EMT Ch 5 Test

Which of the following describes Fowler's position? A) Lying flat on the back B) Lying on the side C) Lying on the stomach D) Sitting upright with the legs straight

A) INCORRECT. Lying flat on the back is called the supine position. B) INCORRECT. The lateral recumbent (recovery) position has the patient lying on her side. C) INCORRECT. The positional term prone describes a patient who is lying on his stomach. D) CORRECT. When in the Fowler's position, the patient is seated with her legs either straight or bent in front of her. Page Ref: 107

Which of the following BEST describes the location of the mid-axillary line? A) A line from the center of the armpit, extending vertically down the side of the chest B) A line drawn diagonally from the outer end of the clavicle to the navel C) A line drawn horizontally from one armpit to the other, across the front of the body D) A line drawn vertically from the xiphoid process to the pubic bone

Explanation: A) CORRECT. A line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to the ankle is called the mid-axillary line. B) INCORRECT. Drawing a line from the clavicle to the navel does not describe the location of the mid-axillary line. C) INCORRECT. A line drawn across the body from one armpit to the other would not be called a mid-axillary line. D) INCORRECT. This would best be described as the midline. Page Ref: 105

Which of the following are the abdominal regions created by drawing two imaginary lines intersecting at the navel? A) Abdominal quadrants B) Abdominal planes C) Abdominal regions D) Abdominal sextants

Explanation: A) CORRECT. Abdominal quadrants are four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the location of a pain or injury: they are defined by drawing two imaginary lines through the abdomen, intersecting at the navel. B) INCORRECT. A plane is an imaginary flat surface formed when slicing through a solid object; the term abdominal plane doesn't adequately describe the abdominal regions. C) INCORRECT. Abdominal regions is a generic term that doesn't refer to the specific areas identified by two imaginary lines intersecting at the navel. D) INCORRECT. A sextant is an instrument used to measure the angle between two objects; it does not apply to defining abdominal regions. Page Ref: 106

With regard to medical terminology, a prefix is: A) added to the beginnings of roots or words to modify or qualify their meaning. B) the foundation of a word or term. C) the combination of any two or more whole words. D) a modifier that indicates if a term is singular or plural.

Explanation: A) CORRECT. Prefixes are added to the beginnings of roots or words to modify or qualify their meaning. B) INCORRECT. The foundation of a word is called a root. C) INCORRECT. Combining any two whole words into another word is called compounding. D) INCORRECT. A prefix will generally not indicate if a word or term is singular or plural. Page Ref: 101

A patient with bilateral femur fractures would have which of the following? A) Two fractures in the same femur B) A femur fracture occurring with little or no trauma C) A femur fracture in which the bone ends have punctured the muscle and skin of the thigh D) Fractures of both femurs

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Bilateral does not simply mean two; two fractures of the same femur would not be called bilateral. B) INCORRECT. The cause of the fractures is not related to the term bilateral. C) INCORRECT. The severity of a fracture is not addressed by the anatomic term bilateral. D) CORRECT. Bilateral means "on both sides"; bilateral femur fractures means that both femurs have been fractured. Page Ref: 105

A postal worker has been attacked by a dog during her mail delivery route. The patient is a 54-year-old female with several dog bites on her lower extremities and left arm. The worst of these bites is located on the back of her right leg just above the ankle. How can you explain the location of this injury using anatomical landmarks? A) The bite is located on the posterior aspect of the calf distal to the knee. B) The bite is located on the anterior aspect of the calf just proximal to the knee. C) The bite is located on the posterior aspect of the calf just proximal to the knee. D) The bite is located on the anterior aspect of the calf just distal to the knee.

Explanation: A) CORRECT. Since the dog bite is on the back of the leg or calf, it is on the posterior aspect of the leg. Since it is below the knee, use the term distal to describe an injury that is distant or away from the knee. B) INCORRECT. This description would describe a bite on the front of the patient's leg. C) INCORRECT. This description would describe a bite on the back of the patient's calf, but close to the knee. D) INCORRECT. Describing the bite as being anterior indicates that it is on the front of the leg. Page Ref: 105-106

When discussing left and right in terms of anatomic locations, what do they refer to? A) Left and right from the patient's perspective B) Whoever is speaking about the anatomic location determines left and right orientation. C) Anatomic left and right refer to the provider's left and right orientation when facing a patient in the anatomic position. D) What left and right refer to anatomically is dependent on the patient's positioning when care is provided.

