Chapter 2

Which of the following is an accurate statement regarding tuberculosis (TB)? a) A tuberculin skin test can detect TB exposure. b) The TB pathogen only affects lung tissue. c) TB is not spread through surface contamination. d) The incubation period of TB is from 1 to 7 days.

a) A tuberculin skin test can detect TB exposure.

What reference provides important information regarding hazardous materials, emergency care, and procedures in case of accidental fire or release; supplies definitions of placard colors and identification numbers; and should be standard issue on-board all ambulances and rescue units? a) Emergency Response Guidebook b) Accidental Exposure and Contamination Guide c) Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan d) Safety Data Sheets

a) Emergency Response Guidebook

What action does an organ undergo to best describe the term hypertrophy? a) Enlargement b) Wasting c) Absence d) Changing

a) Enlargement

Which of the following terms refers to a positive form of stress that helps people work when under pressure and respond effectively? a) Eustress b) Unstress c) Distress d) Prostress

a) Eustress

What mode of transmission most accurately describes the route of spreading hepatitis A? a) Fecal-oral b) Bloodborne c) Unprotected sex d) Respiratory droplet

a) Fecal-oral

What are some signs and symptoms that a coworker may be experiencing delayed stress reaction (PTSD)? a) Flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of detachment b) Suspicion of friends, family, coworkers, or patients c) Headaches, stomach ailments, and a chronic cough d) Excessive sleeping, loss of appetite, and distractibility

a) Flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of detachment

What are the minimum Standard Precautions an EMT should take when transporting a patient infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)? a) Gloves, N-95 mask, goggles, and gown b) Gloves c) Gloves and N-95 mask d) Gloves, N-95 mask, and goggles

a) Gloves, N-95 mask, goggles, and gown

What are the minimum Standard Precautions an EMT should take when transporting a patient infected with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS)? a) Gloves, N-95 mask, goggles, and gown b) Gloves c) Gloves, N-95 mask, and goggles d) Gloves and N-95 mask

a) Gloves, N-95 mask, goggles, and gown

You are on the scene of an "unknown medical" call. The patient is a 26-year-old, 250-pound male patient who suddenly becomes violently angry. Everything you say to the patient only makes him angrier. Offended by your questions, he screams that he is going to "cut your tongue out" and hurries into the kitchen. What should you do? a) Leave immediately to a safe area and then call for police assistance. b) Radio for police and relay to dispatch important scene information until they arrive. c) Radio for police and then calmly walk out of the house, being sure to take all of your medical equipment. d) Tackle the patient before he can get a kitchen knife to stab you.

a) Leave immediately to a safe area and then call for police assistance.

You are called to an assault on a homeless male. Dried blood from the trauma is visible around the patient's mouth and nose. During assessment, you note the patient has a productive cough. The patient says, "Don't worry, I'm not contagious. I've had this cough for a year." Describe the best approach regarding respiratory isolation. a) Mask yourself and the patient. b) Mask yourself only. c) Use gloves for PPE, as that's all that's needed. d) Isolate the patient with a nonrebreather mask.

a) Mask yourself and the patient.

What is the EMT's highest priority at the scene of a hazardous materials incident? a) Personal safety b) Safety of bystanders c) Identification of hazardous materials d) Patient care

a) Personal safety

During which of these situations would the EMT be least likely to experience a body substance exposure? a) Splinting a sprained ankle b) Bandaging a laceration c) Glucometry d) Childbirth

a) Splinting a sprained ankle

Which of the following parts of the nervous system is responsible for the "fight or flight" response experienced in response to a stressor? a) Sympathetic nervous system b) Peripheral nervous system c) Central nervous system d) Parasympathetic nervous system

a) Sympathetic nervous system

You are treating a patient who has a productive cough and who reports weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, night sweats, and fever. Which of the following diseases is most likely the cause of these signs and symptoms? a) Tuberculosis b) Pneumonia c) AIDS d) Hepatitis B

a) Tuberculosis

Which of the following descriptions BEST defines the term pathogen? a) A study of the origins of infection and disease b) An organism that causes infection and disease c) An immunity developed after an exposure d) A medication with a harmful effect

b) An organism that causes infection and disease

Which of the following is a physiologic effect of the "Stress Triad" as described by the physician Hans Selye? a) Hypertrophy of the lymph nodes b) Bleeding gastric ulcers c) Amnesia for stressful events d) Atrophy of the adrenal glands

b) Bleeding gastric ulcers

A family member who keeps pleading with a deceased loved one to "wake up" is experiencing which reaction to death and dying? a) Rejection b) Denial c) Projection d) Anger

b) Denial

What reference provides important information regarding hazardous materials, emergency care, and procedures in case of accidental fire or release; supplies definitions of placard colors and identification numbers; and should be standard issue on-board all ambulances and rescue units? a) Safety Data Sheets b) Emergency Response Guidebook c) Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan d) Accidental Exposure and Contamination Guide

b) Emergency Response Guidebook

You have just worked a cardiac arrest call on a 48-year-old father of three. Despite your best efforts, the patient died in the emergency department. As you are getting your ambulance in service, the patient's wife rushes out of the emergency department. She finds you and begins screaming at you that her husband's death is your fault. She blames you for not getting on the scene fast enough, taking too long at the house, and not shocking her husband back to life like she has seen on television. What response should you have to her anger? a) Correct her misconceptions and remind her that television shows are fiction, so she will not sue you in the future. b) Listen empathetically to all of her complaints and let her know she can contact you for any additional assistance. c) Reassure her that you did everything you could and that everything will be okay. d) Recognize that she is in the denial stage of grief and interrupt her hysterical behavior pattern by getting her attention and helping her calm down.

b) Listen empathetically to all of her complaints and let her know she can contact you for any additional assistance.

