EMS Chapter 2 - Workforce Safety and Wellness

When providing support for a grieving person, it is okay to say:

"I'm sorry"

Communicable Disease

A disease that can be spread from one person or species to another.

oversees the development of voluntary consensus standards for products, services, processes, systems, and personnel in the United States.

ANSI

is a response to the anticipation of danger.

Anxiety

The EMT's first priority is __________. Select one: A. empathy for all patients B. personal safety C. rapid response D. treatment and transport

B. personal safety

Which of the following is NOT considered a common hazard in a fire? Smoke Building collapse Toxic gases Bystanders

Bystanders

Vaccination against the hepatitis A virus is unnecessary if you: Select one: A. have a weak immune system. B. are older than 35 years of age. C. have been infected with hepatitis in the past. D. received a hepatitis B vaccination.

C. have been infected with hepatitis in the past.

The MOST serious consequence of drug or alcohol abuse among EMS personnel is: Select one: A. low morale and frequently missed shifts. B. punitive action and the loss of a job. C. substandard or inappropriate patient care. D. tension among coworkers and supervisors.

C. substandard or inappropriate patient care.

The safest, most reliable sources for long-term energy production are

Carbohydrates

Ch2L: What blocks the ability of the hemoglobin to transport oxygen to body tissues? Carbon monoxide Carbon dioxide Cyanide Smoke

Carbon monoxide Carbon Monoxide combines with the hemoglobin in your red blood cells about 200 times more readily than oxygen. It blocks the ability of the hemoglobin to transport blood to your body tissue. Exposure causes increased respiration, dizziness, and sweating. Breathing in 10 to 12% will result in death in a few minutes.

Ch2L: The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection that law enforcement agents use is called what? Cover Concealment Indirect contact Infection control

Cover

Ch2L: OSHA requires all EMS providers to utilize a high-visibility public safety vest while on or near the roadway. True/False

False. There are seven common hazards in a fire. In addition to those listed, high ambient temperature and explosion are also hazards.

The body's response to stress that begins with an alarm response, followed by a stage of reaction and resistance, and then recovery or, if the stress is prolonged, exhaustion

General Adaptation Syndrome

What is the most common type of PPE

Gloves

Drug and alcohol use in the workplace causes

Increased accidents

Hazardous materials in vehicles and buildings should be clearly identified using:

Placards

Cumulative Stress Reactions

Prolonged or excessive stress.

Acute Stress Reactions

Reaction to stress that occurs during a stressful situation.

Unwelcome sexual advance

Sexual harrasment

Immune

The body's ability to protect itself from acquiring a disease.

Airborne Trasmission

The spread of an organism via droplets or dust.

Ch2L: Which of the following involves the spread of infection by animals or insects that carry an organism from one person or place to another? Bloodborne pathogens Airborne transmission Foodborne transmission Vector-borne transmission

Vector-borne transmission

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

A delayed stress reaction to a prior incident. Often the result of one or more unresolved issues concerning the incident, and may relate to an incident that involved physical harm or the threat of physical harm.

Infectious Disease

A medical condition caused by the growth and spread of small, harmful organisms within the body.

Pathogen

A microorganism that is capable of causing disease in a susceptible host.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

A process that confronts the responses to critical incidents and defuses them, directing the emergency services personnel toward physical and emotional equilibrium.

Exposure

A situation in which a person has had contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or airborne particles in a manner that suggests disease transmission may occur.

Which of the following is an effective stress management strategy? Select one: A. Developing a social network outside of EMS B. Requesting overtime to occupy your mind C. Frequently reflecting on troublesome calls D. Modestly increasing caffeine consumption

A. Developing a social network outside of EMS

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

A. There is no vaccine against HIV infection.

You are transporting an elderly woman who has possibly experienced a stroke. She is obviously scared but is unable to talk and cannot move the entire right side of her body. In addition to providing the medical care that she needs, you should: Select one: A. acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her. B. reassure her that after proper treatment in the hospital, she will regain her speech in time. C. maintain eye contact at all times and tell her that there is no need for her to be scared. D. tell her that you understand why she is scared and that everything will likely be okay.

A. acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her.

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you note that two small cars collided head-on; the occupants are still in their vehicles. The fire department is in the process of stabilizing the vehicles and law enforcement personnel are directing traffic. After parking the ambulance at a safe distance, you and your partner should: Select one: A. put on high-visibility safety vests. B. report to the incident commander. C. assist with vehicle stabilization. D. quickly begin the triage process.

