CH 1- EMS Systems, CH 2- Workforce Safety and Wellness, CH 3- Medical, Legal, and Ethical Issues, CH 4- Communications and Documentation, CH 5- Medical Terminology, CH 6- The Human Body, CH 7- Life-Span Development, CH 8- Lifting and Moving Patients,...
The average pulse rate of persons between 19 and 40 years of age is typically:
70 beats/min
The pulse rate of a child from ages 6 to 12 years is approximately:
70 to 120 beats/min
During each heartbeat, _______ of blood is ejected from the adult heart, an amount called the stroke volume.
70 to 80 mL
At present, the average life expectancy is ________ years, while the maximum life expectancy is estimated at ________ years.
78, 120
The anterior fontanelle fuses together between the ages of:
9 and 18 months
The low normal systolic blood pressure for a 30-year-old is:
90 mm Hg
Which of the following describes the Moro reflex?
The neonate opens his or her arms wide, spreads his or her fingers, and seems to grasp at something after being startled
A trauma patient has a gunshot wound to the left side of the chest, away from the nipple. How should the injury location be described?
anterolateral
Which of the following statements regarding psychosocial development in the adolescent age group is correct?
antisocial behavior and peer pressure peak around 14 to 16 years of age
The major artery that supplies all other arteries with blood is the:
aorta
The _____________ of the heart is the inferior portion of the ventricles
apex
An unrestrained patient is sitting in his car after an automobile crash. He is conscious and alert, has no visible trauma, and is complaining of neck and back pain. Before removing him from his car, you should:
apply a cervical collar and immoblize him with a vest-style device
When performing the rapi extrication technique to remove a patient from his or her vehicle, you should:
apply a cervical collar and remove the patient on a long backboard
You are disptached to the residence of a person who frequently calls 911 for nonemergency care. You should:
ask the dispatcher to send law enforcement before you respond
An infant's blood pressure typically increases with age because:
blood pressure directly corresponds to body weight
Contraction of the right ventricle causes:
blood to flow into the pulmonary circulation
A patient has bilateral femur fractures. This means that:
both femurs are fractured
The central nervous system is composed of the:
brain and spinal cord
All critical life functions are coordinated in which part of the brain?
brainstem
The autonomic nervous system controls all of the following functions, except:
breath holding
When relaying patient information via radio, communications should be:
brief and easily understood
Communicating with hearing-impaied patient can be facilitated by doing all of the following, except:
elevating the tone of your voice and exaggerating word pronunciation
Which of the following systems is responsible for releasing hormones that regulate body activities:
endocrine
When conflicts occur between team members, which of the follow is NOT a recommended troubleshooting technique?
engage and confront
The EMT certification exam is designed to:
ensure that EMTs are competent and have the same level of knowledge and skills
The topographic term used to describe the parts of the body that are nearer to the feet is:
inferior
Deoxygenated blood from the abdomen, pelvis, and lower extremities is returned to the right atrium via the:
inferior vena cava
What does the suffix "-itis" mean?
inflammation
A patient is diagnosed with nephritis. This means:
inflammation of the kidney
The diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract during:
inhalation
What is the function of platelets?
initial formation of a blood clot
The MOST serious consequence of a poorly planned or rushed patient move is:
injury to you or your patient
A 16-year-old female complains of vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping that began several hours ago. During your assessment interview, you should:
inquire about the possibility of pregnancy in private, if possible
As an EMT, it is important to remember that the signs and symptoms of cumulative stress:
might not be obvious or present at the time
While transferring a patient to ALS staff, interference should be:
minimized overall
If a patient's chest barely moves during inhalation, even if the patient's respiratory rate is normal, you should suspect that:
minute volume is decreased
When you are communicating with an older patient, it is important to remember that:
most older people think clearly and are capable of answering questions
Regarding medical terminology, the foundation of the word is called the:
root
The _________ is both the mechanical weight-bearing base of the spinal column and the fused central posterior section of the pelvic girdle
sacrum
The _________________ portion of the spinal column is joined to the iliac bones of the pelvis
sacrum
The bones that constitute the fingers and toes are called:
phalanges
Relative to an adult's airway anatomy, the child's:
pharynx is smaller and less deeply curved
Which of the following glands regulates the function of all other endocrine glands in the body?
pituitary
Which type of communications equipment functions as a radio receiver and searches across several frequencies?
scanner
The large, flat, triangular bone that overlies the posterior thoracic wall is called the:
scapula
The care that an EMT is able to provide is most commonly defined as?
scope of practice
Which of the following is a physical change that typically occurs in the adolescent age group?
secondary sexual development begins
When moving a conscious, weak patient down a flight of stairs, you should:
place the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs and carry the patient down the stairs with a stair chair
Which of the following are noticeable characteristics of a 9-month-old infant?
places objects in the mouth, pulls himself or herself up
A young male jumped from a tree and landed feet first. Which aspect of his body has sustained the initial injury?
plantar
Your patient has a wound on the bottom of his left foot. In your report, you document the wound as being on the _______________ surface of the foor
plantar
Which of the following statements regarding plasma is correct?
plasma transports the blood cells and nutrients
With increasing age, the heart must work harder to move the blood effectively because:
the blood vessels become stiff
Large amounts of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) are generated when:
the cells function with adequate oxygen
The concept of consistent care across the entire health care team from first patient contact to patient discharge is called:
the continuum of care
After being dispatched on an emergency call, you should expect the dispatcher to provide you with all of the following information, EXCEPT:
the general geographic location of the incident
When assisting an ALS worker, a BLS worker who performs a skill outside his or her level of certification:
risks a lawsuit
Which of the following statements regarding the heart is correct?
the heart is under the control of the autonomic nervous system
Which of the following statements regarding the kidneys is correct?
the kidneys eliminate toxic waste products from the body and control the body's fluid balance
Which of the following statements regarding patient weight distribution is correct?
the majority of a horizontal patient's weight is in the torso
Which of the following statements regarding the medulla oblongata is correct?
the medulla is sensitive to pH changes and sends messages via the phrenic nerve to contract the diaphragm
An infant or small child's airway can be occluded if it is overextended or overflexed because:
the occiput is proportionately large and the trachea is flexible
Which of the following is a specific example of the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) model?
the paramedic administers a patient's flu vaccination
When a conflict arises between two crew members, what is the number one rule in troubleshooting the conflict?
the patient comes first
Abnormalities in metabolism are most likely caused by dysfunction of the:
thyroid gland
What is the function of the fallopian tubes?
to transport a mature egg to the uterus
Which of the following statements regarding toddlers and preschoolers is correct?
toddlers and preschoolers commonly experience upper respiratory infections because of the loss of passive immunity
If you are exposed to a patient's blood or other bodily fluid, your first action should be to:
transfer care of the patient to another EMS provider
General guidelines for effective radio communications include all of the following, except:
using 10 codes to ensure radio traffic confidentiality
When carrying a patient up or down stairs, you should avoid:
using a wheeled stretcher whenever possible
In an otherwise healthy adult, blood loss would cause:
vascular constriction and tachycardia
Common questions asked by patients with a serious illness of injury include all of the following, except:
"Which hospital am I going to?"
Which of the following statements is most consistent with the bargaining phase of the grieving process?
"I will be complaint with all my medications if I can just see my grandson graduate."
A critical incident stress debriefing should be conducted no longer than _______ hours following the incident
72
EMS as we know it today had its origins in 1966 with the publication of:
Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society
Which of the following statements regarding the hepatitis B vaccine is correct?
