Chapter 8: LIFTING AND MOVING PATIENTS

Which of the following MOST accurately describes the correct position of the EMTs who are executing the diamond carry technique? Select one: a. One at the head, one at the feet, and one on each side of the patient's torso b. Two at the head, one at the feet, and one on the left side of the patient's torso c. Two at the head, two at the feet, and a fifth EMT balancing the torso d. One at the head, two at the feet, and a fourth EMT balancing the torso

a. One at the head, one at the feet, and one on each side of the patient's torso

In which of the following situations is an emergency patient move indicated? Select one: a. The EMT is unable to protect the patient from scene hazards. b. A patient has an altered mental status or is in shock. c. A significant mechanism of injury is involved. d. The EMT has to gain access to lesser-injured patients in a vehicle.

a. The EMT is unable to protect the patient from scene hazards.

Situations in which you should use the rapid extrication technique include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: a. a patient who can be properly assessed while still in the vehicle. b. a patient who needs immediate care that requires a supine position. c. a patient whose condition requires immediate transport to the hospital. d. a patient who blocks access to another seriously injured patient.

a. a patient who can be properly assessed while still in the vehicle.

The direct carry is used to transfer a patient: Select one: a. with multiple long bone injuries. b. from a bed to the ambulance stretcher. c. who cannot be placed on a backboard. d. with a possible cervical spine injury.

b. from a bed to the ambulance stretcher.

When using a body drag to pull a patient who is on the ground, you should: Select one: a. extend your elbows as far beyond your anterior torso as possible. b. kneel to minimize the distance that you will have to lean over. c. avoid situations involving strenuous effort lasting more than 5 minutes. d. bend your back laterally to maximize your amount of pulling power.

b. kneel to minimize the distance that you will have to lean over.

In most instances, you should move a patient on a wheeled ambulance stretcher by: Select one: a. pushing the foot of the stretcher while your partner guides the head. b. pushing the head of the stretcher while your partner guides the foot. c. slightly lifting the stretcher to prevent unnecessary patient movement. d. retracting the undercarriage and carrying the stretcher to the ambulance.

b. pushing the head of the stretcher while your partner guides the foot.

When a person is standing upright, the weight of anything being lifted and carried in the hands is FIRST reflected onto the: Select one: a. thigh muscles. b. shoulder girdle. c. pelvic girdle. d. spinal column.

b. shoulder girdle.

When the shoulder girdle is aligned over the pelvis during lifting: Select one: a. the hands can be held further apart from the body. b. the weight is exerted straight down the vertebrae. c. the risk of back injuries is significantly increased. d. the muscles of the back experience increased strain.

b. the weight is exerted straight down the vertebrae.

To facilitate a safe and coordinated move, the team leader should: Select one: a. never become involved in the move, only direct the move. b. use preparatory commands to initiate any moves. c. speak softly but clearly to avoid startling the patient. d. be positioned at the feet so the team can hear.

b. use preparatory commands to initiate any moves.

An 81-year-old female fell and struck her head. You find the patient lying on her left side. She is conscious and complains of neck and upper back pain. As you are assessing her, you note that she has a severely kyphotic spine. What is the MOST appropriate method of immobilizing this patient? Select one: a. Move her to a supine position and immobilize her with a scoop stretcher and padding. b. Immobilize her in a supine position on a long backboard and secure her with straps. c. Leave her on her side and use blanket rolls to immobilize her to the long backboard. d. Apply a cervical collar and place her in a sitting position on the wheeled stretcher.

c. Leave her on her side and use blanket rolls to immobilize her to the long backboard.

Which of the following steps is NOT proper procedure when performing an emergency move? Select one: a. Using a long-axis body drag during the move b. Pulling the patient on a blanket or similar object c. Lifting the patient by the belt to move him or her d. Pulling the patient's clothing in the shoulder area

c. Lifting the patient by the belt to move him or her

Which of the following statements regarding the neonatal isolette is correct? Select one: a. The safest type of isolette is one that takes the place of the ambulance stretcher. b. If an isolette is not available, the neonate can safely be transported on the stretcher. c. The isolette serves to keep the neonate warm and protects him or her from excess handling. d. A freestanding isolette should be used, not one that is secured to the stretcher.

c. The isolette serves to keep the neonate warm and protects him or her from excess handling.

