Chapter 3 EMT

How many rescuers are recommended in moving a patient with a stair​ chair?

3

10 When lifting a stretcher or​ backboard, it is best to use how many​ people?

4

Which of the following is a patient who could be transported on a stair​ chair?

A patient who is having difficulty breathing

Which of the following patients can safely be transported in the​ Fowler's or​ semi-Fowler's position?

A patient with chest pain Patients with decreased​ LOC, apnea, cardiac​ arrest, or spinal trauma cannot be transported in​ Fowler's or​ semi-Fowler's position.

Which of the following uses a​ battery-powered hydraulic system to lift the​ patient?

A power stretcher

You have been dispatched to a home​ where, upon​ entering, you note that there is smoke in the rear of the building. The patient is unconscious on the living room couch. You have about two to three minutes to get the patient out the front door. What type of move will this​ require?

An emergency move will be the most appropriate in this case.

Your patient is a​ 22-year-old female who was involved in a​ low-speed car crash. Her only complaint is some tenderness in her neck. What is the MOST appropriate way to care for​ her?

Apply a short backboard​ (vest or​ KED) while she is seated in the car

Which of the following is good technique in pulling or​ pushing?

Avoid pushing or pulling overhead.

What muscle groups should NOT be utilized in preparing to lift a heavy patient from the​ ground?

Back muscles To move heavy​ objects, use the​ leg, hip, and gluteal​ (buttocks) muscles and contracted abdominal muscles. The use of these muscles will help you to generate a huge amount of power safely. Always avoid using back muscles to move a heavy object.

What would be the most comfortable stretcher for an​ 800-pound patient?

Bariatric

Which of the following techniques will NOT contribute to the safe and efficient movement of a patient from an upstairs bedroom to the​ ambulance?

Calling for assistance only if you find that you and your partner cannot lift the patient

In moving a patient on a​ stretcher, what is the safest level at which to do​ so?

Closest to the ground

Which of the following communication techniques will better improve the quality and safety of a lifting technique using multiple​ EMTs?

Communicate throughout the lifting process.

To avoid injuries while lifting and moving an obese patient over a long​ distance, what must always be present among team​ members?

Communication For team members to work together​ effectively, they need to communicate throughout all lifting and moving tasks. Use commands that are easy for team members to understand. Verbally coordinate each lift from beginning to end.

When assessing a​ patient, you quickly decide that it is in the​ patient's best interest for you to do an emergency move. Which of the following is NOT an indication for an emergency​ move?

Dispatch is holding calls for your community. Indications for an emergency move include​ (1) immediate environmental danger to the patient or​ rescuer, (2) inability to gain access to other patients who need lifesaving​ care, and​ (3) inability to provide lifesaving care because of the​ patient's location or position.

Which of the choices is a CORRECT statement when transferring a patient from his or her bed to the stair​ chair?

Do not use the device for unresponsive patients.

Which of the following is the most comfortable method when the EMT moves the patient from the ambulance stretcher to the hospital​ stretcher?

Draw sheet

What type of move should the EMT use to move a patient who is in a car that has started to​ burn?

Emergency move

What device is made of canvas or some other rubberized or flexible​ material, often with wooden slats sewn into​ pockets, and has three carrying handles on each​ side?

Flexible stretcher

What is the BEST way to transport a patient securely who is suspected of having a spinal​ injury?

Fully immobilized with necessary spinal precautions

In​ reaching, what should be done every​ time?

Have a​ locked-in back.

Which of the following is an advantage of a vacuum​ mattress?

It naturally pads voids for greater comfort.

What is the MOST important thing you can do to prevent an injury to yourself when moving​ patients?

Know your limitations.

Which of the choices would be a poor technique to use if you were about to lift a heavy​ patient?

Lifting the patient and twist while lowering to the stretcher

1 Besides performing a thorough patient​ assessment, what skill will the EMT use on MOST patient​ encounters?

Lifting the patient or equipment

When you are lifting and carrying equipment with one​ hand, it is important to keep your back in what​ position?

Locked There are times when you will want to lift and carry certain equipment with one hand. When you​ do, be sure to keep your back in a locked position. Maintain proper body​ mechanics, and avoid leaning to the opposite side too much to compensate for the imbalance.

