EMT - Ch. 4: Communications and Documentation

A 4-year-old boy had an apparent seizure. He is conscious and calm and is sitting on his mother's lap. His father is sitting in a nearby chair. The child's mother suddenly begins crying uncontrollably, which causes the child to start crying. You should: A. consider asking the father to hold the child so you can assess him while your partner tries to calm the mother. B. give the child a favorite toy or blanket to hold onto and perform your assessment to the best of your ability. C. reassure the child's mother that seizures in children are very common and that there is nothing to worry about. D. attempt to calm the child's mother, but avoid separating her from her child because this will increase her anxiety.

A

Calming and reassuring an anxious patient can be facilitated by: A. maintaining eye contact with the patient whenever possible. B. using medical terminology to ensure the patient understands. C. positioning yourself at a level that is higher than the patient. D. withholding unpleasant information until arrival at the hospital.

A

Depending on how the protocols are written, you may need to call medical control for direct orders to: a. administer certain treatments b. transport a patient c. request assistance from other agencies d. immobilize a patient

A

Immediately after being dispatched to a residence for an elderly patient with diabetic complications, you should: A. confirm with dispatch that you received the call information. B. ask the dispatcher to obtain a medical history from the caller. C. ask the dispatcher if the patient is conscious or unconscious. D. request that law enforcement secure the scene before you arrive.

A

Medical control guides the treatment of patients in the system through all of the following except: a. hands-on care b. protocols c. direct orders d. postcall review

A

The patient report commonly includes all of the following except: a. a list of the patient's medications b. the patient's age and gender c. a brief history of the patient's current problem d. your estimated time of arrival

A

The transmission range of a(n) _________ is more limited than that of mobile or base station radios. a. portable radio b. 800-MHz radio c. cellular phone d. UHF radio

A

When attempting to communicate with non-English-speaking patients, you should: a. use short, simple questions and simple words whenever possible b. always use medical terms c. shout d. position yourself so the patient can read your lips

A

When completing the narrative section, be sure to: a. describe what you see and what you do b. include only positive findings c. record your conclusions about the incident d. use appropriate radio codes

A

When you begin an oral report, you should state the patient's age, sex, and: A. chief complaint. B. any known allergies. C. past medical history. D. the emergency care given.

A

You are interviewing a 52-year-old man who complains of chest discomfort. The patient is a retired paramedic and is very anxious because he thinks he is having a heart attack. Which of the following statements would be appropriate to say? A. "It is possible that you are experiencing a heart attack. I am going to give you four baby aspirin to chew and swallow." B. "I notice that you are a retired paramedic, so I'm sure you will understand all of the things that we will be doing to you." C. "This is nothing to worry about. Please try to stay calm. The physician at the hospital will probably not find any signs of a heart problem." D. "We need to take you to the ED stat. We will give you ASA and NTG en route and then reassess your vitals. Do you have any questions?"

A

You have just finished an ambulance run where a 45-year-old man had run his SUV into a utility pole. The driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious. A large electrical wire was lying across the hood of the vehicle. After securing scene safety, you were able to approach the patient and complete a primary assessment, in which you found a 6" laceration across his forehead. The patient regained responsiveness, was alert and oriented, and refused care. While writing the report you made an error how should this be corrected A. Drawl a single line through it. B. Erase the mistake. C. Cover up the mistake with correction fluid. D. All of the above.

A

Digital signals are also used in some kinds of paging and tone-alerting systems because they transmit __________ and allow for more choices and flexibility. a. numerically b. faster c. alphanumerically d. encoded messages

B

During your assessment of a 20-year-old man with a severe headache and nausea, you ask him when his headache began, but he does not answer your question immediately. You should: A. repeat your question because he probably did not hear you. B. allow him time to think about the question and respond to it. C. ask him if he frequently experiences severe headaches and nausea. D. tell him that you cannot help him unless he answers your questions.

B

In most areas, medical control is provided by the _________ who work at the receiving hospital. a. nurses b. physicians c. interns d. staff

B

Information given to the responding unit(s) should include all of the following except: a. the number of patients b. the time the unit will arrive c. the exact location of the incident d. responses by other public safety agencies

B

Medical control gives you an order that seems inappropriate for the patient's condition. After confirming that you heard the physician correctly, you should: A. carry out the order and then carefully document it on the run form. B. advise the physician that the order is unclear and ask for clarification. C. state that you will not carry out the order because it is inappropriate. D. obtain consent from the patient and then carry out the order as usual.

B

The __________ officially occurs during your oral report at the hospital, not as a result of your radio report en route. a. patient report b. transfer of care c. termination of services d. all of the above

B

The patient information that is included in the minimum data set includes all of the following except: a. the chief complaint b. the time that the EMS unit arrived at the scene c. respirations and effort d. skin color and temperature

B

When communicating with an older patient, it is important to remember that: A. your questions should focus exclusively on the patient's obvious problem. B. most older people think clearly and are capable of answering questions. C. hostility and confusion should be presumed to be due to the patient's age. D. speaking loudly and distinctly will ensure that the patient can hear you.

