EMT Chapter 17
Medical direction has asked you to give the patient three nitroglycerin tablets. Which of the following responses to medical control is best? A. "10-4. Will do." B. "Copy that. Three nitros." C. "Nitroglycerin sublingual, repeat in 5 minutes up to three, correct?" D. "The physician has ordered three nitroglycerine tablets. Roger that."
"Nitroglycerin sublingual, repeat in 5 minutes up to three, correct?"
You have received the following order from medical control: "Administer one tablet of nitroglycerin under the patient's tongue." Which of the following is the best response? A. "Roger, order received." B. "Clear. Will advise of any changes in patient's condition." C. "Copy. Administering medication now." D. "Order received. One nitroglycerin tablet under the patient's tongue."
"Order received. One nitroglycerin tablet under the patient's tongue."
When the EMT calls to receive an order from medical direction to assist the patient with the patient's bronchodilator treatment, it is important to: A. "echo" or immediately repeat the order back for verification. B. be sure to say "please" and "thank you" for the order. C. use as many codes as possible, because people may be listening. D. tell the physician what the EMT's diagnosis is.
"echo" or immediately repeat the order back for verification.
In the emergency prehospital care communications system, a mobile radio: A. is a vehicle-based radio that comes in a variety of power ranges. B. is a portable radio that is useful when you are working at a distance from your vehicle. C. is a device that receives transmissions and rebroadcasts them at a higher power. D. serves as a dispatch and coordination area.
is a vehicle-based radio that comes in a variety of power ranges.
If a base station fails, then: A. it is likely that a backup will be put into service. B. EMTs should use only mobile radios until further notice. C. EMTs should use only portable radios until further notice. D. EMTs should consider themselves to be off duty until the base station returns to full service.
it is likely that a backup will be put into service.
The narrative section or sections of a prehospital care report, compared with the fill-in or check-box sections, are: A. less structured. B. strictly subjective. C. more structured. D. strictly objective.
less structured.
Errors in prehospital care reports: A. are fine if they are clearly just a reflection of difficult circumstances. B. must be corrected. C. cannot be corrected once the report has left the EMT's hands. D. are evidence of criminal negligence.
must be corrected.
The portion of the patient care report in which the EMT writes his description of the patient's presentation, assessment findings, treatment, and transport information is called the: A. data set. B. text. C. narrative. D. deposition.
narrative.
Two types of errors might be committed on a call: A. mental and physical. B. medical and trauma. C. on the scene and during transport. D. omission and commission.
omission and commission.
When communicating with an elderly patient: A. always speak loudly and slowly, as elderly people are hearing-impaired. B. remember that many elderly people are well-oriented and physically able. C. use terms of endearment such as "Dear" and "Honey" to make them feel better. D. remember that elderly people are all at some stage of Alzheimer's disease.
remember that many elderly people are well-oriented and physically able.
You have just received a medication order from your medical director over the radio. You should immediately: A. notify the patient. B. administer the drug. C. repeat the order. D. direct the physician to repeat the order.
repeat the order.
The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requires ambulance services to do all of the following except: A. report child abuse. B. safeguard patient confidentiality. C. place patient care reports in a locked box. D. All of the above are required by HIPAA.
report child abuse.
In some cultures, prolonged eye contact is considered: A. caring. B. compassionate. C. rude D. passive.
rude.
In the event that a patient refuses care or transport, you will have to make notes on: A. whether the patient has committed a crime. B. the patient's physical appearance. C. the patient's probable motivations for refusal. D. the patient's capacity.
the patient's capacity.
The NHTSA's minimum data set for patient information gathered by the EMT includes: A. the patient's medical insurance information. B. capillary refill for patients younger than 3 years old. C. the patient's respiratory rate and effort. D. systolic blood pressure for patients older than 1 year old.
the patient's respiratory rate and effort.
Patient information includes all of the following except the: A. time the unit was notified of the call. B. patient's chief complaint. C. mechanism of injury. D. patient's medications.
time the unit was notified of the call.
Once you arrive at the hospital with your patient, it is important to give the ED staff an oral report. This report should include: A. personal information about the patient that is not pertinent to medical care. B. treatment that was given to the patient en route and the patient's response to that treatment. C. the patient's billing and insurance information. D. only new information. It is not necessary to repeat your broadcasted report.
treatment that was given to the patient en route and the patient's response to that treatment.