A. put on high-visibility safety vests.

Quid pro quo, a type of sexual harassment, occurs when the harasser: Select one: A. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else. B. makes rude remarks about a person's body parts. C. stares at certain parts of another person's anatomy. D. touches another person without his or her consent.

A. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is caused by HIV, which damages the cells in the body's immune system so that the body is unable to fight infection or certain cancers.

The spread of an organism via droplets or dust ○ (cold) Coughing and sneezing Cough and sneeze in your arm

Airborne Transmission

Ch2L: What are the three stages of general adaptation syndrome? An alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery/exhaustion Denial, bargaining, and acceptance Acute stress, delayed stress, and cumulative stress Discovering, defusing, and debriefing

An alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery/exhaustion

Ch2L: What program, often available for EMS personnel, involves contracted agencies that provide a wide array of mental health, substance abuse, crisis management, and counseling services? A critical incident stress management program An injury and illness prevention program A Voluntary Protection Program An employee assistance program

An employee assistance program (EAP) is often available for EMS personnel and involves contracted agencies that provide a wide array of mental health, substance abuse, crisis management, and counseling services.

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

B. animals or insects.

After assessing a patient's blood glucose level, you accidentally stick yourself with the contaminated lancet. You should: Select one: A. immerse your wound in an alcohol-based solution. B. report the incident to your supervisor after the call. C. discontinue patient care and seek medical attention. D. get immunized against hepatitis as soon as possible.

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

The simplest, yet most effective method of preventing the spread of an infectious disease is to: Select one: A. undergo an annual physical examination. B. wash your hands in between patient contacts. C. undergo annual testing for tuberculosis and hepatitis. D. ensure that your immunizations are up-to-date.

B. wash your hands in between patient contacts.

The stage of the grieving process where an attempt is made to secure a prize for good behavior or promise to change on'es lifestyle is known as

Bargaining

Ch2L: Which of the following should you do when lifting something heavy? Bend your legs, not your waist. Wait for assistance. Keep the weight at arm's length from your body. Lift using the muscles of your lower back.

Bend your legs, not your waist.

While providing care to a patient, blood got onto the ambulance stretcher. Because the stretcher was not properly cleaned afterward, a virus was transmitted to another emergency medical technician (EMT) several days later. Which route of transmission does this scenario describe? Select one: A. Vector-borne transmission B. Airborne transmission C. Indirect contact D. Direct contact

C. Indirect contact

When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should: Select one: A. use a bleach and water solution at a 1:2 dilution ratio to thoroughly wipe all surfaces. B. spray the contaminated areas and then immediately wipe them dry with a towel. C. allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions. D. clean all surfaces and patient contact areas with a mixture of alcohol and water.

C. allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.

The use of objects to limit a person's visibility of you.

Concealment

If you are in the first unit to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle collision, you should:

Consider using the ambulance as a shield to protect the scene. Safety first!

the movement of an organism from one person to another through physical touch. There are two types

Contact Transmission

Ch2L: Recently you started noticing that a coworker is disinterested in his work. He has started coming in late and has taken to sitting alone and not socializing with other members of the team. The job has been stressful lately. Call volume has increased and you rarely have any downtime between calls. What is your coworker most likely experiencing? Acute stress reaction Cumulative stress reaction Posttraumatic stress disorder Delayed stress reaction

Cumulative stress reaction Based on the fact that the job has been stressful over a period of time, your coworker is probably suffering from a cumulative stress reaction.

Which of the following would provide the EMT with the BEST cover in a situation involving active gunfire? Select one: A. A large cluster of shrubs B. Behind a car door C. Stacked empty barrels D. A concrete barricade

D. A concrete barricade

General adaptation syndrome is characterized by which of the following phases? Select one: A. Reaction and resistance, euphoria, and physical exhaustion B. Immediate reaction, psychological exhaustion, and recovery C. Delayed reaction, alarm response, and physical recovery D. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery

D. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery

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

D. An EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed.

Which of the following statements regarding the different stages of the grieving process is correct? Select one: A. It is rare that people will jump back and forth between stages. B. Bargaining is the most unpleasant stage of the grieving process. C. The grieving process typically begins with severe depression. D. The stages of the grieving process may occur simultaneously.

