Chapter 2 Workforce Safety and Wellness

You are summoned to a convalescent center for an 88-year-old female with an altered mental status. A staff nurse advises you that the patient has terminal cancer, and her physician stated that she would probably die within the next few hours; a valid do not resuscitate (DNR) order is presented to you. When caring for this patient, you should: A. depart the scene and allow her to die with dignity. B. begin chest compressions if she experiences cardiac arrest. C. provide no interventions and transport to the hospital. D. make her comfortable and provide emotional support.

D. make her comfortable and provide emotional support.

You arrive at the scene of a domestic violence situation. As you approach the doorway of the apartment, you hear screaming and the statement, "He has a gun!". Your most appropriate action should be to: A. continue into the apartment using extreme caution. B. continue into the apartment and apprehend the gunman. C. get in your ambulance and leave the scene immediately. D. seek a safe place and request law enforcement assistance.

D. seek a safe place and request law enforcement assistance.

While you are on duty, your partner asks you out on a date and touches you in an inappropriate location without your consent. You should: A. tell your partner to quit kidding around and focus on the job. B. warn your partner that you will report him or her if it happens again. C. notify law enforcement personnel and have your partner arrested. D. tell your partner to stop and report the incident to your supervisor.

D. tell your partner to stop and report the incident to your supervisor.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), recommended immunizations and tests include a: A. smallpox vaccine every five years. B. TB skin test every six months. C. two-shot hepatitis A vaccination series. D. tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis booster every 10 years.

D. tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis booster every 10 years.

Which of the following statements would not be appropriate to say to the family of a dying patient? A. "Things will get better in time." B. "It is okay to be angry and sad." C. "This must be painful for you." D. "Tell me how you are feeling."

A. "Things will get better in time."

General adaptation syndrome is characterized by which of the following phases? A. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery B. Delayed reaction, alarm response, and physical recovery C. Reaction and resistance, euphoria, and physical exhaustion D. Immediate reaction, psychological exhaustion, and recovery

A. Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery

A 15-year-old boy was killed when he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle. He has numerous disfiguring injuries and has been placed in the back of the ambulance to shield him from curious bystanders. When the child's parents arrive at the scene, they demand to see him. You should: A. advise them that their son had severely disfiguring injuries and ask them if there is anyone they would like you to contact first. B. discreetly escort them to the back of the ambulance and allow them to see their child by themselves while you wait outside. C. let them know that because of the circumstances of their child's death, they will not be permitted to see him at this time. D. express your sincere condolences over their loss and have them escorted away from the scene by a law enforcement officer.

A. advise them that their son had severely disfiguring injuries and ask them if there is anyone they would like you to contact first.

Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via: A. animals or insects. B. smoke or dust. C. direct contact. D. inanimate objects.

A. animals or insects.

You are transporting a 40-year-old male with respiratory distress. The patient tells you that he recently had a positive tuberculosis (TB) skin test and is currently being evaluated for possible TB. You should: A. apply a nonrebreathing mask on the patient and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on yourself. B. remain at least three feet away from the patient and apply a surgical mask on him. C. apply a sterile surgical mask on yourself and a HEPA respirator on the patient. D. apply a nasal cannula on the patient and a sterile surgical mask on yourself.

A. apply a nonrebreathing mask on the patient and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on yourself.

You are assessing a woman who was thrown from a horse. She is located in a large field and you can see that a thunderstorm is rapidly approaching. Suddenly, you feel your skin begin to tingle and the hair on your arms stands on end. The ambulance is located about 30 yards away. You should: A. crouch down in a position so that only your feet are touching the ground. B. sit down, bend your knees, and hold your crossed arms close to your body. C. quickly cover the patient with a blanket and then lie down flat on the ground. D. immediately lie down on your side and draw your knees into your abdomen.

A. crouch down in a position so that only your feet are touching the ground.

The compliance monitoring component of an infection control plan should: A. ensure that employees understand what they should do and why it is important. B. identify who to notify after an exposure and where treatment should be provided. C. consist of a list of tasks that pose a risk for contact with blood or other body fluids. D. address issues such as medical waste collection, storage, and ambulance disinfection.

