EMR Test 1 Review

The scope of care under which the EMR functions is specified by the: Select one: A. EMS system medical director. B. State Department of Public Safety. C. National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians. D. National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.

A. EMS system medical director.

Which of the following statements regarding the hepatitis B virus is correct? Select one: A. Hepatitis B is far more contagious than HIV is. B. Indirect contact with blood spreads hepatitis B. C. Hepatitis B is usually spread via the droplet route. D. There is no effective vaccine against hepatitis B.

A. Hepatitis B is far more contagious than HIV is.

Which of the following is the MOST effective way to avoid allowing an angry patient or family member to interfere with your patient care duties? Select one: A. Realize that the anger is not because of you. B. Ignore the behavior and continue your duties. C. Cease all care until everyone calms down. D. Be stern with the patient or family member.

A. Realize that the anger is not because of you.

A CISD is used to: Select one: A. alleviate the stress reactions caused by high-stress incidents. B. determine whether any errors in patient care occurred. C. investigate potential wrongdoings by the EMS responder. D. identify the exact stressors that resulted in the stress reaction.

A. alleviate the stress reactions caused by high-stress incidents.

The MOST common abandonment scenario occurs when: Select one: A. an EMS provider assesses a patient but fails to transport and later learns the patient died. B. a competent patient refuses treatment at the scene but later dies of a hidden injury or illness. C. an EMR transfers care of a critically injured patient to a certified EMT or paramedic. D. a paramedic transfers care of a patient to an emergency department nurse or physician.

A. an EMS provider assesses a patient but fails to transport and later learns the patient died.

You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle crash. The vehicle is a small passenger car that rolled several times and is now resting on its side. The patient, a middle-aged man, is still in the vehicle and will not respond when you ask if he is okay. You should: Select one: A. assess the stability of the vehicle and notify the fire department. B. use bystanders to help roll the car over so that you can access the man. C. stabilize the car with rope and carefully extricate the man. D. carefully enter the car and rapidly remove the man to safety.

A. assess the stability of the vehicle and notify the fire department.

When functioning at a crime scene, the EMR should: Select one: A. avoid moving furniture unless it interferes with patient care. B. position equipment in a location that is most convenient. C. obtain law enforcement permission before treating a critical patient. D. avoid moving the patient unless he or she is in cardiac arrest.

A. avoid moving furniture unless it interferes with patient care.

Emergency medical service (EMS) providers, law enforcement officers, and fire fighters are especially at risk for: Select one: A. dehydration caused by excess fluid loss. B. violent behavior and homicidal thoughts. C. increased circulating blood sugar levels. D. an overall decrease in blood pressure.

A. dehydration caused by excess fluid loss

The MOST common cause of death in public safety workers is: Select one: A. job-related accidents. B. cancer from exposure to poisons. C. heart and blood vessel disease. D. depression and suicide.

A. job-related accidents.

Fire units are often a crucial part of the EMS system because they: Select one: A. provide specialized rescue such as patient extrication. B. provide protection and control of the scene. C. are better trained than EMTs to assist paramedics. D. always arrive at the scene before EMTs or paramedics

A. provide specialized rescue such as patient extrication.

All of the following are signs of obvious death, EXCEPT: Select one: A. pulselessness. B. dependent lividity. C. decapitation. D. decomposition.

A. pulselessness.

Accompanied by a concerned neighbor, you enter the residence of an unconscious elderly woman and encounter several small dogs. As you approach the patient, one of the dogs begins to growl at you. You should: Select one: A. remain calm and ask the neighbor to secure the dogs in another room. B. have your partner distract the dog as you quickly assess the patient. C. carefully pick up the dog and put it in another room or in the back yard. D. immediately retreat from the scene and notify the animal control officer.

A. remain calm and ask the neighbor to secure the dogs in another room.

Common functions of the EMS medical director include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. responding to the scene of an emergency. B. ensuring that quality patient care is provided. C. establishing medical policies and procedures. D. providing direction during an EMR's initial training

A. responding to the scene of an emergency

Components of the quality improvement process, as identified by the Institute of Medicine, include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. teamwork. B. safety. C. efficiency. D. timeliness.

