EMR CH. 1-21
During your reassessment of a patient, you should:
identify and treat changes in the patient's condition.
The time from exposure to a disease organism to the time the person begins to show symptoms of the disease is called the ___________ period.
incubation
A basketball player falls on his outstretched arm and sustains a dislocated shoulder. This mechanism is MOST consistent with an injury caused by:
indirect force.
When applying compression to the major artery of an extremity, bleeding is controlled by:
indirectly preventing blood from flowing into the limb.
Maintenance of required certifications or registrations is the responsibility of the:
individual provider.
Even a minor cold can cause breathing difficulty in an infant because:
infants breathe primarily through their noses.
In addition to severe bleeding, the MOST significant risk associated with open fractures is:
infection.
Common signs or symptoms of stress include:
insomnia or nightmares.
A person experiencing ..........may appear to be drunk.
insulin shock
The hormone that enables sugar carried by the blood to move into individual cells is called:
insulin.
Which of the following is the LEAST common cause of altered mental status in elderly patients?
intentional drug overdose
Most deaths from gunshot wounds are the result of:
internal blood loss caused by damage to internal organs.
The attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon on September 11, 2001, were the result of:
international terrorism.
Skills commonly performed by the EMR include all of the following, EXCEPT:
intravenous therapy.
You arrive at an apartment complex where a young woman is experiencing an acute emotional crisis. Law enforcement is present, and the scene is safe. As you enter the patient's apartment, you find her sitting on her couch. She is crying and in obvious emotional distress. You should:
introduce yourself to the patient and ask her what her name is.
Between the ages of 1 and 3 years, a child:
is at high risk for falls because of poor coordination and balance.
According to the Golden Period, a trauma patient's chance for survival increases the MOST if he or she:
is delivered to a trauma center as soon as possible.
The __________ is a movable bone that attaches to the skull and completes the structure of the face.
jawbone
You are dispatched to a senior citizen center for an elderly woman with a nosebleed. When you arrive, you find the patient sitting in a chair with her head over a basin. Her blood pressure is elevated and she complains of being lightheaded. The MOST appropriate care for this patient consists of:
keeping her in a seated position, tilting her head slightly forward, and pinching both nostrils together for at least 5 minutes.
During your assessment of an older man who complains of weakness, you notice a raised bump on his left forearm. He tells you that it is his shunt. This patient MOST likely has:
kidney disease.
When inquiring about a patient's pain, it is MOST appropriate to:
let the patient describe the pain in his or her own words.
You are treating a man with massive facial trauma, but are unable to keep his airway clear of blood. Responding paramedics are approximately 4 minutes away. You should:
log roll the patient onto his side.
A patient with neurologic trauma has injury to some part of the:
nervous system.
The BEST way to avoid being accused of abandonment is to:
never leave a patient alone after you have begun care.
When treating a child with suspected heatstroke, it is important to:
not allow the child to become chilled.
If you see CSF draining from the ear of a patient with a head injury, you should:
not attempt to stop the drainage.
When dispatched to an emergency call, you should:
not respond until you are sure of the location.
The ulna is located:
on the side of the little finger.
A 16-year-old boy experienced a possible spinal injury after he dove into shallow water. Your assessment reveals that he is unconscious, and only his abdomen moves when he breathes. There are no secretions in his mouth. After your partner manually stabilizes the patient's head, you should:
open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver and provide rescue breathing with a pocket mask device.
Most patients who are still in their vehicle following a crash can be accessed by:
opening a door or rolling down a window.
Angina pectoris is a condition that occurs when:
cardiac oxygen demand exceeds supply.
All of the following types of shock are caused by capillary expansion, EXCEPT:
cardiogenic shock.
Which of the following interventions would the EMR MOST likely perform at the scene of a cardiac arrest?
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation
Which of the following medical conditions cause the MOST number of deaths in the elderly population?
cardiovascular diseases and respiratory diseases
Shock is MOST accurately defined as:
cardiovascular system collapse.
Treatment for an open abdominal wound includes all of the following, EXCEPT:
carefully replacing protruding intestines back into the abdomen.
During your primary assessment of a 21-year-old man who was rescued from the water, you note that he is unresponsive, is not breathing, and has water draining from the side of his mouth. You should:
carefully turn him onto his side.
If a patient appears to be in shock or is unconscious, you should attempt to locate the __________ first.
carotid pulse
When performing your primary assessment of an elderly patient who fell at home, it is MOST important to:
consider that a medical condition may have caused the fall.
In any discussion of the risks of terrorist attacks, it is important to:
consider the number of terror-related deaths with other major causes of death, such as accidents.
When the body gets too cold, the blood vessels:
constrict to shunt warm blood to the body's core.
A 44-year-old man shot himself in the head with a small-caliber handgun. Law enforcement personnel are at the scene and have the weapon in their possession. The patient is unconscious and is bleeding heavily from the gunshot wound. His wife, who is also present at the scene, tells you that her husband had been severely depressed after losing his job. You should:
control the bleeding from the wound and then assess the status of the patient's airway and breathing.
A stroke is MOST accurately defined as:
damage or death of a portion of the brain as a result of a lack of oxygen..
Emphysema is caused by:
damage to the alveoli in the lungs.
Which of the following would MOST likely produce the greatest amount of stress for the EMR?
death
Common factors that contribute to negative behavioral changes include all of the following, EXCEPT:
decreased responsibility at work.
Common signs and symptoms of insulin shock include all of the following, EXCEPT:
deep, rapid breathing.
Which of the following is NOT a component of the scene size-up?
determining whether the patient is sick or injured
The US Department of Transportation's responsibility is to:
develop the national education standards for the EMR.
White blood cells are responsible for:
devouring disease-causing organisms.
The condition in which the body is unable to process and use glucose that is carried by the bloodstream to the cells is called:
diabetes.
Areas of the skeletal system include all of the following, EXCEPT the:
diaphragm.
When using a dry chemical fire extinguisher to put out the fire in an automobile with passengers still inside of it, you should:
direct the extinguisher chemical at the base of the fire.
A ___________ occurs when the bone ends that make up a joint are completely separated from each other.
dislocation
A fracture of a femur in a location farthest away from the hip is:
distal.
In addition to ensuring your own safety, the MOST important guideline to follow when moving a patient is to:
do no further harm to the patient.
An advance directive is MOST accurately defined as a:
document that provides instructions to medical caregivers regarding the care the patient wants if he or she is unable to communicate.
Upon arriving at the scene of an overturned tanker truck, you see green liquid leaking from the vehicle. The driver, who is still in the truck, appears to be unconscious and is bleeding heavily from the head. After requesting the appropriate personnel, you should:
ensure that you, your partner, and bystanders are at a safe distance.
If you believe that you are dealing with a case of child abuse, your priority is to:
ensure the safety of the child.
As an EMR, your MOST important consideration is:
ensuring your own safety.
As the first medically trained person to arrive at the scene of a bus accident involving multiple casualties, you should survey the scene for any hazards, request additional resources, and then:
establish an incident command system.
After providing immediate live-saving care for a semiconscious patient with a closed head injury, you should:
examine the patient to detect and treat other serious injuries.
Factors that increase a person's vital signs include:
excess body weight.
Limb injuries are generally not life threatening unless:
excessive bleeding is present.
Which of the following typically occurs when a swimmer experiences trouble in the water and begins breathing inefficiently?
exhaustion and loss of buoyancy
After fracturing a bone, it is common for geriatric patients to:
experience little pain and not realize the seriousness of their injury.
What type of weapon is used to produce a concussion that destroys property and inflicts injury and death?
explosive
To date, the preferred WMD for terrorists has been:
explosive devices.
Which of the following is NOT a typical responsibility of the EMR during the extrication process?
extinguishing any fire
The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale is a tool that assesses:
facial droop, arm drift, and abnormal speech.
Signs and symptoms of anaphylactic shock include:
facial swelling.
Functions of the skeletal system include all of the following, EXCEPT:
facilitating strength and agility.
You are assessing the lower extremities of a young male who fell approximately 20 feet from a roof. His left leg is obviously deformed and he is in severe pain. You should:
feel the temperature of his foot and check the posterior tibial pulse.
The _________ artery produces a pulse at the groin.
femoral
The H1N1 strain of influenza (swine flu) has caused concern because:
few people have immunity to this strain of virus.
When requesting additional ambulances at the scene of a multiple-casualty incident, a good rule of thumb is to request one ambulance for every _____ patients.
five
The emergency medical responder (EMR) should never enter an enclosed space unless:
he or she has proper training and equipment.
In general, a hypothermic patient should not be considered dead until:
he or she is rewarmed at an appropriate hospital.
Most cases of MRSA occur in:
healthcare settings.
Which of the following statements regarding fused joints is correct?
Fused joints do not permit movement between the bone ends.
Which of the following statements regarding the hepatitis B virus is correct?
Hepatitis B is far more contagious than HIV is.
Which of the following statements regarding children and high fever is correct?
High fever can develop quickly from even a minor infection.
After completing your assessment and providing patient care, what should you do if the responding EMS unit is delayed?
Perform ongoing reassessment.
The____________ pulse is located on the inner aspect of the ankle just behind the ankle bone. _posterior tibial
Radial
Which of the following statements regarding skeletal muscle is correct?
Skeletal muscles provide voluntary muscle movement.
You are the first responder to arrive at an emergency scene. What should you do first?
Survey the scene for potential safety hazards.
Normal capillary refill time is:
2 seconds or less.
Which of the following statements regarding treatment for an impaled object is MOST correct?
A large impaled object may have to be cut closer to the patient's body.
Why might the reporting of and response to farm accidents be delayed?
All of the above.
Why is prompt transport of patients with internal bleeding and shock critical to the survival of such patients?
Immediate surgery is often the only way to treat such patients definitively.
A patchy skin discoloration is called:
mottling.
A patient who is suffering from heatstroke:
may be semiconscious or unconscious.
After blood picks up oxygen in the lungs, it:
returns to the left side of the heart.
Which of the following is NOT an appropriate response when acknowledging a patient's or family member's anger?
"Get control of yourself."
You are assisting paramedics who are attempting to resuscitate an elderly man in cardiac arrest. The patient's wife, who is emotionally distraught, is standing alone in the corner of the room observing. One of the paramedics asks you to provide emotional support to the wife. What should you say to her?
"We are doing everything that we possibly can."
Minimal protective equipment that the emergency medical responder (EMR) should use during extrication includes:
. a helmet with a face shield and gloves.
For the purposes of performing cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), a child is defined as:
1 year of age to the onset of puberty.
When performing the straddle slide technique, team coordination problems would MOST likely occur if the patient is moved more than __________ at a time.
10" to 12" (25.4 to 30.5 cm)
According to the rule of nines, the front of an adult patient's trunk accounts for ____ of his or her body surface area.
18%
Capillary refill is considered to be delayed if the fingernail or toenail bed does not return to a pink color within:
2 seconds.
A patient should receive a red tag if his or her respiratory rate is greater than _____ breaths/min.
30
All of the following are obvious indicators of a sick child, EXCEPT:
a strong cry.
A classic sign of croup is:
a barking cough.
The transporting medium for the solid parts of the blood is called:
plasma.
A patient with an infection would be expected to have an increase in:
white blood cells.
A patient with an infection would be expected to have an increased number of:
white blood cells.
Decreased circulation to a part of or all of the body will manifest with skin that is:
white.
When performing an ice rescue, the use of a toboggan:
will spread your weight over a wider area and reduce your chances of falling through the ice.
What is rotor "wash"?
winds that are generated by the main rotor
CISDs are usually conducted:
within 24 to 72 hours following a major incident.
The exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen occurs:
without conscious effort on your part.
All of the following factors increase the risk for violence in the workplace, EXCEPT:
working in large numbers
Which of the following is an example of an internal distraction that may hinder an EMR's communication with a patient?
worrying about personal finances while at the scene of a car crash
The principle of implied consent assumes that an unconscious patient:
would wish to receive treatment.
Compression of the femoral artery could be used to control external bleeding from all of the following locations, EXCEPT the:
wrist.
You are attempting to communicate with a deaf patient; however, because of the patient's hearing impairment, you are having difficulty obtaining the information you need and you do not know sign language. The patient lives alone and has no family. You should:
write your questions on a piece of paper.
According to the START triage system, a patient who requires urgent care that can be delayed for up to 1 hour would be assigned a _______ tag.
yellow
You should not move a patient with a possible spinal injury unless:
you and the patient are in an unsafe environment.
A 40-year-old man is trapped in a below-grade manure pit. You should attempt to rescue him ONLY if:
you are properly trained and have a self-contained breathing apparatus.
You are obtaining the vital signs of a 50-year-old man who is complaining of severe chest pain when he asks you if he is going to die. You should tell him that:
you don't know, but you are providing the best care that you can.
The emergency lights and siren on your response vehicle:
allow you to request the right of way.
The spinal cord is a group of nerves that:
carries messages to and from the brain.
On the human body, proximal means:
close to the point where an arm or leg is attached.
Nasal flaring, if present, usually occurs:
during inspiration.
The removal of waste products from the body begins in the:
kidneys.
The only effective means of combating frostbite is:
preventing it before it happens.
Chlorine and phosgene are common:
pulmonary agents.
The skin of a patient with deep frostbite is MOST commonly:
white and waxy.
When treating a patient with chemical burns to the eyes, you should flush the eyes with water for at least ____ minutes.
20
The correct compression to ventilation ratio for adult CPR is:
30:2.
The spine contains _____ vertebrae.
33
After a patient experiences cardiac arrest, brain damage usually begins within:
4 to 6 minutes.
At what age do the body's systems typically begin to decline?
41 years
A premature newborn is one that weighs less than ____ pounds or is delivered before ____ weeks of pregnancy.
5, 36
Plasma constitutes _____ of a patient's total blood volume.
55%
Croup is an infection of the upper airway that occurs mainly in children between the ages of:
6 months and 6 years.
A healthy newborn's resting respiratory rate should not exceed:
60 breaths/min.
Late adulthood is considered to begin at _____ years of age.
61
Brain damage may become irreversible in as little as _____ minutes following the onset of cardiac arrest.
8
Which of the following scenarios MOST accurately describes trauma caused by direct force?
A pedestrian sustains a broken leg after being struck on the leg by a car.
Which of the following statements regarding a base station is correct?
A base station is used by dispatchers to send and receive messages to and from all parts of the service area.
Which of the following statements regarding blood pressure is correct?
A blood pressure cuff that is too small for the patient may give a falsely high reading.
Which of the following MOST accurately defines a behavioral emergency?
A person who was otherwise acting normally suddenly becomes irritable and displays abnormal or bizarre behavior.
Which of the following statements regarding an EMR's attitude and conduct is NOT correct?
A stern tone of voice will ensure that you gain your patient's confidence.
Which of the following concepts is the first and MOST important when providing patient care?
Above all else, do no harm.
Which of the following statements regarding the ribs is correct?
All 12 pairs of ribs are attached posteriorly to the spinal column.
The MOST common cause of dementia in the elderly is:
Alzheimer disease.