Explanation: A) CORRECT. The directions left and right always refer to the patient's left and right. B) INCORRECT. Whoever is speaking does not play a role in determining anatomic left or right. C) INCORRECT. Anatomic locations are not based on the perspective of the care provider. D) INCORRECT. The patient's positioning does not alter the locations of anatomic left and right. Page Ref: 104

Which of the following describes the midline of the body? A) An imaginary line dividing the body into equal right and left halves B) An imaginary line dividing the body into a top and bottom portion C) The intersection of two imaginary lines crossing at the umbilicus D) An imaginary line dividing the body into a front and a back portion

Explanation: A) CORRECT. The midline is an imaginary line splitting the body into equal right and left halves. B) INCORRECT. An imaginary line dividing a person into upper and lower halves is not referred to as a midline. C) INCORRECT. The intersection of two imaginary lines crossing at the umbilicus is not called a midline. D) INCORRECT. The mid-axillary line divides the body into front and back halves, not the midline. Page Ref: 105

Your 79-year-old female patient appears to show all signs and symptoms of a stroke. Her level of consciousness has rapidly deteriorated, she is now unconscious, and she can no longer control her own airway. While you intervene to manage her airway, the best position in which to keep fluid or vomitus from occluding her airway would be the: A) recovery position. B) Fowler position. C) Trendelenburg position. D) prone position.

Explanation: A) CORRECT. The recovery position, also known as the lateral recumbent position, is the preferred position for any unconscious nontrauma patient because it is a position in which fluids and vomitus can drain from the mouth and be less likely to be aspirated into the lungs. B) INCORRECT. The Fowler position is seated full upright, which wouldn't be appropriate for an unconscious patient. C) INCORRECT. The Trendelenburg position is on the back with legs raised, which would be potentially dangerous to the airway of an unconscious person. D) INCORRECT. No patient is ever positioned or transported in the prone position. Page Ref: 107

You and your EMT partner are responding to a medical aid call in the rural West County area. The dispatcher advises that the caller is reporting the patient as having a history of "plegia." Why would it be beneficial to have the dispatcher clarify a prefix for the word plegia? A) Without a clarifying prefix, it is difficult for the EMTs to effectively prepare for the type of patient they may encounter. B) Because a dysplegiac patient generally requires an EMT-Paramedic level of care, and it may change the level of response. C) A patient with plegia is potentially contagious, and the EMTs need to know what precautions are required. D) There is actually no need to clarify the word.

Explanation: A) CORRECT. The root plegia means paralysis of the limbs; without a prefix, it is unclear to what extent the patient may be paralyzed, which may impact the challenges encountered by medical responders. The EMTs would want to know if they are responding to a partially (para-) or fully (quadri-) paralyzed patient. B) INCORRECT. Dysplegia is not a recognized medical condition and would not impact the response decisions. C) INCORRECT. Plegia, the paralysis of the limbs, is not an infectious disease. D) INCORRECT. The prefix to the root plegia is important for responders to know. Page Ref: 101

Why should an EMT avoid the use of acronyms and abbreviations when communicating? A) They should only be avoided in verbal communications, where they can be misunderstood; they are expected in written patient care reports. B) There is a chance that they can lead to errors in continued care for the patient. C) The medical acronyms and abbreviations used by prehospital care providers and hospital staff are different. D) Using acronyms and abbreviations is considered unprofessional.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Acronyms and abbreviations can be misunderstood, whether communicated verbally or in writing. B) CORRECT. Research has shown that the use of acronyms and abbreviations is a common cause of medical errors. C) INCORRECT. Although there are some regional differences with certain acronyms or abbreviations, they are usually the same between prehospital and facility-based providers. D) INCORRECT. It is only considered unprofessional when acronyms and abbreviations are used incorrectly or in excess. Page Ref: 101-102

The term lateral is best defined as: A) under the arms. B) toward the middle of. C) to the back of. D) to the side.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Although the area under the arms could be lateral to something else, it is not the best description of the term. B) INCORRECT. Toward the middle of the body is described as medial. C) INCORRECT. The medical term for the back of something is called dorsal. D) CORRECT. Lateral is defined as to the side, away from the midline of the body. Page Ref: 105