A. teamwork.

Which of the following is NOT a normal part of the grieving process? Select one: A. violence B. depression C. anger D. acceptance

A. violence

The principle of implied consent assumes that an unconscious patient: Select one: A. would wish to receive treatment. B. has a life-threatening condition. C. has a living will on file. D. is at least 18 years of age.

A. would wish to receive treatment.

You are dispatched to an elementary school for a 7-year-old boy who sustained a minor injury while on the playground. The child is conscious, alert, and does not appear to have any life-threatening injuries. What should you do? Select one: A. Allow a teacher to sign a patient refusal form because the child does not require treatment. B. Ask a teacher to contact the child's parents to obtain consent for you to begin treatment. C. Begin treatment of the child and request an EMT unit to transport him to the hospital. D. Send the child to the nurse's office for minor treatment and then return your unit to service.

B. Ask a teacher to contact the child's parents to obtain consent for you to begin treatment.

Which of the following statements regarding a patient's consent to treatment is correct? Select one: A. A patient must be transported if he or she consents to treatment. B. Patients may refuse treatment at any time, even if treatment has begun. C. Patients can give consent to treat only to an EMT or paramedic. D. Once a patient gives you consent, he or she cannot revoke it.

B. Patients may refuse treatment at any time, even if treatment has begun.

You are asked to accompany a paramedic in the back of the ambulance to take care of a patient with suspected TB. The patient is coughing and is in severe respiratory distress. In addition to gloves, what protective measures should you take? Select one: A. Apply a full face shield to the patient and don a second pair of gloves. B. Put on a HEPA respirator and apply an oxygen mask to the patient. C. Place a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on the patient and a gown on yourself. D. Put on safety goggles and apply an oxygen mask to the patient.

B. Put on a HEPA respirator and apply an oxygen mask to the patient.

Following a call involving a high-profile individual, a police officer asks you for a copy of your patient care report. You should: Select one: A. provide a copy of your report to the officer only if you have permission from the patient's family. B. advise the officer that he or she must obtain a legal subpoena to receive a copy of your report. C. provide the officer with the patient care report because you are required by law to do so. D. refuse to give the officer a copy of your report but verbally share the information with him or her.

B. advise the officer that he or she must obtain a legal subpoena to receive a copy of your report.

A DNR order is a written request giving permission for medical personnel not to: Select one: A. begin resuscitation unless the patient is in shock. B. attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest. C. give oxygen to a patient with severe hypoxemia. D. render treatment to patients with a terminal illness.

B. attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest.

Documentation regarding patient care provided by the EMR should: Select one: A. remain on file for a maximum of 18 months. B. be clear, concise, accurate, and readable. C. include no more than two sets of vital signs. D. occur at the same time the patient is being treated.

B. be clear, concise, accurate, and readable.

The H1N1 strain of influenza (swine flu) has caused concern because: Select one: A. it is most commonly spread via infected blood. B. few people have immunity to this strain of virus. C. it is fatal in the majority of people who are infected. D. there is presently no vaccination against H1N1.

B. few people have immunity to this strain of virus.

The MOST effective way to prevent exposure to infectious diseases is to: Select one: A. place a mask on all patients you treat. B. follow standard precautions on all calls. C. ensure that your immunizations are current. D. wash your hands thoroughly after each call.

B. follow standard precautions on all calls.

If a patient refuses emergency medical care but is not thinking rationally and appears to be a threat to self or others, the EMR's BEST course of action is to: Select one: A. contact medical control. B. involve law enforcement. C. obtain a court order. D. restrain the patient.

B. involve law enforcement.

Fire fighters and law enforcement personnel are likely to be the EMRs in most emergencies because: Select one: A. most communities do not have EMTs or paramedics. B. of their location or speed in responding to the call. C. they are trained in all aspects of an emergency call. D. they are typically paid and are on call 24 hours a day.