Which of the following statements regarding adolescents is correct?
An adolescent will test the limits of authority.
In which of the following situations would it be MOST appropriate to use an improvised device instead of a commercially prepared long backboard?
An injured patient must be moved immediately to prevent further injury or death.
Which of the following statements regarding fractured bones is correct?
An open fracture occurs when the skin overlying the fracture is not intact.
Which of the following statements regarding anaphylactic shock is correct?
Anaphylactic shock usually has a very rapid onset.
Which of the following statements regarding approaching a helicopter is correct?
Approach the helicopter only after the pilot signals that it is safe to do so.
Which of the following statements regarding arterial bleeding from an extremity is correct?
Arterial blood will surge from the wound with each heartbeat.
Which of the following statements regarding hypothermia is NOT correct?
As hypothermia progresses, the pulse rate increases.
You are dispatched to an elementary school for a 7-year-old boy who sustained a minor injury while on the playground. The child is conscious, alert, and does not appear to have any life-threatening injuries. What should you do?
Ask a teacher to contact the child's parents to obtain consent for you to begin treatment.
Which of the following statements regarding assessment of a patient's extremities is FALSE?
Ask the patient to move a limb only if it appears to be injured.
Which of the following statements regarding pediatric asthma is FALSE?
Asthma is common in patients younger than 1 year.
Which of the following statements regarding respiratory problems is correct?
Asthma produces wheezing during exhalation.
Which of the following statements regarding respiratory burns is correct?
Breathing problems can develop rapidly or over several hours.
Which of the following statements regarding lightning injuries is correct?
Burns caused by lightning are mainly internal and may not be visible right after the injury occurs.
Which of the following represents the MOST correct treatment sequence for a patient with unwitnessed cardiac arrest?
Begin CPR, attach the AED and defibrillate once if indicated, resume CPR, and reassess in 2 minutes.
Which of the following statements regarding partial-thickness burns is correct?
Blisters may not form for several hours after the burn.
What occurs when blood pools in the capillaries instead of circulating throughout the circulatory system?
Blood pressure falls.
Which of the following causes of abdominal pain is MOST common in children?
appendicitis
Which of the following statements regarding CPR is NOT correct?
CPR by itself is often enough to resuscitate a patient in cardiac arrest.
Which of the following prefixes is used when referring to the heart?
Cardio-
The shoulder is an example of a No:
ball-and-socket joint.
Which of the following statements regarding shock in children is correct?
Children often do not show signs of shock as early as adults do.
Which of the following statements regarding child CPR is correct?
Compress the chest with two hands in larger children.
Which of the following statements regarding chest compressions on an infant is correct?
Compress the sternum approximately one third the depth of the chest.
Which of the following is NOT a sign of effective CPR?
Compressions are delivered at a rate of 80 per minute.
Which of the following statements regarding twins is correct?
Delivery of the second infant occurs no differently from the first.
Which of the following statements regarding depression in geriatric patients is correct?
Depression is the most common psychiatric condition experienced by older patients and occurs more frequently in women than in men.
Which of the following statements regarding hearing-impaired patients is correct?
Do a complete assessment on every patient, whether he or she can hear you or not.
Which of the following is NOT a question that you would normally ask when obtaining a SAMPLE history?
Do any of your relatives have any medical problems?
Which of the following statements regarding the general impression is correct?
Do not allow the general impression to block out later information that may lead you in another direction.
A patient requires rapid transport to the hospital when:
EMS personnel are unable to give the patient adequate life-saving care in the field.
The scope of care under which the EMR functions is specified by the:
EMS system medical director.
Which of the following is NOT a major area addressed within the scope of NIMS?
Financial Aid
Which of the following general statements regarding care of the pediatric patient is FALSE?
Frightened, anxious children are usually able to communicate the problem to you clearly.
Which of the following statements regarding seizures is correct?
Grand mal seizures generally last between 1 and 2 minutes.
Which of the following MOST accurately describes the correct technique for performing a clothes drag?
Grasp the clothes just behind the collar, rest the patient's head on your arms, and drag the patient to safety. Correct
Which of the following statements regarding hip fractures is correct?
Hip fractures occur at the upper end of the femur, rather than in the hip joint itself.
Upon arriving at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash, you determine that there are multiple patients. You should:
Immediately request additional resources using the mobile radio in your response vehicle.
Which of the following statements regarding impact fires following a motor vehicle crash is correct?
Impact fires occur when the gas tank ruptures on impact and the car is quickly engulfed in flames.
Which of the following statements regarding an altered mental status in children is correct?
In many cases, you will not be able to determine the underlying cause and must treat the signs and symptoms.
Which of the following statements regarding online medical control is correct?
In most systems, EMRs are not required to contact medical control for the basic skills they are permitted to perform.
What role does insulin play in the body?
It aids in the body's use of glucose.
Which of the following statements regarding the fire fighter drag is correct?
It does not require you to lift or carry the patient.
Which of the following statements regarding CPR on an unresponsive infant with a severe airway obstruction is correct?
It has the same effect as administering chest thrusts on a responsive infant.
Which of the following statements regarding ambulance stretchers is correct?
It is best to use four people if the ambulance stretcher must be lifted or carried.
Which of the following statements regarding the direct ground lift is correct?
It results in poor body mechanics and is generally discouraged.
Which of the following statements regarding the bag of waters is correct?
It usually breaks toward the end of the first stage of labor.
Which of the following statements regarding delivery of the placenta is correct?
It usually delivers on its own within 30 minutes after the infant.
Which of the following statements regarding suicide is correct?
Many patients who fail to kill themselves will attempt suicide again.
What would MOST likely happen if two doctors who are seeing the same patient for different conditions do not communicate effectively with each other?
Medications prescribed by one doctor may interfere with the action of medications prescribed by the other doctor.
Which of the following statements regarding your response to an emergency scene is correct?
Mobile computers, GPS systems, and radios can contribute to crashes.
Which of the following general statements regarding shock is correct?
Most causes of shock must be treated in the hospital.
Which of the following statements regarding the explosive phase of the abuse cycle is correct?
Most injuries to the victim occur during this phase.
Which of the following statements regarding HIV is NOT correct?
Most people with HIV show symptoms early in their disease.
Which of the following statements regarding a situational crisis is correct?
Most situational crises are sudden and unexpected and cannot be handled by a person's usual coping mechanisms.
Your response unit and a police officer simultaneously arrive at the scene of a shooting. After the police officer ensures that the scene is safe, you enter the residence and find the patient, a 22-year-old man, with several gunshot wounds to the chest. He is positioned in between the sofa and a coffee table. What should you do?
Move the coffee table and provide immediate emergency medical treatment to the patient.
Which of the following statements regarding nitroglycerin is correct?
Nitroglycerin usually relieves anginal chest pain within 5 minutes.
As an EMR, your two primary extrication goals include:
Obtaining safe access to the patients and ensuring patient stabilization.
Which of the following statements regarding stress is correct?
Past experiences may make it difficult to deal with stress.
Which of the following statements regarding heat exhaustion is correct?
Patients experiencing heat exhaustion usually have a normal body temperature.
Which of the following statements regarding a patient's consent to treatment is correct?
Patients may refuse treatment at any time, even if treatment has begun.
Which of the following statements regarding transport of a patient to the hospital is correct?
Patients may require immediate stabilization at the closest hospital and then transfer to another facility.
Which of the following statements regarding posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is correct?
People with PTSD relive previous traumatic experiences, whether they are based on personal or widespread events.
An elderly woman must be moved from an unsafe environment quickly. The patient is unconscious and is wearing a thin nightgown. What is the MOST rapid and effective way for you and your partner to move her?
Place a blanket or rug on the ground, roll her onto it, and quickly remove her from the unsafe environment.
You respond to a nursing home for an elderly woman with difficulty breathing. When you enter the patient's room, you find her lying in bed. She has dried blood around her mouth and is making a gurgling sound when she breathes. A staff nurse tells you that the patient has a history of high blood pressure and two heart attacks. Responding paramedics are en route. What should you do first?
Place the patient in a sitting position.
Which of the following statements regarding documentation is NOT correct?
Proper documentation is an unreliable method for determining whether you functioned appropriately.
Which of the following statements regarding puncture wounds is correct?
Puncture wounds may cause significant internal injury despite minimal external bleeding.
You are asked to accompany a paramedic in the back of the ambulance to take care of a patient with suspected TB. The patient is coughing and is in severe respiratory distress. In addition to gloves, what protective measures should you take?
Put on a HEPA respirator and apply an oxygen mask to the patient.
Which of the following statements regarding radiation is correct?
Radiation cannot be seen, felt, or detected with normal body senses.
You and your partner are the first unit to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle crash. The driver of the car is deceased. There are two passengers in the back seat, an unconscious man who is breathing poorly, and a conscious woman who is lying on top of him. How should you move the woman?
Rapidly but carefully remove her from the car so that you can gain access to the unconscious man.
What is the MOST appropriate order for attempting to rescue a victim before entering the water?
Reach, throw, and row.
Which of the following represents the safest approach when attempting to rescue a person from the water?
Reach, throw, row, and go.
Which of the following is the MOST effective way to avoid allowing an angry patient or family member to interfere with your patient care duties?
Realize that the anger is not because of you.
You are dispatched to assist EMTs with an injured person. You are the first responder to arrive at the scene. As you are getting out of your vehicle, you hear someone screaming. What should you do?
Retreat to a safe distance until law enforcement personnel arrive.
Which of the following statements regarding complications of CPR is correct?
Ribs or cartilage may be broken despite proper CPR technique.
Which of the following splints can be molded to the shape of a severely deformed limb to splint it in the position found?
SAM or padded wire ladder splints
Which of the following statements regarding face and scalp wounds is correct?
Small lacerations can result in a large amount of bleeding.
Which of the following statements regarding capillaries is correct?
Some capillaries are so small that only one blood cell at a time can pass through them.
In which of the following situations would it be MOST appropriate for the EMR to discontinue CPR?
Spontaneous ventilation and circulation return.
While responding in a high-crime area of town for a young man who was shot in the chest, the dispatcher advises you that the patient is unconscious and that the perpetrator may still be at the scene. Law enforcement is en route to the scene as well, but the responding paramedics will be delayed. What should you do?
Stop a few blocks away from the scene, stay in your vehicle, and wait for law enforcement to arrive at the scene and ensure that it is safe.
Which of the following statements regarding a stroke is correct?
Stroke patients who appear to be unconscious may be able to hear.
Which of the following statements regarding blister agents is correct?
Sulfur mustard and Lewisite are examples of blister agents.
Which of the following statements regarding two-rescuer adult CPR is correct?
Switching roles every 2 minutes will minimize rescuer fatigue.
Which of the following statements regarding the MOI is correct?
The MOI can provide clues, but it cannot be used to determine which injuries a particular patient has.
In which of the following situations would an emergency move be MOST appropriate?
The area around the patient cannot be protected adequately.
Which of the following statements regarding the heart is NOT correct?
The atria are highly muscular and do most of the pumping for the heart.
Which of the following statements regarding terrorism is correct?
The bombing of an abortion clinic by American citizens is considered a domestic terrorist event.
Which of the following would MOST likely happen when the head strikes the windshield during an automobile crash?
The brain bounces against the inside of the skull.
Which of the following statements regarding sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is correct?
The cause of SIDS remains unknown.
Which of the following statements is correct?
The chest is located on the anterior aspect of the body.
Which of the following statements regarding the patient's chief complaint is correct?
The chief complaint may not be the patient's most serious problem.
Which of the following statements regarding pregnancy is correct?
The length of labor is often longer in women who are first-time mothers.
Which of the following statements regarding the aging process is correct?
The natural process of aging results in a gradual decline in the functioning of all body systems.
Which of the following statements regarding the two-person chair carry technique is correct?
The patient generally feels more secure with this carry than with the seat carry.
Which of the following statements regarding the acceptance stage of the grieving process is correct?
The patient understands that the situation cannot be changed.
How may the mammalian diving reflex protect a person who was submerged in cold water for an extended period of time?
The reflex slows the heart rate and metabolic rate and decreases oxygen demand.
Which of the following statements regarding external bleeding and infectious diseases is MOST correct?
The risk of contracting a disease is low if you use standard precautions.
Which of the following statements regarding the scene size-up is correct?
The scene size-up begins before you arrive at the actual scene of the emergency.
Which of the following statements about the skull is correct?
The skull forms a hollow sphere that contains and protects the brain.
When would a person have the greatest chance for survival following an apparent drowning?
The water temperature is lower than 70°F (21°C).
Which of the following statements is correct?
The wrist is distal to the elbow.
Which of the following statements regarding the sternum is correct?
The xiphoid process is the pointed structure at the bottom of the sternum.
In which of the following situations should you NOT initiate CPR?
There is evidence of tissue decomposition.
Which of the following is an advantage of using a helicopter during an emergency?
They can respond quickly above traffic congestion.
Which of the following statements regarding the ankle and foot is correct?
They contain smaller bones that can be considered as one unit.
Which of the following statements regarding traction splints is correct?
They keep lower extremity fractures aligned.
A dogcatcher was bitten by a stray dog while attempting to put the animal in his truck. The bite is located on the patient's left forearm and is bleeding heavily. You have applied dressings and a bandage to control the bleeding and are awaiting the arrival of a paramedic unit. Which of the following statements regarding this situation is correct?
This incident should be reported to law enforcement officials or the local health department.
Which of the following general statements regarding communication devices is MOST correct?
Throughout the different phases of an emergency medical service (EMS) call, communications systems are used for the same function.
Which of the following is NOT part of the standard precautions recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)?
Use leather gloves as a barrier against blood and fluids.
Which of the following statements regarding a child's airway is correct?
Very young infants can breathe only through their noses.
Susceptibility to frostbite is highest in patients weakened by all of the following, EXCEPT:
active shivering.
According to the START triage system, assessment of a patient's mental status is conducted after:
adequate breathing and circulation have been established.
Crowning is MOST accurately defined as the:
appearance of the infant's head during a contraction.
What are the components of the PAT?
appearance, work of breathing, and skin circulation
Which of the following is an example of abandonment?
You discontinue CPR before paramedics arrive.
While functioning at the scene of a patient in cardiac arrest, you do not initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because the patient is elderly and you think that he is probably dead. Paramedics arrive and determine that the patient has only been in cardiac arrest for 6 minutes. Which of the following statements regarding this scenario is correct?
You may be held liable for failure to follow the standard of care.
Which of the following people would be LEAST likely to experience a heat-related illness?
a 30-year-old man who is slightly overweight
You are asked to set up a landing zone for an incoming helicopter. Which of the following locations is the MOST appropriate?
a 5,000-square-foot field that is flat with only small debris near the landing area
When treating patients who were exposed to a nerve agent, you should follow the appropriate personal protective precautions and recall that:
a MARK 1 kit may counteract the nerve agent.
Which of the following may occur with heatstroke, but NOT with heat exhaustion?
a body temperature as high as 106°F (41°C)
Signs of respiratory distress in a pediatric patient include:
a breathing rate of more than 60 breaths/min in infants.