B

You are assessing a 75-year-old woman with mild shortness of breath. As you are asking her questions regarding her chief complaint and medical history, you progressively move closer and closer to her. In doing this, it is important to remember that: A. placing yourself in the patient's personal space is relaying to her that you can be trusted. B. as you physically get closer to the patient, a greater and greater sense of trust must be established. C. it is necessary to enter an older person's intimate space because the elderly are typically hearing impaired. D. a patient's personal space should not be violated, regardless of any barriers that may hamper communication.

B

You are transporting a 54-year-old male in cardiac arrest. An EMR is driving the ambulance as you and your partner attempt to resuscitate the patient. What is the MOST logical way of notifying the hospital? A. Call the receiving hospital with your cellular phone as you attempt resuscitation. B. Have the driver contact dispatch and relay the patient information to the hospital. C. Request that a police officer respond to the hospital to apprise them of your arrival. D. Wait until you arrive at the hospital and then quickly apprise them of the situation.

B

Your EMS system uses a computerized PCR in which you fill in the information electronically and then send it to the emergency department via a secure Internet server. The PCR has a comprehensive series of drop-down boxes, which are used to identify your assessment findings and specify the treatment that you provided; it also has a section for your narrative. When completing your PCR after a call, you should: A. defer the narrative only if the information in the drop-down boxes accurately reflects the assessment and treatment that you performed. B. complete a thorough and accurate narrative because drop-down boxes cannot provide all of the information that needs to be documented. C. enter all of the pertinent information of the electronic PCR, but then print it out and provide a copy to the emergency department staff. D. avoid documenting personally identifiable information, such as the patient's name, because the PCR could be intercepted during transmission.

B

____________ are helpful when you are away from the ambulance and need to communicate with dispatch, another unit, or medical control. a. base stations b. portable radios c. mobile radios d. cellular phones

B

If the patient is hearing impaired, you should: a. stand on the patient's left side b. shout c. speak clearly and distinctly d. use baby talk

C

Typical components of an oral patient report include all of the following, EXCEPT: A. the chief complaint or mechanism of injury. B. important medical history not previously given. C. the set of baseline vital signs taken at the scene. D. the patient's response to treatment you provided.

C

When caring for a visually impaired patient, you should: a. use sign language b. touch the patient only when necessary to render care c. try to avoid sudden movements d. never walk him or her to the ambulance

C

Which of the following is false with regard to simplex mode? a. when one party transmits, the other must wait to reply b. you must push a button to talk c. it is called a "pair of frequencies" d. radio transmissions can occur in either direction, but not simultaneously in both

C

Which of the following statements regarding a patient refusal is MOST correct? A. A patient who consumed a few beers will likely be able to refuse EMS treatment. B. Advice given to a patient who refuses EMS treatment should not be documented. C. A mentally competent adult has the legal right to refuse EMS care and transport. D. Documentation of proposed care is unnecessary if the patient refuses treatment.

C

Which of the following statements regarding communication with a child is MOST correct? A. Most children are intrigued by strangers wearing uniforms. B. Give the child minimal information to avoid scaring him or her. C. Standing over a child often increases his or her level of anxiety. D. Unlike adults, children cannot see through lies or deceptions.

C

While en route to and from the scene, you should report all of the following to the dispatcher except: a. any special hazards b. traffic delays c. abandoned vehicles in the median d. road construction

C

You are dispatched to the residence of an Asian family for a child with a high fever. When you assess the child, you note that he has numerous red marks on his back. The child's parents explain that these marks represent coining—a traditional Asian healing practice in which hot coins are rubbed on the back. You should: A. advise the child's parents that this is a harmful practice and is considered a form of child abuse in the United States. B. acknowledge and respect this practice as a cultural belief, but advise the child's parents that it has no healing power. C. document this on your patient care report and advise the emergency department staff of what the child's parents told you. D. advise the emergency department physician that you feel as though the child was intentionally abused by his parents.

C

You have just finished an ambulance run where a 45-year-old man had run his SUV into a utility pole. The driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious. A large electrical wire was lying across the hood of the vehicle. After securing scene safety, you were able to approach the patient and complete a primary assessment, in which you found a 6" laceration across his forehead. The patient regained responsiveness, was alert and oriented, and refused care. If the patient refuses to sign the refusal form: A. Sign it yourself and state: "Patient refused to sign." B. You cannot let the man leave the scene until he either goes with you or signs the form. C. Have a credible witness sign the form testifying that he or she witnessed the patient's refusal of care. D. If the patient refuses care, you don't have to document it.

C

You have just finished an ambulance run where a 45-year-old man had run his SUV into a utility pole. The driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious. A large electrical wire was lying across the hood of the vehicle. After securing scene safety, you were able to approach the patient and complete a primary assessment, in which you found a 6" laceration across his forehead. The patient regained responsiveness, was alert and oriented, and refused care. Should an EMT document this call, even though the patient refused care? A. No. You only need to document when you have actually provided care. B. No. This was not a billable run. C. Yes. It is best signed by the patient as "refusal of care." D. Both A and B.