B. of their location or speed in responding to the call.

A chronically ill patient who is experiencing denial: Select one: A. usually tries to make a deal to avoid the inevitable. B. often cannot believe what is happening to him or her. C. commonly makes statements such as "Why me?" D. is typically withdrawn and will not speak to you.

B. often cannot believe what is happening to him or her.

The purpose of the Good Samaritan law is to: Select one: A. encourage citizens to become EMRs. B. protect citizens from liability when rendering care in good faith. C. provide total immunity from being sued to all EMS professionals. D. afford protection to EMS personnel who commit negligent acts.

B. protect citizens from liability when rendering care in good faith.

An important step in managing your own stress is the ability to: Select one: A. project the stress toward others. B. recognize its signs and symptoms. C. eliminate all stressors in your life. D. ignore its signs and symptoms.

B. recognize its signs and symptoms.

During a multiple-casualty incident, you and your partner are caring for patients until emergency medical technician (EMT) and paramedic units arrive. There are three patients, all of whom have bleeding from various wounds. After taking care of the first patient, you should: Select one: A. immediately move to the next patient and provide bleeding control as needed. B. take off your gloves and apply another pair before caring for another patient. C. wash off your gloves with a disinfectant solution before caring for another patient. D. place another pair of gloves over the blood-soaked gloves you are wearing.

B. take off your gloves and apply another pair before caring for another patient.

There is no scientific documentation that the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is transmitted via urine, nasal secretions, or sputum, unless: Select one: A. the patient is in the later stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). B. the secretions contain visible signs of blood. C. the rescuer has been immunized against HIV. D. the secretions come into contact with intact skin.

B. the secretions contain visible signs of blood.

Roles and responsibilities of the EMR include all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. prompt and safe response to the scene. B. transporting the patient to the hospital. C. adequately assessing every patient. D. ensuring the safety of self and others.

B. transporting the patient to the hospital.

A patient requires rapid transport to the hospital when: Select one: A. he or she requires care that can be provided only by a physician at the hospital. B. traffic is extremely heavy and the patient's condition requires treatment by a physician. C. EMS personnel are unable to give the patient adequate life-saving care in the field. D. the patient's condition may deteriorate if he or she is not transported fairly quickly.

C. EMS personnel are unable to give the patient adequate life-saving care in the field.

In most cases, treatment of a minor in an out-of-hospital setting must wait until: Select one: A. medical control orders you to initiate emergency treatment. B. a paramedic unit arrives at the scene and assumes care. C. a parent or legal guardian gives consent for treatment. D. the patient's condition becomes life-threatening.

C. a parent or legal guardian gives consent for treatment.

You arrive at the scene of an incident involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. Law enforcement officers are present, but the paramedic unit will not arrive for another 5 minutes. Your patient, who was struck by the vehicle, is a 16-year-old girl. She is unconscious and has severe bleeding from her head. You should: Select one: A. contact the child's parents and obtain phone consent before rendering any emergency medical care. B. keep curious bystanders away from the patient until the paramedic unit arrives at the scene. C. begin immediate treatment and ask a law enforcement officer to attempt to contact the child's parents. D. ask a law enforcement officer to sign a statement that you are providing care without parental consent.

C. begin immediate treatment and ask a law enforcement officer to attempt to contact the child's parents.

Several hours following death, a patient develops red or purple colored areas on the parts of the body that are closest to the ground. This is called: Select one: A. rigor mortis. B. widespread pallor. C. dependent lividity. D. decomposition.

C. dependent lividity.

Which of the following MOST accurately describes negligence? Select one: A. performing skills that are beyond your level of EMS certification B. failure to respond to the scene of an emergency when dispatched C. desertion of a patient who is still in need of emergency treatment D. performance of care that does not meet the accepted standards

C. desertion of a patient who is still in need of emergency treatment

Most cases of MRSA occur in: Select one: A. trauma patients. B. infants and children. C. healthcare settings. D. the elderly population.

C. healthcare settings.

If you are presented with an advance directive that does not appear to be valid, you should: Select one: A. begin care only after receiving approval from a licensed physician. B. look for a bracelet to determine whether the patient has a living will. C. initiate the care that is appropriate for the patient's condition. D. contact the patient's attorney for guidance before providing care.