To check the distal pulse of a patient with an injury to the forearm, the EMT would check for a pulse in which location? A) Armpit B) Wrist C) Upper arm D) Throat

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. The armpit is considered proximal; closer to the torso. B) CORRECT. The wrist is distal to the elbow. C) INCORRECT. The upper arm is not distal to the elbow. D) INCORRECT. The throat would not be described as distal to the elbow. Page Ref: 105-106

What is the primary reason for an EMT to use specific and proper medical terminology? A) People may think that an EMT is not intelligent or professional unless she uses medical terms. B) Medical communication needs to be exact and consistent. C) It will make patients and family members trust in the EMT's abilities more. D) EMS providers can't bill for services unless the correct terminology is used in all documentation.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Having others think that an EMT is intelligent or professional should not be the motivation for using medical terminology. B) CORRECT. Communication about medical assessment and care needs to be clear-cut and exact so that everyone involved in the process understands. Whether describing a patient over the radio for medical direction or documenting findings in a prehospital care report, being specific matters. Proper medical terminology allows a precision that common terms may not permit. C) INCORRECT. Good rapport and interpersonal skills will aid in building trust with patients and family members much more than using medical terminology; excessive use of medical terms may actually alienate patients. D) INCORRECT. Although proper documentation is important for billing purposes, this is not the primary reason to use proper terminology. Page Ref: 99

Which of the following BEST describes the anatomic position? A) Supine with arms crossed over the chest and knees slightly bent B) Standing, facing forward, with arms raised above the head C) Standing, facing forward, with arms at the side, palms forward D) Standing in profile with the hands on the hips

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Lying on the back with arms crossed is not a description of the anatomic position. B) INCORRECT. In the anatomic position, the patient's arms are not above the head. C) CORRECT. The anatomic position is the body standing erect, facing the observer, with arms down at the sides and the palms of the hands facing forward. D) INCORRECT. The anatomic position does not describe a person standing sideways with hands on the hips. Page Ref: 104

The wrist is ________ to the elbow. A) medial B) inferior C) distal D) dorsal

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Medial means closer to the midline of the body. B) INCORRECT. Inferior means below or further from the head; although this may apply, it is not the correct terminology. C) CORRECT. The wrist is distal to the elbow; further from the torso and nearer the free end of the extremity. D) INCORRECT. Dorsal means on the back of. Page Ref: 105-106

What is the distinction between anatomy and physiology? A) Anatomy is the study of physical body structures, whereas physiology is the study of emotions and behavior. B) The terms are synonymous. C) Anatomy is the study of body components and systems, and physiology is the study of injuries and disease processes. D) Anatomy is the study of body structures, and physiology is the study of body function.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Physiology is not the study of emotions and behavior. B) INCORRECT. Anatomy and physiology refer to different studies; they do not mean the same thing. C) INCORRECT. Pathophysiology is the study of disease processes, not physiology. D) CORRECT. Anatomy is the study of body structures, organs and systems, and physiology is the study of the actions of those organs and systems. Page Ref: 103

You respond to a large concert venue where a number of spectators are reported to be severely intoxicated. You are directed to an area where several patients appear to be unconscious, lying face down on the ground. The position of these patients is described as: A) posterior. B) supine. C) anterior. D) prone.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Posterior simply refers to "the back of the body" and does not describe a position. B) INCORRECT. The supine position is one where the patient is lying on his back or face up. C) INCORRECT. Anterior does not describe a position; it just means "the front of the body." D) CORRECT. Always compare the patient's position to the universal reference, or the anatomic position. The prone position is one where the patient is lying on his abdomen or face down. Page Ref: 107