When speaking during a radio transmission, you should: A. say "yes" and "no," not "affirmative" and "negative." B. use slang you know the dispatcher will understand. C. use pronouns such as "we" instead of "I." D. give a nonstop commentary on everything you do during transport.
use pronouns such as "we" instead of "I."
You arrive at the scene to find a 55-year-old female who first stated that she hurts all over but now refuses to talk. Her friend volunteers that the patient's husband recently passed away and the patient is becoming increasingly despondent. You would use this information to: A. establish depression as the patient's chief complaint. B. avoid speaking to the patient. C. watch the patient's body language for clues. D. authoritatively direct the patient to answer your questions.
watch the patient's body language for clues.
The oral report is: A. a guide for continuing education and quality improvement. B. a valuable source for research on trends in emergency care. C. your chance to convey important information about your patient directly to hospital staff. D. a part of the patient's permanent hospital record.
your chance to convey important information about your patient directly to hospital staff.
You are speaking to a patient and notice that the patient has folded her arms and is clasping her elbows with her hands. She is not looking at you directly. This indicates to you that most likely: A. your communication efforts may not be working. B. you need to tell this patient to sit down. C. the patient is accepting you as a medical authority. D. the patient has understood your message.
your communication efforts may not be working.
When you press the button on the radio to talk, you should wait at least how many seconds before speaking to avoid cutting off the first words of your transmission? A. 7 B. 3 C. 5 D. 1
1
Which of the following describes the importance of effective communication of patient information in the verbal report? A. Patient treatment can be based on this information. B. Changes in the patient's condition can be communicated. C. Additional information that was not given in the radio report can be provided. D. All of the above
All of the above
Which of the following is a possible consequence of using medical terminology about which you are unsure of the meaning in your patient care report? A. Embarrassment B. Negative impact on patient care C. Loss of credibility D. All of the above
All of the above
Which of the following does not need to be documented regarding a patient refusal of treatment? A. Patient's mental status B. That you informed the patient of the consequences of refusing care C. Any insulting remarks the patient made to you D. That you advised the patient to call back if he changed his mind
Any insulting remarks the patient made to you
Which of the following would generally lead to poor communication with a patient in the prehospital environment? A. Speaking clearly, slowly, and distinctly, using language the patient understands B. Choosing the most soothing answer to any question C. Using the patient's name throughout the contact D. Being aware of how your body language may send messages to the patient
Choosing the most soothing answer to any question
When correcting an error on a report, you should do what in addition to initialing it and writing the correct information beside it? A. Highlight it in yellow B. Underline it twice C. Draw a horizontal line through it D. Circle it
Draw a horizontal line through it
Which of the following is the correct manner for making a correction on a paper copy of a patient care report? A. Use typing correction fluid to cover up the error and write over it. B. Get a credible witness to co-sign your patient care report. C. Draw a single line through the error and initial it. D. Blacken out the entire error and draw an arrow to the correct information.
Draw a single line through the error and initial it.
Which of the following information does not need to be provided to the dispatcher? A. When you arrive at the hospital B. When you depart from the hospital C. Estimated time of arrival at the hospital D. Which hospital you are transporting to
Estimated time of arrival at the hospital
Which of the following should be used instead of "yes" over the radio? A. "Negative" B. "Affirmative" C. "Copy" D. "Roger that"
"Affirmative"
Which of the following agencies assigns and licenses radio frequencies? A. United States Department of Transportation B. Transportation Security Administration C. Federal Communications Commission D. Federal Trade Commission
Federal Communications Commission
Jurisdiction over all EMS radio operations in the United States is held by the: A. Federal Emergency Management Agency. B. Department of Transportation. C. Department of Health and Human Services. D. Federal Communications Commission.
Federal Communications Commission.
Medical direction has requested that you administer 70 grams of activated charcoal to an overdose patient. Which of the following should you do next? A. Prepare the medication and then call the hospital back to verify the order. B. Repeat the order back to the physician to make sure you understood correctly. C. Administer the medication without delay. D. Document the order in writing before carrying it out.
Repeat the order back to the physician to make sure you understood correctly.
Which of the following is the term for a device that picks up signals from lower-power radio units and retransmits them at a higher power? A. Base station B. Mobile radio C. Cell phone D. Repeater
Repeater
Your EMS system covers a large area. For reliable transmission between mobile and portable radios, which of the following is essential? A. Cell phones B. Microwave radios C. Digital radios D. Repeaters
Repeaters
If a patient seemed reluctant to speak, what would your next step be? A. Assume that pathology is not the cause. B. Decide whether the patient is hiding something. C. Treat the patient as uncooperative. D. Rule out language barriers and hearing difficulties.