D. The stages of the grieving process may occur simultaneously.

Common factors that influence how a patient reacts to the stress of an illness or injury include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. mental disorders. B. fear of medical personnel. C. history of chronic disease. D. assessment by the EMT.

D. assessment by the EMT.

At the scene of an automobile crash, a utility pole has been broken and power lines are lying across the car. The patients inside the car are conscious. You should: Select one: A. remove the lines with a nonconductive object. B. advise the patients to carefully get out of the car. C. proceed with normal extrication procedures. D. mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.

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

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

D. when performing endotracheal intubation.

Ch2L: You are responding to an accident scene involving an overturned semi truck​ carrying diesel fuel. Which reference source will be most helpful in this case? OSHA guidelines CDC standards for infection control DOT Emergency Response Guidebook ANSI safety standards

DOT Emergency Response Guidebook The DOT Emergency Response Guidebook lists many hazardous materials and the proper procedures for scene control.

The stage of the grieving process that involves refusal to accept diagnosis or care is known as"

Denial

Signs of Anxiety include

Diaphoresis Hyperventilation Tachycardia Except: Comfort

Resource detailing common hazards and proper responses

Emergency Response Guidebook

List three signs/symptoms found in an anxious patient?

Emotional upset Sweaty and cool skin (diaphoretic) Rapid breathing (hyperventilating) Fast pulse (tachycardia) Restlessness Tension Fear Shakiness (tremulous)

Direct Contact

Exposure of transmission of a communicable disease from one person to another by physical contact.

Indirect Contact

Exposure or transmission of disease from one person to another by contact with a contaminated object.

Ch2L: There are five common hazards in a fire: Smoke, oxygen deficiency, toxic gases, building collapse, and equipment True/False

False. There are seven common hazards in a fire. In addition to those listed, high ambient temperature and explosion are also hazards.

Ch2L: You should wear clothing made from cotton in cold, wet environments. True/False

False. You should not wear cotton for cold weather as it absorbs moisture, causing chilling from wetness.

Is as important as eating well and exercise in the maintenance of good health

Good productive sleep

List the CDC-recommended immunizations for health care workers

Hepatitis B Influenza (yearly) Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) Varicella (chickenpox) vaccine or having had chicken pox Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis (Tdap) every 10 years)

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver, usually caused by a viral infection, that causes fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, fatigue, and altered liver function.

List warning signs of stress

Irritability toward coworkers, family, and friends Inability to concentrate Difficulty sleeping, increased sleeping, or nightmares Feelings of sadness, anxiety, or guilt Loss of appetite (gastrointestinal disturbances) Loss of interest in sexual activities Isolation Loss of interest in work Increased use of alcohol Recreational drug use Physical symptoms such as chronic pain (headache-backache) Feelings of hopelessness

Ch2L: What was the focus of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross's On Death and Dying? It gave specific guidelines on how to deliver hospice care to critically ill patients. It introduced the stages of grief. It became the standard for EMS providers when dealing with violent death. It detailed the physiological aspects of cumulative stress reactions.

It introduced the stages of grief.

Events that can trigger critical incident stress include

Mass-casualty incidents

The CDC recommends immunizations for health care providers. Which of the following immunizations is NOT recommended? Meningitis vaccine Hepatitis B vaccine Influenza vaccine Varicella vaccine

Meningitis vaccine

Ways for managing stress

Minimize or eliminate stressors Change partners to avoid a negative or hostile personality Change work hours Change the work environment Cut back on overtime Change your attitude about the stressors Talk about your feelings with people you trust Seek professional counseling if needed. Do not obsess over frustrating situations; focus on delivering high quality care. Try to adopt a more realxed, philospical outlook Expand your social support system apart from your cowokers. Sustain friends and interests outside emergency services/ Minimize the physical response to stress by employing various techniques.

Examples include gloves, gowns, and face shields

PPE

Bloodborne Pathogens

Pathogenic microorganisms that are present in human blood and can cause disease in humans. These pathogens include, but are not limited to, hepatitis B virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

What should you do if you suspect your patient has tuberculosis?

Place a particulate air respirator on yourself and a surgical mask on the patient

Encompasses reporting, documentation, and treatment.

Postexposure management

Infection Control

Procedures to reduce transmission of infection among patients and health care personnel.

Is the simplest yet most effective way to control disease transmission

Proper handwashing

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogen or a hazardous material.

Standard Precautions

Protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for use in dealing with objects, blood, body fluids, and other potential exposure risks of communicable disease.

