West Coast EMT Chapter 39 -- Incident Management, West Coast EMT Chapter 38 -- Vehicle Extrication and Special Rescue, West Coast EMT Chapter 37 -- Transport Operations

You are triaging four patients who were involved in a head-on motor vehicle crash. Which of the following patients should be assigned the highest (red) triage category? Select one: A. A 50-year-old male with an open head injury and no pulse B. A 49-year-old female with diabetes and difficulty breathing C. A 29-year-old male with bilaterally closed femur deformities D. A 36-year-old female with back pain and numb extremities

B. A 49-year-old female with diabetes and difficulty breathing

Which of the following is probably NOT a multiple-casualty incident? Select one: A. A loss of power to a hospital or nursing home with ventilator-dependent patients B. A motor vehicle crash with two critically injured patients and two ambulances C. An apartment fire with one patient and the possibility of others trapped in the building D. A rollover crash of a school bus with eight children who have injuries of varying severity

B. A motor vehicle crash with two critically injured patients and two ambulances

When functioning at the scene of a motor vehicle crash in which a patient will require complex extrication, you should enter the vehicle and provide care to the patient: Select one: A. after rescue personnel have cut the battery cables. B. after receiving approval from the incident commander. C. only after you believe the vehicle has been stabilized. D. only if the patient has experienced a major injury.

B. after receiving approval from the incident commander.

You arrive at an accident scene to find an alternative-fuel vehicle leaking an unknown substance. You should immediately _________. Select one: A. apply retardant to the leaking fuel B. call for additional resources and keep bystanders away from the vehicle C. disconnect the car battery D. search the vehicle for occupants

B. call for additional resources and keep bystanders away from the vehicle

Upon arriving at the scene of a possible hazardous materials (HazMat) incident involving several patients, you should: Select one: A. divert traffic away from the scene. B. carefully assess the situation. C. rope off the entire perimeter. D. retrieve all critical patients.

B. carefully assess the situation.

If a technical rescue team is required at the scene, but is not present when you arrive, you should: Select one: A. don personal protective equipment and begin the rescue process. B. check with the incident commander to ensure that the team is en route. C. remain with your ambulance until the rescue team arrives at the scene. D. have fire personnel initiate the rescue process if they are at the scene.

B. check with the incident commander to ensure that the team is en route.

During the transport phase of an ambulance call, it is MOST important to: Select one: A. complete the run form before arrival at the hospital. B. converse with the patient and provide reassurance. C. reassess unstable patients at least every 15 minutes. D. reassess the patient only if he or she deteriorates.

B. converse with the patient and provide reassurance.

Placards and labels on a storage container are intended to: Select one: A. provide specific information about the chemical being carried. B. give a general idea of the hazard inside that particular container. C. broadly classify chemicals as being explosive or nonexplosive. D. advise responders of the appropriate neutralizing measures.

B. give a general idea of the hazard inside that particular container.

As a triage supervisor, you: Select one: A. are responsible for providing initial treatment to all patients. B. must not begin treatment until all patients have been triaged. C. must prepare patients for transport before they leave the triage area. D. should communicate with area hospitals regarding their capabilities.

B. must not begin treatment until all patients have been triaged.

When approaching a helicopter, whether the rotor blades are moving or not, you should: Select one: A. remember that the main rotor blade is flexible and can dip as low as 5¢ to 6¢ from the ground. B. never duck under the body or the tail boom because the pilot cannot see you in these areas. C. carefully approach the aircraft from the rear unless a crew member instructs you to do otherwise. D. approach the aircraft from the side because this will make it easier for you to access the aircraft doors.

B. never duck under the body or the tail boom because the pilot cannot see you in these areas.

Once entrance and access to the patient have been provided, you should: Select one: A. allow extrication to commence. B. perform a primary assessment. C. administer high-flow oxygen. D. begin treating his or her injuries.

B. perform a primary assessment.

The development of an incident action plan is the responsibility of the: Select one: A. operations section. B. planning section. C. finance section. D. logistics section.

B. planning section.

The function of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) is to: Select one: A. educate city and county governments regarding foreign terrorist attacks. B. prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents. C. prepare for the potential of a nuclear attack against the United States. D. facilitate a standard method of incident command for natural disasters.

B. prepare for, prevent, respond to, and recover from domestic incidents.

Extrication is defined as: Select one: A. using heavy equipment to access a patient. B. removal from a dangerous situation or position. C. dismantling an automobile to remove a victim. D. immobilizing a patient before moving him or her.