For which of the following conditions would a bariatric stretcher be​ indicated?

Morbid obesity

What is the term for a lift from a squatting position with weight to be lifted close to the​ body, feet apart and flat on the​ ground, body weight on or just behind the balls of the​ feet, and the back locked​ in?

Power lift

Which of the following technique is used by power weight​ lifters?

Power lift

If the weight to be lifted is below your waist​ level, what is the proper​ position?

Push or pull from a kneeling position.

Which of the following is recommended in moving something​ heavy?

Pushing Pushing is preferred to pulling. Do NOT reach or lean while lifting or moving.

Any patient who is unresponsive and has no spinal injury should be placed on the cot in which​ position?

Recovery

Your patient is​ conscious, has no​ trauma, and is complaining of dyspnea. Which of the following is most likely the BEST way to position the patient during​ transport?

Sitting upright A patient with difficulty breathing would prefer to sit up and perhaps forward.

Why should multiple EMTs who are preparing to lift a patient be positioned at optimal locations around the​ patient?

So that EMTs with similar height and strength can be matched on either side of the patient

What is the type of​ patient-carrying device that transports a patient in a sitting​ position?

Stair chair

What are body​ mechanics?

The proper use of your body to prevent injury and facilitate lifting and moving

Which of the following is a situation in which urgent moves are​ necessary?

The​ patient's airway is compromised.

As an​ EMT, what do you NEVER want to do while lifting a​ patient?

Turn or twist.

Which of the following must be avoided in​ lifting?

Twisting

You are on the scene of a car crash where the patient is sitting in the​ driver's seat with a potential spine injury. There is a small fire in the engine​ compartment, and smoke is coming out from under the hood of the car. What should you​ do?

Use the rapid extrication technique. Rapid extrication is an urgent move technique that is used when​ (1) the​ patient's condition is so unstable that you need to move and transport the patient​ immediately, (2) the scene is not​ safe, or​ (3) the patient blocks your access to a​ second, more seriously injured patient.

Which of the following helps to prevent injury from lifting and carrying a​ patient?

Use your leg muscles.

What device becomes rigid and conforming when air is withdrawn and naturally pads voids for greater​ comfort?

Vacuum mattress

A stair chair should be used in which of the following​ circumstances?

When traversing narrow corridors and doorways

Which of the following is an indication for an emergency​ move?

You are unable to gain access to other patients who need lifesaving care.

An ambulance that is specially equipped to handle obese patients is​ called:

a bariatric ambulance.

Fire and exposure to explosives or other hazardous materials are examples of immediate dangers that would​ warrant:

an emergency move such as a clothes drag. When the scene of an accident is unstable or threatening to your life and the​ patient's, your priority changes. You must move the patient first. Make an emergency move only when no other options are available. Emergency moves include a​ clothes, feet,​ shoulder, and blanket drag.

When​ lifting, keep the​ weight:

as close to your body as possible.

The clothes​ drag, incline​ drag, and shoulder drag are examples​ of:

a​ one-rescuer emergency move.

The technique of the power lift​ includes:

bending your knees to bring your center of gravity closer to the object.

The safest and MOST efficient methods for using​ one's body to facilitate lifting and moving are​ called:

body mechanics

General guidelines for lifting​ include:

considering the size and weight of the patient. Keep your feet shoulder width​ apart, recognize your​ limitations, consider the size and weight of the​ patient, and communicate throughout the lifting process.

When performing a​ one-rescuer drag down​ stairs, you​ should:

drag the patient head first.

An efficient way of transferring a patient from your wheeled stretcher to a hospital bed is called​ the:

draw sheet method. The draw sheet method is accomplished by placing the wheeled cot beside the​ patient's bed. Then untuck the bottom sheet beneath the patient and use this to lift slightly and slide the patient to the wheeled cot. This is an efficient way to move the patient from a bed to your cot.

You are confronted with a situation in which your BEST option to move the patient will be to quickly use a blanket​ drag, shirt​ drag, or​ armpit-forearm drag. These maneuvers are referred to​ as:

emergency moves.

20 When rescuers are working together as a team to lift a​ patient:

ensure that everyone understands the plan before lifting.