You and your newly hired EMT partner arrive on the scene of a bicycle collision at the local community park. One cyclist stands by and says that she has no injuries. The other is lying on his side on the bike path, guarding his ribs and holding the lower part of his left leg. Your partner kneels next to the man, introduces herself, and asks, "Can you ambulate?" The patient looks up, confused and in obvious pain. "Can you ambulate? You know...walk?" Your partner says, a little louder. After transporting the patient, you discuss the call with your partner and suggest that she avoid using medical terms unnecessarily when talking with patients. She seems insulted and says, "Why?" What would you say? A) Explain that using large words and medical terms can be seen as being egotistical, which can alienate both patients and other providers. B) Tell her that the general public isn't smart enough to understand medical terminology and that all communication must be "dumbed down" when talking to patients. C) Tell her that the point of communicating with patients and other providers is so there is clear understanding; using medical terms when not necessary can cause confusion. D) You should say that you are an experienced EMT and since she is new, she should just take your advice and apply it.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Simply using medical terms does not make a provider egotistical. B) INCORRECT. The potential confusion caused by using detailed medical terminology is not related to intelligence, and saying that communication needs to be "dumbed down" is inappropriate for a professional EMT. C) CORRECT. Occasionally complex terms used in messages can cause confusion even among trained health care professionals. If there is a potential for ambiguity or if the person you are speaking to may not understand medically-specific terms, do not be reluctant to revert to clearer terms. D) INCORRECT. Important educational opportunities are missed when experienced providers do not explain the reasons behind their advice to their newer coworkers. Page Ref: 102

What word would be used to refer to a patient's rapid breathing? A) Tachycardia B) Dyspnea C) Tachypnea D) Dyseffusion

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Tachycardia describes a heart rate that is rapid. B) INCORRECT. A patient who is having difficulty breathing is described with the word dyspnea. C) CORRECT. The prefix tachy means fast or rapid and the root pnea refers to breathing. D) INCORRECT. When used medically, the word effusion refers to the escape of fluid or gas; dyseffusion would not describe the rate of a patient's breathing. Page Ref: 101

The abdominal quadrants include all of the following except the: A) right upper. B) left lower. C) right medial. D) left upper.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. The abdominal quadrants include the right upper quadrant. B) INCORRECT. The left lower quadrant is one of the abdominal quadrants. C) CORRECT. There is no right medial abdominal quadrant. D) INCORRECT. The four abdominal quadrants include the left upper quadrant. Page Ref: 106

What is another term for the frontal aspect of the body? A) Caudal B) Dorsal C) Posterior D) Anterior

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. The anatomic term caudal refers to the back of the body or tail. B) INCORRECT. Dorsal indicates the back of the body. C) INCORRECT. The term posterior is used to describe the back aspect of the body or body part. D) CORRECT. The front aspect of a body or body part is called the anterior. Page Ref: 105

While transporting a patient with a traumatic wound to the back, you call in report to the receiving hospital over the radio. Due to radio static and background noise in the Emergency Department, the physician has had to ask you twice to repeat if the wound was superior or inferior. Why would this distinction be important? A) The physician is just trying to determine if the wound is deep or not so she knows what to prepare for. B) The answer is not necessarily important. The physician is just focusing on getting her standard questions answered while dealing with an inadequate radio system. C) The location of the wound is important in determining which types of resources to have available when the patient arrives. D) It is a triage question to determine if the patient is critical or not so the hospital can prioritize

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. The terms superior and inferior don't describe the depth of a wound. B) INCORRECT. The questions asked by physicians are generally important; although radio transmissions can occasionally be interrupted, the physician wouldn't persist if the answer wasn't needed. C) CORRECT. If a traumatic back injury is near the head (superior), there may be the need to involve other specialists in care, such as neurology. In determining the specific wound location, the receiving physician is trying to determine which resources to have available. D) INCORRECT. Simply knowing a more specific location of this back injury wouldn't necessarily indicate whether the patient was critical or not. Page Ref: 105

The inside of a person's thigh is also known as its ________ aspect. A) inferior B) lateral C) medial D) axillary

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Using the term inferior in reference to a thigh would describe a point away from the head, not inside or outside. B) INCORRECT. The lateral aspect of the thigh would refer to the outside of the thigh. C) CORRECT. A part of the body that is toward the midline is described as medial. D) INCORRECT. Axillary refers to the armpit of a patient, not the thigh. Page Ref: 105

With regard to anatomical locations, which of the following is NOT true? A) The umbilicus is located on the ventral aspect of the body. B) The ears are located on the lateral aspect of the head. C) The foot is distal to the knee. D) The mouth is proximal to the nose.

Explanation: A) INCORRECT. Ventral means front; the umbilicus is located on the front of the body. B) INCORRECT. The ears are located to the sides of the head and would be described as being on the lateral aspect of the head. C) INCORRECT. Since the foot is further from the body than the knee, the term distal is correct. D) CORRECT. The correct terminology would be to say the mouth is inferior to the nose. Page Ref: 105