B. removal from a dangerous situation or position.

According to the START triage system, what should you do if a patient is found to have a respiratory rate of 24 breaths/min? Select one: A. Administer high-flow oxygen. B. Triage the patient as delayed. C. Assess for bilateral radial pulses. D. Assess his or her neurologic status.

C. Assess for bilateral radial pulses.

Which of the following is an example of regional equipment or supplies? Select one: A. Oral glucose B. Inhaled bronchodilator C. DuoDote Auto-Injector D. Vacuum splint

C. DuoDote Auto-Injector

In which of the following situations would the EMTs MOST likely utilize a police escort? Select one: A. The weather is treacherous and there are numerous roads washed out. B. The call is dispatched as an unresponsive patient with CPR in progress. C. The EMTs are unfamiliar with the location, but the police officer knows the area. D. The EMTs are transporting a critical pediatric patient through traffic.

C. The EMTs are unfamiliar with the location, but the police officer knows the area.

You have just delivered a major trauma patient to the hospital. Shortly after departing the hospital, dispatch advises you of another call. The back of the ambulance is contaminated with bloody dressings and is in disarray, and you are in need of airway equipment and numerous other supplies. You should: Select one: A. quickly proceed to the call and clean and restock the ambulance afterwards. B. have your partner quickly clean the ambulance as you proceed to the call. C. advise the dispatcher that you are out of service and to send another unit. D. proceed to the call, functioning only as an emergency medical responder.

C. advise the dispatcher that you are out of service and to send another unit.

The use of special tools to remove an entrapped patient from a vehicle is known as _________. Select one: A. simple access B. incident management C. complex access D. vehicle stabilization

C. complex access

The rescue team is in the process of extricating a 40-year-old male from his truck. The patient's wife, who was uninjured in the crash, is calmly observing the extrication and asks you if her husband will be all right. You should: Select one: A. allow her to observe the extrication and keep her calm. B. allow her to talk to her husband during the extrication. C. ensure that she is in a safe area, away from the scene. D. ask her follow-up questions about the details of the crash

C. ensure that she is in a safe area, away from the scene.

Maintaining a cushion of safety when operating an ambulance means: Select one: A. driving about 2 to 3 seconds behind any vehicles in front of you and exceeding the posted speed limit by no more than 20 to 25 mph. B. driving at the posted speed limit, regardless of the patient's condition, and routinely using your lights and siren when driving on a freeway. C. keeping a safe distance between your ambulance and the vehicles in front of you and remaining aware of vehicles potentially hiding in your mirrors' blind spots. D. remaining in the far right-hand lane when transporting a critical patient and refraining from passing other motorists on the left side.

C. keeping a safe distance between your ambulance and the vehicles in front of you and remaining aware of vehicles potentially hiding in your mirrors' blind spots.

Immediately upon arriving at the scene of an emergency call involving a traumatic injury, you should notify the dispatcher of your arrival and then: Select one: A. quickly gain access to the patient. B. determine if additional units are needed. C. observe the scene for safety hazards. D. carefully assess the mechanism of injury.

C. observe the scene for safety hazards.

While staged at the scene of a structure fire, the EMT should _________. Select one: A. locate the safety officer B. assess firefighters for signs of fatigue C. remain with the ambulance D. stay with the incident commander

C. remain with the ambulance

The use of lights and siren on an ambulance: Select one: A. is required any time a patient is being transported to the hospital. B. legally gives the emergency vehicle operator the right of way. C. signifies a request for other drivers to yield the right of way. D. allows other drivers to hear and see you from a great distance.

C. signifies a request for other drivers to yield the right of way.

Returning the emergency unit to service is part of the _________. Select one: A. support phase B. transfer phase C. termination phase D. hazard-control phase

C. termination phase

After primary triage, the triage supervisor should communicate all of the following information to the medical branch officer, EXCEPT: Select one: A. the number of patients in each triage category. B. the total number of patients that have been triaged. C. the recommended transport destination for each patient. D. recommendations for movement to the treatment area.

C. the recommended transport destination for each patient.

Trench collapses usually involve large areas of falling dirt that weigh approximately _______ per cubic foot. Select one: A. 200 lb B. 150 lb C. 50 lb D. 100 lb

D. 100 lb

The JumpSTART triage system is intended to be used for children younger than _____ years or who appear to weigh less than _____. Select one: A. 7; 90 lb B. 6; 70 lb C. 5; 50 lb D. 8; 100 lb

D. 8; 100 lb

You are approaching an overturned tanker truck to assess the driver, who appears to be unresponsive. As you get closer to the vehicle, you note the smell of noxious fumes and find that you are in the midst of a vapor cloud. What should you do? Select one: A. Remain where you are and perform a visual assessment of the patient. B. Realize that you are in the danger zone and prevent others from entering. C. Cover your face with your shirt and quickly extricate the injured driver. D. Exit the area immediately and gather information for the HazMat team.