Short backboards​ (vest or​ KED) are usually used​ to:

immobilize sitting patients before moving them. Short backboards usually are used to immobilize noncritical sitting patients before moving them. One special type of short backboard is the​ vest-type or​ corset-type immobilizer, such as the Ferno Kendrick Extrication Device​ (KED). Once a short backboard has been​ applied, the patient should be placed on a long backboard for transport.

Unresponsive patients with no suspected spinal injury should be​ placed:

in the recovery position. Unresponsive patients without suspected spinal injury should be placed in the recovery​ (lateral recumbent) position to help protect the airway.

The advantages of using a wheeled stretcher to move a patient include​ that:

it enables movement without​ carrying, is mechanically​ simple, and is comfortable.

When​ reaching, pushing, or​ pulling, the EMT should​ always:

keep the back locked in.

When pushing or​ pulling, you​ should:

keep the line of pull through the center of your body.

To use your legs instead of your back to​ lift, you​ must:

keep the weight close to your body.

If the weight being pulled is below the level of the​ EMT's waist, he should be in​ a(n) ________ position.

kneeling

To minimize or prevent aggravation of a spinal injury during an emergency​ move, the EMT should move the patient in the direction of​ the:

long axis of the body.

There are two types of spine​ boards, one of which is​ the:

long spine board.

An important key to preventing injury while lifting or moving​ is:

not compensating when lifting with one hand. To prevent injury while lifting or moving a patient or heavy​ equipment, avoid leaning to either​ side, and keep your back straight and locked.

An emergency move would be permitted in order to change a​ patient's position so that you​ could:

perform CPR. The performance of CPR is done on patients in cardiac arrest. This is a highly intense and critical situation that is dependent on time.​ Therefore, an emergency move would be warranted in order to position the patient for the initiation of CPR.

Bending all fingers at the same angle and placing the hands ten inches apart are two key elements of​ the:

power grip. The power grip involves gripping with as much hand surface as possible in contact with the object being​ lifted, all fingers bent at the same​ angle, and hands at least ten inches apart. Next Question

Steps in using the squat lift​ include:

raising your upper body before your hips. In performing this​ technique, avoid bending at the waist. Then follow these​ steps: (1) Place your weaker leg slightly forward. This foot should stay flat on the ground throughout the lift.​ (2) Squat down until you can grasp the​ cot, stretcher, or other​ patient-moving device. Be sure to use the power grip.​ (3) Push yourself up with your stronger leg. Make sure your back is locked and your upper body goes up before your hips. Lead with your head.

Maintaining physical fitness and use of proper lifting and moving techniques by EMTs is of utmost importance​ because:

the process of lifting and moving patients is one skill that is used on almost every patient.

Emergency moves may be necessary​ if:

there is a threat of fire or possible explosion.

In lifting a​ patient-carrying device, such as a stair​ chair, the minimum number of rescuers used should​ be:

two.

Techniques for moving a patient experiencing an immediate life threat are​ called:

urgent moves.

To minimize your risk of serious back injury while​ lifting:

use the large muscles of your​ legs, hips, and buttocks. To move heavy​ objects, use the​ leg, hip, and gluteal​ (buttocks) muscles plus contracted abdominal muscles. The use of these muscles will help you to generate a huge amount of power safely. Always avoid using the back muscles to move a heavy object.

Safe patient lifting and moving techniques​ include:

using the easiest recommended moves and equipment. The safest way to lift and move patients is to do so using the appropriate number of EMTs and to use the equipment designed for such movement. This minimizes the risk to the patient and the providers. Next Question

For many conscious​ patients, which of the following is the most comfortable position for​ transport?

​Semi-sitting position.

You respond to a​ 48-year-old morbidly obese female patient. Her adult daughter called you because she has not gotten up from her oversized recliner chair in over a week. She has tried to help her out of the chair but states that each time her mother screams in agony. The foul odor presence of urine and feces is strong around the patient. Her feet do not touch the​ ground, and any attempt to lift the patient by her arms or scoot her down to the end of the chair results in severe pain to the patient. You are finding it nearly impossible to get a good grip on the patient. How will you get her out of the​ chair?

​Vest-type extrication device

A flexible device that is used to help immobilize the spine of an adult patient in confined​ spaces, such as a bucket seat of a​ car, is​ a:

​vest-type extrication device.