EMT Practice Chapter 15

If a patient seems reluctant to​ speak, what would your NEXT step​ be? A. Assume that pathology is not the cause. B. Rule out language barriers and hearing difficulties. C. Decide whether the patient is hiding something. D. Treat the patient as uncooperative.

B. Rule out language barriers and hearing difficulties. Never make assumptions. If the patient seems​ reluctant, be sure that he understands your questions. Rule out language barriers and hearing difficulties.

You document that a patient was administered​ oxygen, which you know did not happen. The failure to administer oxygen​ is: A. an error of commission. B. a falsification. C. an error of omission. D. a pertinent negative.

C. an error of omission. The failure to administer oxygen is an error of omission. Errors of omission are those in which an important part of the assessment or care was left out. Errors of commission are actions performed on the patient that are wrong or improper. In this​ case, an important part of​ care, oxygen​ administration, was left out. Falsification is the documentation that oxygen was​ administered, but not the failure to administer oxygen itself. A pertinent negative is not involved in this situation.

Which of the following statements regarding patient refusal is MOST​ accurate? A. You must note that a secondary assessment was not possible given the​ patient's refusal. B. You must document all actions you took to persuade the patient to go to the hospital. C. You must note simply that you left the scene at the​ patient's request. D. You must provide convincing evidence that the patient was mentally incompetent to justify leaving the scene.

B. You must document all actions you took to persuade the patient to go to the hospital.

In some​ cultures, prolonged eye contact is​ considered: A. compassionate. B. rude. C. passive. D. caring.

B. rude. Eye contact is a major form of nonverbal communication. Short eye contact is often seen as​ friendly, whereas prolonged eye contact may be considered rude.

Which of the following types of radios is typically used in a​ vehicle? A. Base B. Mobile C. Portable D. Repeater

B. Mobile

When you press the button on the radio to​ talk, you should wait at LEAST how many seconds before speaking to avoid cutting off the first words of your​ transmission? A. Three seconds B. One second C. Five seconds D. Seven seconds

B. One second

You have just received a medication order from your medical director over the radio. You should​ immediately: A. notify the patient. B. repeat the order. C. direct the physician to repeat the order. D. administer the drug.

B. repeat the order.

Which of the following is the term for the unit of measurement of the output power of a​ radio? A. Ampere B. Joule C. Watt D. Volt

C. Watt The output power of a radio is measured in watts. Although volts and amperes both describe​ electricity, watts specifically describe power.

Which of the following components of an EMS communication system would MOST likely provide the furthest transmission of​ voice? A. Base station with a repeater B. A​ 50-watt mobile radio C. Portable handheld radio D. Portable​ ambulance-mounted radio

A. Base station with a repeater A base station radio operates with the highest output of power​ (80 to 150​ watts) compared to the other components of a communication system that are listed. The portable radios and mobile radios typically use a lower power and therefore cannot transmit as effectively over a long distance.

One of the EMTs at the station has been cited by the medical director for his​ sloppy, incomplete, and sometimes inaccurate patient care documentation. What is the MOST important reason documentation must be clear and​ accurate? A. Poor communication can lead to misunderstanding and medical errors. B. The service cannot bill for sloppy report forms. C. Failure to document properly will make it easier for the EMS system to be successfully sued. D. Patient care documentation may be used later as legal evidence.

A. Poor communication can lead to misunderstanding and medical errors. Documentation must be clear and accurate because poor communication can lead to misunderstanding and medical errors. Sloppy forms may present billing difficulties and they may be used as legal evidence​ later, and documentation failures may lead to​ lawsuits, but none of these are the most important reason for documentation to be clear and accurate.

Which of the following is the term for a device that picks up signals from​ lower-power radio units and retransmits them at a higher​ power? A. Repeater B. Base station C. Mobile radio D. Cell phone

A. Repeater

When you are attempting to make contact with another ambulance unit using the​ radio, it is necessary to declare the name of which entity​ FIRST? A. The unit you are calling B. Your unit number C. The repeater location D. The base station

A. The unit you are calling

Two types of errors might be committed on a​ call: A. omission and commission. B. mental and physical. C. medical and trauma. D. on the scene and during transport.

A. omission and commission.

Once you arrive at the hospital with your​ patient, it is important to give the ED staff an oral report. This report should​ include: A. treatment that was given to the patient in route and the​ patient's response to that treatment. B. personal information about the patient that is not pertinent to medical care. C. the​ patient's billing and insurance information. D. only new information. It is not necessary to repeat your broadcasted report.

