West Coast EMT Chapter 8 -- Lifting and Moving Patients, West Coast EMT Chapter 37 -- Transport Operations

When moving a conscious, weak patient down a flight of stairs, you should: Select one: A. assist the patient in walking down the stairs and place him or her on the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs. B. secure the patient to a scoop stretcher and carry him or her headfirst down the stairs to the awaiting stretcher. C. collapse the undercarriage of the wheeled stretcher and carefully carry the patient down the stairs on the stretcher. D. place the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs and carry the patient down the stairs with a stair chair.

D. place the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs and carry the patient down the stairs with a stair chair.

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.

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.

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

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. Naturally deformed bones C. Patient disorientation D. Joint flexibility

A. Abnormal spinal curvature

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

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. force is exerted straight down the spine. C. shoulder is aligned over the pelvis. D. hands are held close to the legs.

A. back is bent forward at the hips.

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.

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

You are attending to a 26-year-old female who is 34 weeks pregnant with her first child. Your patient has been having lower abdominal pains and cramping for the past two hours. In placing your patient on the stretcher and preparing for transport, you should place her: Select one: A. on her left side. B. in a position of comfort. C. supine with her legs elevated. D. in the Fowler position.

A. on her left side.

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.

As you and your partner are carrying a stable patient down a flight of stairs in a stair chair, you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your lower back. You should: Select one: A. stop the move and request additional lifting assistance. B. stop the move and have the patient walk down the stairs. C. guide your partner while moving the chair backwards. D. reposition your hands and continue to move the patient.

A. stop the move and request additional lifting assistance.

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

A. use preparatory commands to initiate any moves.

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

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

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.

It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease. Select one: A. properly store B. decontaminate C. throw out D. incinerate

B. decontaminate

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. apply a vest-style extrication device before attempting to move the patient. B. direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient's head. C. slide a long backboard under his buttocks and lay him sideways on the board. D. apply a cervical collar and quickly remove the patient with a clothes drag.

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

You are attending to a 34-year-old male patient who requires transport to the hospital for assessment of his chronic back pain. The patient weighs over 750 pounds. Your bariatric stretcher has a wider surface area to allow for: Select one: A. increased stability and leverage when lifting with more than two providers. B. increased patient comfort and dignity. C. increased lifting capacity and patient weight load. D. better stability when moving the patient on uneven ground.

B. increased patient comfort and dignity.

In contrast to typical wheeled ambulance stretchers, features of a bariatric stretcher include: Select one: A. two safety rails on both sides of the stretcher. B. increased stability from a wider wheelbase. C. weight capacity of up to 650 lb. D. a collapsible undercarriage.

B. increased stability from a wider wheelbase.

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.

You are attending to a 22-year-old female patient who has overdosed. The patient is unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom. The most appropriate way to bring the patient downstairs is: Select one: A. secured to a stair chair with the strongest provider at the head end. B. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the head end. C. secured to a stair chair with the strongest provider at the foot end. D. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the foot end.

B. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the head end.

When pulling a patient, you should extend your arms no more than ________ in front of your torso. Select one: A. 5 to 10 inches B. 20 to 30 inches C. 15 to 20 inches D. 10 to 15 inches

C. 15 to 20 inches

Which of the following statements regarding an emergency patient move is correct? Select one: A. The spine must be fully immobilized prior to performing an emergency move. B. The patient is dragged against the body's long axis during an emergency move. C. An emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment. D. It is not possible to perform an emergency move without injuring the patient.

C. An emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment.

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.

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.

The proper technique for using the power grip is to: Select one: A. hold the handle with your fingers. B. position your hands about 6² apart. C. lift with your palms up. D. rotate your palms down.

C. lift with your palms up.

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.

To protect a restrained patient and prevent him from using leverage to break free, the EMT should secure __________. Select one: A. only the patient's torso B. both arms at the patient's sides C. one arm above the head D. both arms above the head

C. one arm above the head

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. coccyx B. ischium C. sacrum D. thorax

C. sacrum

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.

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate device to use when immobilizing a patient with a suspected spinal injury? Select one: A. Scoop stretcher B. Wheeled stretcher C. Portable stretcher D. Long backboard

D. Long backboard

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.

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.

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.

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

D. injury to you or your patient.

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.

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.