What is a common term used to describe the items needed for Standard Precautions or body substance isolation precautions? a) Harm-reduction strategy b) Personal protective equipment c) Infection-control plan d) Exposure-control plan

b) Personal protective equipment

You respond to a laceration call. When you arrive on-scene, you walk into the house and find a person suffering from a severe wrist laceration from a broken window. Without thinking, you immediately grab the wrist and apply direct pressure to the wound. You then realize that, in your hurry to save a life, you forgot to put on your gloves. You look down to see your hand is covered in blood. When practical, you immediately wash your hands thoroughly. What is your next best action? a) Report the exposure incident because it is the law and you could be fined a large sum of money for failing to report the exposure. b) Report the exposure so you can protect yourself from any accidental infection. c) Report the exposure. Failure to report the exposure may result in you not receiving financial compensation for a potential line-of-duty injury. d) If your hands had no open wounds, it is not required to report the exposure as there is no risk of infection, and you could get in trouble at work for failure to follow policy.

b) Report the exposure so you can protect yourself from any accidental infection.

You respond to a laceration call. When you arrive on-scene, you walk into the house and find a person suffering from a severe wrist laceration from a broken window. Without thinking, you immediately grab the wrist and apply direct pressure to the wound. You then realize that, in your hurry to save a life, you forgot to put on your gloves. You look down to see your hand is covered in blood. When practical, you immediately wash your hands thoroughly. What is your next best action? a) Report the exposure. Failure to report the exposure may result in you not receiving financial compensation for a potential line-of-duty injury. b) Report the exposure so you can protect yourself from any accidental infection. c) Report the exposure incident because it is the law and you could be fined a large sum of money for failing to report the exposure. d) If your hands had no open wounds, it is not required to report the exposure as there is no risk of infection, and you could get in trouble at work for failure to follow policy.

b) Report the exposure so you can protect yourself from any accidental infection.

Which of the following terms is best defined as "a state of physical and/or psychological arousal to a stimulus?" a) Distress b) Stress c) Eustress d) Homeostasis

b) Stress

The CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in all except which of the following situation(s)? a) The patient has a bloodborne communicable disease. b) The provider's hands come into contact with fecal matter. c) The provider is not vaccinated against hepatitis B. d) The patient has a respiratory illness.

b) The provider's hands come into contact with fecal matter.

The CDC recommends using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer in all except which of the following situation(s)? a) The provider is not vaccinated against hepatitis B. b) The provider's hands come into contact with fecal matter. c) The patient has a bloodborne communicable disease. d) The patient has a respiratory illness.

b) The provider's hands come into contact with fecal matter.

Since EMS personnel are often exposed to both acute and chronic stressors, ________ management may be helpful to cope with on-the-job experiences. a) crisis intervention b) critical incident stress c) stress prevention d) chronic stress

b) critical incident stress

Post-traumatic stress disorder may be described as a(n): a) cumulative stress reaction. b) delayed stress reaction. c) acute stress reaction. d) severe stress reaction.

b) delayed stress reaction.

Post-traumatic stress disorder may be described as a(n): a) severe stress reaction. b) delayed stress reaction. c) acute stress reaction. d) cumulative stress reaction.

b) delayed stress reaction.

All of the following are ways that an EMT can increase both physical and mental well-being, except: a) following a regular walking regimen. b) drinking caffeine instead of alcohol. c) spending more time relaxing with friends and family. d) eating more carbohydrates.

b) drinking caffeine instead of alcohol.

Which of the following descriptions BEST defines the term pathogen? a) A medication with a harmful effect b) A study of the origins of infection and disease c) An organism that causes infection and disease d) An immunity developed after an exposure

c) An organism that causes infection and disease

Which of the following is a physiologic effect of the "Stress Triad" as described by the physician Hans Selye? a) Amnesia for stressful events b) Hypertrophy of the lymph nodes c) Bleeding gastric ulcers d) Atrophy of the adrenal glands

c) Bleeding gastric ulcers

Which of the following is the form of stress that can cause immediate and long-term problems with an EMT's health and well-being? a) Hyperstress b) Eustress c) Distress d) Megastress

c) Distress

What action does an organ undergo to best describe the term hypertrophy? a) Changing b) Absence c) Enlargement d) Wasting

c) Enlargement

You are approaching the scene of a motor vehicle crash. Which of the following would be the first way to safeguard your well-being as an EMT?a) Take personal protective equipment (PPE) precautions. b) Utilize DOT-approved reflective safety clothing. c) Ensure scene safety. d) Request additional resources.

c) Ensure scene safety.

