Chapter 1: EMS SYSTEMS

If a defibrillator manufacturer claims that its device terminates ventricular fibrillation on the first shock 95% of the time, you should: a. recognize that this does not mean the device will save more lives. b. purchase the device based solely on the manufacturer's claim. c. determine which device the American Heart Association suggests. d. avoid purchasing the device because this claim is unrealistic.

a. recognize that this does not mean the device will save more lives.

Why are prehospital emergency care guidelines updated on a regular basis? a. Additional information and evidence indicate that the effectiveness of certain interventions has changed. b. EMS providers should be encouraged to actively participate in research and become familiar with data analysis. c. Statistical data indicate that an increasing number of people are being diagnosed with a particular illness. d. The federal government requires that changes be made to existing emergency care protocols at least every 5 years.

a. Additional information and evidence indicate that the effectiveness of certain interventions has changed.

The EMT certification exam is designed to: a. ensure that EMTs are competent and have the same level of knowledge and skills. b. rank EMTs based on performance on the certification exam. c. provide EMTs with the best possible wage once certification is achieved. d. identify those EMTs who are prepared for advanced levels of training

a. ensure that EMTs are competent and have the same level of knowledge and skills.

Continuing education in EMS serves to: a. maintain, update, and expand the EMT's knowledge and skills. b. confirm research and statistical findings in prehospital care. c. provide an ongoing review and audit of the EMS system. d. enforce mandatory attendance at agency-specific training.

a. maintain, update, and expand the EMT's knowledge and skills.

The person who is responsible for authorizing EMTs to perform emergency medical care in the field is the: Select one: a. medical director. b. shift supervisor. c. EMS administrator. d. field training officer.

a. medical director.

An EMS provider who has extensive training in various aspects of advanced life support (ALS) is called a(n): a. EMR. b. paramedic. c. advanced EMT (AEMT). d. EMT.

b. paramedic.

Which of the following statements regarding the EMS medical director and an EMT's scope of practice is correct? a. The EMS medical director can expand or limit an individual EMT's scope of practice without state approval. b. An EMT's scope of practice may be expanded by the medical director after proper training and state approval. c. An EMT's scope of practice is exclusively regulated by the state EMS office, not the EMS medical director. d. The EMS medical director can expand the EMT's scope of practice but cannot limit it without state approval

b. An EMT's scope of practice may be expanded by the medical director after proper training and state approval.

The determination that prompt surgical care in the hospital is more important than performing time-consuming procedures in the field on a major trauma patient is based MOSTLY on: a. regional trauma guidelines. b. EMS research. c. the lead EMT's decision. d. local protocols.

b. EMS research.

Which type of medical direction do standing orders and protocols describe? a. Radio b. Off-line c. Direct d. Online

b. Off-line

Which of the following is a specific example of the Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH) model? a. EMTs assess a patient whose lung disease is "acting up" b. The paramedic administers a patient's flu vaccination c. EMTs respond to a woman who complains of high fever d. Paramedics pick up a patient from an acute care clinic

b. The paramedic administers a patient's flu vaccination

According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an EMT should be able to: a. insert a peripheral IV line and infuse fluids. b. assist a patient with certain prescribed medications. c. administer epinephrine via the subcutaneous route. d. interpret a basic (ECG) rhythm and treat accordingly

b. assist a patient with certain prescribed medications.

The ____________ deals with the well-being of the EMT, career progression, and EMT compensation. a. office of the medical director b. human resources department c. local public health department d. EMS administrator or chief

b. human resources department

The continuous quality improvement (CQI) process is designed to: a. ensure that all EMTs maintain licensure through the state EMS office. b. identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed. c. administer punitive actions to EMTs who do not follow local protocols. d. focus specifically on the quality of emergency care provided to the patient.

b. identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed.

Which of the following scenarios involves the administration of ALS? a. A 61-year-old patient who is receiving humidified supplemental oxygen b. A 53-year-old patient who is assisted with his prescribed nitroglycerin c. A 48-year-old patient whose airway is secured with a supraglottic device d. A 64-year-old patient who is given aspirin for suspected cardiac chest pain

c. A 48-year-old patient whose airway is secured with a supraglottic device

EMS as we know it today had its origins in 1966 with the publication of: a. the Emergency Medical Services Act. b. Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured. c. Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society. d. the Department of Transportation's White Paper: Death and Dying

c. Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.

Which of the following errors is an example of a knowledge-based failure? a. A patient is given nitroglycerin by an EMT who did not obtain proper authorization from medical control first. b. An EMT gives the correct drug to a patient, although his protocols clearly state that he is not authorized to do so. c. An EMT administers the wrong drug to a patient because she did not know the pertinent information about the drug. d. Due to an improperly applied cervical collar, a patient's spinal injury is aggravated and he is permanently disabled

c. An EMT administers the wrong drug to a patient because she did not know the pertinent information about the drug.