Delayed Stress Reactions

Reaction to stress that occurs after a stressful situation.

What is the most common characteristic found in patients with mental health problems?

Regression

Ch2L: While treating a patient with a high fever and cough, you accidentally expose yourself to the illness. What should you do? Ignore it. The risk of contamination is small. Report it to the hospital staff so they can isolate the patient. Report it to the infection control officer. Do not report it but perform self-monitoring to be sure you are not infected.

Report it to the infection control officer.

Describe the basic concept of Standard Precaution

Standard precautions are protective measures based on the assumption that every person is potentially infected or can spread an organism that could be transmitted in the health-care setting. Therefore, you must apply infection-control procedures to reduce infection in patients and health care personnel.

Is the impact of stressors on your physical and mental well-being

Stress

A term that refers to the tactics that have been shown to alleviate or eliminate stress reactions

Stress management

Infection

The abnormal invasion of a host or host tissues by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, with or without signs or symptoms of disease.

General Adaptation Syndrome

The body's response to stress that begins with an alarm response, followed by a stage of reaction and resistance, and then recovery or, if the stress is prolonged, exhaustion.

Foodborne Transmission

The contamination of food or water with an organism that can cause disease.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)

The federal regulatory compliance agency that develops, publishes, and enforces guidelines concerning safety in the workplace.

Designated Officer

The individual in the department who is charged with the responsibility of managing exposures and infection control issues.

Ch 2L: Which of the following statements is the most accurate? You should engage in at least 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity a minimum of 6 days per week in order to maintain your health. The individual's reaction to stress determines how much it will strain the body's resources. When you are dehydrated, drink something sugary to help rebuild electrolytes. You do not need to inform your supervisor if you're taking a legally prescribed drug.

The individual's reaction to stress determines how much it will strain the body's resources.

Host

The organism or individual that is attacked by the infecting agent.

Contamination

The presence of infectious organisms on or in objects such as dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, or a patient's body.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The primary federal agency that conducts and supports public health activities in the United States. The CDC is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Cover

The tactical use of an impenetrable barrier for protection.

Vector-Borne Transmission

The use of an animal to spread an organism from one person or place to another.

Concealment

The use of objects to limit a person's visibility of you.

Transmission

The way in which an infectious disease is spread: contact, airborne, by vehicles, or by vectors.

List three layers of clothing recommended for cold weather

Thin inner layer Thermal middle layer Outer Layer

Ch2L: Ambulances should be parked at least 100 feet away from all crash sites. True/False

True.

Ch2L: In sufficiently high concentrations, cyanide causes signs and symptoms of shock and severe hypoxia, leading to death. True/False

True. Cyanide can cause signs and symptoms of shock and severe hypoxia, leading to death.

What is the first thing you should do if exposed to a patient's blood or body fluids?

Turn over patient care to another EMS provider. Patient is more important. Don't just leave the pt before seeking medical attention or washing the blood spilled on you.

When tools are being used during extraction, you should:

Wear a face shield or goggles

Which of the following is a sign that your sleep patten is ineffective?

You are unable to concentrate on repetitive tasks such as driving or completing paperwork?

Ch 2L: .A(n) can be spread from one person or species to another.

communicable disease

Ch 2L: is the presence of infectious organisms on or in objects such as dressings, water, food, needles, wounds, or a patient's body.

contamination

The ____ of a human being is one of the most _____ events for another human being to accept

death; diffcult

What are the five stages of the grieving process

denial, anger/hostility, bargaining, depression, acceptance

When acknowledging the death of a child, reactions vary, but ______ is common

disbelief

Ch 2L: When a person comes into contact with blood, body fluids, tissues, or airborne particles in a manner that suggests disease transmission may occur, this is known as

exposure

A CISD meeting is an opportunity to discuss

feelings about the incident

The quickest source of energy is ______, however, this can last less than a day

glucose

Your safety is the most important consideration at a

hazardous materials incident

Ch 2L: The abnormal invasion of a host or host tissues by organisms such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites, with or without signs or symptoms of disease is called a(n)

infection

Ch 2L: A(n) is a microorganism that is capable of causing disease in a susceptible host.

pathogen

What are some common hazards associated with a fire scene"

smoke oxygen deficiency High ambient temperatures toxic gases building collapse equipment explosions

Sexual harassment is defined as

unwelcome requests for sexual favors.