C. initiate the care that is appropriate for the patient's condition.

An advance directive is MOST accurately defined as a(n): Select one: A. legal document that allows EMS providers to provide all necessary treatment. B. notarized document that specifies who may and may not provide emergency care. C. legal document that indicates the care to be provided if the patient is incapacitated. D. document in which the patient's family determines what care the patient is to receive.

C. legal document that indicates the care to be provided if the patient is incapacitated.

Communication with a physician via two-way radio or wireless telephone is an example of: Select one: A. off-line medical control. B. standard operating protocol. C. online medical control. D. indirect medical control.

C. online medical control.

The presence of rigor mortis indicates that: Select one: A. death has occurred within the last 15 minutes. B. the body's tissues are beginning to decay. C. the patient is dead and cannot be resuscitated. D. the muscles of the body are permanently stiff.

C. the patient is dead and cannot be resuscitated.

To comply with the standard of care, the EMR must: Select one: A. provide prompt and competent care that is consistent with what is deemed appropriate by the paramedic in charge and that is clearly defined in the EMS system protocols. B. provide the same prompt and competent care that an individual with a higher level of training would have provided under the same or similar circumstances. C. treat the patient to the best of his or her ability and provide care that a reasonable, prudent person with similar training would provide under similar circumstances. D. treat the patient in a manner that is consistent with what is expected of the general public and that meets or exceeds the EMR's established scope of practice.

C. treat the patient to the best of his or her ability and provide care that a reasonable, prudent person with similar training would provide under similar circumstances.

Which of the following statements regarding HIV is NOT correct? Select one: A. There is currently no vaccine to protect rescuers from HIV. B. HIV is transmitted via direct contact with infected blood. C. Blood splashed into the eyes is a significant route of exposure. D. Most people with HIV show symptoms early in their disease.

D. Most people with HIV show symptoms early in their disease.

Your response unit and a police officer simultaneously arrive at the scene of a shooting. After the police officer ensures that the scene is safe, you enter the residence and find the patient, a 22-year-old man, with several gunshot wounds to the chest. He is positioned in between the sofa and a coffee table. What should you do? Select one: A. Move the patient to a more open area after the police officer takes photographs of the scene. B. Carefully document the original position of the patient prior to moving him to a more open area. C. Move the coffee table and provide immediate emergency medical treatment to the patient. D. Provide immediate care without moving the sofa, coffee table, or any other items at the scene.

D. Provide immediate care without moving the sofa, coffee table, or any other items at the scene.

Which of the following statements regarding the acceptance stage of the grieving process is correct? Select one: A. The patient is satisfied with the situation during this phase. B. Acceptance is typically the first stage of the grieving process. C. It is often characterized by sadness, despair, and denial. D. The patient understands that the situation cannot be changed.

D. The patient understands that the situation cannot be changed.

While functioning at the scene of a patient in cardiac arrest, you do not initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) because the patient is elderly and you think that he is probably dead. Paramedics arrive and determine that the patient has only been in cardiac arrest for 6 minutes. Which of the following statements regarding this scenario is correct? Select one: A. The patient would most likely not be able to be resuscitated. B. As an EMR, you did not have a legal duty to begin CPR. C. Your actions are consistent with the responsibilities of an EMR. D. You may be held liable for failure to follow the standard of care.

D. You may be held liable for failure to follow the standard of care.

Proximate cause is MOST accurately defined as: Select one: A. death of a patient as a result of failure of the EMS provider to render the accepted standard of care. B. failure of the EMS provider to respond to an emergency scene in an expedient manner. C. an injury sustained by the EMS provider as a result of inappropriate scene safety precautions. D. a correlation between the patient's injury or injuries and the EMS responder's negligence.

D. a correlation between the patient's injury or injuries and the EMS responder's negligence.

You are the first medically trained person to arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle crash. The patient is conscious and is bleeding heavily from the head. He is still in the vehicle, which has power lines draped across the hood. You should: Select one: A. put on rubber gloves and carefully move the power lines away from the car. B. carefully remove the patient from the vehicle without touching any metal. C. ask the patient to crawl out of the vehicle carefully without touching metal. D. advise the patient to remain still and immediately contact the power company.

