EMR Chapter 17
As the sweat on our skin changes from liquid to vapor, it carries heat with it. This is an explanation of the process of heat loss known as:
evaporation
A 26-year-old man was found with an altered mental status near the bleachers at a summer music festival. His skin is flushed, dry, and hot to the touch. This patient is showing signs of:
heat emergency.
Being outside for a long period of time in hot, humid weather puts people at risk for:
hyperthermia
You are responding to a construction site on a hot day where a person has become dizzy. On your arrival, you find a patient lying on the ground being fanned by his friends. He is sweating heavily. This patient most likely has:
hyperthermia
Which of the following scenarios would be most likely to result in a submersion injury?
A scuba diver rapidly ascends from a depth of 50 meters
"I hit something under water when I jumped," she cries. "I think my leg is broken!" 1. Which of the following describes the MOST appropriate technique for getting this patient out of the water?
Carefully throw the patient an object that will float and attempt to pull her to shore.
Which of the following heat emergencies presents the LEAST risk to the patient?
Heat cramps
A difference between heat exhaustion (heat cramps) and heat stroke is:
Heat cramps may be a sign of a developing heat emergency, while heat stroke is a true life-threatening heat emergency in itself.
Which of the following signs would be MOST concerning when caring for a patient who has been stung by a bee?
Hives and swelling of the patient's face and tongue
What is the best way to remove an alert patient from the water if she is near shore but too far to reach with your hand, and you have not been trained in water rescue?
Hold out an object such as a long stick or an article of clothing for her to grab.
Which of the following is NOT true about the condition known as "the bends"?
It usually appears immediately after the diver reaches the surface.
"I hit something under water when I jumped," she cries. "I think my leg is broken!" 3. Which of the following is NOT a recommended technique to use when assessing a patient experiencing a water-related emergency?
Leave wet clothing in place to prevent further trauma.
Which of the following is NOT a cause of heat loss in the body?
Reduction
Which of the following signs and symptoms would indicate that your patient was suffering from heat stroke rather than heat exhaustion?
Skin is hot and dry
Why is it important to notify dispatch if you suspect a patient has a diving-related submersion emergency, such as decompression sickness?
The dispatcher may direct the ambulance to a specialized facility.
Your patient is a 65-year-old man who has been found lying in an alley off a major city street during one of the coldest nights of the year. His skin feels cold and he complains of muscle stiffness. What should you do?
Transport him to the hospital as soon as possible.
Your patient first noticed an irritated area of skin on his forearm after clearing a pile of wood out of a woodshed. He reports the area has been getting worse over the past several days and it is painful and itchy. You suspect:
a spider bite.
Appropriate treatment of a patient experiencing heat stroke includes all of the following EXCEPT:
administering oral glucose.
Shivering is:
an early sign of hypothermia
A life-threatening, allergic reaction is called:
anaphylaxis.
Which of the following is NOT an example of emergency care for heat cramps in a responsive patient?
apply heavy blankets over the cramped muscles
If you are providing care to a patient with frostbite in a remote area where there is a long delay in receiving care, you should _____ if there is any chance the injury might refreeze.
avoid rewarming
The Emergency Medical Responder recognizes that anaphylaxis is:
a life-threatening allergic reaction.
Your patient is a 6-year-old boy who was playing in the park. He has a red spot on his arm that is red, itchy, and painful. You notice a small puncture wound in the center of the spot and recognize that he has:
been stung by an insect.
A 5-year-old girl is trapped on the ice of a frozen lake. She is crying and asking you to come and get her off the ice. You should:
call for additional resources.
Symptoms of decompression sickness include all of the following EXCEPT:
chills.
Body heat is lost by ________ when surrounding warmer air rises and is replaced by cooler air.
convection
Personality changes and distorted senses such as blurred vision are signs and symptoms of an air embolism in the bloodstream associated with:
decompression sickness
You are caring for a 94-year-old man who locked himself out of his house on a snowy evening. He is wearing a bathrobe and slippers and reports that he was outside for approximately 90 minutes before a neighbor found him and called 911. You should suspect that the patient has:
hypothermia.
Insect stings, spider bites, stings from marine life, and snakebites can all be sources of:
injected poisons.
You are treating a 7-year-old male who was found floating face down in a swimming pool. As you perform CPR and make sure he is breathing, his mother tells you that the boy fell from the top of the water slide. You should suspect:
injuries related to the fall.
You are rescuing a 41-year-old woman who is struggling to keep afloat in a lake. You extend a branch but cannot reach her from the shore. You should:
make sure you are secure, wade out to waist depth with the branch and try again.
"I hit something under water when I jumped," she cries. "I think my leg is broken!" 2. Once the patient is safely removed from the water you should FIRST:
perform a primary assessment.
You recognize that your patient is at greater risk for a cold-related emergency because she has diabetes, which affects:
perfusion.
Which of the following is NOT part of emergency care for a patient who has been stung by a bee or wasp?
pinch or pull out the stinger
EMR Joseph Contreras is caring for a young woman, 21, who has been scuba diving and is experiencing muscle pain, choking, and blotches on the skin. Contreras determines the patient is suffering from decompression sickness. Which of the following is NOT something he should do?
place the patient with head elevated
Unless you are trained in water rescue, do not go into the water to save someone. Water safety and rescue courses are offered by all of the following EXCEPT:
the U.S. National Arboretum
The Emergency Medical Responder recognizes that it is unsafe to attempt a water rescue without proper training. If you must enter the water to save the patient's life, be sure to:
wear a personal floatation device.
For safety, all rescuers who are working on or at the edge of ice must:
wear personal flotation devices
Crawling along a ladder held steady by a team member is a very effective method of safe rescue for:
ice-related incidents
The three general steps for water rescue are:
reach, throw, go