OSHA requires that your employer offer you the vaccine free of charge
When caring for the parents of a child who has died of leukemia, the EMT should:
acknowledge the death of their child in private
Why are prehospital emergency care guidelines updated on a regular basis?
additional information and evidence indicate that the effectiveness of certain interventions has changed
A 15-year-old boy was killed when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He has numerous disfiguring injuries and has been placed in the back of the ambulance to shield him from curious bystanders. When the child's parents arrive at the scene, they demand to see him. You should:
advise them that their son had severely disfiguring injuries and ask them if there is anyone they would like you to contact first
General adaptation syndrome is characterized by which of the following phases?
alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery
When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should:
allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions
Which of the following scenarious most accurately depicts a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reaction?
an EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed
Which of the following statements regarding the EMS medical director and an EMT's scope of practice is correct?
an EMT's scope of practice may be expanded by the medical director after proper training and state approval
You and your partner respond to the residence of a 66-year-old male with shortness of breath. As you are assessing the patient, his wife tells you that he was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. The patient is verbally abusive and tells you that failure of the healthcare system caused his disease. Which stage of the grieving process is this patient's behavior consistent with?
anger
Vectorborned transmission of an infectious organism occurs via:
animals or insects
According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an EMT should be able to:
assist a patient with certain prescribed medications
Which of the following skills or interventions is included at every level of prehospital emergency training?
automated external defibrillation
Carbon monoxide blocks the ability of the blood to oxygenate the body because it:
binds with the hemoglobin in red blood cells
Hazards that are associated with a structural fire include all of the following, EXCEPT:
carbon dioxide deficiency
The spread of HIV and hepatitis in the health care setting can usually be traced to:
careless handling of sharps
If it is not possible to adequately clean your ambulance at the hospital following a call, you should:
clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated
Which of the following is an example of a primary prevention strategy?
community awareness programs that emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving
If an EMT candidate has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, he or she should:
contact the state EMS office and provide its staff with the required documentation
An appropriate demonstration of professionalism when your patient is frightened, demanding, or unpleasant is to:
continue to be nonjudgmental, compassionate, and respectful
You are assessing a woman who was thrown from a horse. She is located in a large field and you can see that a thunderstorm is rapidly approaching. Suddenly, you feel your skin begin to tingle and the hair on your arms stands on end. The ambulance is located about 30 yards away. You should:
crouch down in a position so that only your feet are touching the ground
Which type of stress reaction occurs when an EMT is exposed to many insignificant stressors over a period of several months or years?
cumulative stress reaction
You are caring for a 35-year-old female with pregnancy-related complications. She is clearly experiencing significant stress and is crying uncontrollably. Your most appropriate action would be to:
demonstrate courtesy and speak with a professional tone of voice
Which of the following is an effective stress management strategy?
developing a social network outside of EMS
You are transporting a veteran whose legs were amputated in the war. When calling your radio report to the emergency department, which of the following words would be the most appropriate to used when describing the patient?
disabled
Common factors that influence how a patient reacts to the stress of an illness or injury include all of the following, EXCEPT:
distrust of EMTs
You are assessing a middle-aged man with chest pain that you suspect is caused by a cardiac problem. The patient tells you that he does not want to go to the hospital and insists that you leave him alone. You should:
explain the seriousness of the situation to him, but avoid causing undue alarm
When considering one's personal life, it is important for the EMT to realize that:
family or friends might not understand the stess assosicated with EMS
Vaccination against the hepatitis A virus is unnecessary if you:
have been infected with hepatitis A in the past
The _______________ deals with the well-being of the EMT, career progression, and EMT compensation
human resources department
The continuous quality improvement (CQI) process is designed to:
identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed
You and your partner are EMTs who have been dispatched to stand by at the scene of a residential fire. While standing next to the ambulance observing the firefighters, you see a woman frantically moving around in her burning house. You should:
immediately notify the incident commander or safety officer
Which of the following is the most significant factor in determine whether a person will become ill from certain germs?
immunity
Characteristics of eustress following dispatch to a high-speed motor vehicle collision may include:
increased self-image from performing well under a challenging situation
While providing care to a patient, blood got onto the ambulance stretcher. Because the stretcher was not properly cleaned afterward, a virus was transmitted to another emergency medical technician (EMT) several days later. What route of transmission does this scenario describe?
indirect contact
Obtaining continuing medical education is the responsibility of the:
individual EMT
Which of the following signs would indicate that your partner is experiencing significant stress?
isolation from the rest of the crew
You are caring for a 40-year-old female who was involved in a motor vehicle crash. Her husband, who was driving the vehicle, was killed. When the patient asks you if her husband is all right, you should:
let clergy or hospital staff relay the bad news if possible
You are dispatched to the scene of a motorcycle crash involving a large tanker truck. While you are en route, dispatch advises you that there are multiple patients and that the fire departments is en route as well. As you approach the scene, you should:
maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars
Continuing education in EMS serves to:
maintain, update, and expand your knowledge and skills
You are summoned to a convalescent center for an 88-year-old female with an altered mental status. A staff nurse advises you that the patient has terminal cancer and her physician stated that she would probably die within the next few hours; a valid do not resuscitate (DNR) order is presented to you. When caring for this patient, you should:
make her comfortable and provide emotional support
Prescription glasses do not provide adequate eye protection because they:
offer little or no side protection
An EMS provider who has extensive training in various aspects of advanced life support (ALS) is called a(n):
paramedic
Cardiac monitoring, pharmacologic interventions, and other advanced treatment skill are function of the:
paramedic
You and your partner responded to a call in which a traumatically injured child died during ambulance transport. Which of the following actions may best protect you from developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD)?
participating in critical incident stress management
Physiologic manifestations of stress include:
perspiration, increased blood glucose levels, and dilated pupils
Which of the following criteria is required to become licensed and employed as an EMT?
proof of immunization against certain communicable diseases
Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you note that two small cars collided head-on; the occupants are still in their vehicles. The fire department is in the process of stabilizing the vehicles and law enforcement personnel are directing traffic. After parking the ambulance at a safe distance, you and your partner should:
put on high-visibility safety vests
If a defibrillator manufacturer claims that its device terminates ventricular fibrillation on the first shock 95% of the time, you should:
recognize that this does not mean the device will save more lives
After assessing a patient's blood glucose level, you accidentally stick yourself with the contaminated lancet. You should:
report the incident to your supervisor after the call
A 75-year-old male with a terminal illness has died at home. As you and your partner enter the residence, a family member becomesverally abusive, pushes you, and states that you took too long to get there. You should:
retreat and notify law enforcement personnel
The standards for prehospital emergency care and the individuals who provide it are typically regulated by the:
state office of EMS
The MOST serious consequence of drug or alcohol abuse among EMS personnel is:
substandard or innapropriate patient care
Which of the following infectious diseases confers no protection from reinfection after exposure?
syphilis
Which of the following is an appropriate fatigue management strategy?
take 20- to 30-minute naps when able during the shift
You have recently been working with a parterner who makes negative comments about responding to calls for nonacute patients. The negative comments are elevating your stress level when you are performing your duties. Which of the following would be the least appropriate way to handle this situation?
tell others about the comments, so they will use peer pressure to get your partner to stop complaining
While you are on duty, your partner asks you out on a date and touches you in an inappropriate location without your consent. You should:
tell your partner to stop and report the incident to your supervisor
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommended immunizations and tests include a:
tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis booster every 10 years
Which of the following statements regarding the Americans With Disabilites Act (ADA) of 1990 is correct?
the ADA prohibits employers from failing to provide full and equal employment to those who are disabled
Which of the following statements regarding the NREMT is correct?
the NREMT provides a national standard for EMS testing
Which of the following statements regarding HIV is correct?
there is no vaccine against HIV infection
EMRs such as fire fighters, law enforcement officers, and park rangers, are an integral part of the EMS system because:
they often arrive at the scene before the ambulance and EMTs
If you used a waterless handwashing substitute in the field, it is important to:
wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital
The most effective way to preserve your own body heat when functioning in cold, wet weather is to:
wear at least three layers of clothing
Critical incident stress managements (CISM) can occur at an ongoing scene in all of the following circumstances, except:
when patients are actively being assessed or treated
The bones of the forearm are called the:
radius and ulna
The average adult has approximately ___________________ of blood in his or her vascular system
6 L
A 60-year-old man complains of chest pain. He is conscious, alert, and denies shortness of breath. Which of the following questions would be the most appropriate to ask him?