D. advise the patient to remain still and immediately contact the power company.

Which of the following interventions would the EMR MOST likely perform at the scene of a cardiac arrest? Select one: A. initiation of an intravenous line B. administration of certain medications C. insertion of an endotracheal tube D. cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation

D. cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation

You and your partner are performing CPR on a 77-year-old man when his wife states that he has terminal cancer and does not want to be resuscitated. She further tells you that he has a living will; however, she is unable to locate it. You should: Select one: A. assist the wife in looking for the living will documents. B. have the wife sign a release form and then cease CPR. C. honor the wife's wishes and cease resuscitation efforts. D. continue CPR and contact medical control for guidance.

D. continue CPR and contact medical control for guidance.

A patient who verbally or nonverbally lets you know that he or she is willing to accept treatment is giving you ____________ consent. Select one: A. assumed B. implied C. informed D. expressed

D. expressed

Maintenance of required certifications or registrations is the responsibility of the: Select one: A. state board of health. B. employing agency. C. EMS medical director. D. individual provider.

D. individual provider.

Common signs or symptoms of stress include: Select one: A. an increase in sexual drive. B. excessive eating. C. heightened awareness. D. insomnia or nightmares.

D. insomnia or nightmares.

The section of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 that MOST directly affects EMS relates to: Select one: A. continuity of care. B. access to health insurance. C. combating waste and fraud. D. patient privacy.

D. patient privacy.

Which of the following components is NOT required to prove negligence? Select one: A. breech of duty B. resulting injuries C. duty to act D. patient refusal of care

D. patient refusal of care

Second only to your own safety, your priority at a crime scene is to: Select one: A. report to law enforcement. B. protect potential evidence. C. keep bystanders at a distance. D. provide care to the patient.

D. provide care to the patient.

As an EMR, your MOST important consideration is: Select one: A. assisting paramedics at the scene. B. ensuring your own safety. C. accessing the patient. D. providing competent patient care.

D. providing competent patient care.

You are assessing a young woman with abdominal pain while awaiting an incoming paramedic crew. The patient is conscious, alert, and in stable condition. The dispatcher advises you that there is another call involving a patient in cardiac arrest. You should: Select one: A. ask your patient to drive herself to the closest emergency department as you proceed to the cardiac arrest call. B. have the patient sign a refusal of treatment form and then immediately respond to the cardiac arrest call. C. explain to your patient that the cardiac arrest call clearly has a higher priority and then respond to the call. D. remain with the patient and advise the dispatcher to send another EMR unit to the cardiac arrest call.

D. remain with the patient and advise the dispatcher to send another EMR unit to the cardiac arrest call.

Which of the following immunizations and tests are recommended for EMS providers? Select one: A. TB skin testing, hepatitis A vaccine, and prophylactic antibiotics B. West Nile virus vaccine, tetanus prophylaxis, and hepatitis B vaccine C. hepatitis C vaccine, HIV prophylaxis, and annual TB skin testing D. tetanus prophylaxis, hepatitis B vaccine, and TB skin testing

D. tetanus prophylaxis, hepatitis B vaccine, and TB skin testing

When documenting the events of an emergency call, the EMR should include the: Select one: A. patient's presumptive diagnosis. B. names of all personnel at the scene. C. treatment provided by the paramedics. D. treatment provided before EMS arrival.

D. treatment provided before EMS arrival.

An emergency medical responder (EMR) has a legal duty to act: Select one: A. even when outside of his or her response jurisdiction. B. if he or she encounters an emergency scene while not on duty. C. only if he or she is not paid by a fire department or rescue squad. D. while employed by an agency as an EMR.

D. while employed by an agency as an EMR.

CISDs are usually conducted: Select one: A. only if more than two people are severely affected. B. immediately following a major incident. C. within 12 to 24 hours following a major incident. D. within 24 to 72 hours following a major incident.

D. within 24 to 72 hours following a major incident.