Rule out language barriers and hearing difficulties.
Which of the following is not a reason for routine review of prehospital care reports in a quality improvement program? A. Satisfy requirements of the shift supervisor. B. Reveal excellent patient care. C. Review poor patient care. D. Assess conformity to patient care standards.
Satisfy requirements of the shift supervisor.
The EMT accurately documents that she gave a medication without appropriate medical direction. This is an example of: A. an error of commission. B. falsification of the PCR. C. an error of omission. D. gross negligence.
an error of commission.
You document that a patient was administered oxygen, which you know did not happen. The failure to administer oxygen is: A. a pertinent negative. B. an error of commission. C. a falsification. D. an error of omission.
an error of omission.
The patient hand-off is: A. the arrival at the emergency department. B. an oral transfer-of-care report. C. verified delivery of the patient's personal effects. D. a drop-off form for patient transfers.
an oral transfer-of-care report.
To maintain order on the airwaves, the FCC: A. prohibits commercial uses of radio frequencies. B. decrees the use of a single, universal radio frequency. C. assigns and licenses radio frequencies. D. allows EMS personnel to use any convenient radio frequency.
assigns and licenses radio frequencies.
Written documentation should: A. describe everything that the EMT observed on the call. B. suggest potential diagnoses for the patient's condition. C. describe every statement the EMT made during the call. D. avoid radio codes and nonstandard abbreviations.
avoid radio codes and nonstandard abbreviations.
When communicating with medical direction, you must: A. speak as quickly as possible. B. give as much detail as possible. C. be clear and concise. D. match your emotion to the severity of the patient's condition.
be clear and concise.
When speaking to a patient who is a child, try to: A. avoid eye contact until the child knows you better. B. get down to the child's level. C. avoid crouching down. D. speak from a position of authority above the patient.
get down to the child's level.
Which of the following is not an appropriate use of prehospital care report (PCR) information? A. To conduct research B. For billing and insurance purposes C. To provide EMS personnel with education and quality assurance D. For referral to Alcoholics Anonymous or similar social services
For referral to Alcoholics Anonymous or similar social services
Your prehospital care report is: A. of use only in assessing the call itself. B. important long after the call. C. kept on file for liability reasons only. D. primarily of interest to the receiving emergency department.
important long after the call.
When you encounter a patient who refuses treatment, you should: A. inform the patient of the consequences of that decision. B. tell the patient that the patient will die. C. forcibly treat the patient. D. simply leave the scene.
inform the patient of the consequences of that decision.
Which type of radio is typically used in a vehicle? A. Repeater B. Base C. Portable D. Mobile
Mobile
Which of the following should be placed in quotes in the patient care report? A. Mechanism of injury B. List of patient's medications C. Patient's expressed consent D. Chief complaint
Chief complaint
What power output do most portable radios have? A. 0.5-3 watts B. 5-10 watts C. 1-5 watts D. 25-35 watts
1-5 watts
How many parts does a standard medical radio report have as described in your textbook? A. 10 B. 5 C. 12 D. 8
12
Which of the following best describes a repeater? A. A two-way radio that can be carried on a belt clip B. A two-way radio that is mounted in a vehicle C. A device that receives and amplifies a signal that must be carried over long distances D. A two-way radio at a fixed site
A device that receives and amplifies a signal that must be carried over long distances
What type of report is usually left with the receiving facility if the EMS system is using electronic charting? A. A full written PCR B. A drop report C. A PCR with only the patient demographics and administrative sections completed D. A temporary report
A drop report
Which EMS systems should be collecting the minimum data set on all emergency runs? A. Third service public EMS systems B. Fire-based EMS systems C. Private EMS systems D. All EMS systems
All EMS systems
You have just transported a patient to the emergency department at your local hospital. What additional information that is not typically included in the radio report should be shared with the ED staff? A. The chief complaint B. Pertinent medical history C. Baseline vital signs D. Additional vital signs that were taken in route
Additional vital signs that were taken in route
Which of the following is not part of a medical radio report? A. Estimated time of arrival B. Address at which the patient was located C. Unit identification D. Patient's response to medical care provided
Address at which the patient was located
Arrival and transport times fall under which component of the prehospital care report? A. Subjective field B. Treatment area C. Narrative section D. Administrative information
Administrative information
Which of the following is not an appropriate way of dealing with a patient who does not speak the same language as you do? A. Contact dispatch for assistance in finding a translator. B. Use an interpreter. C. Avoid communicating with the patient so there is no misunderstanding of your intentions. D. Use a manual that provides translation.