"Do you have any heart problems or take any medications?"
Which of the following statements is not appropriate to document in the narrative section of a PCR?
"General impression revealed that the patient was intoxicated."
During patient care, the EMT instructs her partner to administer one tube of oral glucose to a conscious patient with low blood sugar. The partner's most appropriate response should be:
"Got it. I'll give oral glucose."
You are caring for a 52-year-old man who complains of chest discomfort. The patient is a retired paramedic and is very anxious because he thinks he is having a heart attack. Which of the following statements would be appropriate?
"It is possible that you are experiencing a heart attack. I am going to give you four baby aspirin to chew and swallow."
Which of the following statements would not be appropriate to say to the family of a dying patient?
"Things will get better in time."
At what age does separation anxiety typically peak in infants and small children?
10 to 18 months
At rest, the normal adult heart rate should not exceed:
100 beats/min
When pulling a patient, you should extend your arms no more than ________ in front of your torso.
15" to 20"
The human body should be functioning at its optimal level between the ages of:
19 and 25 years
The air you breathe is ________ oxygen, and the air you exhale is ________ oxygen
21%, 16%
With proper technique, you and your partner should be able to safely lift a patient who weighs up to ______ pounds
220
Which of the following scenarios involved the administrations of ALS?
A 48-year-old patient whose airway is secured with a supraglottic device
Which of the following descriptions most accurately portrays emergency medical services (EMS)?
A team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured
Which of the following errors is an example of a knowledge-based failure?
An EMT administers the wrong drug to a patient because she did not know the pertinent information about the drug
After assuming care of a cardiac arrest patient from an EMT, the paramedic should remember that:
BLS efforts must continue throughout the patient care continuum
Which of the following skills would a layperson most likely be trained to perform before the arrival of EMS?
Bleeding control using a torniquet
Mean arterial pressure (MAP) is a product of:
Cardiac output and systemic vascular resistance
The determination that prompt surgical care in the hospital is more important than performing time-consuming procedures in the field on a major trauma patient is based MOSTLY on:
EMS research
A patient in a semi-reclined position with the head elevated to facilitate breathing is in the ________________ position.
Fowler
You respond to a call for a 45-year-old patient who is having an asthma attack. You place her in a sitting position on the stretcher for transport. On your report you write that you placed her in the ____________________ position.
Fowler
You would expect a patient who is experiencing difficulty breathing to be in which of the following positions?
Fowler
Which of the following is an OSHA-recommended vaccine for healthcare workers?
Hepatitis A (HepA)
EMT training in nearly every state meets or exceeds the guidelines recommended by the:
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
Your patient has a history of alcoholic hepatitis. Based on what this term means, you would expect him to potentially have abdominal pain located in the:
RUQ
When is forcible restraint permitted?
When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others
You and your partner are caring for a patient and it is your turn to be the primary patient care provider. You and your EMT partner have a difference of opinion regarding the best technique for splinting a fracture. Your partner is adamant about wanting to use her technique. The proposed technique does seem like it will accomplish successful splinting of the injury. Which of the following is the most appropriate action to take?
Use your partner's technique because you believe it will be successsful and you don't want to argue in front of the patient
Which of the following is an example of an open-ended question?
What did this feel like when it happened before?
You and your partner are out past the end of your scheduled shift and driving the ambulance back to base when you come upon a car accident. Do you have a legal duty to act?
Yes, because you are still an on-duty EMT, you have a legal and ethical obligation to stop and assist
In which of the following situations does a legal duty to act clearly exist?
a call is recieved 15 minutes prior to shift change
Which of the following would provide the EMT with the best cover in a situation involving active gunfire?
a concrete barricade
Which of the following patients has a decision-making capacity and can legally refuse emergency medical treatment?
a conscious and alert woman with severe abdominal pain
In which of the following situations would a direct ground life be the most appropriate method of moving a patient?
a conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain
Age-related changes in the renal system result in:
a decreased ability to clear wastes from the body and a decreased ability to conserve fluids when needs
Negative-pressure breathing involves:
a drop in pressure within the chest cavity
Shortly after you load your patient, a 50-year-old man with abdominal pain, into the ambulance, he tells you that he changed his mind and does not want to go to the hospital. The patient is conscious and alert and has no signs of mental incapacitation. You are suspicious that the man has a significant underlying condition and feel strongly that he should go to the hospital. Which of the following statements regarding this situation is correct?
a mentally competent adult can withdraw his her consent to treat at any time
Which of the following statements regarding a patient refusal is correct?
a mentally competent adult has the legal reight to refuse EMS care and transport
Which of the following scenarios most accurately depicts abandonment?
a paramedic transfers patient care to an EMT
Which of the following general statements regarding consent is correct?
a patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse treatment
Situations in which you should use the rapid extrication technique include all of the following, EXCEPT:
a patient who can be properly assessed while still in the vehicle
Which of the following statements regarding smooth muscle is correct?
a person has no voluntary control over smooth muscle
Information included in a radio report to the recieving hospital should include all of the following, except:
a preliminary diagnosis of the patient's problem
The term "supraventricular tachycardia" means:
a rapid heart rate that originates from above the ventricles
Signs of adequate breathing in the adult include all of the following, EXCEPT:
a reduction in tidal volume
Which of the following statements regarding the scoop stretcher is not correct?
a scoop stretcher will provide adequate immobilization of a patient's spinal column
A folding or portable stretcher is most beneficial when:
a second patient must be transported on the squat bench of the ambulance
Stimulation of the parasympathetic nervous system:
a slower heart rate
What is the main difference between a group and a team regarding EMS patient care?
a team consists of a group of health care providers who are assigned specific roles working together
Movement or motion away from the body's midline is called:
abduction
Which of the following conditions or situations presents the most unique challange to the EMT when immobilizing an elderly patient on a long backboard?
abnormal spinal curvature
The final stage of death and dying most commonly takes the form of:
acceptance
The femoral head forms a ball-and-socket joint with the:
acetabulum
You are transporting an elderly woman who has possibly experienced a stroke. She is obviously scared but is unable to talk and cannot move the entire right side of her body. In addition to providing the medical care that she needs, you should:
acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her
In preconventional reasoning, children:
act almost purely to avoid punishment and to get what they want
Bleeding is normally stopped by:
activation of platelets
Medical control gives you an order that seems inappropriate for the patient's condition. After confirming that you heard the physician correctly, you should:
advise the physician that the order is unclear and ask for clarification
A team of EMTs is caring for a critically injured patient. The team leader advises the EMT that transport will not begin until the patient's closed forearm fracture is splinted. Utilizing the crew resource management model, the EMT should:
advise the team leader that immediate transport is more important than splinting
When you are communicating with an older patient, it is important to remember that:
age-related changes diminish the effectiveness of the eyes and ears
When assessing an 80-year-old patient in shock, it is important to remember that:
age-related changes in the cardiovascular system might make the patient less able to compensate for decreased perfusion
Which of the following statements regarding agonal respirations is correct?