Which of the following is an example of an MOI finding?
a broken windshield following a motor vehicle crash
The ONLY time that it may be appropriate to ask the patient to move an injured limb is if:
a careful visual and hands-on assessment reveals no signs of injury.
You should be MOST suspicious for child abuse if:
a child's injuries do not match the story you are told about how the injuries occurred.
Proximate cause is MOST accurately defined as:
a correlation between the patient's injury or injuries and the EMS responder's negligence.
A patient with an altered mental status has experienced:
a gradual or sudden decrease in his or her level of responsiveness.
Problems that occur in the prehospital phase of the emergency medical services (EMS) operation are MOST often related to:
a lack of control and coordination of resources and personnel.
A person with osteoporosis has:
a loss of bone strength resulting from a lack of calcium.
The bloody show is MOST accurately defined as:
a mucous plug mixed with blood that is expelled from the cervix.
The AED should be applied in all of the following situations, EXCEPT:
a nonbreathing patient who has a weak pulse.
In most cases, treatment of a minor in an out-of-hospital setting must wait until:
a parent or legal guardian gives consent for treatment.
In which of the following situations would the use of a stair chair be ideal?
a patient with shortness of breath and no history of trauma
With which of the following hearing-impaired patients would it be the MOST difficult to communicate effectively?
a patient with temporary deafness caused by an explosion
EMS documentation is MOST accurately defined as:
a process for verifying your actions on a call using written or computer-based records.
Dementia is MOST accurately defined as:
a progressive and usually irreversible decline in mental functions.
A basic life support (BLS) ambulance is MOST accurately defined as:
a properly equipped vehicle that is staffed by EMT personnel.
The easiest way to splint most shoulder injuries is to apply:
a sling and swathe.
When arriving at a patient's residence, all of the following signs would indicate that the patient is visually impaired, EXCEPT:
a small dog penned up in the backyard.
Confined space rescue requires:
a specially trained team.
The MOST common cause of seizures in infants and young children is:
a sudden high fever.
Treatment for a child involved in a drowning incident may include all of the following, EXCEPT:
abdominal thrusts to force water out of the stomach.
Appropriate treatment for a 7-year-old conscious child with a severe (complete) airway obstruction involves:
abdominal thrusts.
Cardiac arrhythmias or cardiac arrest in patients receiving hemodialysis is MOST often the result of:
abnormal electrolyte levels.
The prefix hyper- means:
above or excessive.
Seizures that are characterized by a brief lapse of consciousness, eye blinking, and a vacant stare are called:
absence seizures.
Under normal conditions, when the cells of the body receive blood, they:
absorb oxygen and produce carbon dioxide.
When transferring the care of a patient to other emergency medical service (EMS) personnel, the EMR typically does NOT:
accompany the patient in the ambulance.
If you are alone with an unresponsive patient, you should first:
activate the emergency medical service (EMS) system and return to the patient.
Which of the following items is NOT commonly carried in an emergency medical responder's (EMR's) life support kit?
activated charcoal
A 4-year-old girl ingested a bottle of aspirin approximately 30 minutes ago. She is conscious and alert but complains that her stomach hurts. The child's mother tells you that she does not think her daughter ingested anything else. The poison control center will MOST likely request that you:
administer 12.5 grams of activated charcoal.
If you are not sure whether a conscious patient is experiencing insulin shock or diabetic coma, you should:
administer a sugar substance.
You are the first medically trained person to arrive at the residence of a middle-aged woman who, according to her husband, is not acting right. The patient is conscious but confused. The left side of her face does not move as well as the right side, and her speech is slurred. Initial care for this patient should include:
administering oxygen if it is available.
What level of EMS provider is able to perform limited ALS skills?
advanced EMT (AEMT)
Following a call involving a high-profile individual, a police officer asks you for a copy of your patient care report. You should:
advise the officer that he or she must obtain a legal subpoena to receive a copy of your report.
If a mentally competent adult refuses medical care, it is important to:
advise the patient to call EMS if he or she changes his or her mind.
You are the first medically trained person to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle crash. The patient is conscious and is bleeding heavily from the head. He is still in the vehicle, which has power lines draped across the hood. You should:
advise the patient to remain still and immediately contact the power company.
When performing one- or two-rescuer CPR on an adult patient, you should reassess him or her:
after every five cycles of CPR.
If a rescuer is alone with an infant or child who is in cardiac arrest, when should the rescuer activate the EMS system?
after five cycles (about 2 minutes) of CPR
When can the rescuer who is manually stabilizing a patient's head safely let go of the head?
after the head has been secured to the board with blanket rolls
Air embolism and decompression sickness are both caused by:
air bubbles being released in the body as a result of changes in pressure while diving.
Depression and a reduced ability to deal with stress would MOST likely be caused by:
alcohol.
To provide the best possible care for the patient:
all EMS personnel must function effectively as a team.
With regard to hazardous materials, federal law requires that:
all vehicles containing certain quantities of hazardous materials must display a HazMat placard.
A CISD is used to:
alleviate the stress reactions caused by high-stress incidents.
When performing chest compressions on any patient, it is important to:
allow the chest to fully recoil between compressions.
If a child's injury or illness permits, it is a good idea to:
allow the child to sit on his or her parent's lap.
During your assessment of a young woman with a sudden onset of abdominal pain, you ask the patient when the pain began. She does not immediately respond to your question. You should:
allow the patient adequate time to answer your question.
The purpose of noting the mechanism of injury (MOI) is to:
allow you to predict what injuries the patient may have.
The START triage system:
allows personnel to triage a patient in 60 seconds or less.
Which of the following is NOT an upper airway structure?
alveoli
The circulatory system consists of all of the following components, EXCEPT:
alveoli.
The tearing away of an entire body part is called a:
amputation.
The MOST common abandonment scenario occurs when:
an EMS provider assesses a patient but fails to transport and later learns the patient died.
All of the following are signs of obvious death, EXCEPT:
an absent pulse.
Common hazards found at automobile crash scenes involve all of the following, EXCEPT:
an abundance of rescue personnel.
All of the following items are included in a prepackaged obstetric (OB) kit, EXCEPT:
an oxygen mask.
During a crisis situation, it is often easier for the patient or a family member to vent his or her feelings on:
an unknown person.
The MOST difficult emotional reaction for the emergency medical responder (EMR) to deal with objectively is:
anger.
Common medical emergencies in the pediatric population include all of the following, EXCEPT:
angina.
Learning some of the basic injury patterns experienced by children will enable you to:
anticipate the injuries you may find during your assessment.
The MOST important aspect of standard precautions is:
anticipating the type of standard precautions needed before arriving at the scene.
Immediately following a seizure, the patient is often:
anxious, confused, or hostile.
A weapon of mass destruction (WMD) is MOST accurately defined as:
any agent designed to cause mass death, casualties, and/or massive damage to property and infrastructure.
Spinal cord injuries caused by a gunshot wound would MOST likely occur as the result of:
any gunshot wound to the neck or trunk.
When a patient or family member has accepted a tragic situation, he or she often feels:
apologetic or guilty.
A motorcyclist struck a tree at a high rate of speed. The patient, who was not wearing a helmet, has a large bleeding laceration to his forehead. Closer assessment reveals visible bone fragments in the wound. You should do all of the following, EXCEPT:
apply a tight pressure dressing to the wound to stop the bleeding.
You are attempting to control severe bleeding from a laceration behind a patient's knee. You have applied direct pressure to the wound and elevated the leg, but it continues to bleed severely. You should:
apply a tourniquet proximal to the knee.
Immediate treatment for a patient with an open chest wound involves:
applying an occlusive dressing.
Most external bleeding can be controlled by:
applying direct pressure to the wound.
In between chest compressions, you should deliver rescue breaths that:
are 1 second in duration.
If you must enter the water to rescue a distressed person, it is MOST important that you:
are a capable swimmer who is properly trained.
The 11th and 12th sets of ribs are called floating ribs because they:
are not attached to the sternum.
Sick or injured patients may not always understand what you are doing or saying because they:
are often scared.
Many of the safety precautions used in accidental emergencies:
are the same precautions needed during a terrorist event.
Patients with cardiogenic shock stand the BEST chance for survival if they:
are transported promptly to an appropriate medical facility.
Cardiac arrest following a heart attack is MOST likely to occur if the:
area of heart muscle supplied by the blocked artery is large.
As you observe the mother's vagina, you see the infant's buttocks as the presenting part. The MOST important thing that you can do is:
arrange for immediate transport.
Which of the following conditions would progressive atherosclerosis be the LEAST likely to cause?
arterial rupture
A pulse can be felt anywhere on the body where a:
artery passes over a hard surface such as a bone.
An important aspect of caring for a sick or injured child is to:
ask a parent to hold the child if the illness or injury permits.
You are attempting to communicate with a severely depressed man who lives in a small apartment. In addition to you, there are three law enforcement officers and two fire fighters in the apartment. The patient appears anxious and will not answer your questions. You should:
ask all nonessential personnel to leave the apartment.
If a patient is unconscious, the quickest way to ascertain his or her medical history is to:
ask family members or friends about the patient's medical history.
You are helping EMTs load an elderly man into the ambulance when the patient tells you that he cannot see and that he left his eyeglasses in his living room. The patient is stable and is being transported for a minor fall. You should:
ask the EMTs to wait until you can retrieve the patient's glasses.
A law enforcement officer requests medical assistance for a 22-year-old man whom the officer pulled over for reckless driving. You arrive approximately 8 minutes before responding paramedics. The patient is conscious but clearly confused. His speech is slurred and he appears to be drunk. You should:
ask the patient if he has a history of diabetes.
You are caring for an 81-year-old woman as a responding EMS unit is en route to the scene. The woman is possibly having a heart attack and becomes frightened after you explain the situation to her. You should:
ask the patient if she understood what you told her.
If, upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, other emergency vehicles and personnel are already present, you should:
ask them where you should park your vehicle.
While assessing a conscious and alert 28-year-old man who was exposed to the cold for a prolonged period of time, you note that he is shivering and his fingers are numb and pale. Initial care includes:
asking him to place his hands in his armpits.
Common principles used when assessing patients with a behavioral crisis include all of the following, EXCEPT:
asking the patient if he or she has any children.
The MOST detrimental effect that passive vomiting can have on a cardiac arrest patient is:
aspiration into the lungs.
Inhalation of vomitus or other secretions into the lungs is called:
aspiration.
You arrive at a residence shortly after a 39-year-old diabetic patient's seizure has stopped. The patient is unconscious, and an ambulance staffed by two emergency medical technicians (EMTs) is en route to the scene. You should:
assess for a pulse and support breathing.
The purpose of the secondary assessment is to:
assess for non-life-threatening conditions after immediate life threats have been identified and corrected during the primary assessment.
When examining a conscious patient's chest, it is important to:
assess for unequal motion of one side or section of the chest.
You are dispatched to a residence for a possible miscarriage. Your patient, a 19-year-old woman, is lying on the couch. She tells you that she is 24 weeks pregnant, and that when she went to the bathroom, she passed what looked like a fetus. After confirming her finding, you should:
assess her for signs of shock, provide emotional support, and arrange for prompt transport.
Approximately 20 patients were injured when a building exploded. After assessing a young woman with a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min and a strong radial pulse, you should:
assess her mental status.
Most fatalities and serious injuries sustained in HazMat incidents result from:
breathing problems.
You are dispatched to a residence for a 59-year-old man who complains of weakness, a fever, and vomiting. He tells you that he began feeling this way a few hours after his dialysis treatment. In addition to administering oxygen, you should:
assess his vital signs and be prepared to treat him for shock.
The MOST effective way to assess a small child's level of responsiveness is to:
assess the child's interaction with his or her environment.
Upon arriving at the scene of a multiple-patient incident, the EMR's primary responsibility is to:
assess the environment to detect possible threats to his or her safety.
When determining whether to use one or two rescuers to provide walking assistance to an ambulatory patient, you should:
assess the patient's condition and the incident scene. Correct
Before attempting to move any patient, you should:
assess the patient's weight and know your physical limitations.
You are dispatched to a residence for a patient with an altered mental status. Your initial action should be to:
assess the scene for safety hazards.
You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle crash. The vehicle is a small passenger car that rolled several times and is now resting on its side. The patient, a middle-aged man, is still in the vehicle and will not respond when you ask if he is okay. You should:
assess the stability of the vehicle and notify the fire department.
A 4-year-old boy was electrocuted when he stuck a pin into an electrical outlet. You arrive at the scene and assess the child, who is motionless and is not breathing. A responding ambulance is approximately 5 minutes away. The MOST appropriate assessment and treatment sequence for this child consists of:
assessing for a carotid pulse, performing 30 chest compressions, opening the airway, and delivering two rescue breaths.
Which of the following should be your primary concern when assessing a patient with possible rib fractures?
assessing for internal injury and shock
In addition to maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation, the MOST important aspect to consider when caring for a patient who has fainted as the result of psychogenic shock is:
assessing the patient for any injuries that may have occurred.
The FIRST step in the process of extrication involves:
assessing the scene and requesting help.
When EMTs or paramedics arrive at the scene of an emergency, the EMR should:
assist the EMTs in continuing the care that he or she initiated.
A 60-year-old man complains of severe chest pressure that feels like a vise around his chest. His skin is cool and moist, and he is short of breath and very anxious. The patient tells you that he has taken three nitroglycerin tablets, but the pain has not been relieved. You should:
assume that he is having a heart attack and arrange for prompt transport to an appropriate medical facility.
A condition characterized by a sudden spasm of the smaller air passages in the lungs is called:
asthma.
Oxygen passes from the blood cells into the cells of body tissues:
at the capillary level.
During the triage process at a multiple-casualty incident, you assess a conscious patient who is breathing at a rate of 40 breaths/min. According to the START triage process, your MOST appropriate action would be to:
attach a red tag to the patient and move to the next patient.
Tendons function by:
attaching muscles to the bones.
A DNR order is a written request giving permission for medical personnel not to:
attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.
If you are unable to withdraw from an unsafe scene, your FIRST action should be to:
attempt to remain calm.
During delivery, you note that the umbilical cord is wrapped around the infant's neck. Your initial action should be to:
attempt to slip the cord over the infant's shoulders.
If your EMS system uses a helicopter to transport patients, it is MOST important to:
attend an orientation session with the helicopter personnel.
In addition to CPR, many EMRs are also trained to perform:
automated external defibrillation.
If you suspect that a child has epiglottitis, it is MOST important to:
avoid examining the child's throat.
Once you have gained access to a patient and entered the wrecked vehicle, it is MOST important to:
avoid getting in front of an undeployed air bag.
When opening a small child's airway, it is important to:
avoid hyperextension.
When functioning at a crime scene, the EMR should:
avoid moving furniture unless it interferes with patient care.
When treating a patient who has a hemodialysis shunt in his or her arm, it is important to:
avoid taking a blood pressure in the arm that has the shunt.