D. Exit the area immediately and gather information for the HazMat team.

Equipment and supplies that are carried on an ambulance should be stored: Select one: A. in locked or secured cabinets in order to prevent theft. B. as directed by the EMS system's medical director. C. based on recommendations of the health department. D. according to the urgency and frequency of their use.

D. according to the urgency and frequency of their use.

You are attempting to gain access to a patient who was injured when his truck struck another vehicle from behind. The patient is conscious and alert, but is screaming in pain. You try to open the door, but it is locked. You should: Select one: A. request the rescue team to extricate him. B. use a pry bar to attempt to open the door. C. break the window and unlock the door. D. ask the patient if he can unlock the door.

D. ask the patient if he can unlock the door.

A 19-year-old female has just been extricated from her severely damaged car. She is on a long backboard and has been moved to a place of safety. As your partner maintains manual stabilization of her head, you perform a rapid assessment. The patient is unresponsive, has slow and shallow respirations, and has bilaterally closed femur deformities. You should: Select one: A. stabilize her legs with long board splints. B. apply oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask. C. obtain baseline vital signs and transport at once. D. direct your partner to begin ventilatory assistance.

D. direct your partner to begin ventilatory assistance.

The term used when individual units or different organizations make independent, and often inefficient, decisions regarding an incident is called: Select one: A. undermining. B. logistical chaos. C. single command. D. freelancing.

D. freelancing.

You are standing by at the scene of a hostage situation when the incident commander advises you that one of his personnel has been shot. The patient is lying supine in an open area and is not moving. As the SWAT team escorts you to the patient, you should: Select one: A. limit your primary assessment to airway and breathing only. B. treat only critical injuries before moving him to a safe place. C. perform a rapid assessment and move him to a place of safety. D. grab him by the clothes and immediately move him to safety.

D. grab him by the clothes and immediately move him to safety.

Common safety equipment carried on the ambulance includes all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. turnout gear. B. safety goggles. C. face shields. D. hazardous materials gear.

D. hazardous materials gear.

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you can see three patients, one who is entrapped in his car and two who have been ejected from their vehicle. You should: Select one: A. call medical control for further direction. B. request law enforcement for traffic control. C. begin triage to determine injury severity. D. immediately request additional resources.

D. immediately request additional resources.

A 33-year-old restrained driver of a motor vehicle crash is awake and alert, complaining only of neck pain and left leg pain. The vehicle is stable and no hazards are present. When removing this patient from his vehicle, you should: Select one: A. apply a full leg splint prior to extrication. B. use the rapid extrication technique. C. maintain slight traction to his neck area. D. immobilize him with a vest-style device.

D. immobilize him with a vest-style device.

The LEAST practical place to store a portable oxygen cylinder is: Select one: A. near the side or rear door. B. on the ambulance stretcher. C. inside the jump kit. D. in the driver's compartment.

D. in the driver's compartment.

Upon arrival at a trench rescue operation, you should _________. Select one: A. assist with the rescue operation B. park as close to the incident as possible C. determine if rescuers are operating safely D. park at least 500 feet from the incident

D. park at least 500 feet from the incident

For every emergency request, the dispatcher should routinely gather and record all of the following information, EXCEPT the: Select one: A. caller's phone number. B. nature of the call. C. location of the patient(s). D. patient's medical history.

D. patient's medical history.

Upon arrival at a search-and-rescue incident, the EMS crew should _________. Select one: A. begin searching for the patient B. split up and request a search grid C. provide the incident commander with the crew's names and certification level(s) D. prepare the equipment to carry to the patient

D. prepare the equipment to carry to the patient

When removing a critically injured patient from his or her vehicle, you should: Select one: A. release c-spine control to facilitate rapid removal. B. move him or her in one fast, continuous step. C. remove him or her using a short backboard. D. protect the cervical spine during the entire process.

D. protect the cervical spine during the entire process.

General guidelines for safe ambulance driving include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. avoiding routes with heavy traffic congestion. B. avoiding one-way streets whenever possible. C. assuming that other drivers will not see you. D. regularly using the siren as much as possible.