agonal respirations are ineffective and need to be assisted
During your assessment of a 20-year-old man with a severe headache and nausea, you ask him when his headache began, but he does not answer your question immediately. You should:
allow him time to think about the question and respond to it
As the bronchus divides into smaller bronchioles, the terminal ends of these smaller passages form the:
alveoli
Which of the following scenarios is an examle of informed consent?
an EMT advises a patient of the risks of recieving treatment
Which of the following statements regarding an emergency patient move is correct?
an emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment
A patient with hepatomegaly has:
an enlarged liver
Which of the following statements regarding an infant's vital signs is correct?
an infant's normal body temperature is typically higher than a preschooler's normal body temperature
Which of the following is an anatomic difference between children and adults
an infant's tongue is proportionately larger than an adult's tongue
A patient's refusal of EMS treatment and/or transport must be:
an informed refusal
Which of the following statements regarding anaerobic metabolism is correct?
anaerobic metabolism produces lactic acid and occurs when cellular oxygen is limited
A man with chest pain tells the EMTs that he hurt his chest 2 weeks ago. The EMTs conclude that the patient likely has a fractured rib or other chest wall injury. At the hospital, the man is diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction. Which of the following decision traps does this scenario depict?
anchoring
Premature diagnosis during a call can be due to what error?
anchoring
As an EMT, the performance of your duties will be compared to that of:
another EMT
During your month internal quality improvement (QI) meeting, you review several patient care report (PCRs) with the staff of your EMS system. You identify the patient's name, age, and sex, and then discuss the treatment that was provided by the EMTs in the field. By taking this approach to the QI process, you:
are in violation of HIPAA because you did not remove the PHI from the PCR beforehand
The kidneys and pancreas are called retroperitonel organs because they:
are located behind the abdominal cavity
You are assessing a 75-year-old woman with mild shortness of breath. As you are asking her questions about her chief complaint and medical history, you progressively move closer and closer to her. In doing this, it is important to remember that:
as you physically get closer to the patient, a greater and greater sense of trust must be established
Despite your numerous, sincere efforts to convince a 40-year-old man to consent to EMS treatment and transport, he refuses. After explaining the potential consequences of his refusal and determining that the patient has decision-making capacity, you ask him to sign an EMS refusal form, but he refuses to do that as well. You should: sign the refusal form, include the date and time, and have your partner witness it with his or her signature. document the patient's refusal, but leave the refusal form blank because only the patient can legally sign it. advise the patient that unless he signs the refusal form, he cannot legally refuse EMS treatment or transport. ask a family member, law enforcement officer, or bystander to sign the form verifying that the patient refused to sign.
ask a family member, law enforcement officer, or bystander to sign the form verifying that the patient refused to sign
A 4-year-old boy had an apparant seizure. He is conscious an calm and is sitting on his mother's lap. His father is sitting in a nearby chair. The child's mother suddenly begins crying uncontrollably, which causes the child to start crying. You should:
ask the father to hold the child so you can assess him while your partner tries to calm the mother
Acting in such a way as to make another person fear immediate bodily harm is called:
assault
A patient regains consciousness en route from his office to the emergency department. The patient tells you that he feels fine and does not want to go to the hospital. Under these circumstances, you should:
assess whether the patient's mental condition is impaired
A proximal humeral fracture is one that is located:
at the upper part of the humerus
The decline in cardiac function that commonly occurs in late adulthood is most often related to:
atherosclerosis
Which of the following situations requires you to notify the appropriate authorities?
attempted suicide
Both areas of the pons are used to:
augment respiration's during emotional or physical stress
To avoid injury when pushing a patient or other object, you should
avoid pushing the patient with your elbows fully extended
An EMT might injure his or her back, even if it is straight, if the:
back is bent forward at the hips
Which of the following statements regarding nervous system control of the cardiovascular system is correct?
baroreceptors located throughout the body provide information to the brain regarding the blood pressure
Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver that is located in a fixed location is called a:
base station
The most appropriate carrying device to use when moving a patient across rough or uneven terrain is the:
basket stretcher
You have been tasked by your medical director with assisting in the development of your EMS agency's institutional standards. When developing these standards, it is important to:
be reasonable and realistic to avoid overburdening EMS personnel
When faced with a situation in which a patient is in cardiac arrest, and a valid living will or DNR order cannot be located you should:
begin resuscitation at once
You respond to the home of a 59-year-old man who is unconscious; has slow, shallow breathing; and has a weak pulse. The family states that the patient has terminal brain cancer and does not wish to be resuscitated. They further state that there is a DNR order for this patient, but they are unable to locate it. You should:
begin treatment and contact medical control as needed
When you and your partner arrive at the residence of a man in cardiac arrest, you immediately recognize the patient as the drunk driver who killed your brother several years earlier. A backup ambulance is en route to the scene. You should:
begin two-rescuer CPR and apply the AED as soon as possible
An increase in heart rate and contractility occurs due to stimulation of:
beta-1 receptors
The EMT is assessing a man who fell and struck his head. The patient is a known alcoholic and has the odor of alcohol on his breath. The EMT assumes that the man is drunk and does not assess for signs and symptoms of a head injury. This is an example of:
bias
You are treating a male patient who has been in a fight at a local bar. The patient has an altered mental status and a large hematoma on his forehead. Bystanders state that the patient had been drinking alcohol all day. You transport the patient to the local hospital where staff determine that his altered level of consciousness is the result of hypoglycemia and not the head injury. Tunnel vision in patient treatment can result from:
bias
A patient has fractured both femurs. Anatomically, these injuries would be described as being:
bilateral
Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence?
duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages. and causation
A person's bones will become brittle if he or she is deficient in:
calcium
In which of the following manners should you act and speak with a patient?
calm and confident
Health care teams that infrequently train and work together:
can create delays in patient care
The exchange of oxygen and nutrients for waste products of metabolism occurs at the cellular level in the:
capillaries
The waste products of aerobic metabolism include:
carbon dioxide and water
Which of the following incidents does not require a report to be filed with local authorities?
cardiac arrest
Which of the following statements regarding middle adults is correct?
cardiovascular health becomes an issue in this age group, as does the greater incidence of cancert
Which part of the central nervous system is responsible for coordinating bodily movements such as writing or sewing?
cerebellum
The largest portion of the brain is the _______________, which is commonly referred to as the "gray matter."
cerebrum
The areas of the spinal column, in descending order, are:
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, and coccyx
What does the "C" in the PACE mnemonic stand for?
challenge
The medical term for painful or difficult urination is:
dysuria
When you begin an oral report, you should state the patient's age, sex, and:
chief complaint
The three bones that make up the shoulder girdle are the:
clavicle, scapula, and humerus
For a do not resuscitate (DNR) order to be valid, it must: be dated within the previous 24 months. clearly state the patient's medical problem. be updated a minimum of every 6 months. be signed by the local justice of the peace.
clearly state the patient's medical problem
The medical director instructs you to adminster nitroglycerin 0.4 mg SL. You repeat the order, and the medical director confirms that is correct. This is an example of:
closed-loop communication
You have received a medication order from medical control. Staying consistent with the training you completed from your field training officer, you repeat that medical order back to medical control over the radio. This form of communication would fall under which element of effective communication?