It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease. Select one: a. incinerate b. properly store c. decontaminate d. throw out

c. decontaminate

A 56-year-old female is found supine in a narrow hallway of her mobile home. She complains of severe weakness and dizziness, and states that she is unable to walk. There is no evidence of trauma and the patient states that she did not fall. How should you and your partner move this patient to a more spacious area? Select one: a. Scoop stretcher b. Emergency move c. Direct carry d. Extremity lift

d. Extremity lift

Which of the following situations would require an urgent patient move? Select one: a. Conscious patient with abrasions and a possibly fractured humerus b. Imminent risk of a fire or explosion in or near the patient's vehicle c. Stable patient who is blocking access to a critically injured patient d. Semiconscious patient with shallow respirations and signs of shock

d. Semiconscious patient with shallow respirations and signs of shock

When performing the rapid extrication technique to remove a patient from his or her vehicle, you should: Select one: a. apply a vest-style extrication device prior to moving the patient. b. apply a cervical collar and immobilize the patient on a short backboard. c. grasp the patient by the clothing and drag him or her from the car. d. apply a cervical collar and remove the patient on a long backboard.

d. apply a cervical collar and remove the patient on a long backboard.

General guidelines for carrying a patient on a stretcher include: Select one: a. maintaining slight flexion of your back. b. leaning back from your waist when lifting. c. slightly twisting your body when carrying. d. constant communication with your partners.

d. constant communication with your partners.

Prior to applying medical restraints to a combative patient, you should: Select one: a. place the patient in a prone position to avoid airway and breathing compromise once restrained and placed onto the stretcher. b. have at least three rescuers present: one for the upper extremities, one for the lower extremities, and one for the head. c. advise the patient that medical restraint is necessary, but can be removed if he or she cooperates with you during transport. d. evaluate the patient for potentially correctible causes of combativeness, such as head injury, hypoxia, or hypoglycemia.

d. evaluate the patient for potentially correctible causes of combativeness, such as head injury, hypoxia, or hypoglycemia.

To minimize the risk of injuring yourself when lifting or moving a patient, you should: Select one: a. avoid the use of log rolls or body drags. b. use a direct carry whenever possible. c. flex at the waist instead of the hips. d. keep the weight as close to your body as possible.

d. keep the weight as close to your body as possible.

The FIRST rule of safe lifting is to: Select one: a. always lift with your palms facing down. b. keep your back in a slightly curved position. c. spread your legs approximately 20″ apart. d. keep your back in a straight, vertical position.

d. keep your back in a straight, vertical position.

When carrying a patient up or down stairs, you should avoid: Select one: a. flexing your body at the knees. b. the use of more than two EMTs. c. the use of a long backboard or scoop stretcher. d. using a wheeled stretcher whenever possible.

d. using a wheeled stretcher whenever possible.

The MOST serious consequence of a poorly planned or rushed patient move is: Select one: a. injury to you or your patient. b. confusion among team members. c. causing patient anxiety or fear. d. unnecessarily wasting time.

a. injury to you or your patient.

You and your partner respond to the scene of a 49-year-old male with acute abdominal pain. As you enter his residence, you find him lying on the floor in severe pain. He is conscious and alert. The patient appears to weigh in excess of 350 lb. Your FIRST action should be to: Select one: a. request additional personnel before making any attempts to lift him. b. encourage the patient to walk himself to the awaiting ambulance. c. request the fire department if one attempt to move him fails. d. assess him and then move him to the stretcher with a direct carry.

a. request additional personnel before making any attempts to lift him.

In which of the following situations would a direct ground lift be the MOST appropriate method of moving a patient? Select one: a. An unconscious patient with a possible ischemic stroke b. A patient who complains of hip pain following a fall c. A conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain d. A pedestrian with back pain after being struck by a car

c. A conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain

Which of the following conditions or situations presents the MOST unique challenge to the EMT when immobilizing an elderly patient on a long backboard? Select one: a. Abnormal spinal curvature b. Joint flexibility c. Patient disorientation d. Naturally deformed bones

a. Abnormal spinal curvature

An EMT may injure his or her back, even if it is straight, if the: Select one: a. back is bent forward at the hips. b. shoulder is aligned over the pelvis. c. force is exerted straight down the spine. d. hands are held close to the legs.

a. back is bent forward at the hips.