A. treatment that was given to the patient in route and the​ patient's response to that treatment.

The verbal report​ is: A. your chance to convey important information about your patient directly to hospital staff. B. a part of the​ patient's permanent hospital record. C. a guide for continuing education and quality improvement. D. a valuable source for research on trends in emergency care.

A. your chance to convey important information about your patient directly to hospital staff.

Which of the following is typically included in the patient information section of a prehospital care​ report? A. ​Patient's name,​ address, and phone number B. ​Patient's primary and secondary contacts C. Description of​ patient's physical appearance and clothing D. ​Patient's physician's name

A. ​Patient's name,​ address, and phone number

What are all the types of communication an EMT is likely to employ on a typical​ call? A. ​Verbal, nonverbal, written B. Nonverbal and written C. Verbal and nonverbal D. Verbal and written

A. ​Verbal, nonverbal, written

You have just transported a patient to the emergency department at your local hospital. What additional information that is not typically included in the radio report should be shared with the ED​ staff? A. Baseline vital signs B. Additional vital signs that were taken in route C. The chief complaint D. Pertinent medical history

B. Additional vital signs that were taken in route The receiving ED staff should receive an abbreviated version of the radio report along with the​ patient's name, any changes that occurred in​ route, and updated vital signs. The chief​ complaint, pertinent medical​ history, and baseline vital signs are generally included in the radio report.

Which EMS systems should be collecting the minimum data set on all emergency​ runs? A. ​Fire-based EMS systems B. All EMS systems C. Third service public EMS systems D. Private EMS systems

B. All EMS systems To aid in evaluation and research across states and​ regions, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration​ (NHTSA) has developed a data set of more than four hundred elements. There is a standardized definition of what each element means so regions and states can consolidate and compare their data. There is also a minimum data set containing a much smaller number of elements that all prehospital care reports should have nationwide.

Which of the following is typically NOT included in the patient information section of the minimum data​ set? A. Chief complaint B. Breath sounds C. Skin color and temperature D. Respiratory rate and effort

B. Breath sounds The following information is recommended for the patient information for the minimum data​ set: chief​ complaint; level of responsiveness ​(AVPUlong dash—mental ​status); systolic blood pressure for patients greater than three years​ old; skin perfusion​ (capillary refill) for patients younger than six years​ old; skin color and​ temperature; and pulse rate.

Which of the following is the federal agency that assigns and licenses radio​ frequencies? A. DOT B. FCC C. NHTSA D. FAA

B. FCC The Federal Communications Commission​ (FCC) has jurisdiction over all radio operations in the United​ States, including those used by EMS systems. The FCC licenses individual base station​ operations, assigns radio call​ signs, approves equipment for​ use, establishes limitations for transmitter power​ output, assigns radio​ frequencies, and monitors field operations. NHTSA and DOT both help oversee EMS but not in the area of radio communication. The FAA oversees aviation.

When making a radio​ report, which details are​ relevant? A. Only the ETA B. Pertinent facts C. Diagnostic criteria D. Any level of detail

B. Pertinent facts The radio report is specifically structured to present pertinent facts about the patient without telling more detail than necessary. Too much detail ties up the radio frequency and takes up the time of hospital personnel. An EMT​ isn't presenting diagnoses in a radio report and should provide more information than only the estimated time of​ arrival, although that is pertinent information.

When interviewing a​ patient, which of the following is​ recommended? A. Assign the patient a friendly nickname. B. Use the​ patient's proper name. C. Start important statements with​ "Now listen." D. Direct the patient to keep statements brief.

B. Use the​ patient's proper name.

Your patient care report​ is: A. primarily of interest to the receiving emergency department. B. important long after the call. C. of use only in assessing the call itself. D. kept on file for liability reasons only.

B. important long after the call.

When communicating with an elderly​ patient: A. remember that elderly people are all at some stage of​ Alzheimer's disease. B. remember that many elderly people are​ well-oriented and physically able. C. always speak loudly and​ slowly, as elderly people arehearing impaired. D. use names such as​ "Dear" and​ "Honey" to make them feel better.

B. remember that many elderly people are​ well-oriented and physically able.

In the event that a patient refuses care or​ transport, you will have to make notes​ on: A. the​ patient's physical appearance. B. the​ patient's competency. C. the​ patient's probable motivations for refusal. D. whether the patient has committed a crime.

