Chapter 2-EMT

C. retreat and notify law enforcement personnel.

A 75-year-old male with a terminal illness has died at home. As you and your partner enter the residence, a family member becomes verbally abusive, pushes you, and states that you took too long to get there. You should: Select one: A. ignore the family member and assess the patient. B. tell the family member that it is not your fault. C. retreat and notify law enforcement personnel. D. subdue the family member until the police arrive.

B. you have been exposed to the disease.

A positive TB skin test indicates that: Select one: A. you have never been exposed to TB. B. you have been exposed to the disease. C. you are actively infected with the disease. D. the disease is dormant and may become active.

D. may not be obvious or present all the time.

As an EMT, it is important to remember that the signs and symptoms of cumulative stress: Select one: A. cannot be identified and can cause health problems. B. usually manifest suddenly and without warning. C. are most effectively treated with medications. D. may not be obvious or present all the time.

A. mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.

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: Select one: A. mark off a danger zone around the downed lines. B. advise the patients to carefully get out of the car. C. remove the lines with a nonconductive object. D. proceed with normal extrication procedures.

C. defines who is at risk for contact with blood and body fluids and which tasks pose a risk of exposure.

Determination of exposure is an important component of an infection control plan because it: Select one: A. defines who is most likely to transmit communicable diseases in the workplace. B. determines which type of communicable disease might be present in the workplace. C. defines who is at risk for contact with blood and body fluids and which tasks pose a risk of exposure. D. determines the time of day that most exposures are likely to occur.

C. when performing endotracheal intubation

Gloves, a mask, eye protection, and a face shield should be used: Select one: A. while handling needles or other sharps. B. any time you touch non-intact skin. C. when performing endotracheal intubation. D. during routine cleaning of the ambulance.

B. may develop illness from germs that lie dormant from the initial infection.

If a person is partially immune to a particular disease, he or she: Select one: A. must be revaccinated at least every 18 months to avoid infection. B. may develop illness from germs that lie dormant from the initial infection. C. is not protected from a new infection if exposed to another individual. D. will not experience future illness, even if his or her immune system is stressed.

B. clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated.

If it is not possible to adequately clean your ambulance at the hospital following a call, you should: Select one: A. quickly wipe down all high contact surfaces with an antibacterial solution. B. clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated. C. thoroughly wash the back of the ambulance at a local car wash or similar facility. D. wait until the end of your shift and then disinfect the entire patient compartment.

D. transfer care of your patient to another EMS provider.

If you are exposed to a patient's blood or other bodily fluid, your first action should be to: Select one: A. vigorously clean the area with soap and water. B. abandon patient care and seek medical attention. C. report the incident to the infection control officer. D. transfer care of your patient to another EMS provider.

C. wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital.

If you use a waterless handwashing substitute in the field, it is important to: Select one: A. immediately dry your hands with a paper towel. B. avoid donning another pair of gloves for at least 10 minutes. C. wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital. D. wait at least 5 minutes before touching another patient.

C. offer little or no side protection.

Prescription glasses do not provide adequate eye protection because they: Select one: A. do not have shatterproof lenses. B. have large rounded lenses. C. offer little or no side protection. D. are not secured with a strap.

D. wear at least three layers of clothing.

The MOST effective way to preserve your own body heat when functioning in cold, wet weather is to: Select one: A. wear a heavy, thick jacket or coat. B. avoid outer clothing with zippers. C. wear socks made of heavy-duty cotton. D. wear at least three layers of clothing.

A. ensure that employees understand what they should do and why it is important.

The compliance monitoring component of an infection control plan should: Select one: A. ensure that employees understand what they should do and why it is important. B. identify who to notify after an exposure and where treatment should be provided. C. consist of a list of tasks that pose a risk for contact with blood or other body fluids. D. address issues such as medical waste collection, storage, and ambulance disinfection.

C. family history of hepatitis

The hepatitis B vaccine program, a component of the infection control plan, addresses all of the following issues, EXCEPT: Select one: A. vaccine safety and efficacy. B. record keeping and tracking. C. family history of hepatitis. D. postvaccine antibody titers.

C. put on high-visibility safety vests.

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: Select one: A. quickly begin the triage process. B. assist with vehicle stabilization. C. put on high-visibility safety vests. D. report to the incident commander.

D. animals or insects.

Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via: Select one: A. smoke or dust. B. inanimate objects. C. direct contact. D. animals or insects.