closed-loop communication
The most distal four spinal vertebrae, which are fused together, form the:
coccyx
Health care providers who infrequently work together can function effectively as a team if they work in an environment that supports and promotes:
collaboration
The descending aorta branches into the:
common iliac arteries
For patient handoff, it is important for EMTs and hospital staff to use:
common language
It is important to understand medical terminology in order to:
communicate effectively with other healthcare members
Your EMS system uses a computerized PCR in which you fill in the information electronically and then send it to the emergency department via a secure Internet server. The PCR has a comprehensive series of drop-down boxes, which are used to identify your assessment findings and specify the treatment that you provided; it also has a section for your narrative. When completing your PCR after a call, you should:
complete a thorough and accurate narrative because drop-down boxes connot provide all of the information that needs to be documented
Immediately after being dispatched to a residence for an elderly patient with diabetic complications, you should:
confirm with dispatch that you recieved the call information
All information recorded on the PCR must be:
considered confidential
Ethnocentrism is defined as:
considering your own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture
General guidelines for carrying a patient on a stretcher include:
constant communication with your partners
Stimulation of alpha-adrenergic receptors result in:
constriction of the blood vessels
During a resuscitation attempt, the team leader asks the EMT to ventilate the patient at a rate of 20 breaths/min, and the EMT replies, "Actually, sir, the correct ventilation rate is 10 breaths/min." This is an example of:
constructive intervention
While transporting a woman with diabetes, you inadvertently give her oral glucose even though her blood glucose level was high. You reassess the patient and note that her condition did not change; she remained stable. You should:
contact medical control and notify them of the error
Dead space is the portion of the respiratory system that:
contains no alveoli and does not participate in gas exchange
Breathing is often more difficult in older adults because the:
elasticity of the lungs decreases
While transporting a stable patient with chest pain to the hospital, you come across a major motor vehicle crash involving several critically injured patients. Your most appropriate action should be to:
continue transporting your patient and notify the dispatcher of the crash
The patient care report (PCR) ensures:
continuity of care
Care from health care providersworking as a unified team fromfirst patient contact to patient discharge describes which concept?
continuum of care
Which term describes the idea that all team members expect and deserve to be spoken to politely?
courtesy
The firm cartilaginous ring that forms the inferior portion of the larynx is called the:
cricoid cartilage
Which comes first in EMS decision making?
data gathering
Putrefaction is defined as:
decomposition of the body's tissues
It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease.
decontaminate
Why does the incidence of diabetes mellitus increase with age?
decreased physical activity, increased weight gain, and decreased insulin production
The pelvic bones are formed by the fusion of the:
ilium, ischium, pubis
The effectiveness of pit crew CPR is dependent on:
defining clear roles and responsibilities before the call is received
It is espeically important for EMS personnel to develop non-adversarial relationships with coworkers because they:
depend on one another for their safety
You arrive at the scene of an apparent death. When evaluating the patient, which of the following is a definitive sign of death?
dependent lividity
Which of the following skin layers contains sweat and oil glands, hair follicles, blood vessels, and nerve endings?
dermis
When communicating with a visually impaired patient, you should:
determine the degree of the patient's impairment
Which of the following most accurately defines negligence?
deviation from the standard of care that might results in further injury
The ______________________ is a muscular dome that seperates the thorax from the abdomen
diaphragm
The phase of the cardiac cycle in which the ventricles fill with blood is called:
diastole
An EMT would most likely be held liable for abandonment if he or she:
did not make provisions for continued care of an injured patient
Oxygen and carbon dioxide pass across the alveolar membrane in the lungs through a process called:
diffusion
Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you find a single patient still seated in his car. There are no scene hazards. As you approach the vehicle, you note that the patient is semiconscious and has a large laceration to his forehead. You should:
direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head
During the alert and dispatch phase of EMS communications, the dispatcher's responsibilities include all of the following, EXCEPT:
discouraging the caller from providing care until the EMS unit arrives
Your partner, a veteran EMT with whom you have worked regularly for the past four years, seems unusually agitated during a call involving an elderly patient. Upon arrival back at your station, you note the obvious smell of alcohol on his breath. What should you do?
discreetly report your suspicions to your supervisor
During a call, the EMT observers her partner using an assessment approach that she is unfamiliar with. The patient is stable and has no life-threatening conditions. What should the EMT do?
discuss the assessment approach that was taken after the call is over
If a problem with a team member is not directly or immediately impacting patient care, the team leader should:
discuss the problem after the call
Pathophysiology is the study of the functional changes that occur when the body reacts to a particular:
disease
A 5-year-old boy has fallen and has a severe deformity of the forearm near the wrist. He has possibly sustained a frature of the _______________ forearm
distal
A woman amputated the tip of her finger. Which directional term should be used to describe her injury location?
distal
Where is the wrist located in relationship to the elbow?
distal
A fracture of the humerus just above the elbow would be described as a:
distal humerus fracture
You are dispatched to the residence of an Asian family for a child with a high fever. When you assess the child, you note that he has numerous red marks on his back. The child's parents explain that these marks represent coining- a traditional Asian healing practice in which hot coins are rubbed on the back. You should:
document this finding on your patient care report and advise the emeregency department staff of what the child's parents told you
When working as an independent health care group member, the EMT should expect that he or she:
does not have to wait for an assignment before performing a task
The artery that can be palpated on the anterior surface of the foot is the:
dorsalis pedis
After delivering your patient to the hospital, you sit down to complete the handwritten PCR. When documenting the patient's last blood pressure reading, you inadvertently write 120/60 instead of 130/70. To correct this mistake, you should:
draw a single horizontal line through the error, initial it, and write the correct data next to it
Which is the most appropriate method to use when moving a patient from his or her bed to a wheeled stretcher?
draw sheet method
Where would you most likely find information regarding a patient's wishes to be organ donor?
driver's license
You are dispatched to an office building for a 49-year-old male with chest pain. When you arrive at the scene, you find the patient to be conscious and alert but in obvious pain. He tells you that he did not call 911; a coworked did. He further states that he does not want to be treated or transported to the hospital. You should:
ensure that he is aware of the risks of refusing medical care
What should you do before attempting to access a patient trapped in a vehicle?
ensure the vehicle is stable
The most important consideration at the scene of a hazardous materials incident is:
ensuring your personal safety
The leaf-shaped flap of cartilage that prevents food and liquid from entering the trachea during swallowing is called the:
epiglottis
Key hormones of the sympathetic nervous system include:
epinephrine and norepinephrine
Hemoglobin is a molecule that attaches to ______ and carries oxygen.
erythrocytes
In an interdependent group, when one person fails:
everyone fails
When performing his or her duties, the EMT is generally expected to:
exercise reasonable care and act prudently
Medical control gives you an order that seems inappropriate for the patient's condition. After confirming that you heard the physician correctly, what should you do?
express your concerns and respectfully question if the order is appropriate
Which type of consent is involved when a 39-year-old mentally competent female with a severe headache asks you to take her to the hospital?
expressed
You suspect that a pregnant 16-year-old girl has a broken leg after she was hit by a car. You explain that you plan to splint her leg, and she agrees to treatment. Which of the following types of consent described her agreement?
expressed
A 56-year-old female is found supine in a narrow hallway of her mobile home. She complains of severe weakness and dizziness, and states that she is unable to walk. There is no evidence of trauma, and the patient states that she did not fall. How should you and your partner move this patient to a more spacious area?
extremity lift
The hepatitis B vaccine program, a component of the infection control plan, addresses all of the following issues, except:
family history of hepatitis
Which of the following are central pulses?