Avoid communicating with the patient so there is no misunderstanding of your intentions.
Which of the following best describes a base station? A. A two-way radio at a fixed site B. A device used to receive and then amplify transmissions that must be carried over long distances C. A two-way radio mounted in a vehicle D. A two-way radio that can be carried on a belt clip
A two-way radio at a fixed site
Which of the following best describes a portable radio? A. A two-way radio at a fixed site B. A two-way radio that can be carried on a belt clip C. A device that receives and amplifies signals that must be sent over long distances D. A two-way radio that is mounted in a vehicle
A two-way radio that can be carried on a belt clip
Which of the following best describes a mobile radio? A. A two-way radio that can be carried on a belt clip B. A two-way radio at a fixed site C. A device that receives and amplifies signals that must be sent over a long distance D. A two-way radio that is mounted in a vehicle
A two-way radio that is mounted in a vehicle
Which of the following resides at a fixed site, such as a dispatch center? A. Mobile radio B. Base station C. Portable radio D. Cell phone
Base station
Which of the following components of an EMS communication system would most likely provide the farthest transmission of voice? A. Portable handheld radio B. A 50-watt mobile radio C. Portable ambulance-mounted radio D. Base station with a repeater
Base station with a repeater
An objective statement made in a prehospital patient care report meets all of the following criteria except which one? A. Observable B. Verifiable C. Measurable D. Biased
Biased
Which of the following is typically NOT included in the patient information section of the minimum data set? A. Respiratory rate and effort B. Chief complaint C. Breath sounds D. Skin color and temperature
Breath sounds
Which of the following information on a patient care report is not considered run data? A. Time of arrival at the receiving facility B. Chief complaint C. Time unit left the scene D. Time of the incident report
Chief complaint
Which of the following is true of communicating with patients from a culture different than yours? A. The patient's culture is irrelevant to the EMT. B. Cultural differences have no impact on communication. C. Patients from other cultures generally cannot understand therapeutic communication. D. Cultural differences can make effective communication more challenging.
Cultural differences can make effective communication more challenging.
Which of the following is not one of the roles of the Federal Communications Commission? A. Overseeing radio communications B. Licensing users C. Developing standardized 10 codes D. Assigning radio frequencies
Developing standardized 10 codes
You suspect that a 6-year-old female patient with multiple bruises and a broken wrist was abused. The stepmother states the patient fell down the stairs. The patient is crying and sheepishly nods in agreement with the stepmother's statements. How should you document this situation in the patient report? A. Document what was said as well as your opinion that the child was too afraid to tell the truth. B. Document who you suspect caused the injuries in the narrative so that law enforcement has a record of the incident. C. Document any pertinent information that was said by the stepmother and child exactly in quotations. D. Document only the actual exam findings. Do not document anything that was said.
Document any pertinent information that was said by the stepmother and child exactly in quotations.
You are on the scene of an unresponsive adult female patient. You find an empty pill bottle lying next to her bed. You look up the medication in your field guide and discover the medication is a powerful sedative. The prescription on the bottle is for the patient's husband, who is not present to answer questions about the medication. What should you do? A. Do not document the empty pill bottle. You cannot prove that she took the pills and could lead the doctor to make a false diagnosis. B. Document the empty pill bottle. It is obvious that she took the pills. C. Do not document the empty pill bottle. It does not belong to the patient. D. Document the empty pill bottle. It may provide important clues to the patient's condition.
Document the empty pill bottle. It may provide important clues to the patient's condition.
The QI manager calls your partner into his office after your shift. The QI managers pulls out your partner's EMS report on a call he ran last month on a 45-year-old driver of a single-vehicle motor vehicle collision. There were several empty beer cans in the patient's vehicle, and your partner detected an odor of alcoholic beverages on the patient's breath. The QI manager, however, critiques your partner about calling the patient an alcoholic and giving opinions in the report. He tells your partner to never write opinions in the EMS report. Your partner is confused because he is sure the patient was drunk, and he was actually arrested for suspicion of driving while intoxicated. Your partner believes his assessment is supported by facts and not just his opinion. How can you help your partner understand the QI manager's concerns? A. The QI manager is afraid the patient will sue the EMS service for libel. B. Documenting that the patient is an alcoholic is an unverifiable opinion of the patient that is not supported by available facts and could negatively influence other medical providers. C. Calling the patient an alcoholic is not polite, even if it is true. D. The patient is assumed to be innocent until proven guilty. He is not an alcoholic until he is convicted of drinking and driving by a court of law.