When caring for a conscious patient, it is MOST important to:
avoid telling the patient that everything will be all right.
When applying a sterile dressing to an open wound of the forearm, you should:
avoid touching the side that will be in contact with the wound.
The location of a lateral body part is:
away from the midline of the body.
Patients with deeply pigmented skin may show color changes in all of the following locations, EXCEPT the:
back of the hands.
To see his grandson graduate from high school, a man with a terminal illness promises to keep all of his doctor's appointments and take all of his medications exactly as prescribed. This is an example of:
bargaining.
If you must rescue patients from a building that has exploded, it is MOST important to:
be alert for the presence of a second explosive device.
All patients with a significant head injury must:
be assumed to have a cervical spine injury as well.
Documentation regarding patient care provided by the EMR should:
be clear, concise, accurate, and readable.
Federal regulations require that all vehicles transporting a certain quantity of hazardous materials:
be marked with a placard that identifies the material being transported.
For a patient to be legally able to make a decision regarding his or her own health care, he or she must:
be of legal age as defined by state law.
If a patient with dyspnea is breathing too slowly or too rapidly, you should:
be prepared to assist the patient's breathing.
It is usually best to collect a medical history on a patient who is experiencing a medical problem:
before you perform a secondary patient assessment.
If you witness a patient's cardiac arrest, you should:
begin CPR and apply an AED as soon as one is available.
A young woman was removed from ice water and is found to be in cardiac arrest. You should:
begin CPR and continue until the patient is transported to a hospital.
If you are unable to feel a carotid pulse in an unconscious, nonbreathing adult within 5 to 10 seconds, you should:
begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at once.
During your assessment of a newborn's pulse, you note that it is 50 beats/min. You should:
begin chest compressions.
You arrive at the scene of an incident involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. Law enforcement officers are present, but the paramedic unit will not arrive for another 5 minutes. Your patient, who was struck by the vehicle, is a 16-year-old girl. She is unconscious and has severe bleeding from her head. You should:
begin immediate treatment and ask a law enforcement officer to attempt to contact the child's parents.
You arrive at an office building shortly after a 29-year-old man had a seizure. During your assessment, you determine that the patient is unresponsive and is breathing very slowly with minimal chest rise. You should:
begin mouth-to-mask rescue breathing.
You arrive at a golf course where a man was struck by lightning. Bystanders have moved the patient to an area of safety. Your primary assessment reveals that he is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a pulse. You should:
begin one-rescuer CPR.
You have reached a young man who was found face down in the water. Your assessment reveals that he is not breathing but has a pulse. After stabilizing the patient's head and neck, you should:
begin rescue breathing.
Contractions are timed from the:
beginning of one to the beginning of the next.
To compensate for fluid loss, the heart:
begins to pump faster.
Which of the following is NOT a criterion used by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to evaluate an EMS system?
billing and collections
Most strokes are caused by a:
blood clot that lodges in an artery in the brain.
Shock resulting from hemorrhage occurs when:
blood escapes from a normally closed circulatory system.
Which of the following sets of vital signs is typical for an otherwise healthy adult?
blood pressure, 110/60 mm Hg; pulse, 70 beats/min; respirations, 16 breaths/min
Capillary bleeding is characterized by:
blood that oozes from the patient's injury.
Laying a shock patient flat and elevating his or her legs may cause:
blood to drain from the legs into the circulatory system.
The MOST significant complication associated with a pelvic fracture is:
blood vessel laceration and internal bleeding.
A contusion is also known as a bruise and is an injury that occurs when:
blood vessels beneath the skin are broken.
During CHF, congestion of blood occurs in the:
blood vessels.
Insulin shock occurs when the:
body has enough insulin but not enough blood glucose.
It is MOST important to bandage both eyes when there is an object impaled in one of them because:
both eyes move together and can result in further injury.
Following physical exertion, you would expect a patient's pulse to be:
bounding.
To control external bleeding from the upper arm, you should compress the __________ artery.
brachial
The central nervous system is composed of the:
brain and spinal cord.
Dizziness, difficulty speaking and seeing, and a decreased level of consciousness are signs that air bubbles have affected the:
brain or spinal cord.
Thinking, breathing, heartbeat, and digestion are central functions of the:
brain.
The primary function of the digestive system is to:
break down food into a form that can be carried to the body's cells.
If you believe that a passenger's condition is serious enough to require immediate care, but you cannot enter through a door, you should:
break one of the side or rear windows because they are made of tempered glass.
A major sign or symptom of CHF is:
breathing difficulty.
What parameters does the START triage system assess to determine a patient's priority in a multiple-casualty situation?
breathing, circulation, and mental status
Shortly after you apply an occlusive dressing to the chest of a man who was stabbed, the patient begins to experience increased difficulty breathing. EMTs are en route to the scene but will not arrive for approximately 8 minutes. You should:
briefly remove a corner of the occlusive dressing to allow air to escape.
The respiratory system functions by:
bringing oxygen into the body and removing carbon dioxide.
The airway within the lungs branches into narrower and narrower passages called:
bronchioles.
Battle's sign is MOST accurately defined as:
bruising behind one or both ears.
The arm-to-arm drag allows you to move a patient:
by carrying the weight of his or her upper body as the lower trunk and legs drag on the floor.
When caring for a patient who appears to be unconscious, you should:
call the patient in a tone of voice that is loud enough for him or her to hear.
You are caring for a 12-year-old girl who experienced a sudden onset of respiratory distress after playing with her neighbor's cat. The child's mother is present and tells you that her daughter has asthma. During your assessment, you can hear wheezing on exhalation without a stethoscope. The child is conscious, though obviously frightened. You should:
calm and reassure the child, place her in a comfortable position, administer oxygen if it is available, and ask the mother if the child takes any medications.
For at least the first 6 months of their lives, infants:
can breathe only through their noses.
According to the START triage system, a green tag is used to identify those who:
can have care delayed for up to 3 hours.
Cardiogenic shock occurs when the heart:
cannot pump enough blood to supply the needs of the body.
Which of the following is NOT a common hazard associated with farm silos?
carbon dioxide depletion
A specialized type of muscle that is found only in the heart is called:
cardiac muscle.
You are attempting to open the airway of an unresponsive injured man with the jaw-thrust maneuver but are unable to adequately open the airway. You should:
carefully perform the head tilt-chin lift maneuver to open the airway.
You respond to the residence of an 80-year-old woman who fell. When you enter the patient's home, you find her sitting on the couch. She is wearing several layers of clothing and complains of pain to her left arm, shoulder, and hip. Responding emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are en route to the scene. After ensuring a patent airway and adequate breathing and circulation, you should:
carefully remove enough clothing so that you can conduct a complete full-body assessment.
A young man sustained a stab wound to the artery in the neck. To control the bleeding from this injury, you should apply pressure to the:
carotid artery.
Compared to veins, arteries:
carry blood away from the heart at high pressure.
In contrast to veins, arteries:
carry blood away from the heart under high pressure.
Caffeine is a drug that:
causes a release of adrenaline.
What is the proper location for performing chest compressions on a child or adult patient?
center of the chest, in between the nipples
The five sections of the spine, in descending order, are the:
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.
The sections of the spinal column, in descending order, are the:
cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacrum, and coccyx.
By compressing a patient's sternum during CPR, you:
change pressure in the patient's chest and force blood through the body.
Which of the following is the MOST reliable indicator of early shock?
changes in mental status
An important aspect of splinting is to:
check distal circulation and sensation before and after splinting.
When checking for a pulse in an adult patient, you should:
check for at least 5 seconds but no more than 10 seconds.
Your assessment of an adult male reveals that he is unresponsive and not breathing. After instructing a bystander to call 9-1-1. You should:
check for the presence of a carotid pulse for up to 10 seconds.
The BEST method for checking circulation in a triage situation is to:
check the carotid pulse.
Regardless of the cause of a child's injury, your FIRST priority is to:
check the patient's ABCs.
The circulatory status of an extremity is assessed by:
checking the pulse and capillary refill time.
A nerve agent is a form of:
chemical warfare.
What part of the body is LEAST susceptible to frostbite?
chest
Which of the following is generally NOT present in a child who has ingested a poison?
chest pain
Counting a child's respirations for less than 30 seconds can cause inaccurate results because:
children often breathe irregularly.
Hazardous chemicals that are commonly found on farms include all of the following, EXCEPT:
chlorine.
Each shoulder girdle supports an arm and consists of the:
clavicle and scapula.
Each shoulder girdle consists of the:
clavicle, scapula, and humerus.
After opening the airway of an unconscious elderly woman, you discover that there are thin secretions in her mouth. You should:
clear her airway with suction.
Shock and blood vessel damage can lengthen normal capillary refill time. In addition, a patient's capillary refill time will be longer if he or she is:
cold.
The MOST significant danger associated with facial injuries is:
collapsed facial bones and airway obstruction.
When assessing a child's general appearance, you should:
compare it to what you would expect from a healthy child of the same age.
When dealing with a patient who is exhibiting abnormal behavior, your initial action should be to:
conduct a careful size-up of the scene.
Routine postrun activities include all of the following, EXCEPT:
conducting a critical incident stress debriefing (CISD).
As part of your ethical responsibilities, you are expected to:
conform to accepted professional standards of conduct.
Back slaps and chest thrusts are performed on:
conscious infants with a severe airway obstruction.
When a light is shone into a patient's pupil, the pupil should:
constrict.
You and your partner are performing CPR on a 77-year-old man when his wife states that he has terminal cancer and does not want to be resuscitated. She further tells you that he has a living will; however, she is unable to locate it. You should:
continue CPR and contact medical control for guidance.
Air is inhaled into the lungs when the diaphragm:
contracts and moves downward in the chest.
After ensuring an open airway, your next priority after gaining access to a patient who is entrapped in his or her vehicle is to:
control any severe bleeding.
High ambient temperatures reduce the body's ability to:
cool itself by radiation.
The major risk associated with a prolapsed umbilical cord is:
cord compression during a contraction.
The heart receives its oxygen supply from the:
coronary arteries.
A young boy has what appears to be a small laceration to his eyeball after his sister threw a toy at him. The child is crying but is surprisingly cooperative. You should:
cover the eye with a dry gauze pad, lie the patient on his back, and arrange for transport to the hospital.
You are caring for a woman whose hand was injured after being bitten by a dog. She has a large laceration to the top of her hand and her fingers are deformed. After checking distal sensation and circulation, you should:
cover the laceration with a dry, sterile dressing and place her hand in the position of function.
General principles of splinting include all of the following, EXCEPT:
covering open wounds after applying the splint.
After taking standard precautions, initial treatment of an open deformed extremity injury involves:
covering the wound and controlling bleeding.
The tough four-bone shell that protects the brain is called the:
cranium.
Which of the following does NOT usually occur during the first stage of labor?
crowning during contractions
The purpose of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is to:
cushion the brain from direct blows.
If pediatric-sized defibrillation pads and an energy reducer are not available for a child in cardiac arrest, you should:
defibrillate with a regular AED.
Emergency medical service (EMS) providers, law enforcement officers, and fire fighters are especially at risk for:
dehydration caused by excess fluid loss.
A combination of caffeine and alcohol would MOST likely cause:
dehydration.
If an unresponsive adult patient is not breathing but has a weak pulse, you should:
deliver one rescue breath every 5 to 6 seconds.
During the second stage of labor:
delivery of the infant occurs.
The third stage of labor involves:
delivery of the placenta.
Several hours following death, a patient develops red or purple colored areas on the parts of the body that are closest to the ground. This is called:
dependent lividity.
When inserting an oral airway adjunct in a child, you should:
depress the tongue before inserting the airway.
Burns are classified by the:
depth of the burn.
Which layer of the skin contains sensory nerves and sweat glands?
dermis
When communicating with a non-English-speaking patient, you should first:
determine how much English the patient can speak.
If you suspect that an infant has an airway obstruction, you should FIRST:
determine if there is any air exchange.
Upon arriving at the scene of an emergency call, a visual survey will enable you to:
determine the number of patients and estimate injury severity.
Enhanced 9-1-1 centers have the capability to:
determine the physical location of the caller via the computer.
The scene size-up and general impression of the patient will MOST likely help you:
determine whether the patient has experienced trauma or illness.
The abdomen is separated from the chest by the:
diaphragm.
Signs of a severe (complete) airway obstruction in a child include all of the following, EXCEPT:
difficulty speaking.
Signs and symptoms of exposure to an organophosphate include all of the following, EXCEPT:
difficulty urinating.
Bleeding from a wound to the male or female genitalia is MOST effectively treated with:
direct pressure.
If a patient is lying on the floor or ground in an unsafe environment, you should:
drag the patient away from the scene instead of trying to lift or carry him or her.
The MOST appropriate technique for moving an adult patient from his or her bed to the ambulance stretcher is the:
draw sheet method.
The MOST important assessment skill to use when caring for a patient with a behavioral emergency is:
effective communication.
A 40-year-old woman has an injury to the midshaft humerus following a motor vehicle crash. What major joint is immediately distal to her injury?
elbow
When treating a patient with an electrical burn, it is important to remember that:
electricity causes major internal damage rather than external damage.
You are the first person to arrive at the scene of a male patient who was kicked in the abdomen. The patient is conscious but has signs of shock. Responding emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are en route to the scene. After ensuring that the patient is breathing adequately, you should:
elevate his legs 6" to 12" (15.2 to 30.4 cm).
You arrive at the scene of a 30-year-old woman in active labor. Responding paramedics are approximately 10 minutes away. During your assessment of the patient, you see part of the umbilical cord protruding from the vagina. You should:
elevate the mother's hips and keep the protruding cord moist.
A water tower is an example of a:
elevated confined space.
In which of the following situations would the use of a gown or apron, face shield, and gloves clearly be indicated?
emergency childbirth
The first phase of a situational crisis, which is characterized by cool and clammy skin, nausea and vomiting, and general inactivity, is called:
emotional shock.
Imagining yourself in another person's situation, sharing his or her feelings and ideas, is called:
empathy.
Specific causes of cardiopulmonary arrest in children include all of the following, EXCEPT:
emphysema.
If you are called to a residence to assist a chronically ill patient whose problem is likely the result of malfunctioning home healthcare equipment, you should:
enlist the help of people who regularly take care of the patient and are familiar with the equipment.
As soon as you determine that your patient is in shock, you should begin the appropriate treatment and then:
ensure that an ambulance has been dispatched.
You are caring for a 76-year-old man who complains of breathing difficulty. During your assessment, you note that he has hearing aids in both ears. You should:
ensure that he can hear you by speaking slowly and clearly.
If the AED states that a shock is advised, you should:
ensure that no one is touching the patient.
When applying a bandage, you should:
ensure that the dressing completely covers the wound.
You are assisting a woman in labor who is 35 weeks pregnant. After delivering the newborn, you ensure adequate breathing and circulation. You should next:
ensure that the newborn is warm.
The structure that prevents food or liquid from entering the larynx is called the:
epiglottis.