Which of the following statements about HIV/AIDS is true? a) The HIV virus lives longer outside the body than hepatitis B. b) Drugs are not available that slow HIV from progressing into AIDS. c) HIV positive needlesticks have less than a 0.05 percent infection rate. d) HIV positive needlesticks have a 30 percent infection rate.

c) HIV positive needlesticks have less than a 0.05 percent infection rate.

You are first on the scene of a vehicle collision where a vehicle has gone off a bridge and is partially submerged. You are told that a person is still trapped in the vehicle. Your partner starts to take off his shoes and prepares to go in to save the victim. You stop your partner and tell him it is too dangerous. He tells you he is prepared to die to save a life. What is the best response to him? a) He will force additional fire units to come to his aid unnecessarily and waste taxpayer money. b) His family will not receive any benefits if he is not trained in rescue and dies while attempting a rescue. c) He is not only putting his life at risk, but also placing the lives of the professional rescuers unnecessarily at risk. d) The patient's family may sue him if he is not successful in rescuing him.

c) He is not only putting his life at risk, but also placing the lives of the professional rescuers unnecessarily at risk.

Which one of these groups is at greatest risk of contracting and transmitting tuberculosis? a) Healthcare practitioners b) Current and former smokers c) Immunosuppressed patients d) Uranium mine workers

c) Immunosuppressed patients

Which of the following behaviors would be considered a common sign of stress rather than an acute psychological problem? a) Failure to use PPE appropriately on a regular basis b) Flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of detachment c) Irritability with friends, family, coworkers, or patients d) increased speeding and reckless driving

c) Irritability with friends, family, coworkers, or patients

Since EMS personnel are often exposed to both acute and chronic stressors, ________ management may be helpful to cope with on-the-job experiences. a) stress prevention b) crisis intervention c) critical incident stress d) chronic stress

c) critical incident stress

The term burnout is also known as a(n) ________ stress reaction. a) delayed b) post-traumatic c) cumulative d) acute

c) cumulative

The tuberculin skin test (TST), formerly known as the purified protein derivative (PPD) test, is used to: a) determine if a person has infected others with TB. b) inoculate healthcare workers against TB infections. c) detect a person's exposure to tuberculosis. d) prevent tuberculosis from spreading following an exposure.

c) detect a person's exposure to tuberculosis.

You observe a coworker telling a terminal cancer patient and her family, "Everything will be okay." Making false reassurances is considered: a) ambiguous and uncertain. b) professional and discreet. c) naive and uncompassionate. d) caring and supportive.

c) naive and uncompassionate.

An EMT should consider wearing protective eyewear when caring for which of these patients? a) A patient with a difficult-to-visualize scalp laceration b) A trauma patient who is covered in dirt, rocks, and other foreign debris c) A patient who was sprayed with mace by police during arrest d) A patient who is actively coughing

d) A patient who is actively coughing

Which of the following pathogens can live in dried blood for days and should be a major concern for EMS providers even while cleaning contaminated equipment? a) AIDS b) Hepatitis A c) Tuberculosis d) Hepatitis B

d) Hepatitis B

Which of the following is true regarding proper hand cleaning? a) Soap and water should be used following any patient contact if the EMT does not wear gloves. b) Following patient contact, the EMT should soak his hands in warm soapy water for at least 30 seconds and then shake them vigorously. c) In cases where soap and water and alcohol-based hand cleaners are not immediately available, bleach wipes should be used. d) If the EMT's hands are visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand cleaner is not sufficient.

d) If the EMT's hands are visibly dirty, an alcohol-based hand cleaner is not sufficient.

When the potential exists for exposure to exhaled air of a person with suspected or confirmed TB, a(n) ________ mask should be worn by the EMT. a) nonrebreather b) B-50 c) surgical d) N-95

d) N-95

What is a simple step EMTs can perform to help prevent the spread of flu in the prehospital environment? a) Encourage patients to get their H1N1 antivirals early in the flu season. b) Notify the CDC and local health department of flu cases. c) Transport all patients with coughs to negative pressure rooms. d) Place a surgical mask on suspected flu patients.

d) Place a surgical mask on suspected flu patients.

Which of the following provides the greatest personal safety for an EMT working at a motor vehicle collision? a) Portable radio b) Flashlight c) Nonslip footwear d) Reflective outer clothing

d) Reflective outer clothing

During which of these situations would the EMT be least likely to experience a body substance exposure? a) Glucometry b) Childbirth c) Bandaging a laceration d) Splinting a sprained ankle

d) Splinting a sprained ankle

You are treating a patient who has a productive cough and who reports weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, night sweats, and fever. Which of the following diseases is most likely the cause of these signs and symptoms? a) Hepatitis B b) Pneumonia c) AIDS d) Tuberculosis

d) Tuberculosis