femoral and carotid
The atlas is the:
first cervical vertebra, which articulates with the skull
Mental function often begins to decline within ______ year(s) before death
five
Together, the right and left lungs contain _______________ lobes
five
You and your partner are attempting to resusitate a middle-aged female in cardiac arrest. Because of the remote geographic location, you are unable to contact medical control. What should you do?
follow locally established protocols or standing orders
The brain connects to the spinal cord through a large opening at the base of the skull called the:
foramen magnum
To be a great EMT, strive for:
foundational knowledge
You should not attempt to lift a patient who weights more than 250 pounds with fewer than _______ rescuers, regardless of individual strength
four
Which of the following is NOT a positive attribute contributing to a culture of safety?
freelancing
The direct carry is used to transfer a patient:
from a bed to the ambulance stretcher
Bile is produced by the liver and concentrated and stored in the:
gallbladder
The official transfer of patient care does not occur until the EMT:
gives an oral report to the emergency room physician or nurse
The bony prominence on the lateral/superior aspect of the thigh is called the:
greater trochanter
Which of the following has the weakest transmission signal and, as a result, is least likely to be heard by the party being called?
handheld portable radio
A multiparous patient is one who:
has given birth more than once
You are transporting a 54-year-old male in respiratory arrest. An EMR is driving the ambulance as you and your partner are caring for the patient. What is the most logical way of notifying the hospital?
have the driver contact dispatch and relay the patient information to the hospital
You and your partner arrive at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash. The driver, a young male, is severely entrapped in his car. He has an open head injury and a massive facial trauma. He is unresponsive, not breathing, and does not have a palpable carotid pulse. You should:
have your partner check for a pulse to confirm that the patient is deceased
A by-product of involuntary muscle contraction and relaxation is:
heat
An effective team leader should:
help the team accomplish goals
After applying a tourniquet, the injury from a patient's leg stops bleeding. This is called:
hemostasis
Enlargement of the liver is called:
hepatomegaly
The elbow is an example of a _______________ joint
hinge
You suspect that a 75-year-old man has internal injuries after he fell and struck his ribs and abdomen on the corner of a table. When assessing and treating an injured patient of this age, you must recall that:
his ability to physiologically compensate for his injury might be impaired due to an inability to increase cardiac output
CRM was developed to minimize problems primary caused by:
human error
_____________________ pressure is the pressure exerted by a liquid that occurs when blood moves through an artery at relatively high pressures
hydrostatic
What is another word for "shock"?
hypoperfusion
The body's backup system of respiratory control, which is based on low concentrations of oxygen in the blood, is called the:
hypoxic drive
You have two patients who were involved in a motor vehicle crash when their SUV struck a tree—one with neck and back pain, and the other with a deformed left femur. The patient with the deformed femur states that he does not want to be placed on a hard board, nor does he want a collar around his neck. What is the MOST appropriate and practical method of securing these patients and placing them into the ambulance?
immobilize the patient with neck and back pain on a long backboard and place him on the wheeled stretcher; place the patient with the deformed femur on a folding stretcher secured to the squad bench
Which of the following types of consent allows treatments of a patient who is unconscious or mentally incapacitated?
implied
In the eyes of the courts, an incomplete or untidu patient care form indicates:
inadequate patient care was administered
Breathing occurs as the result of a(n):
increase in carbon dioxide, which decreases the pH of the cerebrospinal fluid
Physical changes that typically occur in early adults include an:
increase in fatty tissue, which leads to weight gain
In contrast to typical wheeled ambulance stretchers, features of a bariatric stretcher include:
increased stability from a wider wheelbase
Factors that contribute to a decline in the vital capacity of an elderly patient include all of the following, except:
increased surface area available for air exchange
Which of the following is not a common factor that would affect a 75-year-old paren'ts vital signs?
increased weight
In late adults, the amount of air left in the lungs after expiration of the maximum amount of air:
increases, which hampers diffusion of gases because of the stagnant air that remains in the alveoli
According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an EMT would require speical permission from the medical director and the state EMS office to:
insert a peripheral intravenous catheter
Which of the following statements regarding age-related changes in the nervous system is correct?
interconnections between brain cells often prevent a loss of knowledge or skill, despite a loss of neurons
EMTs and other health care providers function as a true team when they work:
interdependently
A paramedic placed an IV catheter in your patient. What does "IV" stand for?
intravenous
Which of the following would the paramedic be LEAST likely to ask the EMT to do?
intubate a patient
The diaphragm is unique because it:
is both a voluntary and an involuntary muscle
A diabetic patient has polydipsia. This means that she:
is excessively thirsty
In many states, a minor may be treated as an adult for the purpose of consenting to or refusing medical treatment if the minor:
is self-supporting and lives by him- or herself
Which of the following statements regarding a "dedicated line" is correct?
it is a constantly open line of communication that cannot be accessed by outside users
Which of the following statements regarding the power lift is correct?
it is the safest and most powerful method of lifting a patient
If an action or procedure that was performed on a patient is not recorded on the written report:
it was not performed, according to the eyes of the law
Which of the following is not a function of the skin?
metabolic coordination
The nose, chin, umbilicus (navel), and spine are examples of ______ anatomic structures.
midline
When carrying a patient on a backboard up or down stairs:
keep the head end elevated
To minimize the risk of injuring yourself when lifting or moving a patient, you should:
keep the weight as close to your body as possible
The FIRST rule of safe lifting is to:
keep your back in a straight, vertical position
Which of the following organs is not part of the digestive system?
kidney
Which of the following organ(s) exhibits bilaterality?
kidneys
Which of the following organs or structures lies within the retroperitoneal space?
kidneys
When using a body drag to pull a patient who is on the ground, you should:
kneel to minimize the distance that you will have to lean over
The vocal cords are located in the:
larynx
In the anatomical position used for reference in using directional terms, the thumb is __________________ to the fingers
lateral
An 81-year-old female fell and struck her head. You find the patient lying on her left side. She is conscious and complains of neck and upper back pain. As you are assessing her, you note that she has a severely kyphotic spine. What is the MOST appropriate method of immobilizing this patient?
leave her on her side and use blanket rolls to immobilize her to the long backboard
Pulmonary congestion would be caused by obstructing flow to which of the following areas?
left ventricle
Two EMTs witnessed a call in which a coworker gave adequate medical care but ignored the patient's emotional needs. The coworker was deliberately rude solely because the patient was thought to be infected with the human immunodeficiency virus(HIV). The EMT's ignored the coworker's treatment of this patient and took no steps to prevent this behavior from happening again. This lack of action on the part of the two EMT's is considered
legal but unethical
The proper technique for using the power grip is to:
lift with your palms up
Which of the following steps is not proper procedure when performing an emergency move?
lifting the patient by the belt to move him or her
The ___________________ plane separates the body into left and right halves
midsagittal
The part of the brain that controls the left side of the body is the:
right-side cerebrum
The ___________________ fills the entire anteroposterior depth of the right upper quadrant of the abdomen
liver
All of the following are considered to be protected health information (PHI), except:
location of the call
Which of the following is the most appropriate device to use when immobilizing a patient with a suspected spinal injury?
long backboard
A critical aspect of the rapid extrication technique is to
maintain stabilization of the spine at all times
Which of the following is not a function of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)?
maintaining communications equipment on the ambulance
Calming and reassuring an anxious patient can be facilitated by:
maintaining eye contact with the patient whenever possible
The most superior section of the sternum is called the:
manubrium
At the scene of an automobile crash, a utility pole has been broken and power lines are lying across the car. The patients inside the car are conscious. You should:
mark off a danger zone around the downed lines
Which of the following is not a facial bone?