A 6-year-old girl presents with severe respiratory distress, a high fever, and difficulty swallowing. Further assessment reveals that the child is drooling and is breathing with her chin thrust forward. You should be MOST suspicious for:
epiglottitis.
Which of the following medications would a patient who is highly allergic to bee stings MOST likely carry?
epinephrine
A patient who verbally or nonverbally lets you know that he or she is willing to accept treatment is giving you___________ consent.
expressed
Congestive heart failure (CHF) is caused by:
failure of the heart to pump adequately.
Once released, the egg travels to the uterus via the:
fallopian tube.
The patient assessment sequence consists of all of the following components, EXCEPT:
family medical history.
Accidents involving farm machinery usually involve:
farm tractor rollovers.
When assessing the pulse rate of a child younger than 1 year, you should:
feel for the brachial pulse.
The strongest bone in the entire body is the:
femur.
The developing infant is also called the:
fetus.
Which of the following signs would you NOT expect to find in a patient with CHF?
flat neck veins
Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include all of the following, EXCEPT:
flushed, dry skin.
Signs and symptoms of internal bleeding include all of the following, EXCEPT:
flushed, moist skin.
Red skin color is said to be:
flushed.
Which of the following skin signs does NOT indicate decreased circulation or low levels of oxygen in the blood?
flushing
Which of the following devices would NOT serve as an adequate replacement for a long backboard?
foam surfboard
Redirection is a technique used to:
focus a patient's attention on the immediate situation or crisis.
The MOST effective way to prevent exposure to infectious diseases is to:
follow standard precautions on all calls.
If the family member of a cardiac arrest patient presents you with a living will, you should:
follow your department's protocols.
The purpose of the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) is to:
form a quick impression using sight and hearing.
Ways in which the emergency medical responder (EMR) can prevent and reduce unnecessary stress include all of the following, EXCEPT:
frequent exposure to stress-causing situations to train the mind.
The term "anterior" refers to the:
front.
Common signs and symptoms of diabetic coma include:.
fruity breath odor.
Vomiting and diarrhea in children are MOST often the result of:
gastrointestinal infections.
When inspecting an injured limb, you should FIRST:
gently cut away any clothing covering the limb.
A 60-year-old man complains of a sudden onset of tearing abdominal pain and pain in his shoulder. He has a history of high blood pressure and diabetes. The patient is conscious and alert, but is very anxious. You should:
gently place him in a comfortable position.
Your mental and physical health may suffer, resulting in a decreased ability to deal with stress, if you:
get less than 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.
Your main priority when responding to any emergency scene is to:
get there safely and quickly.
Effective ways of communicating with a hearing-impaired person include all of the following, EXCEPT:
getting close to the person's ear and shouting.
You respond to the home of a known diabetic patient. The patient's husband tells you that his wife was fine earlier in the day, but then suddenly began acting strange. He further tells you that she took her insulin but did not eat. The patient is conscious but confused. Her skin is pale, moist, and cool, and her pulse is weak and rapid. After ensuring a patent airway and adequate breathing, you should:
give her a tube of oral glucose if available.
When performing two-rescuer CPR on an infant or child, you should:
give two breaths after every 15 compressions.
Which organs are protected by the pelvis?
reproductive organs
In the absence of a prepackaged OB kit, it is MOST important to remember that you can still assist in delivering an infant with no more than:
gloved hands and common sense.
A 60-year-old man is found sitting in his car alongside the road. There is no apparent damage to his vehicle. Your assessment reveals that the man is in cardiac arrest. You should:
grasp the patient under his arms, cradle his head between your arms, and remove him from the vehicle.
Which of the following burns in the adult equals 18% of the patient's body surface area?
half of the back and an entire arm
The National Incident Management System (NIMS) was designed to:
handle the immediate response, mitigation, and long-term recovery of small and massive natural and man-made incidents.
Compared to insulin shock, diabetic coma:
has a gradual onset.
A patient who is wearing a MedicAlert bracelet or necklace:
has consented to the release of information to medical personnel.
The direct ground lift should NOT be performed if the patient:
has experienced a traumatic injury.
Blood is pumped throughout the entire body after it:
has picked up oxygen in the lungs.
Patients who pose the highest risk of transmitting TB almost invariably:
have a cough.
To treat an emotionally disturbed patient against his or her will, you must:
have a reasonable belief that the patient would harm himself, herself, or others.
The first step in the START triage system is to:
have all of the walking patients move to a specific area.
Many previous terrorist attempts to use either chemical or biologic weapons to their full capacity:
have been unsuccessful.
Short backboards or vest-style devices are MOST appropriate to use for patients who:
have neck or back pain and are in a sitting position.
If terrorists intentionally dispersed a biologic agent, the organism would:
have to come in contact with people in sufficient quantities to produce an illness.
If you and your partner must remove a patient from a vehicle immediately, you should first:
have your partner manually support the patient's head.
The MOST common cause of death in public safety workers is:
heart and blood vessel disease.
Which of the following conditions would be the LEAST likely to mimic the signs and symptoms of a stroke?
heart attack
A pulse is generated when the:
heart contracts and sends a wave of pressure through the arteries.
The leading cause of death in the United States is:
heart disease.
Swollen neck veins are MOST likely an indicator of:
heart problems or a chest injury.
Thermal burns are caused by:
heat.
You are at the scene of a shooting. The patient, who is being cared for by paramedics, is unconscious and has severe uncontrollable bleeding from his injury. As an EMR, your MOST important function is to:
help the paramedics prepare for rapid transport.
When referring to the blood, the prefix _______ is used.
hema-
Which of the following conditions would MOST likely cause a nosebleed?
high blood pressure
You should be MOST suspicious of a hip dislocation if the:
hip joint is locked and the leg is internally rotated.
As a child's body temperature rises:
his or her heart rate increases.
Ecoterrorists would MOST likely target:
housing developments.
Each upper extremity consists of the:
humerus, radius, and ulna.
The bone of the upper arm is called the _________, and the bones of the forearm are called the _________ and _________.
humerus, radius, ulna
When communicating with a hearing-impaired person using sign language, placing the tips of your index fingers together means:
hurt.
Which of the following is NOT a sign or symptom of a head injury?
hyperactivity
Patients with an air embolism or decompression sickness often require treatment in aNo:
hyperbaric chamber.
During the primary assessment, you should:
identify and correct all life-threatening conditions.
A very important step to remember when handling any hazardous materials (HazMat) incident is to:
identify the substance(s) involved in the incident.
Once the trained HazMat rescuers have been protected properly, they should next:
identify victims who have sustained an acute injury as a result of exposure to hazardous materials.
You should gently press on the bones of the pelvis:
if the patient does not report pain to the pelvis.
Acute blockage of a coronary artery MOST often causes the patient to experience:
immediate and severe chest pain.
If you must treat an unarmed patient who is or may become violent, you should first:
immediately attempt to establish verbal and eye contact with the patient.
If you are confronted by a person who is armed with a gun, knife, or other weapon, you should:
immediately attempt to withdraw from the situation.
If a cardiac arrest patient is found in a bed, you should:
immediately place the patient on a firm, level surface.
The leg consists of the:
tibia and fibula.
During two-rescuer CPR on a 60-year-old woman, the patient begins regurgitating. You should:
immediately place the woman on her side.
In most situations, you should park your emergency response vehicle:
in a location that does not obstruct traffic.
While you treat an elderly patient, he tells you that he bleeds easily. Which of the following would MOST likely cause this?
inadequate platelet count
You can reduce stress MOST effectively during recreational activities by:
including friends who are not coworkers.
What effects does caffeine have on the body?
increased blood pressure and increased stress
You have just applied an occlusive dressing to an open chest wound on a man who was stabbed. While awaiting the arrival of the transporting EMTs, it is MOST important to monitor the patient for:
increased difficulty breathing.
Potential causes of seizures include all of the following, EXCEPT:
increased oxygen levels in the brain.
Signs and symptoms of extreme stress include all of the following, EXCEPT:
increased sex drive.
You have just applied an air splint to a patient's injured forearm. When inflating the splint, you should:
inflate it by mouth until the plastic can be depressed slightly with your finger.
If you are presented with an advance directive that does not appear to be valid, you should:
initiate the care that is appropriate for the patient's condition.
After opening the airway of an unconscious patient, you should:
inspect the mouth for foreign bodies or secretions.
When treating any patient with a nosebleed, you should:
instruct the patient not to blow his or her nose.
To assess arm drift properly in a patient with a possible stroke, you should:
instruct the patient to keep his or her eyes closed.
Upon entering the residence of an elderly woman who complains of nausea and weakness, you see a pair of eyeglasses on an adjacent end table and a small dog sitting calmly near the patient. As you approach the patient, you should:
introduce yourself and ask her if she can see.
The first part of determining a conscious patient's level of responsiveness is to:
introduce yourself to the patient.
If a patient refuses emergency medical care but is not thinking rationally and appears to be a threat to self or others, the EMR's BEST course of action is to:
involve law enforcement.
The spinal cord:
is a group of nerves that carry messages to and from the brain.
A patient is said to be alert if he or she:
is able to answer questions accurately and appropriately.
The one-person walking assist method can be used if the patient:
is able to bear weight on his or her feet.
A child is MOST accurately defined as a person who:
is between 1 year and the onset of puberty.
Your partner, who holds a second job with a private ambulance service, is very irritable with you and the patient during a call. When you ask him to take the patient's blood pressure, he fumbles with the equipment and appears very distracted. You should be MOST suspicious that your partner:
is experiencing sleep deprivation.
You are the first responder to arrive at the scene of a one-vehicle car crash. A paramedic crew is approximately 10 minutes away. The patient is outside of her car, sitting on the curb. As you approach her, she begins telling you what happened and asks you to take her blood pressure. This patient:
is giving you actual consent to treat her and you should do so promptly.
When treating a patient in shock caused by pump failure, you should NOT lay the patient down if he or she:
is having trouble breathing.
The two-person extremity carry is particularly advantageous when moving a patient who:
is in a narrow space.
Compared to the brachial artery pressure point, the femoral artery pressure point:
is more difficult to locate and squeeze.
Basic patient movement techniques require slight modification when moving a patient from a wrecked vehicle because the patient:
is not in a lying position.
A citizen who encounters a motor vehicle crash:
is not required by law to stop.
A geriatric patient is MOST accurately defined as a person who:
is older than 65 years.
When an unbelted automobile passenger is thrown forward and crashes against the dashboard, the impact of the knee against the dashboard:
is transmitted up the femur and causes a hip injury.
A patient who has experienced cardiac arrest:
is unconscious, not breathing, and pulseless.
A child with a heart rate less than 60 beats/min should receive chest compressions and rescue breathing if he or she:
is unresponsive and cyanotic.
Compared to the entrance wound caused by a gunshot, the exit wound:
is usually larger.
The skin is a protective barrier against bacteria and viruses unless:
it is injured.
You and your partner are the first to arrive at the scene of a man who fell approximately 20′ (6 m) from a second-story balcony. The patient is found lying on his side. He is conscious and alert with adequate breathing. A paramedic unit is approximately 5 minutes away. You should:
keep the patient's head and neck stabilized, tell the patient not to move, and wait for the paramedic unit to arrive at the scene.
If you suspect that a patient has suffered a head or spine injury, you should:
keep the patient's head and spine immobilized to avoid movement.
You have just delivered a healthy baby girl. Before responding paramedics arrive, the placenta delivers as well. You should:
keep the placenta at the same level as the infant.
When performing the two-person seat carry technique, the rescuers should:
keep their backs as straight as possible and lift with their legs.
Regardless of the technique you use for moving patients, you should:
keep yourself balanced.
In addition to ensuring adequate breathing and circulation, the MOST important treatment consideration for the patient in spinal shock is:
keeping the patient's head and neck stabilized.
When communicating with a sick child, you should:
kneel down at the child's level and establish eye contact.
Prior to attempting extrication, it is MOST important that you:
know the limitations of your equipment and skill.
Common signs and symptoms of an acute abdomen include all of the following, EXCEPT:
labored breathing..
Which of the following findings is LEAST indicative of a patient who may become violent?
large body size
In relation to the nose, the eyes are:
lateral.
A football player was injured during a rough tackle. He complains of severe neck pain but is conscious and alert and breathing without difficulty. His helmet, which fits snugly, is still on. You should:
leave the helmet on, manually stabilize his head, and monitor his airway until responding paramedics arrive.
The pulse is a pressure wave generated through the body's arteries when the __________ contracts.
left ventricle
An advance directive is MOST accurately defined as a no:
legal document that indicates the care to be provided if the patient is incapacitated.
In addition to the amount of property damage and number of lives lost, the success of terrorist events is measured by the:
level of intimidation produced.
Fibrous bands that connect bones to each other are called:
ligaments.
Thick bands of tissue that connect two bones together are called:
ligaments.
Bile is produced by the __________ and is stored in the ___________.
liver, gallbladder
In addition to the nature of the call, minimum information that the dispatcher should obtain from a caller includes the:
location of the patient, the number of patients, any special considerations, and the callback number of the caller.
The primary technique used to move a patient onto a long backboard is the:
log roll technique.
If a patient is found to be unresponsive, the EMR's first action should be to:
look for obvious signs of breathing.
High humidity reduces the body's ability to:
lose heat through evaporation.
The two main hazards associated with confined spaces are:
low oxygen and structural collapse.
After delivering a trauma patient to the hospital, you later learn that the patient had an injury to his lower back. Which spinal vertebrae were MOST likely injured?
lumbar
Which of the following is NOT a component of the circulatory system?
lungs
If you have to improvise a splint for a forearm injury, it would be MOST practical to use a:
magazine.
When approaching a helicopter with its rotors turning, it is important to remember that the:
main rotor may be only 4' (1.2 m) above the ground.
When communicating with a conscious, sick, or injured patient, it is important to:
maintain eye contact whenever possible.
When responding to a situation involving domestic violence, you should:
maintain safety for yourself and the patient and be able to perform effective assessment and treatment.
If you suspect that a person has been abused, your initial responsibility is to:
maintain safety for yourself and the patient.
After you have manually stabilized a conscious patient's head and neck, it is important to:
maintain support until the entire spine is fully immobilized.
When treating a patient with major soft-tissue trauma to the neck, you should:
maintain the airway and stabilize the head and neck.
General treatment for shock includes:
maintaining body temperature with blankets.
You arrive at an accident scene involving a vehicle that struck a bridge pillar. The scene is safe and there are no obvious hazards. The patient, a 33-year-old woman, is still in the car. She is conscious and alert but complains of severe neck and back pain. With responding emergency medical technicians (EMTs) approximately 5 minutes away, you should:
manually stabilize the patient's head and neck and wait for the responding EMTs to arrive.
Red blood cells are manufactured primarily within the spaces inside the bone called the:
marrow.
If bleeding continues following delivery of the placenta, you should:
massage the uterus until the bleeding stops.
An elderly person who is hearing-impaired:
may be able to hear a low-pitched voice but not a high-pitched voice.
When you encounter a patient with a significant illness, it is important to remember that he or she:
may be experiencing any stage of grief.
When addressing a patient, using terms such as "Dear":
may demean and irritate the patient.
