EMS Scene Size Up

What is an example of a mechanism of injury?

A fall from a ladder

What is an index of suspicion?

Expectations about a patient's injury based on the mechanism of injury (MOI)

You and your partner respond to a collision. You determine that the scene is safe and approach the damaged vehicle to assess the driver. Suddenly, you notice a strong smell of gasoline. You notice a 5-gallon gas container leaking liquid in the back seat. What should you do?

Immediately remove the patient to a safe distance from the vehicle and call for additional support

During scene size up, calls are typically classified as which two categories?

Medical or Trauma

Which of the four factors should be considered when evaluating a fall?

Surface the patient landed on Area of the body impacted first Interruptions to the fall Distance of the fall

Why is it important to determine the total number of ill or injured patients at a scene?

The number of patients will determine how to proceed with the assessment and whether or not additional support is needed

What is a nature of illness?

A patient's medical problem

Why must EMS professionals look for placards on a commercial vehicle involved in a collision?

A placard will indicate the presence of hazardous materials on-board

You have been dispatched to a home where several roommates are complaining of flu-like symptoms and headaches. What potential hazard could you suspect at this type of scene?

A toxic substance, such as carbon monoxide

Why are EMS professionals required to take body substance isolation (BSI) precautions?

Emergency scenes involve unexpected contact with body fluids that could infect emergency workers

You and your partner respond to a three-car, high-speed collision on the expressway involving multiple patients, bleeding, unresponsiveness, and a vehicle on fire. As you arrive at the scene, you are careful to assess the area for safety hazards. What possible hazards might you scan for in this situation?

Explosion danger Fire danger Unstable vehicles Leaking fuel

Name the goals of scene size-up?

Identify possible hazards Identify the number of patients Identify if there is a need for additional support Identify the mechanism of injury or nature of illness

You and your partner are the single responding unit to a scene involving multiple casualties. You immediately recognize that the situation is more than you and your partner can handle. What should you do?

Immediately request additional support

You are called to a multiple vehicle accident. When you arrive, you discover six vehicles have been involved in the collision. There appear to be many injured people. What type of situation is this?

Multiple-casualty incident

During the scene size-up, the decision to summon additional support should be based on what?

Number of patients, scene hazards, and patients' conditions

You and your partner arrive and find a patient covered in blood. What PPE should you and your partner wear before approaching the patient?

Protective gown, mask, gloves

You respond to a call involving a patient trapped in a vehicle. Which agency should be summoned for additional support?

Rescue and extrication unit

You arrive at the scene of a vehicle collision. What should be your first course of action?

Scan and evaluate the entire area

You and your partner are dispatched to a fall from a tree. You discover a patient has fallen 15 feet when the branch she was standing on broke. Why is this a significant nature of injury?

Significant MOI