Documenting that the patient is an alcoholic is an unverifiable opinion of the patient that is not supported by available facts and could negatively influence other medical providers.
You are attempting to place a nonrebreather mask on a patient who is experiencing difficulty breathing. The patient is anxious and does not want the mask on his face. Which of the following is the best course of action? A. Explain the importance of oxygen, and ask the patient to at least try to leave the mask on, but assure him that if he can't tolerate it, you can try another method. B. Tell the patient the mask is for his benefit, and you will restrain him if necessary to place it on him. C. Tell the patient he will soon become unconscious without the mask, and then you will be able to place it on him. D. Document that the patient was uncooperative and refused oxygen.
Explain the importance of oxygen, and ask the patient to at least try to leave the mask on, but assure him that if he can't tolerate it, you can try another method.
Which of the following statements regarding eye contact with a patient is not true? A. Eye contact is always appropriate. B. It shows you are interested in the patient. C. It shows you are attentive. D. Failure to make eye contact may signal uneasiness to the patient.
Eye contact is always appropriate.
Which of the following is the federal agency that assigns and licenses radio frequencies? A. FAA B. FCC C. DOT D. NHTSA
FCC
Which of the following should not be included in a patient care report? A. Radio codes B. Pertinent negative findings C. Patient's subjective statements D. Chief complaint
Radio codes
Which of the following statements about receiving orders over the radio is true? A. If an order appears to be inappropriate, call another hospital to confirm. B. If an order appears to be inappropriate, write down every word so that you may defend yourself later, if necessary. C. If an order appears to be inappropriate, repeat the order to the physician and ask pertinent questions about the order. D. If an order appears to be inappropriate, contact your dispatcher to report.
If an order appears to be inappropriate, repeat the order to the physician and ask pertinent questions about the order
Which of the following should be avoided in completing the vital signs division of the PCR? A. Taking and recording at least two complete sets of vital signs B. Documenting the position the patient was in when vitals were taken C. If you take only one set of vital signs, estimating a second set D. Documenting the time the patient's vital signs were taken
If you take only one set of vital signs, estimating a second set
Which of the following is information that is not generally included in the oral report at the receiving hospital? A. Insurance information B. Additional treatment given en route C. Patient name D. Most recent vital signs
Insurance information
Which of the following best explains why all patient care reports done in the United States are supposed to have the minimum data set included? A. It shortens the overall length of the PCR. B. It allows better research and standardization of EMS care. C. It is required for Medicaid and Medicare to provide reimbursement. D. It allows the tracking of information to ensure the elderly population is managed correctly.
It allows better research and standardization of EMS care.
Which of the following is true of use of a patient's name over the radio? A. Refer to all patients as "Jane Doe" or "John Doe." B. Most hospitals require you to provide the patient's name. C. Spell the patient's last name to avoid confusion. D. It may violate confidentiality rules.
It may violate confidentiality rules.
Which of the following is true of the prehospital care report? A. It is not part of the patient's permanent medical record. B. It serves only a legal purpose, in providing proof of proper care. C. It serves administrative functions. D. It is only for the eyes of other EMS providers.
It serves administrative functions.
Guidelines for communicating with your patient include which of the following? A. Be informal with older patients and call them by their first name. B. Listen carefully and allow time for the patient to answer. C. Refrain from explaining what you are doing, as it takes too much time. D. Never touch a patient in a comforting manner, as the patient may perceive it as encroachment.
Listen carefully and allow time for the patient to answer.
You have an urgent transmission you need to make to the dispatch center. Which of the following is the appropriate way to communicate this? A. Interrupt less-urgent radio traffic to get your message across. B. Listen to the frequency first to avoid stepping on another transmission. C. Use the phrase, "Attention, attention, I have priority traffic." D. Speak loudly to convey the urgency of the message.
Listen to the frequency first to avoid stepping on another transmission.
You are treating a 32-year-old man who is deaf. You need to find out why he called for an ambulance. What is the best way to communicate with this patient? A. Make sure the patient can see your lips when you speak. B. Use hand gestures to act out what you are trying to say. C. Speak very loudly in case he has a little hearing. D. Call for an interpreter to meet you at the hospital.
Make sure the patient can see your lips when you speak.