It is important to remember that the access route to the patient:
may not be adequate as an extrication route.
Noting a patient's appearance; activity; speech; orientation to person, place, and time; and memory are MOST useful when assessing his or her:
mental status.
Which of the following infectious diseases would be the LEAST likely to be spread by the airborne droplet route?
methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
An appropriately sized cervical collar is designed to:
minimize head and neck movement and prevent further injury.
A ___________ transmits data messages through a radio system and reduces the amount of time the radio frequency is tied up to send or receive a message.
mobile data terminal
You are providing initial care to a patient with a possible ankle fracture. Distal sensation and circulation are both intact. You place a pillow under the injured ankle, and the patient screams in pain. You should next:
mold the pillow around the foot and ankle
You are assessing a conscious and alert 20-year-old man who complains of dizziness, lightheadedness, and nausea that began after working for several hours in the sun. The ambient temperature is 100°F (38°C). After moving the patient to a cooler environment and assessing him you should:
monitor his ABCs and arrange for transport to the hospital.
While caring for a patient in anaphylactic shock, your MOST important concern should be to:
monitor the airway for swelling.
After playing with a small toy, a 4-year-old boy experienced a sudden onset of difficulty breathing. The child is conscious and clearly frightened. His skin is pink and warm and he is moving adequate air. You should:
monitor the child's condition and arrange for transport.
You are asked to accompany a paramedic in the back of the ambulance to assist in the care of a critically injured patient. The patient, who is semiconscious, is fully immobilized on a long backboard. What is the MOST important thing that you should be doing?
monitoring the patient for airway problems
A mass-casualty incident is MOST accurately defined as a situation in which there are:
more patients than your initial resources can handle.
When choosing the most appropriate landing site for a helicopter, it is important to remember that:
most helicopters need a 100′ × 100′ area.
A crucial piece of equipment that the EMR should have available includes a:
mouth-to-mask resuscitation device.
CPR for a 6-month-old differs from that for a 20-year-old in that:
mouth-to-mouth-and-nose ventilations are performed.
When moving a deceased person, your priority should be to:
move the body in a manner that minimizes your risk of personal injury.
Checking circulation and sensation after splinting a painful, swollen, deformed extremity is MOST important because:
movement during splinting may have caused a bone fragment to press against a nerve or cut a blood vessel.
You should splint an injured elbow in the position in which it is found because:
moving the elbow can cause nerve or blood vessel damage.
All of the following are general recommendations to follow when moving a patient, EXCEPT:
moving the patient before treating him or her if the scene is safe.
In contrast to the straddle lift technique, the straddle slide technique involves:
moving the patient rather than the backboard.
The MOST important initial treatment for a patient with heatstroke is:
moving the patient to a cooler place.
The left ventricle is the most muscular chamber of the heart because it:
must force blood to all parts of the body.
The left ventricle is the most muscular chamber of the heart because it:
must pump blood throughout the entire body.
During your assessment of an unresponsive young female who overdosed on an unknown type of drug, you note that her pupils are bilaterally constricted. Which of the following types of drugs should you suspect?
narcotic
Atherosclerosis is MOST accurately defined as:
narrowing of the arteries.
Anthrax, plague, and smallpox are:
naturally occurring substances that produce disease.
An elderly person who has a malnourished appearance has MOST likely experienced:
neglect.
Sarin, soman, tabun, and V agent are the most common:
nerve agents.
When responding to a scene in which patients may have been exposed to a blister agent, it is MOST important to:
not enter the scene without a self-contained breathing apparatus.
You arrive at a residence for a 70-year-old man who was found unresponsive by his neighbor. When you assess the patient, you note that his muscles are stiff and the areas of his body closest to the ground are purple. The neighbor tells you that he last spoke to the patient about 12 hours earlier. You should:
not initiate resuscitation efforts.
You enter the residence of an unconscious 30-year-old man. As you are approaching the patient, who is lying motionless on the floor, you should:
note the patient's position and any unusual odors or sounds.
With frostnip, the affected part of the body first becomes:
numb.
Which of the following findings is indicative of nerve damage or a lack of circulation to an injured extremity?
numbness or tingling
To determine whether the infant's head is crowning, you must:
observe the vagina opening during a contraction.
Suicide in the elderly population:
occurs most frequently in men and results in more deaths per attempt because they choose more lethal means than do younger patients.
Fire fighters and law enforcement personnel are likely to be the EMRs in most emergencies because:
of their location or speed in responding to the call.
A chronically ill patient who is experiencing denial:
often cannot believe what is happening to him or her.
During delivery of the infant, the mother is usually MOST comfortable:
on her back with her knees bent and legs up and apart.
You should immediately place a patient with an object impaled in the eye:
on his or her back.
You are caring for a patient with signs of decompression sickness. Prior to EMS arrival, you should place the patient:
on the left side with the head slightly lowered.
Which of the following represents the LEAST healthy and well-balanced diet?
one cup of fruit,3 ounces of salt, and 1 cup of fat-free milk
An abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when:
one or more layers of the aorta become weakened.
All of the following are examples of illness or injury programs, EXCEPT:
one-rescuer CPR.
Communication with a physician via two-way radio or wireless telephone is an example of
online medical control.
An egg matures in the __________ and travels to the ___________ via the __________.
ovary, uterus, fallopian tube
The egg matures in the:
ovary.
In addition to the contents of a standard prepackaged OB kit, you should also have:
oxygen if it is available.
When opening a child's airway with the head tilt-chin lift maneuver, you should:
pad under the child's shoulders as needed.
Insulin is produced by the:
pancreas.
The initial stage of drowning usually involves:.
panic.
Severing of the spinal cord high in the neck:
paralyzes the diaphragm and results in death.
Upon arrival at an emergency scene, your FIRST priority is to:
park your vehicle in a safe location.
Which of the following pieces of information is the LEAST critical to relay to the responding EMS unit about your patient?
past medical history
The disease-causing agents that are spread through contact with blood or other secretions are called:
pathogens.
The section of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that MOST directly affects EMS relates to:
patient privacy.
Which of the following components is NOT required to prove negligence?
patient refusal of care
As hypothermia progresses, the:
patient stops shivering.
When performing the pack-strap carry technique, optimal weight distribution occurs when the:
patient's armpits are over the rescuer's shoulders.
Guidelines for effective radio communication include all of the following, EXCEPT:
pausing every 60 seconds and saying, "Do you copy?"
The organ that delivers sperm to fertilize the female egg is called the:
penis.
If you are alone with a child in cardiac arrest, you should:
perform 2 minutes of CPR and then call EMS.
If the AED advises "no shock," you should:
perform CPR for 2 minutes and reassess.
Which of the following MOST accurately describes negligence?
performance of care that does not meet the accepted standards
Regardless of the patient's age, chest compressions should be:
performed at a rate of at least 100 per minute.
Most partial (mild) airway obstructions in children that are not caused by a foreign body can be corrected by:
performing the head tilt-chin lift maneuver.
The nerve fibers outside the brain and spinal cord make up the:
peripheral nervous system.
A 50-year-old man begins experiencing shortness of breath and anxiety about 2 hours after turning his residential air conditioner on. As you enter his home, you note the smell of freshly cut grass. This patient has MOST likely been exposed to:
phosgene.
Which of the following is NOT an effective way to avoid a violent situation?
physically restraining the patient before trying to communicate
The MOST simplistic incendiary device is a:
pipe bomb.
A 40-year-old man complains of pain to his left shoulder after falling on his outstretched arm. He is in significant pain and refuses to move his arm, which he is holding about 6" (15 cm) away from his chest. Responding paramedics are approximately 10 minutes away from the scene. After checking distal sensation and circulation, you should:
place a pillow or rolled towel between his arm and chest.
Following delivery of the placenta, the mother continues to bleed heavily from the vagina, despite uterine massage. Her skin is cool and moist, and her pulse is weak and rapid. You should:
place a sanitary pad over her vagina, elevate her legs, and arrange for immediate transport.
You arrive at a local community center for a 56-year-old woman complaining of chest discomfort. The woman tells you that she took one of her nitroglycerin tablets about 15 minutes ago, but she still has chest discomfort. Responding paramedics are approximately 10 minutes away. You should:
place her in a comfortable position, assist her in taking another nitroglycerin tablet, and administer oxygen.
When splinting a severely deformed knee, you should:
place pillows or blankets beneath the knee and secure the splint to the leg with bandages or cravats.
When immobilizing the patient's head to the long backboard, you should:
place rolled blankets on both sides of the patient's head.
When estimating a patient's body temperature, you should:
place the back of your hand on his or her forehead.
When moving a deceased person, it is MOST appropriate to:
place the body in a body bag and then place the body bag on a long backboard.
When performing chest compressions on a small child, you should:
place the heel of one hand in the center of the chest.
A patient is trapped in his car following a collision. After the paramedic starts an intravenous (IV) line on the patient, the paramedic hands you the needle. You should:
place the needle directly in a puncture-proof container.
If an uninjured patient is unresponsive but breathing adequately, you should:
place the patient in the recovery position and call EMS.
Rescue personnel have found a 44-year-old man who was lost in the woods for 24 hours. The ambient temperature is 30°F (-1°C), and it is sleeting. Your assessment reveals that the patient is semiconscious and is not shivering. In addition to maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation, you should:
place warm blankets under and over him.
The _________ draw(s) nutrients from the wall of the mother's uterus and deliver(s) them to the developing fetus.
placenta
Treatment for a completely severed arm includes all of the following, EXCEPT:
placing the arm directly on ice.
The sign language expression for "help" is communicated by:
placing your clenched fist in the palm of your open hand.
Which of the following blood components interacts with other substances in the blood to form clots that help stop bleeding?
platelets
Blood clotting is the responsibility of:
platelets.
Because many elderly patients have a weakened immune system, they are especially susceptible to:
pneumonia.
The BEST indicator of an underlying fracture or dislocation is:
point tenderness.
The xiphoid process is the:
pointed structure at the bottom of the sternum.
Scene hazards that are NOT visible to emergency responders include:
poisonous fumes.
The large, bruise-like blotches on the skin of an infant who has died from SIDS are caused by:
pooling of blood after death.
When transmitting information from the patient's side to the responding ambulance, the emergency medical responder (EMR) would MOST likely use a:
portable radio.
After taking appropriate standard precautions, the FIRST step in applying pressure to the brachial artery to control severe external bleeding is to:
position the arm so that the elbow is bent at a 90º angle.
When assessing a patient with a possible spinal injury, you should:
position yourself so that the patient will not have to move his or her head.
Information regarding the stresses that you will encounter and the reactions you may experience would MOST likely be provided to you during:
preincident stress education.
An expectant mother is 39 weeks pregnant. She tells you that she is having strong contractions and feels like she needs to move her bowels. You should:
prepare for imminent delivery of the infant.
The presence of multiple rib fractures would MOST likely:
prevent the patient from taking deep breaths because of intense pain.
Achieving the cooperation and mutual understanding that is needed for a safe, smooth extrication effort requires:
prior coordination and practice.
The purpose of triage is to:
prioritize patients by order of injury severity.
A patient presents with yellow skin color. You should suspect:
problems with the liver.
You are a volunteer EMR and have placed your name on the schedule to respond for a 12-hour shift. With 10 minutes left in your shift, you are dispatched for a patient with a possible fractured leg. You should:
proceed to the scene at once.
All of the following are functions of the skin, EXCEPT:
producing sweat when body temperature falls.
A critical incident stress debriefing session following a call involving a seriously ill or injured child:
promotes a healthy approach to future calls.
You are the first medically trained person to arrive at the scene of a car crash. There is one patient, who is still in his badly damaged car. The patient appears to be unconscious and is bleeding heavily from the mouth. After ensuring that the scene is safe, your priority should be to:
promptly but safely gain access to the patient.
If you arrive at a crash scene and find a vehicle on its side, your FIRST priority should be to:
promptly notify the fire department.
The MOST effective way to minimize the incidence of elder abuse is to:
promptly report its signs and symptoms to the proper authorities.
The purpose of the Good Samaritan law is to:
protect citizens from liability when rendering care in good faith.
When parking your vehicle at an emergency scene, you should:
protect the emergency scene from traffic hazards.
The 12 sets of ribs:
protect the heart, lungs, liver, and spleen.
If a patient is actively seizing, your treatment should focus on:
protecting the patient from injury.
The use of sterile gloves during the delivery of an infant:
protects the mother and infant from infection.
You have given responding paramedics a hand-off report regarding your patient, who has signs and symptoms of an infectious disease. When documenting the incident, you should:
provide a detailed account of your assessment findings, treatment given, and pertinent medical history.
You are dispatched to a residence for an injured child. Your unit and a police officer arrive at the scene at the same time. The patient, a 9-year-old boy, has a possible broken arm. The child's father, who appears very nervous, tells you that his son wrecked his bike and that he will take his son to the hospital. Your assessment of the child reveals a deformed left arm and multiple bruises of various colors. The child is clearly frightened and looks at his father every time you ask the child a question. You should:
provide care for the child's injury and ask the police officer to speak with the father in another room as you speak to the child.
Second only to your own safety, your priority at a crime scene is to:
provide care to the patient.
A 71-year-old severely depressed man tells you that he is contemplating killing himself because his wife of 50 years recently passed away. It is MOST important for you to:
provide emotional support and arrange for prompt transport.
When caring for a patient with a medical problem, it is important to:
provide frequent reassurance to the patient.
Hospice programs are designed to:
provide pain relief and other supportive care to patients experiencing a terminal condition.
A 37-year-old man tripped on a throw rug and fell to the ground, injuring his shoulder. The man is blind and has a service dog. As you are assessing the patient, he keeps inquiring about his dog. You should:
provide psychological support and recognize that the dog and the patient depend on each other.
Fire units are often a crucial part of the EMS system because they:
provide specialized rescue such as patient extrication.
You arrive at an assisted living center where a cancer patient has experienced an altered mental status. Responding paramedics are approximately 6 minutes away. While caring for this patient, it is MOST appropriate to:
provide supportive care and prepare him for transport.
You are the first medically trained person to arrive at the scene of a shooting. Law enforcement personnel have secured the scene. The patient, who is critically injured and requires immediate care, is found in his living room. A paramedic unit is en route to the scene. You should:
provide the appropriate care while disturbing the scene as little as possible.
When a dispatcher receives a call for a patient in cardiac arrest, he or she should be able to:
provide the caller with instructions on how to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
The EMR's goal during a multiple-casualty incident is to:
provide the greatest medical benefit for the greatest number of people.
When emergency medical technicians (EMTs) or paramedics arrive at an emergency scene, the EMR should:
provide them with a hand-off report and assist as needed.
Inflatable soft splints are advantageous because they:
provide uniform pressure to a bleeding wound.
Intact skin that is blistered following a burn:
provides an excellent barrier against infection.
A patient who faints but quickly regains consciousness once in a horizontal position has MOST likely experienced:
psychogenic shock
Behavior that is characterized by defective or lost contact with reality is called:
psychotic behavior.
