Chapter 35 - Lifting and Moving Patients

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

A. 220

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

B. 15″ to 20″

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 in order 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.

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

B. maintain stabilization of the spine at all times.

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

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

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

C. from a bed to the ambulance stretcher.

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. assess him and then move him to the stretcher with a direct carry. B. encourage the patient to walk himself to the awaiting ambulance. C. request additional personnel before making any attempts to lift him. D. request the fire department if one attempt to move him fails.

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

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. pelvic girdle. B. spinal column. C. shoulder girdle. D. thigh muscles.

C. shoulder girdle.

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

D. a conscious patient complaining of abdominal pain

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

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

An unrestrained patient is sitting in his car after an automobile crash. He is conscious and alert, has no visible trauma, and is complaining of neck and back pain. Before removing him from his car, you should: Select one: A. maintain manual stabilization of his head and grasp him by the clothes. B. slide a scoop stretcher under his buttocks and rotate him laterally. C. perform a detailed head-to-toe assessment and apply a cervical collar. D. apply a cervical collar and immobilize him with a vest-style device.

D. apply a cervical collar and immobilize him with a vest-style device.

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

D. back is bent forward at the hips.

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate device to use when immobilizing a patient with a suspected spinal injury? Select one: A. wheeled stretcher B. portable stretcher C. scoop stretcher D. long backboard

D. long backboard

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. Rapidly remove the patients from their residence using a blanket or clothes drag. B. Quickly exit the residence and request the fire department to move the patients. C. Perform a rapid assessment and then move the patients from their residence. D. Request another ambulance to assist with lifting and moving the patients.

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

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.

When carrying a patient on a backboard up or down stairs: Select one: A. keep the head end elevated. B. carry the patient headfirst. C. keep your palms facing down. D. keep the foot end elevated.

A. keep the head end elevated.

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

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

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

A. one arm above the head

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

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

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

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

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

B. The isolette serves to keep the neonate warm and protects from excess handling.

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. 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. 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.

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. patient disorientation B. abnormal spinal curvature C. joint flexibility D. naturally deformed bones

B. abnormal spinal curvature

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. evaluate the patient for potentially correctible cause of combativeness, such as head injury, hypoxia, or hypoglycemia. C. advise the patient that medical restraint is necessary, but can be removed if he or she cooperates with you during transport. D. have at least three rescuers present, one for the upper extremities, one for the lower extremities, and one for the head.

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