A. ensure that employees understand what they should do and why it is important.

The hepatitis B vaccine program, a component of the infection control plan, addresses all of the following issues, except: A. family history of hepatitis. B. postvaccine antibody titers. C. vaccine safety and efficacy. D. record keeping and tracking.

A. family history of hepatitis.

You are dispatched to the scene of a crash involving a large tanker truck. While you are en route, dispatch advises you that there are multiple patients and that the fire department is en route as well. As you approach the scene, you should: A. maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars. B. cordon off the area and quickly remove all of the injured patients. C. immediately begin evacuating residents who live near the crash site. D. don personal protective equipment and quickly triage all patients.

A. maintain a safe distance and try to read the placard with binoculars.

Quid pro quo, a type of sexual harassment, occurs when the harasser: A. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else. B. touches another person without his or her consent. C. stares at certain parts of another person's anatomy. D. makes rude remarks about a person's body parts.

A. requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.

Which of the following would provide the EMT with the best cover in a situation involving active gunfire? A. Behind a car door B. A concrete barricade C. A large cluster of shrubs D. Stacked empty barrels

B. A concrete barricade

Which type of stress reaction occurs when an EMT is exposed to many insignificant stressors over a period of several months or years? A. Acute stress reaction B. Cumulative stress reaction C. Posttraumatic stress reaction D. Critical incident stress reaction

B. Cumulative stress reaction

You are transporting a veteran whose legs were amputated in the war. When calling your radio report to the emergency department, which of the following words would be the most appropriate to use when describing the patient? A. Crippled B. Disabled C. Deformed D. Handicapped

B. Disabled

Which of the following signs would indicate that your partner is experiencing significant stress? A. Increased interest in daily activities B. Isolation from the rest of the crew C. Hyperactivity during an EMS call D. Acute increase in appetite

B. Isolation from the rest of the crew

You are transporting an elderly woman who has possibly experienced a stroke. She is obviously scared but is unable to talk and cannot move the entire right side of her body. In addition to providing the medical care that she needs, you should: A. reassure her that after proper treatment in the hospital, she will regain her speech in time. B. acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her. C. maintain eye contact at all times and tell her that there is no need for her to be scared. D. tell her that you understand why she is scared and that everything will likely be okay.

B. acknowledge that she is scared and tell her that you will take good care of her.

Hazards that are associated with a structural fire include all of the following, except: A. smoke and toxic gases. B. carbon dioxide deficiency. C. high ambient temperatures. D. risk of building collapse.

B. carbon dioxide deficiency.

If it is not possible to adequately clean your ambulance at the hospital following a call, you should: A. quickly wipe down all high-contact surfaces with an antibacterial solution. B. clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated. C. wait until the end of your shift and then disinfect the entire patient compartment. D. thoroughly wash the back of the ambulance at a local car wash or similar facility.

B. clean the ambulance at your station in a designated area that is well ventilated.

According to Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, an employer must: A. guarantee a 100% risk-free environment prior to employment. B. offer a workplace environment that reduces the risk of exposure. C. provide gloves and other personal protective equipment to full-time paid employees only. D. screen all prospective employees for bloodborne pathogens.

B. offer a workplace environment that reduces the risk of exposure.

When treating a patient who is trapped in a vehicle and covered with broken glass, it is best to wear: A. latex gloves with thick leather gloves underneath. B. puncture-proof leather gloves over your latex gloves. C. firefighter gloves only, to preserve manual dexterity. D. thick firefighter gloves over two pairs of latex gloves.

B. puncture-proof leather gloves over your latex gloves.

After assessing a patient's blood glucose level, you accidentally stick yourself with the contaminated lancet. You should: A. immerse your wound in an alcohol-based solution. B. report the incident to your supervisor after the call. C. get immunized against hepatitis as soon as possible. D. discontinue patient care and seek medical attention.

B. report the incident to your supervisor after the call.

Physiologic manifestations of stress include: A. flushed skin, decreased muscle control, and vomiting. B. slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and severe headaches. C. perspiration, increased blood glucose levels, and dilated pupils. D. increased blood pressure, decreased blood glucose levels, and chest pain.