Which of the following statements regarding the power lift is correct? Select one: a. The leg muscles should remain relaxed during the power lift. b. It is the safest and most powerful method of lifting a patient. c. It involves using your lower back instead of your legs to lift. d. It is not recommended for people with weak knees or thighs.

b. It is the safest and most powerful method of lifting a patient.

You and your partner enter the residence of an elderly couple, both of whom are found unconscious in their bed. There is no evidence of trauma. As you begin your assessment, you and your partner notice the smell of natural gas in the residence. Which of the following should be your MOST appropriate action? Select one: a. Perform a rapid assessment and then move the patients from their residence. b. Rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag. c. Quickly exit the residence and request the fire department to move the patients. d. Request another ambulance to assist with lifting and moving the patients.

b. Rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag.

You should not attempt to lift a patient who weighs more than 250 lb with fewer than _______ rescuers, regardless of individual strength. Select one: a. five b. six c. four d. three

c. four

Which of the following statements regarding patient weight distribution is correct? Select one: a. Most of the patient's weight rests on the foot end of the stretcher. b. A semi-sitting patient's weight is equally distributed on both ends. c. The EMT at the patient's head will bear the least amount of weight. d. The majority of a horizontal patient's weight is in the torso.

d. The majority of a horizontal patient's weight is in the torso.

The proper technique for using the power grip is to: Select one: a. lift with your palms up. b. rotate your palms down. c. position your hands about 6″ apart. d. hold the handle with your fingers.

a. lift with your palms up.

Which of the following statements regarding the scoop stretcher is NOT correct? Select one: a. You must fully secure the patient to the scoop stretcher before moving him or her. b. A scoop stretcher will provide adequate immobilization of a patient's spinal column. c. Both sides of the patient must be accessible for a scoop stretcher to be used. d. The construction of the scoop stretcher prohibits X-rays while the patient is on it.

b. A scoop stretcher will provide adequate immobilization of a patient's spinal column.

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you find a single patient still seated in his car. There are no scene hazards. As you approach the vehicle, you note that the patient is semiconscious and has a large laceration to his forehead. You should: Select one: a. direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head. b. apply a vest-style extrication device before attempting to move the patient. c. apply a cervical collar and quickly remove the patient with a clothes drag. d. slide a long backboard under his buttocks and lay him sideways on the board.

a. direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head.

The extremity lift would NOT be appropriate to use on a patient: Select one: a. with forearm lacerations. b. without a spinal injury. c. with a deformed humerus. d. who complains of nausea.

c. with a deformed humerus.

The _________ is both the mechanical weight-bearing base of the spinal column and the fused central posterior section of the pelvic girdle. Select one: a. sacrum b. thorax c. ischium d. coccyx

a. sacrum

When pulling a patient, you should extend your arms no more than ________ in front of your torso. Select one: a. 10″ to 15″ b. 15″ to 20″ c. 20″ to 30″ d. 5″ to 10″

b. 15″ to 20″

A critical aspect of the rapid extrication technique is to: Select one: a. apply a vest-style device before moving the patient. b. extricate the patient with one coordinated move. c. maintain stabilization of the spine at all times. d. move the patient as quickly as you possibly can.

c. maintain stabilization of the spine at all times.

With proper technique, you and your partner should be able to safely lift a patient who weighs up to ______ lb. Select one: a. 190 b. 150 c. 175 d. 220

d. 220

Which is the MOST appropriate method to use when moving a patient from his or her bed to a wheeled stretcher? Select one: a. Extremity carry b. Direct carry c. Log roll d. Draw sheet method

d. Draw sheet method

A folding or portable stretcher is MOST beneficial when: Select one: a. a conscious, alert patient must be carried down several flights of steep stairs. b. a patient requires full spinal immobilization when spinal injury is suspected. c. an injured patient cannot be placed on a long board due to severe back pain. d. a second patient must be transported on the squad bench of the ambulance.

d. a second patient must be transported on the squad bench of the ambulance.