Post Test 31

You suspect that your patient is suffering from severe hypothermia. When checking for a​ pulse, you should check​ for: A. no more than 10 seconds. B. 30 to 45 seconds. C. 6 seconds. D. At least 60 seconds.

30 to 45 seconds. Hypothermic patients may be very bradycardic and may require a pulse check of 30 to 45 seconds.

Which of the following descriptions BEST characterizes heat​ exhaustion? A. An increase in core body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit B. A condition characterized by fluid and salt loss C. Swelling in the hands and feet with lightheadedness on standing up too quickly D. Loss of electrolytes and buildup of lactic acid in the muscles

A condition characterized by fluid and salt loss Prolonged exposure to excessive heat can create an emergency in which the patient presents with​ moist, pale skin that may feel normal or cool to the​ touch, a condition generally known as heat exhaustion. The individual perspires​ heavily, often drinking large quantities of water. As sweating​ continues, the body loses​ salts, bringing on painful muscle cramps​ (sometimes called heat​ cramps). A person who is actively exercising can lose more than a liter of fluid through perspiration per hour.

Which of the following may be dangerous if done incorrectly or used when not​ indicated? A. Removing wet clothing B. Applying a thermal blanket C. Passive rewarming D. Active rewarming

Active rewarming Active rewarming may be dangerous. The other interventions listed are passive and appropriate for all hypothermic patients.

Your patient is a​ 38-year-old female who was mowing the lawn where the outdoor temperature is 96 degrees Fahrenheit with 80 percent humidity. She is sitting outside on the porch complaining of severe cramping in the calves of her legs. Which of the following should be your FIRST step in managing this​ patient? A. Assist the patient in gently stretching her calf muscles. B. Have the patient drink two​ 16-oz. bottles of cold water. C. Place the patient in a cold water bath. D. Get the patient out of the hot environment.

Get the patient out of the hot environment. Removing the patient from the hot environment is the first step in managing a​ heat-related emergency.

What effect does humidity have on the efficiency of evaporative heat​ loss? A. Heat loss is not affected by humidity. B. Heat loss is increased by higher humidity. C. The effect of humidity on heat loss is unpredictable. D. Heat loss is reduced by higher humidity.

Heat loss is reduced by higher humidity. Evaporation is less effective in higher humidity.

Which of the following conditions is associated with a breakdown in the​ body's heat-regulating mechanisms and a dramatic and dangerous increase in core body​ temperature? A. Heat cramps B. Heat collapse C. Heat stroke D. Heat exhaustion

Heat stroke Heat stroke is a​ life-threatening emergency in which the​ body's thermoregulatory mechanisms break down and there is a dramatic and dangerous increase in core body temperature.

Which of the following is used to reduce the pain from injection of venom by a marine​ animal? A. Saline solution B. Cold water C. Ice D. Hot water

Hot water Vinegar can help to inactivate the​ venom, and hot water may further reduce pain.

Which of the following steps is included in the emergency care of a patient who was bitten by a poisonous​ snake? A. Applying a tourniquet above and below the injection site B. Keeping any bitten extremities immobilized and still C. Applying an ice pack D. Applying a paste of baking soda and water to the sting site

Keeping any bitten extremities immobilized and still Immobilizing the limb helps to slow systemic spread of the venom. Tourniquets and ice packs can increase tissue damage.

Which of the following is MOST common after an insect​ bite? A. Seizures B. Hypotension C. Hemorrhage D. Localized pain or itching

Localized pain or itching Insect bites can cause systemic problems but typically only cause local signs and symptoms.

Which of the following body areas is MOST susceptible to​ frostnip? A. Medial aspects of the upper arm B. Abdominal area C. Posterior thighs D. Nose

Nose Early or superficial local cold injuries​ (sometimes called​ frostnip) are brought about by direct contact with a cold object or exposure to cold air. Wind chill and water chill also can be major factors. In this​ condition, tissue damage is minor and response to care is good. The tip of the​ nose, tips of the​ ears, upper​ cheeks, and fingers​ (all areas that are usually​ exposed) are most susceptible to early or superficial local cold injuries.