All of the following are signs of obvious death, EXCEPT:
pulselessness.
The function of the right ventricle is to:
pump blood to the lungs.
The circulatory system is responsible for:
pumping blood through the body.
When assisting a patient who is experiencing a severe allergic reaction with his or her medication auto-injector, you should:
push the injector firmly against the thigh and hold it in place for several seconds.
You are the first medically trained person to arrive at a construction site where a worker injured his leg after a heavy metal beam fell against it. As you begin your assessment, the foreman tells you that another beam, which is about 20 feet above you and your patient, appears to be unstable. You should:
quickly move the patient to a place of safety.
Upon entering the residence of a 10-month-old boy, the mother tells you that her son would not wake up from his nap. After determining that the infant is unresponsive, you should:
quickly visualize the chest for signs of adequate breathing.
A pager is MOST accurately defined as a:
radio receiver that is silent unless activated by a dispatcher.
As shock progresses in severity, breathing becomes:
rapid and shallow.
You and your partner are assisting paramedics in securing an injured patient to a long backboard. One paramedic is supporting the patient's head while the other paramedic and your partner are supporting the patient's torso and legs. Where should you be?
ready to slide the board under the patient as the team performs a log roll
Which of the following is NOT an essential step in examining a patient with a limb injury?
realigning the broken bone ends
While assisting paramedics in the attempted resuscitation of a 60-year-old woman in cardiac arrest, the senior paramedic determines that the patient is dead after exhausting all efforts. When you attempt to comfort the patient's husband, he becomes verbally abusive and tells you that you should have been able to save his wife's life. You should:
realize that the man's behavior is not a personal attack on you.
The function of the right atrium is to:
receive blood from the veins of the body.
A patient in cardiac arrest stands the greatest chance for survival if he or she:
receives early defibrillation.
Which of the following is NOT a function of the skeletal system?
receiving signals from the brain
An important step in managing your own stress is the ability to:
recognize its signs and symptoms.
The first link in the chain of survival involves:
recognizing cardiac arrest and calling 9-1-1.
Common signs of acute radiation sickness include all of the following, EXCEPT:
red blood cell death.
Which component of the blood carries oxygen from the lungs to the body and brings carbon dioxide back to the lungs?
red blood cells
The oxygen-carrying component of the blood is/are:
red blood cells.
A superficial burn is characterized by:
reddened and painful skin.
When caring for a patient who is possibly experiencing a heart attack, you should:
refrain from allowing the patient to walk.
Which of the following is generally NOT a factor that is measured when determining a child's work of breathing?
regularity of breathing
While at the scene of a motor vehicle crash on a hot afternoon, you begin experiencing lightheadedness and feel like you are going to faint. There are ample personnel to take care of the patients. You should:
rehabilitate yourself by drinking water or a sports drink.
The purpose of a communications system is to:
relay information from one location to another when it is impossible to communicate face to face.
You are the first medically trained person to arrive at a small business where several people are experiencing shortness of breath, flushed skin, and seizures. You should:
remain at a safe distance and notify the HazMat team.
The newborn infant should NOT:
remain blue for up to 30 minutes.
Accompanied by a concerned neighbor, you enter the residence of an unconscious elderly woman and encounter several small dogs. As you approach the patient, one of the dogs begins to growl at you. You should:
remain calm and ask the neighbor to secure the dogs in another room.
You are assessing a young woman with abdominal pain while awaiting an incoming paramedic crew. The patient is conscious, alert, and in stable condition. The dispatcher advises you that there is another call involving a patient in cardiac arrest. You should:
remain with the patient and advise the dispatcher to send another EMR unit to the cardiac arrest call.
You are caring for a young female with frostbitten hands. The patient is conscious, alert, and actively shivering. Her hands are pale and waxy and covered with blisters. You should:
remove any jewelry and apply dry dressings to her hands.
You are providing initial care to a patient who you believe has heatstroke. The patient, a 33-year-old woman, is semiconscious and has flushed, hot, dry skin. After moving her to a cooler environment and maintaining airway, breathing, and circulation, you should:
remove her clothes to the underwear and begin rapid cooling measures.
A 10-year-old child, who was submerged in cold water for approximately 30 minutes, is removed by rescue personnel. The child is unconscious, not breathing, and without a pulse. You should:
remove his wet clothing and begin CPR.
Shortly after applying a dressing to and bandaging a large laceration on a young man's forearm, the patient begins to complain that his fingers are numb. You check his radial pulse and note that it is absent. You should:
remove the bandage and reapply it without disturbing the dressing.
An industrial plant worker was exposed to a dry powdered chemical when the bag it was in tore while he was carrying it. Both of the patient's arms are covered with the chemical and the patient complains of intense pain. You should:
remove the patient's clothing, brush away as much of the chemical as you can, douse the affected area with water for at least 5 minutes, and then cover the area with a moist, sterile dressing.
After ensuring your own safety, initial treatment for a patient with a chemical burn involves:
removing as much of the chemical from the skin as possible.
Extrication operates on the principle of:
removing the vehicle from around the patient.
You are dispatched to the home of a young boy with a high fever. The child's mother tells you that the fever started about 12 hours ago, and that she called 9-1-1 because she was afraid her son would have a seizure. She tells you that she took his temperature shortly before your arrival, and it was 104°F (40°C). Treatment for this child should include:
removing unnecessary clothing, fanning the child to cool him down, being alert for a seizure, and arranging for EMS transport.
A device that receives a weak radio signal, amplifies that signal, and then rebroadcasts it is called aNo:
repeater.
The term "restatement" is defined as:
rephrasing a person's words and thoughts and repeating them back to the person.
You are assessing a 64-year-old woman who is possibly having a stroke. Initially, the patient was conscious and alert, but her level of consciousness has decreased significantly. When the emergency medical technician (EMT) unit arrives at the scene, it is MOST important for you to:
report the change in the patient's level of consciousness to the EMTs.
If you are splashed in the face with blood or other fluids during the delivery of an infant, you should:
report the incident to your medical director.
If you discover that a patient's pupils fail to react to light or are unequal in size, you should:
report your finding to personnel at the next level of care.
A paramedic unit requests that you respond to a call involving an injury to an elderly woman. Upon your arrival, you assess the patient and have reason to believe that she has been abused. A relative of the patient is present at the scene. You should:
report your suspicions to the paramedics and document carefully.
A 29-year-old woman was sexually assaulted. Your primary assessment reveals no life-threatening injuries. As you proceed with your secondary assessment, the patient, who is conscious and alert, tells you that she does not want to go to the hospital and that she wants you to get away from her. You should:
request a rescuer who is the same sex as the patient, unless one is already present at the scene.
Upon arriving at the scene of an incident and determining that there are multiple patients, you should:
request additional resources before treating any patients.
A utility worker who was trimming branches away from a high-power line was found unconscious by a bystander. When you arrive at the scene, you note that the patient is lying on top of a power line. He is not moving and does not appear to be breathing. You should:
request fire department or power company assistance to shut off the power.
You arrive at the scene of a commercial bus wreck shortly after it occurred. The scene is safe and there is no gas leakage or odor. Most of the patients are out of the bus, but some are still inside and are apparently entrapped. Based on an estimate of 35 patients, you should:
request the fire department and seven ambulances and then begin triaging the patients to the best of your ability.
Long backboards are MOST appropriate to use for patients who:
require stabilization of the head and neck.
A 33-year-old woman has a possible broken left ankle. She is in significant pain but is conscious and otherwise stable. This patient:
requires transport but without lights and siren.
A breathing rate of fewer than 20 breaths/min in an infant or fewer than 10 breaths/min in a child indicates:
respiratory failure.
Circulatory failure and cardiac arrest in children is MOST often the result of:
respiratory failure.
All children involved in a submersion incident should be evaluated by a physician because:
respiratory problems can develop several hours after submersion.
According to the START triage system, which of the following assessment findings would necessitate triaging a patient as a Priority One (red tag) status?
respiratory rate of 14 breaths/min, weak and irregular radial pulse, and not able to answer simple questions
Common functions of the EMS medical director include all of the following, EXCEPT:
responding to the scene of an emergency.
You arrive at the scene of a patient who, according to neighbors, is acting strange. Law enforcement personnel and a responding ambulance are en route but have not yet arrived. The patient, a middle-aged man, is sitting in a chair on his front porch. He appears sick and has slurred speech. As you get out of your response vehicle, the man shouts, "I have a gun and will shoot anyone who comes near me!" You should:
retreat to a safe place and wait for law enforcement personnel to secure the scene.
Which of the following chambers of the heart pumps deoxygenated blood to the lungs?
right ventricle
Despite resuctioning the newborn's mouth and nose, it has not taken its first breath. You should:
rub its back or flick the soles of its feet.
The MOST important consideration during the extrication process is:
safety.
Oxygen benefits the shock patient because it:
saturates the reduced number of red blood cells.
As you approach an emergency scene, your priority should be to:
scan the area to determine the extent of the incident.
A device that separates into left and right halves and is helpful when moving a patient from a small place is called a:
scoop stretcher.
Which of the following is the MOST important initial intervention for a patient with a severe open chest injury?
sealing the wound to prevent air from escaping
When moving a patient on a long backboard, you should:
secure him or her to the board with straps.
Following a motorcycle crash, a 29-year-old man has pain and deformity to both of his femurs. He is conscious but confused, and his vital signs indicate shock. Emergency medical technicians (EMTs) are en route to the scene. You should:
secure his legs together with cravats.
The MOST effective way to prevent accidental movement of a patient's head when strapping him or her to a long backboard is to:
secure the head to the backboard after securing the wrist and hip area.
If you are experiencing stress away from your job, you should:
seek assistance from a mental health professional.
Children with serious head injuries commonly experience:
seizures.
When nerves send signals to the brain about what is happening to the body, the brain:
sends signals to the body in response to the sensory signals it received.
Which of the following is an example of a symptom?
severe back pain
Which of the following would NOT occur during a penetrating injury to the chest?
severe hyperinflation of the lung on the injured side of the chest
If a woman's contractions are more than 5 minutes apart:
she can usually be transported to the hospital.
Difficulty sleeping may be a difficult sign of stress to recognize in emergency responders because:
shift work or rotating hours make normal sleep patterns hard to maintain.
Rapid, shallow respirations are characteristic of:
shock.
A patient with a hip fracture typically presents with:
shortening of the injured leg with the toes pointed outward.
Vehicles that are positioned upright on all four wheels following a crash:
should be assumed to be unstable.
Which of the following is MOST suggestive of a respiratory burn?
singed nose hairs
Which of the following is caused by a sudden and disruptive event such as a physical illness or death of a loved one?
situational crisis
If no backboard is available and the patient must be removed from the water before emergency medical service (EMS) personnel arrive:
six people can lift and support the patient with their hands.
Most musculoskeletal injuries involve:
skeletal muscles.
The major bones of the head include the:
skull and lower jawbone.
The bones of the head include the:
skull and the lower jawbone.
Which of the following is NOT a solid structure of the abdomen?
small intestine
Which type of muscle carries out many of the body's automatic functions?
smooth muscle
Muscle that is found on the inside of the digestive tract and other internal organs of the body is called:
smooth muscle.
Which of the following findings is LEAST suggestive of a closed abdominal wound?
soft abdomen that is sunken in
Shortly after returning from a call in which a young child was killed in an automobile accident, you begin experiencing significant anxiety and helplessness. You should:
speak with a coworker or counselor regarding your feelings.
All of the following are appropriate when communicating with a hearing-impaired patient, EXCEPT:
speaking loudly, directly in the patient's ear.
Which of the following is NOT a technique used for communicating with older patients?
speaking slowly and loudly
Which of the following is NOT a key point to communicate to the dispatcher during your initial radio report upon arriving at the scene of a multiple-casualty incident?
specific type of injuries involved
What is the primary hazard to the EMR when dealing with an upside-down vehicle?
spilled gasoline
The delivery of an incomplete or underdeveloped fetus is MOST appropriately called a:
spontaneous abortion.
Events that the EMR would likely be required to report to a state or federal agency include all of the following, EXCEPT:
sports-related injuries.
A __________ is a joint injury caused by excessive stretching of the supporting ligaments.
sprain
Dressing and bandaging open wounds are performed for all of the following reasons, EXCEPT to:
stabilize any fractures.
If, upon reaching a distressed swimmer, you find that he or she is in cardiac arrest, you should FIRST:
stabilize the head and neck and remove the victim from the water.
The FIRST step in caring for a patient with a head injury is to:
stabilize the head in a neutral position.
When performing a full-body assessment on an unconscious, injured patient, it is MOST important to:
stabilize the head to minimize movement during the exam.
Before focusing your attention on any injured limb, you must:
stabilize the patient's airway, breathing, and circulation.
Which of the following is NOT considered an advance directive?
standard of care
A patient is in the anatomic position when he or she is:
standing facing you with arms at the sides and the palms of the hands facing outward.
At the scene of an ice rescue, personnel who are not directly involved in the rescue operation should:
stay in a warm place until they are needed.
Which of the following is NOT a below-ground confined space?
storage silos
When placing a patient onto a long backboard in a confined space, you should do so using the:
straddle lift.
A high-pitched upper airway sound heard during inspiration is called:
stridor.
Drowning is MOST accurately defined as:
suffocation because of submersion in water or in other liquids.
During your assessment of an injured child, you notice that the child has numerous bruises of different colors. When you try to speak to the child, he becomes withdrawn and clearly looks fearful. When you advise the child's parents that he should be seen by a physician, they object and tell you that he will be okay. You should:
summon law enforcement and report your suspicions that the child has possibly been abused.
Frostnip is also known as:
superficial frostbite.
As the infant's head emerges from the vagina, you should:
support the head and advise the mother to stop pushing.
In severe cases of flail chest, it may be necessary to:
support the patient's breathing.
A child who is in the tripod position is:
supporting himself or herself with the arms while leaning forward.
When splinting an injured leg, one person applies the splint while the other person:
supports the leg with both hands.
When responding to a scene where multiple people are suffering from unexplained symptoms, the EMR should:
suspect a common agent as the cause of the symptoms.
While en route to the scene of a car explosion, the dispatcher advises you that the explosion may have been caused by a dirty bomb. You should:
suspect a radiation incident and wait for specially trained personnel.
A construction worker was struck on the upper arm with a 2" × 4". He is in severe pain and is holding his arm against his chest. Your assessment reveals a large contusion and swelling at the injury site. You should:
suspect an underlying fracture.
When assessing the MOI of a vehicle that struck a utility pole, you notice that the vehicle's steering wheel is bent. You should:
suspect injuries to the patient's chest.
Any time a patient has suffered a traumatic injury, you should:
suspect injury to the head, neck, or spine.
A 56-year-old man experienced a sudden onset of dyspnea during a meal. He is conscious and alert but is in obvious respiratory distress. You should:
suspect that he has an airway obstruction.
