved down a flight of stairs, a backboard is the best equipment to move her.

Which of the following statements regarding the scoop stretcher is NOT correct? Select one: A. Both sides of the patient must be accessible for a scoop stretcher to be used. B. The construction of the scoop stretcher prohibits X-rays while the patient is on it. C. A scoop stretcher will provide adequate immobilization of a patient's spinal column. D. You must fully secure the patient to the scoop stretcher before moving him or her.

C. A scoop stretcher will provide adequate immobilization of a patient's spinal column.

Which is the MOST appropriate method to use when moving a patient from his or her bed to a wheeled stretcher? Select one: A. Direct carry B. Extremity carry C. Draw sheet method D. Log roll

C. Draw sheet method

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

C. four

You are attending to a 22-year-old female patient who has overdosed. The patient is unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom. The most appropriate way to bring the patient downstairs is: Select one: A. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the foot end. B. secured to a stair chair with the strongest provider at the foot end. C. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the head end. D. secured to a stair chair with the strongest provider at the head end.

C. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the head end.

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

D. A conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain

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

D. back is bent forward at the hips.

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

D. with a deformed humerus.

When lifting a backboard, you should use which of the following? Lateral lift Diamond carry Dead lift Power lift

Diamond carry A patient on a backboard or stretcher can be lifted and carried by four providers in a diamond carry, with one provider at the head end of the device, one at the foot end, and one at each side of the patient's torso.

You are called to a scene where a 40-year-old man was clearing trees in a remote area and was struck by a falling tree. When you arrive, he is conscious but the tree is laying across his lower legs. How should you remove the victim once the tree is removed? Power lift Clothes drag Extremity lift Direct lift

Direct lift: You should use a direct lift for patients with no suspected spinal injury who are lying supine and need to be carried some distance to be placed on a stretcher.

When carrying a patient down a flight of stairs on a backboard, which person should be at the head end of the backboard? Jerry, who is 6'2" and strong Tina, who is 5'4" and is the most flexible of the team Tom, who is 5'10" and has average upper body strength and superior lower body strength Doug, who is 5'8" and a weightlifter

Doug, who is 5'8" and a weightlifter Doug should be at the head of the backboard because he is strong and is shorter than Jerry, the other strong team member.

To avoid the strain of unnecessary lifting and carrying, which of the following should you use when moving a patient from the ground onto a stretcher? Draw sheet method Direct carry Extremity lift Stair chair

Draw sheet method: Using the draw sheet method can help you avoid the strain of unnecessary lifting and carrying.

A power grip involves grasping a stretcher or backboard with the hand placed palm down over the handle. TrueFalse

False Correct. A power grip involves inserting each hand under the handle with the palm facing up and the thumb extended upward. You should never grasp a stretcher or backboard with the hand placed palm down over the handle.

Lifting by extending the properly placed flexed legs is the most powerful way to lift and is called an emergency move. TrueFalse

False Correct. Lifting by extending the properly placed flexed legs is the most powerful way to lift and is called a power lift.

You are responding to an accident where a 25-year-old female fell 15 feet while rock climbing. The terrain is steep and there is not much space to work. Which device should you use? Scoop stretcher Vacuum mattress Flexible stretcher Kendrick Extrication Device (KED)

Flexible stretcher: A flexible stretcher can be used if the patient must be belayed or rappelled by ropes or is in a confined space.

You are transporting a 50-year-old patient who reports respiratory distress but has no other indications of other injury or illness. What is the best position in which to place this patient? Immobilized Fowler/semi-Fowler Supine Recovery

Fowler/semi-Fowler

When lifting the patient, it is imperative to use which proper body mechanics? Hold your back in an upright position. Keep your feet close together. Bend as far forward at the hips as possible. Extend your arms out as far as possible.

Hold your back in an upright position. You should keep your spine aligned and upright.

The scoop stretcher is also known as what? Orthopedic stretcher Flexible litter Basket litter Ambulance stretcher

Orthopedic stretcher

Which of the following is an example of an urgent move? Extremity lift Rapid extrication technique Clothes drag One-person walking assist

Rapid extrication technique A rapid extrication technique is an urgent move.

Body Mechanics

The relationship between the body's anatomical structures and the physical forces associated with lifting, moving and carrying; the ways in which the body moves to achieve a specific action.

Whenever you grasp a stretcher or backboard, your hands should be at least 10 inches (25 cm) apart. TrueFalse

True Correct. Whenever you grasp a stretcher or backboard, your hands should be at least 10 inches (25 cm) apart.

In a ________ carry, one provider must walk backward. Diamond One-handed Two-person Firefighter

Two-person Correct. In a two-person carry, one of the providers must walk backward.