Your elderly male patient tells you his name is Joe Smith. Which of the following is the best way to address him? A. Sir B. Smitty C. Mr. Smith D. Joe
Mr. Smith
In which of the following circumstances is a fully documented prehospital care report not necessary? A. Multiple patients come from an office building evacuation. B. A patient says that someone else called EMS and he does not want any assistance. C. A patient is treated but not transported. D. A fully documented patient care report is required for all of the above.
Multiple patients come from an office building evacuation.
Which of the following is not appropriate for inclusion in the radio report to the receiving hospital? A. Name of the patient's health insurance provider B. Pertinent past illnesses C. Pertinent physical exam findings D. Major past illnesses of the patient
Name of the patient's health insurance provider
You are transporting a city councilman to the hospital after he injured his shoulder playing basketball at his gym. His left shoulder is swollen, deformed, and bruised. There is pain and tingling when the patient attempts to use his hand. He has a pulse of 92 per minute, a respiratory rate of 20 per minute, and a blood pressure of 132/88 mmHg. Which of the following should not be included in the radio report? A. The appearance of the shoulder B. How the injury occurred C. Notification that extra security is needed for a VIP D. Vital signs
Notification that extra security is needed for a VIP
Which of the following is a routine radio transmission for an EMT? A. Contacting the patient's personal physician while you are en route to the hospital B. Notifying dispatch when you are 5 minutes from the scene C. Notifying dispatch of your arrival at the hospital D. Contacting law enforcement with medical information about the patient
Notifying dispatch of your arrival at the hospital
What are all the types of communication an EMT is likely to employ on a typical call? A. Oral, body language, written B. Oral and body language C. Body language and written D. Oral and written
Oral, body language, written
Which of the following is one the most common situations in which an EMT may be liable? A. Inaccurate recording of times and mileage B. Failing to get the receiving physician's signature on the patient care report C. Failure to document all of a patient's medications on the patient care report D. Patient refusal of treatment and transport
Patient refusal of treatment and transport
Which of the following is typically included in the patient information section of a prehospital care report? A. Description of patient's physical appearance and clothing B. Patient's physician's name C. Patient's primary and secondary contacts D. Patient's name, address, and phone number
Patient's name, address, and phone number
When making a radio report, which details are relevant? A. Any level of detail B. Diagnostic criteria C. Only the ETA D. Pertinent facts
Pertinent facts
You are responding to a nursing home for an 85-year-old patient complaining of difficulty breathing. How would you initiate contact with this patient? A. Stand near the head of the bed and shout to make sure the patient can hear you. B. Sit on the foot of the bed and ask the patient what's up. C. Place yourself at eye level, identify yourself, and ask the patient for her name. D. Pick up the patient's wrist and begin taking her pulse.
Place yourself at eye level, identify yourself, and ask the patient for her name.
You have received an order from medical direction that you feel would be detrimental to your patient. Which of the following should you do? A. Politely question the physician. B. Contact your supervisor for advice. C. Call a different hospital for orders. D. Carry out the order but document that you disagreed with it.
Politely question the physician.
One of the EMTs at the station has been cited by the medical director for his sloppy, incomplete, and sometimes inaccurate patient care documentation. What is the most important reason documentation must be clear and accurate? A. Patient care documentation may be used later as legal evidence. B. Failure to document properly will make it easier for the EMS system to be successfully sued. C. The service cannot bill for sloppy report forms. D. Poor communication can lead to misunderstanding and medical errors.
Poor communication can lead to misunderstanding and medical errors.
Which type of radio may be carried by the EMT? A. Mobile B. Portable C. Repeater D. Base
Portable
Typically, you should do which of the following when interviewing your patient? A. Stand above the patient. B. Change positions frequently. C. Position yourself at a distance of several feet from the patient. D. Position yourself at or below the patient's eye level.
Position yourself at or below the patient's eye level.
What does "PTT" mean on a portable or mobile radio? A. Pre-transmit toggle B. Patient telemetry transmit C. Press to talk D. Press to terminate
Press to talk
You are en route to the hospital with a 22-year-old male patient who has suffered a very embarrassing injury to his genitalia. Which method of contacting the receiving facility will afford the patient the most privacy? A. Providing the receiving hospital with all information via a cell phone B. Using the ambulance radio but not using the patient's name C. Using the ambulance radio but not providing details of the injury D. Using the handheld radio
Providing the receiving hospital with all information via a cell phone
What is the best way to communicate with a young pediatric patient? A. Only talk with the parents. The child is too young to know his or her medical history. B. Do not tell the child that a procedure will hurt beforehand because the child will become terrified. C. Tell the child the procedure will hurt much more than it actually will so that he or she will be pleasantly surprised when the procedure is over. D. Sit at the level of the child, if possible, and always be honest.