You are dispatched to a residence for a child with breathing difficulty. It is 11:30 PM and the temperature outside is 30°F (-1°C). When you arrive at the scene, you find the child, a 3-year-old boy, sitting on his mother's lap. The child's mother tells you that other than a recent runny nose and low-grade fever, her son is healthy. You note that the child has a high-pitched cough and noisy breathing. You should:
suspect that the child is suffering from croup, keep the mother and child calm, and arrange for prompt transport.
The major complication associated with a closed head injury is:
swelling of the brain.
In children ages 1 to 4 years, most of the drownings occur in:
swimming pools.
The Statue of Liberty is a potential target for terrorists because of its:
symbolic value.
While triaging an unconscious man at a multiple-casualty incident, you open his airway and determine that he is not breathing. After repositioning his airway and determining that he is still not breathing, you should:
tag the patient as a Priority Four.
The least visible and most dangerous part of a helicopter to an unwary person is the:
tail rotor.
Upon arriving at the scene of a motorcycle crash, you park your vehicle in a safe location and don a reflective safety vest. As you approach the patient, it is MOST important for you to:
take appropriate standard precautions.
During a multiple-casualty incident, you and your partner are caring for patients until emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic units arrive. There are three patients, all of whom have bleeding from various wounds. After taking care of the first patient, you should:
take off your gloves and apply another pair before caring for another patient.
Any time you approach a patient with a soft-tissue injury, your MOST immediate priority should be to:
take standard precautions.
When applying a dressing to an open wound, it is important to:
take steps to prevent further contamination.
Which of the following is NOT a consideration when responding to an emergency scene?
taking the shortest route
The first and MOST important step in crisis management is to:
talk to the patient.
Components of the quality improvement process, as identified by the Institute of Medicine, include all of the following, EXCEPT:
teamwork.
As the infant's head emerges from the vagina, you note it is covered with the amniotic sac. You should:
tear it with your fingers and clear it away from the face.
Advanced life support (ALS) providers often use ___________ to transmit electrocardiograms and other patient data to online medical control.
telemetry
If you must move a visually impaired patient, it is MOST important to:
tell him or her what is happening and why.
When counting respirations in a conscious patient, you should do all of the following, EXCEPT:
tell the patient what you are doing and ask him or her to remain very still.
If patients are still in a vehicle that has power lines draped across its hood, you should:
tell the patients to stay in the vehicle and notify the power company.
Which of the following actions would NOT reassure an emotionally disturbed patient that you are interested in helping him or her?
telling the patient that everything will be all right
Frostbite can occur in a short period of time, depending on the:
temperature and wind velocity.
The MOST definite sign of a pelvic fracture is:
tenderness when you compress the pelvic bones.
Muscles are attached to bones by:
tendons
During the__________ phase of the abuse cycle, the victim may try to minimize or deny the abuse.
tension
One of the main causes of suicide in older people is:
terminal disease.
Which of the following is NOT a female reproductive organ?
testes
Which of the following immunizations and tests are recommended for EMS providers?
tetanus prophylaxis, hepatitis B vaccine, and TB skin testing.
The ability of a patient to feel and move his or her fingers following an injury to the hand or arm indicates:
that the nerves are still intact.
The rate of a person's breathing increases when:
the body generates additional carbon dioxide.
Diabetic coma is a condition that occurs when:
the body has too much glucose and not enough insulin.
Heatstroke is MOST accurately defined as a condition in which:
the body's sweating mechanism is overwhelmed.
When assessing circulation in an infant, you should check for:
the brachial pulse on the upper arm.
Expiration occurs when:
the diaphragm relaxes and moves upward in the chest.
The capillary refill test is NOT a reliable indicator of circulation in an injured extremity when:
the environment is cold.
Which of the following is NOT a common factor to consider if you are required to physically restrain a violent patient?
the exact diagnosis of the patient's illness
The FIRST indication that an incendiary device is present is usually:
the explosion or fire that the device causes.
Which of the following MOST accurately describes an emergency medical responder (EMR)?
the first medically trained person to arrive at the scene
The 11th and 12th ribs are:
the floating ribs and are attached to the spine.
Plasma is:
the fluid component of the blood.
You should remove part or all of a motorcycle or football helmet if:
the helmet interferes with your ability to maintain the airway.
During a breech birth:
the infant's head is not the presenting part.
Your hand-off report to the EMTs or paramedics who will be assuming care of the patient typically includes all of the following information, EXCEPT:
the name of the patient's personal physician.
Even with complete dispatch information regarding a motor vehicle crash, you will NOT be able to determine:
the number of bystanders present.
The presence of rigor mortis indicates that:
the patient is dead and cannot be resuscitated.
In most states, personal information regarding a patient cannot be released to someone not directly involved in that patient's care, unless:
the patient signs a release and understands the nature of the release.
You should be MOST suspicious of an abdominal injury if:
the patient's abdomen is rigid or swollen.
Hemodialysis is a process in which:
the patient's blood passes through a machine that filters out the waste products and returns the cleansed blood to the patient.
When assessing a patient's mental status, it is MOST important to consider:
the patient's initial level of consciousness and any changes that may have occurred.
In general, you should leave an injured patient in his or her vehicle, unless:
the patient's life is in imminent danger.
During an EMS call, documentation should include all of the following, EXCEPT:
the patient's social security number.
With assessment-based care, treatment rendered to the patient is based on:
the patient's symptoms.
Good communication means that:
the person being spoken to understands exactly what he or she is told.
The signs and symptoms of a stroke vary depending on:
the portion of the brain that is affected.
The systolic and diastolic blood pressure measurements represent:
the pressures found in the arteries as the heart contracts and relaxes.
Which organs and structures are protected by the pelvis?
the reproductive organs and the organs in the lower abdominal cavity
When moving a patient, who typically gives the command to begin the move?
the rescuer at the patient's head
Who should give the commands to move a patient with a suspected spinal injury?
the rescuer at the patient's head
The BEST person to communicate with a patient who has the potential to become violent is:
the rescuer with whom the patient seems to have the best rapport.
There is no scientific documentation that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) isn transmitted via urine, nasal secretions, or sputum, unless:
the secretions contain visible signs of blood.
The EMS system can be considered a component of public health because:
the services it provides are available to all people in a community.
After splinting an injured elbow, you should gently move the splinted extremity to the patient's side if:
the shoulder is not injured.
Terrorism is MOST accurately defined as:
the systematic use of violence by a group to intimidate a population or government to achieve a goal.
During a normal delivery:
the upper shoulder delivers before the lower shoulder.
A dislocated shoulder is difficult to immobilize with a sling and swathe because:
there is often a space between the upper arm and the chest wall.
Parents are usually very concerned about the health of their child, especially if:
they do not clearly understand the situation.
Because infants and children have a greater body surface area relative to the mass of their body:
they lose heat more quickly than adults do.
When assessing geriatric patients, it is important to remember that:
they may not experience classic signs and symptoms of many medical conditions.
The presence of sharp glass or metal and blood splattering at the scene of an automobile crash would require you to wear, at a minimum:
thick gloves over exam gloves and face protection.
Each lower extremity is composed of the:
thighbone and leg.
A pregnant patient should be positioned on her left side because:
this will allow venous blood to return to the heart.
Elder abuse is hard to detect because:
those at highest risk are also isolated from public view if they are confined to their homes or an assisted care facility.
A patient's pulse is present, but the beats are not easily detected. You would describe the pulse as being:
thready.
A flail chest occurs when:
three or more ribs are broken in at least two places and the injured part bulges outward when the patient exhales.
After the umbilical cord stops pulsating, you should:
tie it with gauze between the mother and newborn.
You are the first emergency medical responder (EMR) to arrive at the scene of a 49-year-old man in cardiac arrest. The patient clearly weighs more than you do and is in an area that makes it extremely difficult for you perform CPR. You should:
tie the patient's wrists together, place his arms around your neck, and drag the patient to an area where you can begin CPR.
If the newborn does not begin to breathe on its own following delivery, you should first:
tilt its head down and to the side to facilitate mucus drainage.
Which of the following is NOT a common sign of a spinal cord injury in a conscious patient who is in the water?
tingling in the extremities
The MOST important reason for notifying the dispatcher after you have turned over care of a patient to other EMS providers is:
to let the dispatcher know how long it will take before you are available for another call.
Which of the following is NOT a reason for obtaining a patient's medical history?
to obtain a diagnosis of the patient's current illness or injury
In relation to the rest of a child's body, the:
tongue is relatively larger.
During your assessment of a 21-year-old man who fell from a roof, you note the presence of bruising on the medial aspect of the anterior trunk. What part of the body is this describing?
toward the midline on the front part of the torso
The __________ splint is specifically designed to splint fractures of the femur.
traction
The best route to take when responding to an emergency call should depend on:
traffic patterns and the time of day.
A cardiac arrest patient's MOST crucial contact with the EMS system occurs when:
trained EMRs arrive at the patient's side.
In which of the following phases of an EMS call is the EMR typically NOT involved?
transport to the hospital
All of the following are important principles of patient movement when a spinal injury is suspected, EXCEPT:
transporting the patient on the left side in case of vomiting.
Roles and responsibilities of the EMR include all of the following, EXCEPT:
transporting the patient to the hospital.
The leading cause of death in children is:
trauma.
You will achieve a greater rapport with older patients if you:
treat each person as an individual.
The EMR must possess the ability to:
treat patients using limited equipment.
If you are unable to determine what is causing a patient's altered level of consciousness, you should:
treat the patient based on his or her signs and symptoms.
When treating any critically ill or injured patient, it is important to:
treat the patient the same way you would want your family member treated.
To comply with the standard of care, the EMR must:
treat the patient to the best of his or her ability and provide care that a reasonable, prudent person with similar training would provide under similar circumstances.
All of the following are signs of child neglect, EXCEPT:
treated chronic illness.
When treating a patient who complains of dyspnea, the EMR's primary focus should be on:
treating the patient's signs and symptoms.
When documenting the events of an emergency call, the EMR should include the:
treatment provided before EMS arrival.
If you must break a window to open a door or gain access, you should:
try to break a window that is farthest from the patient.
Upon arriving at the scene of a car crash involving a front end collision, you should FIRST:
turn off the vehicle's ignition if it is still running.
Post Impact automobile fires can be prevented MOST effectively by:
turning off the ignition.
Initial care for an infant or child with secretions or vomitus in his or her mouth involves:
turning the patient onto his or her side.
The amount of damage caused by a gunshot wound is MOST dependent on the:
type of gun used and the distance between the gun and the victim.
Which bone is located on the medial aspect of the forearm?
ulna
The recovery position is MOST appropriately used for patients who are:
unconscious and not injured.
Characteristics of a third-degree burn include all of the following, EXCEPT:
uncontrolled intense pain.
You have arrived at the scene of a patient with respiratory distress. A responding ambulance is approximately 10 minutes away. After performing a primary assessment and correcting any life-threatening conditions, you should:
update the responding EMS unit on the patient's present condition.
Your overview of an accident scene should begin:
upon arrival but before exiting your vehicle.
Urine flows from the kidneys to the bladder via the:
ureters.
When suctioning an infant or child's airway, you should:
use a rigid catheter to suction the mouth.
The MOST effective way to keep bystanders away from an emergency scene is to:
use a rope or police/fire barrier tape.
When examining and treating patients with musculoskeletal injuries, it is MOST important to:
use appropriate standard precautions.
When securing and marking the perimeter of a helicopter landing zone, you should do all of the following, EXCEPT:
use fusees to mark a 100′ × 100′ landing area.
When controlling bleeding from an open head wound, you should apply a dry, sterile dressing and then:
use just enough direct pressure to control the bleeding.
Which of the following factors does NOT affect the injury pattern experienced by a child during an automobile crash?
use of alcohol by the driver
When multiple patients must be removed from an overturned bus, you should:
use one door or window to pass equipment and another to move patients.
Metabolic agents affect the body's ability to:
use oxygen at the cellular level.
If you are unable to open a child's airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver, you should:
use the head tilt-chin lift maneuver.
When performing chest compressions on a child, you should:
use the heel of one or two hands.
When opening the airway of an unconscious injured patient, you should:
use the jaw-thrust maneuver.
When communicating with older people who have a visual or hearing impairment, it is important to:
use the same communication skills you would for any other patient with similar conditions.
The MOST effective way to report your patient assessment findings to other medical personnel is to:
use the same systematic approach you followed during the assessment.
When performing two-rescuer CPR on an infant, you should:
use the two-thumb/encircling hands technique and deliver two breaths after every 15 compressions.
With regard to lifting and moving, good body mechanics includes:
using your legs and not your back when lifting.
Seizures caused by high fever in children:
usually last about 20 seconds.
Compared to a symptom, a sign is something that:
usually takes time to develop.
The external opening of the female reproductive system is called the:
vagina.
Thin-walled vessels that carry blood back to the heart are called:
veins.
Most out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients have an irregular electrical heart rhythm called:
ventricular fibrillation.
The spine consists of a series of separate bones called:
vertebrae.
In contrast to the prefix arterio-, the prefix vaso- means:
vessel.
Which of the following is NOT a normal part of the grieving process?
violence
The presence of a white cane in an elderly person's residence indicates that he or she MOST likely has:
visual impairment.
As soon as you arrive at the scene of an ice rescue, you should:
visually mark the location where the person was last seen.
Which type of muscle is attached to bones and can be contracted and relaxed by a person at will?
voluntary
Which of the following is NOT a common sign of a collapsed lung caused by an air bubble?
vomiting blood
If you have any doubts about the safety of a scene, you should:
wait at a safe distance and request law enforcement.
You are the first medically trained person to arrive at the scene of an ill person. You find the patient, a 350-pound man, sitting in a small bathroom. The patient tells you that he is extremely weak and is unable to walk. You should:
wait for additional rescuers to arrive before trying to move him.
Because the chair carry technique may force the patient's head forward, the rescuer should:
watch the patient for problems with the airway.
During an incident that may involve electrical hazards, you should:
wear a helmet with a chin strap and a face shield.
If you must use a small boat to rescue a person from the water, you should:
wear a personal flotation device.
The blanket drag would be MOST appropriate to use to move a patient if he or she is:
wearing clothing that is easily torn.
When determining the events that preceded a patient's illness or injury, you should ask the patient:
what he or she was doing when the episode began.
A pulse is felt:
when a wave of pressure is created by the heart as it forces blood into the arteries.
Patients with cancer usually request emergency medical service (EMS):
when complications from cancer cause an acute condition.
An emergency medical responder (EMR) has a legal duty to act:
while employed by an agency as an EMR.
When placing a patient on a backboard, you should examine his or her back:
while the patient is rolled on his or her side.
Identifying potential exit routes at an emergency scene is MOST important because:
you may need to exit the area rapidly if the scene becomes unsafe.
A thorough examination of the patient with a gunshot wound is MOST important because:
you must locate both entrance and exit wounds.
In general, you should never change or alter a patient care report, unless:
you need to correct an error to ensure that the information is accurate.
How well you can help the dying patient and his or her family largely depends on:
your own personal feelings about death.
When performing your reassessment of a patient, it is MOST important to remember that:
your treatment must be documented thoroughly.