Chapter 14 - Medical Overview

Methicilin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)

A bacterium that causes infections and is resistant to many antibiotics; passed via unwashed hands of health care providers

Tuberculosis (TB)

A chronic mycobacterial disease that usually strikes the lungs; effects those more with compromised immune systems

Herpes simplex

A common virus strain carried by humans; can cause pneumonia and meningitis, spread through close personal contact

Ebola

A contagious viral disease originating in Africa. It is transmitted by blood and body fluids and causes body organs and vessels to leak blood, usually resulting in death

Pandemic

A disease outbreak that occurs on a global scale

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV)

A virus commonly found in bats and camels living in the Middle East; symptoms include fever, cough, muscle aches, vomiting, diarrhea. Currently has no cure

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

A virus that attacks the immune system and causes AIDS; many patients show no symptoms, spread via sexual contact or exposure to blood or bodily fluids

Influenza

An animal respiratory disease that has mutated to infect humans, commonly known as the flu

Meningitis

An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; caused by viruses or bacteria, most of which are not contagious

Meningococcal meningitis

An inflammation of the meningeal coverings of the brain and spinal cord; is highly contagious, often appear with red blotches

Hepatitis

Inflammation of the liver; early signs include loss of appetite, vomiting, fever, fatigue, while late signs include jaundice and RUQ abdominal pain

Epidemic

New cases of a disease in a human population substantially exceed what is expected

Whooping cough

Pertussis; symptoms include fever and a "whoop" sound when the patient tries to inhale after a coughing attack

H1N1

Swine flu, a specific form of influenza; increased awareness about routes of transmission

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

The most advanced, and fatal, stage of an HIV infection

Virulence

The strength or ability of a pathogen to produce disease

TACOS

Tobacco, alcohol, caffeine, over-the-counter meds/herbal supplements, sexual and street drugs

Index of suspicion

Your awareness of potentially serious underlying injuries or illness

In addition to obtaining a SAMPLE history and asking questions related to the chief complaint, what else should you specifically inquire about when assessing a patient with a potentially infectious disease? a. Recent travel b. HIV status c. Sexual practices d. Drug allergies

a.

The greatest danger in displaying a personal bias or labeling a patient who frequently calls EMS is: a. overlooking a potentially serious medical condition b. making the entire EMS system look unprofessional c. demeaning or humiliating the patient and his family d. discouraging the patient from calling EMS in the future

a.

Typical chief complaints in patients with an infectious disease include: a. fever, rash, nausea, and difficulty breathing b. crushing chest pain, vomiting, and weakness c. headache, low back pain, and arm numbness d. joint pain, muscle aches, and blurred vision

a.

A patient who presents with a headache, fever, confusion, and red blotches on his or her skin should be suspected of having: a. hepatitis b. meningitis c. MERS-CoV d. tuberculosis

b.

An index of suspicion is MOST accurately defined as: a. the EMT's prediction of the type of illness a patient has based on how the call is dispatched b. your awareness and concern for potentially serious underlying and unseen injuries or illness c. ruling out specific medical conditions based on the absence of certain signs and symptoms d. determining the underlying cause of a patient's medical condition based on signs and symptoms

b.

In contrast to the assessment of a trauma patient, assessment of a medical patient: a. almost exclusively focuses on physical signs that indicate the patient is experiencing a problem b. is focused on the nature of illness, the patient's chief complaint, and his or her symptoms c. requires a thorough head-to-toe exam that involves a detailed assessment of all body systems d. is not as complex for the EMT because most patients typically present with classic symptoms

b.

Which of the following questions would be the MOST pertinent to ask a patient who recently returned from Europe and is now ill? a. What was the purpose of your travel? b. Is anyone else in your travel party sick? c. Will you be traveling again in the future? d. How much time did you spend in Europe?

b.

Which of the following statements regarding medical emergencies is correct? a. Medical emergencies always take priority over traumatic injuries b. Medical emergencies can appear to be traumatic in nature c. Medical emergencies and traumatic injuries always have distinctive presentations d. Medical emergencies rarely precipitate traumatic injuries

b.

Which of the following will MOST reliably allow you to determine the nature of a patient's illness? a. Trending of the patient's vital signs over time b. Asking questions related to the chief complaint c. Refraining from asking open-ended questions d. Focusing solely on how the call is dispatched

b.

You have just completed your primary assessment of a 48-year-old man with crushing chest pain and difficulty breathing. The patient has been given 324 mg of aspirin and is receiving supplemental oxygen. As you begin your secondary assessment, you note that his mental status has deteriorated and he is now bradycardic. You should: a. continue with your secondary assessment b. prepare the patient for immediate transport c. insert a nasal airway and assist his breathing d. request an ALS unit to respond to the scene

b.

The primary prehospital treatment for most medical emergencies: a. typically does not require the EMT to contact medical control b. focuses on definitive care because a diagnosis can usually be made c. addresses the patient's symptoms more than the actual disease process d. involves transport only until treatment can be performed at the hospital

c.

Three months after returning home from West Africa, a 50-year-old man begins experiencing a fever, cough, and muscle aches. The EMT should suspect: a. Ebola b. hepatitis c. influenza d. whooping cough

c.

Upon initial contact with a patient who appears to be unconscious, you should: a. assess breathing depth and determine the respiratory rate b. squeeze the trapezius muscle to see if the patient responds c. attempt to elicit a verbal response by talking to the patient d. direct your partner to apply oxygen via nonrebreathing mask

c.

Which of the following conditions often requires transport to a hospital with specialized capabilities that may not be available at the closest hospital? a. Seizures and infection b. Cardiac arrest and shock c. Stroke and heart attack d. Diabetes and migraines

c.

Which of the following statements regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is correct? a. HIV is far more contagious than hepatitis B and is easily transmitted in the health care setting b. The risk of HIV infection is high, even if an infected person's blood comes in contact with your intact skin c. The risk of HIV infection is greatest when deposited on a mucous membrane or directly into the bloodstream d. Most patients who are infected with HIV experience chronic symptoms that vary in duration and severity

c.

Your patient's symptoms include high fever, cough, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and shortness of breath. Which of the following should you suspect? a. Influenza b. Hepatitis B c. MERS-CoV d. Whooping cough

c.

"Tunnel vision" occurs when ___________. a. there appears to be no explanation for the patient's condition b. you have confirmed the field impression for your patient c. all but one possibility for the patient's condition has been eliminated d. you exclude certain possibilities for the patient's condition

d.

Early signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis include all of the following, EXCEPT: a. loss of appetite and a cough b. vomiting, fever, and fatigue c. pain in the muscles and joints d. jaundice and abdominal pain

d.

Factors that increase the risk for developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) include: a. prior exposure to Mycobacterium tuberculosis b. failure to be vaccinated against any strain of hepatitis c. a history of a respiratory illness within the past 6 to 8 weeks d. prolonged hospitalization, especially in an intensive care unit

d.

The acronym "TACOS" is used to _________. a. rule out certain medical conditions b. determine the nature of the patient's chief complaint c. confirm your patient's priority for transport d. identify factors that may complicate the patient's condition or your treatment

d.