Which of the following skills or interventions is included at every level of prehospital emergency training? a. Oral glucose for hypoglycemia b. Intranasal medication administration c. Automated external defibrillation d. Use of a manually triggered ventilator

c. Automated external defibrillation

Which of the following skills would a layperson MOST likely be trained to perform before arrival of EMS? a. Administration of supplemental oxygen b. Insertion of an oropharyngeal airway c. Bleeding control using a tourniquet d. Obtaining a manual blood pressure

c. Bleeding control using a tourniquet

EMT training in nearly every state meets or exceeds the guidelines recommended by the: a. National Association of EMTs. b. National Registry of EMTs. c. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). d. individual state's EMS protocols.

c. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Which of the following statements regarding the NREMT is correct? a. EMS training standards are regulated by the NREMT. b. The NREMT is a governmental agency that certifies EMTs. c. The NREMT provides a national standard for EMS testing. d. The NREMT is the exclusive certifying body for EMTs.

c. The NREMT provides a national standard for EMS testing.

If an EMT candidate has been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, he or she should: a. recognize that any such conviction will disqualify him or her from EMT licensure. b. send an official request to the National Registry of EMTs (NREMT) to seek approval to take the EMT exam. c. contact the state EMS office and provide its staff with the required documentation. d. wait at least 24 months before taking another state-approved EMT class.

c. contact the state EMS office and provide its staff with the required documentation.

An appropriate demonstration of professionalism when your patient is frightened, demanding, or unpleasant is to: a. reassure the patient that everything will be all right, even if it will not be. b. ignore the patient's feelings and focus on his or her medical complaint. c. continue to be nonjudgmental, compassionate, and respectful. d. demand that the patient to be quiet and cooperative during transport.

c. continue to be nonjudgmental, compassionate, and respectful.

As an EMT, you may be authorized to administer aspirin to a patient with chest pain based on: a. the patient's condition. b. the transport time to the hospital. c. medical director approval. d. an order from a paramedic.

c. medical director approval.

The criteria to be licensed and employed as an EMT include: a. a minimum of 60 college credit hours that focus on health care. b. successful completion of a recognized bystander CPR course. c. proof of immunization against certain communicable diseases. d. demonstration of the ability to lift and carry at least 200 pounds.

c. proof of immunization against certain communicable diseases.

EMRs such as firefighters, law enforcement officers, and park rangers are an integral part of the EMS system because: a. the average response time for the EMT crew is approximately 15 minutes. b. they are usually trained to assist paramedics with certain procedures. c. they often arrive at the scene before the ambulance and EMTs. d. they can initiate certain ALS procedures before EMS arrival.

c. they often arrive at the scene before the ambulance and EMTs.

Which of the following descriptions MOST accurately portrays emergency medical services (EMS)? a. A team of paramedics and emergency physicians who are responsible for providing emergency care to critically injured patients b. A system composed exclusively of emergency medical responders (EMRs) and emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who are responsible for providing care to sick and injured patients c. A vast network of advanced life support (ALS) providers who provide definitive emergency care in the prehospital setting d. A team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured

d. A team of health care professionals who are responsible for providing emergency care and transportation to the sick and injured

Which of the following is an example of a primary prevention strategy? a. The construction of a guardrail on a dangerous curve following a fatal motor vehicle crash b. Protecting a patient's spine from further injury after a fall from a significant height c. Teaching a group of new parents how to perform one- and two-rescuer infant CPR d. Community awareness programs that emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving

d. Community awareness programs that emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving

Which of the following statements regarding the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990 is correct? a. The ADA applies only to individuals with a diagnosed and well-documented physical disability. b. The minimum number of hours required to successfully complete an EMT course is less for candidates who are disabled. c. According to the ADA, EMT candidates with a documented disability are exempt from taking the NREMT exam. d. The ADA prohibits employers from failing to provide full and equal employment to those who are disabled.

d. The ADA prohibits employers from failing to provide full and equal employment to those who are disabled.

According to the National EMS Scope of Practice Model, an EMT would require special permission from the medical director and the state EMS office to: a. give aspirin to a patient with chest pain. b. use an automatic transport ventilator. c. apply and interpret data from a pulse oximeter. d. insert a peripheral intravenous catheter.

d. insert a peripheral intravenous catheter.

Cardiac monitoring, pharmacologic interventions, and other advanced treatment skills are functions of the: a. EMT. b. AEMT. c. EMR. d. paramedic.

d. paramedic.

The standards for prehospital emergency care and the individuals who provide it are typically regulated by the: a. regional trauma center. b. American Heart Association. c. National Registry of EMTs. d. state office of EMS.

d. state office of EMS.