D. regularly using the siren as much as possible.

At a scene with downed electrical lines, the EMT should _________. Select one: A. enter the danger (hot) zone for patient removal only B. relocate the danger (hot) zone away from the patient C. stabilize the patient in the danger (hot) zone D. remain outside the danger (hot) zone

D. remain outside the danger (hot) zone

A medical transport helicopter is incoming and you are responsible for setting up the landing zone (LZ). You should: Select one: A. use yellow caution tape to mark of the LZ perimeter. B. ask bystanders to stand at all four corners of the LZ. C. place four flares 100 feet apart in an "X" pattern. D. use weighted cones to mark all four corners of the LZ.

D. use weighted cones to mark all four corners of the LZ.

The EMT's responsibility during search-and-rescue operations is to _________. Select one: A. direct other incoming EMS units B. assist in the search on foot C. assume medical command D. wait at the staging area until the patient is located

D. wait at the staging area until the patient is located

Hydroplaning of the ambulance on wet roads would MOST likely occur at speeds of greater than _____ mph. Select one: A. 30 B. 10 C. 20 D. 15

A. 30

In preparing for a disaster, EMS systems should have enough supplies for at least a ______ period of self-sufficiency. Select one: A. 72-hour B. 96-hour C. 24-hour D. 48-hour

A. 72-hour

Which of the following duties or responsibilities does NOT fall within the realm of the medical branch of the incident command system? Select one: A. Extrication B. Treatment C. Transport D. Triage

A. Extrication

A type _____ ambulance features a conventional, truck cab-chassis with a modular ambulance body that can be transferred to a newer chassis as needed. Select one: A. I B. III C. II D. IV

A. I

While triaging patients at the scene of a building collapse, you encounter a young child who is conscious, alert, and breathing; has bilateral radial pulses; and has a severely angulated leg, which is not bleeding. According to the JumpSTART triage system, you should: Select one: A. assign him a delayed (yellow) category and continue triaging the other patients. B. evacuate him to a designated area and assign him a minimal (green) category. C. apply high-flow oxygen, obtain baseline vital signs, and continue triaging. D. quickly bind his legs together to stabilize the fracture, and continue triaging

A. assign him a delayed (yellow) category and continue triaging the other patients.

Following proper decontamination, a 30-year-old male is brought to you. He is semiconscious and has rapid, shallow respirations. A quick visual assessment reveals no obvious bleeding. You should: Select one: A. begin some form of positive-pressure ventilation. B. ask a firefighter what the patient was exposed to. C. perform a rapid assessment to locate critical injuries. D. administer high-flow oxygen via a nonrebreathing mask.

A. begin some form of positive-pressure ventilation.

The process of removing dirt, dust, blood, or other visible contaminants from a surface or equipment is called: Select one: A. cleaning. B. sterilization. C. disinfection. D. high-level disinfection.

A. cleaning.

A supervisor who has more than seven people reporting to him or her: Select one: A. has exceeded an effective span of control and should divide tasks and delegate the supervision of some tasks to another person. B. is more beneficial to the overall effort than a supervisor with fewer personnel because his or her team can accomplish more tasks. C. should assign a specific task to each person reporting to him or her and regularly follow up to ensure that the tasks were carried out. D. should regularly report to the incident commander (IC) to inform him or her of the functions that his or her team is performing.

A. has exceeded an effective span of control and should divide tasks and delegate the supervision of some tasks to another person.

The MOST common and usually the most serious ambulance crashes occur at: Select one: A. intersect B. stop signs. C. railroad crossings. D. stop lights.

A. intersect

The FIRST step in the START triage system is to: Select one: A. move all walking patients to a designated area. B. focus on the patients who are unconscious. C. get a quick head count of all the patients involved. D. scan the area for patients with severe bleeding.

A. move all walking patients to a designated area.

Unlike a multiple-casualty incident, a natural disaster: Select one: A. often requires personnel to remain on scene for several days. B. exists when there are more than 100 critically injured patients. C. is typically short-lived and does not require as much manpower. D. usually does not require the incident command system process.

A. often requires personnel to remain on scene for several days.

When arriving at the scene of an overturned tractor-trailer rig, you note that a green cloud is being emitted from the crashed vehicle. The driver is still in the truck; he is conscious but bleeding profusely from the head. After notifying the hazardous materials team, you should: Select one: A. position the ambulance upwind. B. quickly gain access to the patient. C. ask the driver to exit the vehicle. D. park downhill from the scene.

A. position the ambulance upwind.

While en route to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest, you approach a stopped school bus with its red warning lights flashing. You should: Select one: A. stop and wait until the warning lights stop flashing. B. pass the bus only after all the children have exited. C. slowly and carefully pass the bus on the left side. D. back up and take an alternate route to the scene.

A. stop and wait until the warning lights stop flashing.