C

A 60-year-old man complains of chest pain. He is conscious and alert and denies shortness of breath. Which of the following questions would be the MOST appropriate to ask him? A. "Were you exerting yourself when the chest pain began?" B. "Does the pain in your chest move to either of your arms?" C. "Does the pain in your chest feel like a stabbing sensation?" D. "Do you have any heart problems or take any medications?"

D

A good patient care report documents: a. the care that was provided b. the patient's condition on arrival c. any changes d. all of the above

D

After receiving online orders from medical control to perform a patient care intervention, you should: A. perform the intervention as ordered. B. confirm the order in your own words. C. ask the physician to repeat the order. D. repeat the order to medical control word for word.

D

As with all repeater-based systems, a cellular telephone is useless if the equipment: a. fails b. loses power c. is damaged by severe weather or other circumstances d. all of the above

D

Base stations: a. usually have more power than mobile or portable radios b. have higher, more efficient antenna systems c. allow for communication with field units at much greater distances d. all of the above

D

Be sure that you report all patient information in a(n) ________ manner. a. objective b. accurate c. professional d. all of the above

D

Despite numerous, sincere efforts to convince a 40-year-old man to consent to EMS treatment and transport, he refuses. After explaining the potential consequences of his refusal and determining that he has decision-making capacity, you ask him to sign an EMS refusal form, but he refuses to do that as well. You should: A. sign the refusal form, include the date and time, and have your partner witness it with his or her signature. B. document the patient's refusal, but leave the refusal form blank because only the patient can legally sign it. C. advise the patient that unless he signs the refusal form, he cannot legally refuse EMS treatment or transport. D. ask a family member, law enforcement officer, or bystander to sign the form verifying that the patient refused to sign.

D

Effective communication between the EMT and health care professionals in the receiving facility is an essential cornerstone of ___________ patient care. a. efficient b. effective c. appropriate d. all of the above

D

For __________ reasons, the delivery of sophisticated care, such as assisting patients in taking medications, must be done in association with physicians. a. logical b. ethical c. legal d. all of the above

D

Functional age relates to the person's: a. ability to function in daily activities b. mental state c. activity pattern d. all of the above

D

Functions of the patient care report include: a. continuity of care b. education c. research d. all of the above

D

Instances in which you may be required to file special reports with appropriate authorities include: a. gunshot wounds b. dog bites c. suspected physical, sexual, or substance abuse d. all of the above

D

Situations that might require special preparation on the part of the hospital include: a. HazMat situations b. mass-casualty incidents c. rescues in progress d. all of the above

D

Standard radio operating procedures are designed to: a. reduce the number of misunderstood messages b. keep transmissions brief c. develop effective radio discipline d. all of the above

D

The base station may be used: a. in a single place by an operator speaking into a microphone that is connected directly to the equipment b. remotely through telephone lines c. by radio from a communication center d. all of the above

D

The official transfer of patient care does not occur until the EMT: A. gives a radio report to the receiving medical facility. B. notifies the admitting clerk of their arrival at the hospital. C. informs dispatch of their arrival at the emergency department. D. gives an oral report to the emergency room physician or nurse.

D

The principal EMS-related responsibilities of the FCC include: a. monitoring radio operations b. establishing limitations for transmitter power output c. allocating specific radio frequencies for use by EMS providers d. all of the above

D

When you encounter a patient who is angry, you should be mindful of your: a. tone of voice b. attitude c. body language d. all of the above

D

Which of the following components must be included in the oral report during transfer of care? a. the patient's name b. any important history c. vital signs assessed d. all of the above

D

While at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you determine that there are two critically injured patients and that another ambulance is needed. You attempt to contact the dispatcher with your portable radio but are unsuccessful. You should: A. reattempt to contact dispatch from an area of higher terrain. B. place both patients in the ambulance and transport at once. C. ask a police officer to call dispatch with his portable radio. D. use the mobile radio in the ambulance to contact dispatch.

D

You have just finished an ambulance run where a 45-year-old man had run his SUV into a utility pole. The driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious. A large electrical wire was lying across the hood of the vehicle. After securing scene safety, you were able to approach the patient and complete a primary assessment, in which you found a 6" laceration across his forehead. The patient regained responsiveness, was alert and oriented, and refused care. What are the consequences of falsifying a report? A. It may result in a suspension and or a revocation of your license. B. It gives other healthcare providers a false impression of assessment/findings. C. It results in poor patient care. D. All of the above.

D

You have just finished an ambulance run where a 45-year-old man had run his SUV into a utility pole. The driver was found slumped over the steering wheel, unconscious. A large electrical wire was lying across the hood of the vehicle. After securing scene safety, you were able to approach the patient and complete a primary assessment, in which you found a 6" laceration across his forehead. The patient regained responsiveness, was alert and oriented, and refused care. Which of the following would it be important to document? A. That the scene needed to be made safe B. That ensuring scene safety delayed care C. That you completed a rapid physical assessment D. All of the above

D

You must consult with medical control to: a. notify the hospital of an incoming patient b. request advice or orders from medical control c. advise the hospital of special situations d. all of the above

D

Your __________ are critically important in gaining the trust of both the patient and family. a. gestures b. body movements c. attitude toward the patient d. all of the above

D