B. slow heart rate, low blood pressure, and severe headaches.

Your partner, a veteran EMT with whom you have worked regularly for the past four years, seems unusually agitated during a call involving an elderly patient. Upon arrival back at your station, you note the obvious smell of alcohol on his breath. What should you do? A. Remain quiet and simply request another partner. B. Report the incident to your EMS medical director. C. Discreetly report your suspicions to your supervisor. D. Tell your partner that he must seek professional help.

C. Discreetly report your suspicions to your supervisor.

Which of the following statements regarding the different stages of the grieving process is correct? A. The grieving process typically begins with severe depression. B. It is rare that people will jump back and forth between stages of the grieving process. C. The stages of the grieving process might occur simultaneously. D. Bargaining is the most unpleasant stage of the grieving process.

C. The stages of the grieving process might occur simultaneously.

The most important consideration at the scene of a hazardous materials incident is: A. identifying the hazardous material. B. calling the hazardous materials team. C. evacuating the bystanders. D. ensuring your personal safety.

C. evacuating the bystanders.

You are assessing a middle-aged man with chest pain that you suspect is caused by a cardiac problem. The patient tells you that he does not want to go to the hospital and insists that you leave him alone. You should: A. reassure him that he will not receive a bill for the EMS call if he cannot pay. B. tell him that he is having a heart attack and that he needs to go to the hospital. C. explain the seriousness of the situation to him, but avoid causing undue alarm. D. proceed to treat him because the stress of the situation has impaired his thinking.

C. explain the seriousness of the situation to him, but avoid causing undue alarm.

When considering one's personal life, it is important for the EMT to realize that: A. one should not discuss stressful issues with family members. B. shift work is the least stressful type of an EMS-related work schedule. C. family or friends might not understand the stress associated with EMS. D. it is more difficult to effectively relax at home than it is while on duty.

C. family or friends might not understand the stress associated with EMS.

You are caring for a 40-year-old female who was involved in a motor vehicle crash. Her husband, who was driving the vehicle, was killed. When the patient asks you if her husband is all right, you should: A. tell her that he is being resuscitated by other EMTs. B. immediately tell her of his death so that she might grieve. C. let clergy or hospital staff relay the bad news if possible. D. avoid answering her questions and focus on her injuries.

C. let clergy or hospital staff relay the bad news if possible.

If a person is partially immune to a particular disease, he or she: A. is not protected from a new infection if exposed to another individual. B. must be revaccinated at least every 18 months to avoid infection. C. might develop illness from germs that lie dormant from the initial infection. D. will not experience future illness, even if his or her immune system is stressed.

C. might develop illness from germs that lie dormant from the initial infection.

If you are exposed to a patient's blood or other bodily fluid, your first action should be to: A. report the incident to the infection control officer. B. abandon patient care and seek medical attention. C. transfer care of the patient to another EMS provider. D. vigorously clean the area with soap and water.

C. transfer care of the patient to another EMS provider.

A critical incident stress debriefing should be conducted no longer than ________ hours following the incident. A. six B. 12 C. 24 D. 72

D. 72

Which of the following is an effective stress management strategy? A. Frequently reflecting on troublesome calls B. Requesting overtime to occupy your mind C. Modestly increasing caffeine consumption D. Developing a social network outside of EMS

D. Developing a social network outside of EMS

Which of the following is the most significant factor in determining whether a person will become ill from certain germs? A. Age B. Race C. Gender D. Immunity

D. Immunity

Which of the following statements regarding HIV is correct? A. HIV is far more contagious than hepatitis B. B. HIV is easily transmittable in the EMS field. C. HIV is transmitted exclusively via blood. D. There is no vaccine against HIV infection.

D. There is no vaccine against HIV infection.

The final stage of death and dying most commonly takes the form of: A. anger. B. denial. C. depression. D. acceptance.

D. acceptance.

Determination of exposure is an important component of an infection control plan because it: A. determines the time of day when most exposures are likely to occur. B. determines which type of communicable disease might be present in the workplace. C. defines who is most likely to transmit communicable diseases in the workplace. D. defines who is at risk for contact with blood and body fluids and which tasks pose a risk of exposure.

D. defines who is at risk for contact with blood and body fluids and which tasks pose a risk of exposure.