Sit at the level of the child, if possible, and always be honest.
Which of the following best describes the position you should take when dealing with a cooperative patient who is sitting in a chair? A. Stand next to the chair. B. Sit or kneel at the same level as the patient. C. Sit on the floor at the patient's feet. D. Stand behind the patient's chair.
Sit or kneel at the same level as the patient.
Which of the following is not considered a principle of proper radio usage in EMS? A. Speak as quickly as possible. B. Use plain English. C. Make sure the radio is on before speaking. D. Speak with your lips 2 to 3 inches from the microphone.
Speak as quickly as possible.
You have responded to a call at a government office building. One of the office workers became very upset during a fire drill and experienced an episode of difficulty breathing. As your partner is speaking with the patient, who is not sure she wants to be transported, an individual wearing civilian clothes approaches you and states she is a security guard in the building. She asks you for the "yellow copy" of your prehospital care report. Which of the following should you do? A. Get permission from medical control. B. State that you are unable to comply with the request due to patient confidentiality. C. Ask the patient if it is alright with her if you provide the individual with a copy of the prehospital care report. D. Provide the documentation if the individual shows proper identification.
State that you are unable to comply with the request due to patient confidentiality.
Which of the following should be documented as subjective patient information? A. Symptoms B. Description of the surroundings C. Medications D. Vital signs
Symptoms
While on the scene with an elderly chest pain call, you notice that your partner gets on one knee when talking to the seated patient. What is the best reason for an EMT to kneel down beside the patient? A. The EMT can examine the patient's chest better. B. The EMT is kneeling to protect himself. C. The EMT does not want to appear threatening or intimidating to the patient. D. The younger EMT is acknowledging that the older patient is his elder.
The EMT does not want to appear threatening or intimidating to the patient.
While reviewing a written PCR for your QI committee, you come across a word that was misspelled. There was a single line drawn through it, and the correctly spelled word was next to it. Characterize how well the EMT corrected this mistake. A. The EMT corrected the mistake correctly. B. The EMT should have scribbled out the word to make it illegible and then written in the correct word. C. The EMT was supposed to circle the incorrect word, write the correct word beside it, and then initial the change. D. The EMT forgot to initial the mistake after striking out the wrong word and writing in the correct one.
The EMT forgot to initial the mistake after striking out the wrong word and writing in the correct one.
Why is it important that your radio report to the receiving facility be concise? A. You want to appear professional. B. You do not want to bore the nurse receiving your report. C. The emergency department needs to know quickly and accurately the patient's condition. D. You want to make sure the doctor approves your medical order request.
The emergency department needs to know quickly and accurately the patient's condition.
Two EMTs are on the scene of a behavioral call at a psychiatric facility. The medical personnel state that the patient had a psychotic episode and slashed his wrists. During the call, the patient claims to hear the voice of God and says that the voice is hurting his ears. The patient refuses to be transported to the emergency department, becomes combative, and bites one of the EMTs. Which of the following should not be documented on the EMS report? A. The fact that the patient was violent and bit the EMT B. The fact that the patient hears voices C. The fact that the EMT had an exposure incident D. The fact that the patient slashed his wrists
The fact that the EMT had an exposure incident
When you arrive at the receiving facility, the nurse asks your partner for a verbal report of the patient's condition. This is in addition to the radio report your partner gave to the hospital en route. Afterwards, you ask your partner why you must give a second verbal report and a written report to the receiving nurse. What is the best reason to provide both reports? A. The nurse may have to perform critical interventions on the patient before you complete your written report. B. The nurse may not have heard the first radio report. C. The patient's condition may have changed since the first radio report. D. The nurse may be too busy to read the written report.
The nurse may have to perform critical interventions on the patient before you complete your written report
When giving a radio report to the hospital, which of the following would be the first patient-specific information provided? A. The patient is complaining of chest pain. B. The patient is having a heart attack. C. The patient has taken nitroglycerin. D. The patient is a 55-year-old male.
The patient is a 55-year-old male.
Which of the following can be correctly noted as a chief complaint? A. The patient had a respiratory rate of 44. B. The patient was confused. C. The patient was found sitting in the driver's seat of a full-size sedan. D. The patient stated that she felt sick.
The patient stated that she felt sick.