mastoid
The topographic term used to describe the location of body parts that are closer toward the midline of the body is:
medial
The distal aspect of the tibia forms the:
medial malleolus
The EMT's scope of practice within his or her local response area is defined by the:
medical director
The person who is responsible for authorizing EMTs to perform emergency medical care in the field is the:
medical director
The muscle tissue of the heart is called the:
myocardium
When caring for a 65-year-old male with respiratory distress, you place him in a comfortable position but do apply oxygen. The patient's condition continues to deteriorate: He develops cardiac arrest and dies at the hospital. This scenario is an example of:
negligence
A patient has kidney disease that is causing him severe pain. What condition does he have and what would be administered for his pain?
nephropathy; analgesic
A physician who specializes in diseases of the nervous system is called a:
neurologist
Maintaining the chain of evidence at the scene of a crime should include:
not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons
When providing a patient report via radio, you should protect the patient's privacy by:
not disclosing his or her name
You recieve a subpeona to testify in court regarding a case that occured two years ago in which you and your partner did not attempt resuscitation of a cardiac arrest patient. Upon recieving the subpeona, you should:
notify the director of your EMS system and obtain legal counsel
A patient has a large accumulation of blood in the sac surrounding the heart. Which type of shock would this condition cause?
obstructive
Trauma to the __________ lobe of the brain would likely result in visual disturbances.
occipital
Which type of medical direction do standing orders and protocols describe?
off-line
According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, an employer must:
offer a workplace environemnt that reduces the risk of exposure
In the recovery position, the patient is:
on his or her side
A patient lacerated the dorsal aspect of his hand. This means that the injury is:
on the back of the hand
Which of the following most accurately describes the correct positions of the EMTs who are exectuing the diamond carry technique?
one at the head, one at the feet, and one on each side of the patient's torso
A patient with a pneumothorax has unilateral expansion. This means that:
only one side of his chest rises when he inhales
The _________________ is made up of the maxilla and zygoma, as well as the frontal bone of the cranium
orbit
Which step in EMS decision making comes after a patient has been transferred?
outcome evaluation
You are assigned to a partner that you have not worked with before. They are a new EMT but explain to you that they have driven large trucks before, so they are comfortable driving the ambulance with limited supervision. What type of decision trap might this individual be susceptible to?
overconfidence
The exocrine gland of the pancreas secretes:
pancreatic juice
Anterior to the knee is a specialized bone called the:
patella
Circulation of blood within an organ or tissue in adequate amounts to meet the cells' current needs is called:
perfusion
In relation to the chest, the back is:
posterior
Which of the following anatomic terms is synonymous with the word "dorsal"?
posterior
You and your partner are dispatched to a single vehicle rollover at 0200 on a Saturday morning. En route you and your partner discuss potential scene safety issues based on the mechanism of injury, traffic in the response area, and environmental conditions. Which stage of the decision-making process are you and your partner functioning under at this point in time?
prearrival
Which of the following would the EMT MOST likely be asked to do when assisting a paramedic with ednotracheal intubation?
preoxygenation with a BVM
You are treating a man who was assaulted and has a closed-head injury. The patient, who has slurred speech, becomes verbally abusive and tells you to leave him alone. You should:
proceed with treatment and utilize law enforcement for assistance if necessary
An intoxicated 40-year-old male is found lying face down. How would you document his body's position?
prone
Which aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) MOST affects EMS personnel?
protecting patient privacy
White blood cells, which are also called leukocytes, function by:
protecting the body from infection
To minimize the risk of litigation, the EMT should always:
provide competent care that meets current standards
You and your partner are the first to arrive at a potential crime scene with a critically injured patient involved. The scene is safe. Your first priority is to:
provide immediate patient care
You are disptached to a middle-school for a 16-year-old female experiencing an asthma attack. She is conscious and alert but in severe respiratory distress. The school nurse informs you that she has tried several times to contact the patient's parents but has not been successful. You should:
provide treatment up to your level of training and transport the child at once
An infant or small toddler would MOST likely gain trust in an individual who:
provides an organized, routine environment
In relation to the wrist, the elbow is:
proximal
Relative to the ankle, the knee is:
proximal
Which of the following arteries does not carry highly oxygenated blood?
pulmonary
Deoxygenated blood leaves the right ventricle via which blood vessel(s)?
pulmonary arteries
Which of the following conditions would affect the "Q" portion of the V/Q ratio?
pulmonary embolism
The left side of the heart recieves oxygenated blood from the lungs through the:
pulmonary veins
Which of the following is the only vein(s) in the body to carry oxygenated blood?
pulmonary veins
When treating a patient who is trapped in a vehicle and covered with broken glass, is it best to wear:
puncture-proof leather gloves over your latex gloves
In most instances, you should move a patient on a wheeled ambulance stretcher by:
pushing the head of the stretcher while your partner guides the foot
You are dispatched to an apartment complex to respond to a shooting. Law enforcement personnel are present and have the suspect in custody. You find the patient lying in a narrow space between the couch and coffee table of his small apartment. He is semiconscious and has a large gunshot wound to his chest. You should:
quickly move the coffee table so you can access and treat the patient
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?
rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag
The primary function of the right atrium is to:
receive blood from the vena cava
If you worked with the same partner each day and had a system of how your responses would flow, you would be functioning under which type of EMS system team?
regular teams
After applying medical restraints to a combative patient, you should:
remove them only after hospital personnel have requested you to do so
After recieving online orders from medical control to perform a patient care intervention, you should:
repeat the order to medical control word for word
A _________________ recieves messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.
repeater
You and your partner respond to the scene of a 49-year-old male with acute abdominal pain. As you enter his residence, you find him lying on the floor in severe pain. He is conscious and alert. The patient appears to weight in excess of 350 pounds. Your first action should be to:
request additional presonnel before making any attempts to lift him
You have been working at the scene of a major building collapse for eight hours. Many injured people are still being removed, and everyone is becoming frustrated and losing focus. This situation is MOST effectively managed by:
requesting a CISM team to provide on-scene peer support
Quid pro quo, a type of sexual harassment, occurs when the harasser:
requests sexual favors in exchange for something else
The maount of air that remains in the lungs simply to keep them open is called the:
residual volume
The capacity of an individual to cope with and recover from stress is called:
resilience
When transferring patient care to another healthcare provider, you should be:
respectful
How does respiration differ from ventilation?
respiration is the process of gas exchange, whereas ventilation is the simple movement of air between the lungs and the environment
Which of the following is most characteristic of adequate breathing in an adult?
respirations of 20 breaths/min and bilateral chest movement
As you are wheeling your patient through the emergency department doors, you receive another call for a major motor vehicle crash. You should:
respond only after giving a verbal patient report to a nurse or physician
You are assessing a 13-month-old femaole who is running a fever and has been vomiting. While you are performing your physical examination on this child, you will most likely find that she:
responds to her name but is fearful of your presence
Your ability to remain awake is a function of the:
reticular activating system
You arrive at the scene of a domestic violence situation. As you approach the doorway of the apartment, you hear screaming and the statement, "He has a gun!". Your most appropriate action should be to:
seek a safe place and request law enforcement assitance
Which of the following signs of respiratory distress is typically unique to infants and children?
seesaw respirations
Which of the following situations would require an urgent patient move?
semiconscious patient with shallow respirations and signs of shock
Which set of nerves is responsible for carrying information from the body to the central nervous system?