You are caring for a patient with a suspected​ heat-related emergency. The patient is confused and presents with​ cool, moist​ skin, nausea, and vomiting. How should the patient be​ transported? A. Trendelenburg position B. ​Fowler's position C. Supine position D. On the left side

On the left side The patient is nauseated and has vomited and should be placed on the left side to protect the airway.

Which of the following statements is​ TRUE? A. Pediatric patients are physiologically well equipped to deal with extreme cold. B. Hypothermia is not a risk unless the ambient temperature is at or near freezing. C. Only patients who are outdoors are at risk for a heat or cold emergency. D. Pediatric and geriatric patients are especially at risk for hypothermia.

Pediatric and geriatric patients are especially at risk for hypothermia. Pediatric and geriatric patients are at especially high risk of developing a heat or cold emergency but for differing reasons.

Which of the following types of patients typically have an ineffective shivering response to​ cold? A. Pediatric patients B. Pregnant patients C. Behavioral patients D. Adolescent patients

Pediatric patients Children have a small muscle mass and do not shiver effectively.

If you are caring for a patient with a bee sting and the stinger is still​ present, what is the BEST way to remove​ it? A. Slowly and carefully remove it by hand. B. Use a specially designed tweezer device. C. Leave it in place until arrival at the hospital. D. Remove it quickly.

Remove it quickly. The most important thing is to remove the stingers quickly.

Which of the following is the MOST likely related to cardiac arrest in a drowning​ victim? A. Cardiac dysrhythmias B. Respiratory arrest C. Spinal trauma D. Hypoglycemia

Respiratory arrest Respiratory arrest is often related to cardiac arrest in drowning victims.

Which of the following statements about the​ body's response to heat loss is​ TRUE? A. The initial reaction to hypothermia is a drop in heart rate. B. The skin becomes flushed. C. The first response to a decrease in body temperature is vasodilation. D. Shivering stops when the patient becomes severely hypothermic.

Shivering stops when the patient becomes severely hypothermic. Shivering produces more body​ heat, but this mechanism breaks down and shivering stops when the​ body's core temperature drops below 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Which of the following items is MOST important to have immediately available in managing a drowning​ victim? A. Nonrebreather mask B. Suction C. A blood pressure cuff D. Backup AED

Suction Suction should always be immediately available for a drowning victim because of the risk of vomiting.

Which of the following statements BEST explains conductive heat​ loss? A. The transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another without physical contact B. The transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another through direct contact C. The process of breathing in cold air from the atmosphere D. The process of a liquid or solid changing to a vapor

The transfer of heat from the surface of one object to the surface of another through direct contact Conduction involves loss of heat down a thermal gradient between two objects that are in contact with each other.

You suspect that your patient has deep frostbite. Which of the following signs or symptoms would you​ expect? A. Skin that remains soft but is cold to the touch B. Reddened or lightened skin C. ​White, waxy-appearing skin D. Numbness of the affected area

White, waxy-appearing skin ​White, waxy, firm or hard skin is characteristic of deep frostbite.

If you are neither a strong swimmer nor trained in​ deep-water rescue, you​ should: A. attempt to rescue a patient drowning in 5 feet of water. B. avoid any sort of water rescue. C. attempt to rescue a patient drowning in 20 feet of water. D. attempt any rescue you can if the need is dire.

attempt to rescue a patient drowning in 5 feet of water. Do not attempt a rescue in which you must enter deep water or swim unless you have been trained to do so and are a very good swimmer. Except for shallow pools and open shallow waters with uniform​ bottoms, the problems faced in water rescue are too great and too dangerous for the poor swimmer or untrained person.

A patient has​ "the bends" following a deep sea dive. The​ patient's condition is likely due​ to: A. nitrogen narcosis. B. severe hypothermia. C. compression injury. D. decompression sickness.

decompression sickness. Decompression sickness occurs when nitrogen becomes trapped in the​ body's tissues. It can occur as a result of rapid ascent following a deep dive. Symptoms include deep muscle and joint​ pain, a condition that is often called​ "the bends."