Which of the following is not an appropriate statement for the EMT to make on a patient care report? A. The patient has a history of asthma. B. The patient was having an asthma attack. C. The patient complains of difficulty breathing. D. The patient had wheezes that were audible without using a stethoscope.
The patient was having an asthma attack.
When you are attempting to make contact with another ambulance unit using the radio, it is necessary to declare the name of which entity first? A. The base station B. The repeater location C. Your unit number D. The unit you are calling
The unit you are calling
After telling the hospital the age and sex of your patient, what is the next thing you need to report? A. The patient's chief complaint B. The patient's name C. The estimated time of arrival (ETA) D. The patient's vital signs
The patient's chief complaint
Which of the following is part of the minimum data set developed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for purposes of data collection in conducting research? A. Patient's insurance coverage B. Time of arrival at the patient's location C. Amount charged for ambulance services D. Patient's name
Time of arrival at the patient's location
When interviewing a patient, which of the following is recommended? A. Assign the patient a friendly nickname. B. Start important statements with "Now listen". C. Use the patient's proper name. D. Direct the patient to keep statements brief.
Use the patient's proper name.
Which of the following can lead to medical error on a patient care report? A. Using medical abbreviations B. Using quotations to document the language of the patient C. Stating only facts as you found them D. Using anatomical language
Using medical abbreviations
Which of the following is the term for the unit of measurement of the output power of a radio? A. Watt B. Volt C. Joule D. Ampere
Watt
Which of the following statements regarding patient refusal is most accurate? A. You must provide convincing evidence that the patient was mentally incompetent to justify leaving the scene. B. You must note simply that you left the scene at the patient's request. C. You must document all actions you took to persuade the patient to go to the hospital. D. You must note that a secondary assessment was not possible, given the patient's refusal.
You must document all actions you took to persuade the patient to go to the hospital.
You are on a call of a minor vehicle accident. Your patient is a 22-year-old male who was the driver of a moderate T-bone collision. The patient was not wearing a seat belt, and there was spidering of the windshield. The patient complains of neck pain and has a scalp laceration. After performing the primary assessment, you take vital signs and bandage the patient's scalp. When you tell him you need to backboard him, he refuses care and ambulance transport. Because the person is alert and oriented to time, place, and person, you have the patient sign the separate patient refusal form provided by your service. How should you document this incident in your EMS report? A. No report is needed because the patient refused transport and signed the refusal. B. You should only document what treatment you performed before the patient refused treatment. C. You should document your patient care and then simply document that the patient was informed of the risks prior to his refusal. Anything extra is unnecessary and wastes time. D. You should document everything including all patient care, all of your attempts to persuade the patient to go by ambulance, and who witnessed the patient refusal.
You should document everything including all patient care, all of your attempts to persuade the patient to go by ambulance, and who witnessed the patient refusal.
The patient denying respiratory difficulty is an example of: A. an irrelevant detail. B. a subjective judgment. C. a pertinent negative. D. a chief complaint.
a pertinent negative.
For calls for assistance during scene size-up, carry: A. a repeater. B. a cell phone. C. a portable radio. D. a mobile radio.
a portable radio.
You are treating a patient with a possible fractured ankle. The patient appears to be in a lot of pain and is uneasy. As you are getting ready to splint the patient's leg, he asks you if it is going to hurt. Which of the following is the best response? A. "It doesn't matter, we have to do it anyway." B. "Relax, this is not a painful procedure." C. "If you're stressed out like this, it's going to hurt a lot more." D. "I will do my best, but it may hurt while we put the splint on."
"I will do my best, but it may hurt while we put the splint on."
Which of the following is appropriate when communicating with medical direction over the phone or radio? A. "Patient presents with myocardial infarction." B. "Patient with symptoms of heart attack." C. "Patient likely experiencing non-cardiac chest pain." D. "Patient is complaining of chest pain."
"Patient is complaining of chest pain."
What type of special reporting situation typically employs the use of triage tags? A. Pediatric arrest scenes B. Sporting event scenes C. Crime scenes D. Multiple-casualty incidents
Multiple-casualty incidents
Which of the following is not appropriate to document on your patient care report? A. Patient's race B. Patient's attitude C. Patient's mental status D. All should be documented
Patient's attitude
Which of the following is not an objective element of documented patient information? A. Patient's blood pressure B. Position in which the patient was found C. Patient's age D. Patient's complaint of nausea
Patient's complaint of nausea
During your radio report to the hospital, which of the following pieces of information should not be relayed? A. Patient's age B. Patient's name C. Baseline vital signs D. Patient's mental status
Patient's name