sensory
The cervical spine is composed of __________________ vertebrae
seven
A pregnant patient is diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum. This means that:
she has excessive vomiting
When a person is standing upright, the weight of anything being lifted and carried in the hands is first reflected onto the:
shoulder girdle
In contrast to secure attachment, anxious-avoidant attachment occurs when a child:
shows little emotional response to a parent of caregiver following repeated rejection
The risk of bleeding in the skull, which increases with age, is MOST directly related to:
shrinkage of the brain
Two-way communication that requires the EMT to "push to talk" and "release to listen" describes what mode of communication?
simplex
The electrical impulse of the heart normally begins at the:
sinoatrial node
While providing care to a patient, the EMT informs her partner that a shotgun is leaning against the wall in the corner of the room. In making this observation, the EMT has demonstrated:
situational awareness
Which of the following structures does not contain smooth muscle?
skeletal system
The axial skeleton is composed of the:
skull, face, thorax, and vertebral column
You could be sued for ___________ if your radio report to the hospital describes the patient in a manner that injures his or her reputation.
slander
You are dispatched to a call for a 4-month-old infant with respiratory distress. While you prepare to take care of this child, you must remember that:
small infants are nose breathers and require clear nasal passages at all times
The primary organ responsible for absorption of products of digestion is the:
small intestine
When the EMT assists a paramedic with an advanced intervention, he or she should recall that the focus of the intervention is on:
solving a clinical problem
Activites such as walking, talking, and writing are regulated by the:
somatic nervous system
Which organ lies in the lateral and posterior portion of the left upper quadrant of the abdomen?
spleen
Worn out blood cells, foreign substances, and bacteria are filtered from the blood by the:
spleen
The manner in which the EMT must act or behave when caring for a patient is called the:
standard of care
Which of the following statements regarding standing orders is correct?
standing orders should be followed when physician contact is not possible
Which of the following statements regarding communication with a child is correct?
standing over a child often increasing his or her level of anxiety
As you and your partner are carrying a stable patient down a flight of stairs in a stair chair, you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your lower back. You should:
stop the move and request additional lifting assistance
Cardiac output (CO) is affected by:
stroke volume and heart rate
Which layer of the skin is composed of fatty tissue and serves as an insulator for the body?
subcutaneous
While interviewing a patient, she says she is 2 months pregnant. Where would you document this information when using the SOAP method?
subjective
Which of the following statements regarding Good Samaritan laws is correct?
such laws will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence
A body part that is nearer to the head from a specific reference point is said to be:
superior
You respond to a call at a long-term care facility for an 86-year-old patient who is complaining of breathing difficulty. When you palpate his pulse, it is very fast. When you call the emergency room, you report that the patient is exepriencing:
tachycardia
You are on the way to a CPR call. Your crew consists of you and two additional EMTs. What action can you take to improve how the resuscitation goes?
talk with your team to agree upon what roles everyone will perform
Which of the following is NOT a component of the verbal report for the transfer of patient care?
team debrief
A newborn has four anatomic abnormalities of the heart. What prefix is used to describe this?
tetra-
Gathering data about a patient begins when:
the EMT is given dispatch information
In which of the following situations is an emergency patient move indicated?
the EMT is unable to protect the patient from scene hazards
While caring for a patient, the EMT states to her partner, "Why even splint the patient's leg if they're only going to remove it in the ED?" This statement indicates that
the EMT's focus is not on the common goal
What happens when blood volume is lost from the body?
the arteries contract to increase the blood pressure
EMTs arrive at the scene of an ill person. The EMR, who arrived before the EMTs, advises that the patient had a syncopal episode. The patient is conscious and alert and remains so throughout transport. When transferring patient care to the emergency department nurse, the EMT should advise the nurse that:
the patient had a reported syncopal episode
In which of the following circumstances can the EMT legally release confidential patient information?
the patient is competent and signs a release form
When obtaining patient care orders from a physician via a two-way radio, it is important to remember that:
the physician's instructions are based on the information you provide
The term "pericardiocentesis" means:
the removal of fluid from around the heart
Typical components of an oral patient report include all of the following, EXCEPT:
the set of baseline vital signs taken at the scene
Which of the following statements regarding the different stages of the grieving process is correct?
the stages of the grieving process might occur simultaneously
Which of the following is an example of closed-loop communication?
the team leader assigns the EMT a task, and the EMT repeats the request back to the team leader
When the shoulder girdle is aligned over the pelvis during lifting:
the weight is exerted straight down the vertebrae
Infants are often referred to as "belly breathers" because:
their rib cage is less rigid, and the ribs sit horizontally
Why do middle adults commonly experience financial concerns?
they are preparing for retirement but must still mangage everyday financial demands
Twelve pairs of ribs attach to the _____________ section of the spinal column
thoracic
Your BEST protection against legal liability when a competent patient refuses EMS care and transport is to:
thoroughly document the entire event
You arrive at the scene of a motor-vehicle-versus-pedestrian accident. The patient, a 13-year-old male, is unconscious and has multiple injuries. As you are treating the child, a law enforcement officer advises you that the child's parents will be at the scene in approximately 15 minutes. What should you do?
transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital
You suspect that a 6-year-old girl has broken her leg after falling from a swing at a playground. Shortly after you arrive, the child's mother appears and refuses to allow you to continue treatment. You should:
try to persuade the mother that treatment is needed
The smooth muscle that cuase the artery to contract are found in the:
tunica media
During your assessment of a patient with a chest injury, you note that only one side of his chest moves when he breathes. How should you describe his chest movement?
unilateral
Urine is transported from the kidneys to the urinary bladder via the:
ureters
Which of the following would MOST likely facilitate an accurate and effective verbal handoff report at the hospital?
use of a mutually agreed-upon handoff format
You and your partner are dispatched to a residence for an "ill person". When you arrive, you find that the patient, a 44-year-old man, does not speak English. There are no relatives or bystanders present who can act as an interpreter. You should:
use short, simple questions and point to specific part of your body to try to determine the source of the patient's complaint
At the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you determine that a second ambulance is needed. You attempt to contact the dispatcher with your portable radio, but you are unsuccessful. What should you do?
use the mobile radio in the ambulance to contact dispatch
At the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you determine that a second ambulance is needed. You attempt to contact the dispatcher with your portable radio, but you are unsuccessful. What should you do?
use the radio in the ambulance to contact dispatch
When communicating information over the radio, you should:
use the words "affirmative" and "negatvie" instead of "yes" or "no"
You respond to a 6-year-old male who struck the handlebars of his bicycle. You note a bruise on his abdomen. Which of the following anatomical terms would be appropriate to describe the location of this injury?
ventral
A patient has a blood pressure of 130/70 mm Hg. The "130" in this measurement represents:
ventricular contraction
Skeletal muscle is also called:
voluntary muscle
Which of the following is a function of the upper airway?
warms and humidified inhaled air
The simplest, yet most effective method of preventing the spread of an infectious disease is to:
wash your hands in between patient contacts
The extremity lift would NOT be appropriate to use on a patient:
with a deformed humerus
In contrast to a health care group, a health care team:
works interdependently
What does the W stand for in the acronym ROWS?
worst-case
The carpal bones form the:
wrist
The inferior cartilaginous tip of the sternum is called the:
xiphoid process
The root word cirrh/o means:
yellow-orange
A positive TB skin test indicates that:
you have been exposed to TB
In an independent group, you would have:
your own work area
While trying to make a family member feel better after a loved one has died, your partner uses trite statements. The family members may view this as:
your partner's attempt to diminish their grief