When not enough heat is generated to be available to all parts of the​ body, then: A. the body reduces perspiration to compensate. B. the body reduces circulation to compensate. C. muscular activity in the form of shivering increases. D. exposed tissues are damaged and body functions reduce or cease.

exposed tissues are damaged and body functions reduce or cease. When not enough heat is generated to be available to all parts of the​ body, then exposed tissues are damaged and body functions reduce or cease. Reducing perspiration and circulation and shivering are compensatory measures to avoid tissue damage or impaired function.

During transport of a hypothermic patient who is alert and responding appropriately and that local protocols dictate you may actively​ rewarm, you​ should: A. remove the patient from the cold environment. B. wrap the patient in dry blankets. C. gently apply heat to the​ patient's body. D. remove all the​ patient's wet clothing.

gently apply heat to the​ patient's body. During transport of a hypothermic patient who is alert and responding appropriately and that local protocols dictate you may actively​ rewarm, you should gently apply heat to the​ patient's body. Removing the patient from the cold​ environment, removing the​ patient's wet​ clothing, and wrapping the patient in dry blankets would all have happened by the time you are transporting the patient.

In a hot​ environment, the air being​ inhaled: A. is cooled when it is exhaled. B. is still much colder than the air being exhaled. C. is always the same temperature as exhaled air. D. might be warmer than the air being exhaled.

might be warmer than the air being exhaled. In a hot​ environment, air being inhaled is​ warm, possibly warmer than the air being exhaled.

Venom is a​ toxin: A. produced as a byproduct of chemical process. B. produced by certain animals. C. secreted by plants. D. manufactured by humans.

produced by certain animals. Venom is a toxin produced by certain animals such as​ snakes, spiders, and some marine life forms.

For a patient with severe​ hypothermia, you: A. should actively rewarm the patient as soon as possible. B. provide passive rewarming but do not actively rewarm the patient. C. should avoid both passive and active rewarming until reaching the emergency department. D. provide both passive and active rewarming to the patient.

provide passive rewarming but do not actively rewarm the patient. A patient who is unresponsive or not responding appropriately has severe hypothermia. For this​ patient, provide passive rewarming. Do not try to actively rewarm the patient with severe hypothermia. Remove the patient from the​ environment, and protect him from further heat loss. Active rewarming may cause the patient to develop ventricular fibrillation and other complications. Active rewarming can be initiated after arrival at the emergency department in a more monitored setting.

Ventilating a drowning victim too quickly or forcefully will likely​ cause: A. increased cardiac output. B. improved BVM compliance. C. anxiety in the patient. D. significant gastric distention.

significant gastric distention. Hyperventilation increases the risk of vomiting due to gastric distention and decreases the effectiveness of CPR. If gastric distention interferes with artificial​ ventilation, place the patient on his left side. With suction immediately​ available, the EMT should place his hand over the epigastric area of the abdomen and apply firm pressure to relieve the distention. This procedure should be done only if the gastric distention interferes with the​ EMT's efforts to artificially ventilate the patient in an effective manner.

A victim is in the water and requires rescue. She is too far to pull to safety. You​ should: A. tell her to control her breathing. B. throw her something that floats. C. walk her through a simple swim stroke. D. instruct her to attempt to float on her back.

throw her something that floats. Provide the victim something that can be used as a floatation device.

Rough handling of a hypothermic patient may lead​ to: A. spontaneous fractures. B. ventricular fibrillation. C. tachycardia. D. hypertension.

ventricular fibrillation. Rough handling can cause cardiac​ dysrhythmias, especially ventricular fibrillation.

What is the correct order of procedures for a water​ rescue? A. ​Reach, throw and​ tow, row, and go B. Throw and​ tow, reach,​ row, and go C. ​Go, throw and​ tow, row, and reach D. Throw and​ tow, reach,​ go, and row

​Reach, throw and​ tow, row, and go The order of procedures for a water​ rescue, most of which can be performed short of going into the​ water, are reach to the​ patient, throw a flotation device to the patient and tow the patient to​ safety, row to the​ patient, and as a last resort go to the patient by swimming.