D. immunity

Which of the following is the MOST significant factor in determining if a person will become ill from certain germs? Select one: A. gender B. age C. race D. immunity

C. 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 scenarios MOST accurately depicts a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reaction? Select one: A. An EMT with many years of field experience becomes irritable with her coworkers and experiences headaches and insomnia. B. An EMT is emotionally exhausted and depressed after a school bus crash involving critical injuries and the death of several children. C. 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. D. A newly certified EMT becomes extremely nauseated and diaphoretic at the scene of an incident involving grotesque injuries.

A. "I will be compliant with all my medications if I can just see my grandson graduate."

Which of the following statements is MOST consistent with the bargaining phase of the grieving process? Select one: A. "I will be compliant with all my medications if I can just see my grandson graduate." B. "I understand that my death is inevitable and I am ready to die when the time comes." C. "It is because of our lousy health care system that I developed this brain tumor." D. "The doctors must be wrong in their diagnosis because I have always been healthy."

C. There is no vaccine against HIV infection.

Which of the following statements regarding HIV is correct? Select one: A. It is easily transmittable in the EMS field. B. HIV is transmitted exclusively via blood. C. There is no vaccine against HIV infection. D. It is far more contagious than hepatitis B.

A. A quiet patient is not as likely to attack you as one who is screaming.

Which of the following statements regarding a patient with a behavioral crisis is correct? Select one: A. A quiet patient is not as likely to attack you as one who is screaming. B. Depression accounts for a very small percentage of violent attacks. C. People who say that they are "hearing voices" are usually bluffing you. D. A past history of violence is an unreliable indicator of future violence.

D. OSHA requires that your employer offer you the vaccine free of charge.

Which of the following statements regarding the hepatitis B vaccine is correct? Select one: A. Vaccination against hepatitis B provides partial immunity for life. B. Vaccination with the hepatitis B vaccine confers immunity against hepatitis A. C. The hepatitis B vaccine provides protection against the disease for 2 years. D. OSHA requires that your employer offer you the vaccine free of charge.

C. report the incident to your supervisor after the call.

While assisting an advanced life support (ALS) ambulance crew, you are accidentally stuck with an IV needle. You should: A. immerse your wound in an alcohol-based solution. B. get immunized against hepatitis as soon as possible. C. report the incident to your supervisor after the call. D. discontinue patient care and seek medical attention.

B. let clergy or hospital staff relay the bad news if possible

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: A. avoid answering her questions and focus on her injuries. B. let clergy or hospital staff relay the bad news if possible. C. immediately tell her of his death so that she may grieve. D. tell her that he is being resuscitated by other EMTs.

A. maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars.

You are dispatched to the scene of a crash involving a large tanker truck. While you are en route, dispatch advises you that there are multiple patients and that the fire department is en route as well. As you approach the scene, you should: Select one: A. maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars. B. immediately begin evacuating residents that live near the crash site. C. don PPE and quickly triage all patients. D. cordon off the area and quickly remove all of the injured patients.

A. make her comfortable and provide emotional support.

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: Select one: A. make her comfortable and provide emotional support. B. depart the scene and allow her to die with dignity. C. provide no interventions and transport to the hospital. D. start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if she experiences cardiopulmonary arrest.

B. apply a nonrebreathing mask on the patient and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on yourself.

You are transporting a 40-year-old male with respiratory distress. The patient tells you that he recently had a positive tuberculosis (TB) skin test and is currently being evaluated for possible TB. You should: A. remain at least 3 feet away from the patient and apply a surgical mask on him. B. apply a nonrebreathing mask on the patient and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on yourself. C. apply a sterile surgical mask on yourself and a HEPA respirator on the patient. D. apply a nasal cannula on the patient and a sterile surgical mask on yourself.

C. seek a safe place and request law enforcement assistance.

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: Select one: A. proceed into the apartment and apprehend the gunman. B. get in your ambulance and leave the scene immediately. C. seek a safe place and request law enforcement assistance. D. continue into the apartment using extreme caution.

C. requesting a CISM team to provide on-scene peer support.

You have been working at the scene of a major building collapse for 8 hours. Many injured people are still being removed, and everyone is becoming frustrated and losing focus. This situation is MOST effectively managed by: Select one: A. providing large amounts of caffeine to the rescue workers. B. allowing each worker to sleep in 15- to 30-minute increments. C. requesting a CISM team to provide on-scene peer support. D. conducting a critical incident stress debriefing the next day.

A. Discreetly report your suspicions to your supervisor.

Your partner, a veteran EMT who you have worked with regularly for the past 4 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? Select one: A. Discreetly report your suspicions to your supervisor. B. Report the incident to your EMS medical director. C. Tell your partner that he must seek professional help. D. Remain quiet and simply request another partner.