B. the​ patient's competency. In the event that a patient refuses care or​ transport, you will have to make notes on the​ patient's competency and on his ability to make an​ informed, rational decision about his medical needs.

Medical control has asked you to give the patient three nitroglycerin tablets. Which of the following responses to medical control is​ BEST? A. ​"Copy that. Three​ nitros." B. ​"Nitroglycerin sublingual, repeat in five minutes up to​ three, correct?" C. ​"The physician has ordered three nitroglycerine tablets. Roger​ that." D. ​"10dash-4. Will​ do."

B. ​"Nitroglycerin sublingual, repeat in five minutes up to​ three, correct?" The EMT should repeat the order back to the physician. Anything that is unclear or ambiguous should be repeated back for clarification. It is also important to be specific regarding the order and avoid general acknowledgement. This step helps to avoid errors.

When the EMT calls to receive an order from medical direction to assist the patient with his bronchodilator​ treatment, it is important​ to: A. use as many codes as possible because people may be listening. B. ​"echo" or immediately repeat the order back for verification. C. tell the physician what the​ EMT's diagnosis is. D. be sure to say​ "please" and​ "thank you" for the order.

B. ​"echo" or immediately repeat the order back for verification.

Which of the following statements about receiving orders over the radio is​ TRUE? A. If an order appears to be​ inappropriate, call another hospital to confirm. B. If an order appears to be​ inappropriate, contact your dispatcher to report. C. If an order appears to be​ inappropriate, repeat the order to the physician and ask pertinent questions about the order. D. If an order appears to be​ inappropriate, write down every word so that you may defend yourself later if necessary.

C. If an order appears to be​ inappropriate, repeat the order to the physician and ask pertinent questions about the order.

Which of the following is information that is not generally included in the verbal report at the receiving​ hospital? A. Most recent vital signs B. Patient name C. Insurance information D. Additional treatment given in route

C. Insurance information

Which of the following BEST explains why all patient care reports done in the United States are supposed to have the minimum data set​ included? A. It is required for Medicaid and Medicare to provide reimbursement. B. It shortens the overall length of the PCR. C. It allows better research and standardization of EMS care. D. It allows the tracking of information to ensure the elderly population is managed correctly.

C. It allows better research and standardization of EMS care.

After telling the hospital the age and sex of your​ patient, what is the NEXT thing you need to​ report? A. The estimated time of arrival​ (ETA) B. The​ patient's name C. The​ patient's chief complaint D. The​ patient's vital signs

C. The​ patient's chief complaint

To maintain order on the​ airwaves, the​ FCC: A. decrees the use of a​ single, universal radio frequency. B. allows EMS personnel to use any convenient radio frequency. C. assigns and licenses radio frequencies. D. prohibits commercial uses of radio frequencies.

C. assigns and licenses radio frequencies.

When reporting your​ patient's condition to the medical control​ physician, you should use​ terminology: A. that is abbreviated by using standardized medical abbreviations. B. that the patient is familiar with. C. that is accepted by both the medical and emergency services communities. D. with only standard​ "10-10" codes.

C. that is accepted by both the medical and emergency services communities. When reporting your​ patient's condition to the medical direction​ physician, you should use terminology that is widely accepted by both the medical and emergency services communities. Ten codes and abbreviations should generally be avoided.

You arrive at the scene to find a​ 55-year-old female who first stated that she hurts all over but now refuses to talk. Her friend volunteers that the​ patient's husband recently passed away and the patient is becoming increasingly despondent. You would use this information​ to: A. authoritatively direct the patient to answer your questions. B. avoid speaking to the patient. C. watch the​ patient's body language for clues. D. establish depression as the​ patient's chief complaint.

C. watch the​ patient's body language for clues. Although it​ doesn't fully explain the chief​ complaint, the​ patient's body language can provide insight into the situation when the patient is not verbally communicative. You should use this information in a helpful way and avoid resorting to authoritative direction. You should always speak to the client and develop a rapport if possible.

You are speaking to a patient and notice that the patient has folded her arms and is clasping her elbows with her hands. She is not looking at you directly. This indicates to you that MOST​ likely: A. the patient has understood your message. B. the patient is accepting you as a medical authority. C. your communication efforts may not be working. D. you need to tell this patient to sit down.

C. your communication efforts may not be working.

Which of the following should be used instead of​ "yes" over the​ radio? A. Negative B. Copy C. Roger that D. Affirmative

D. Affirmative Use​ "affirmative" for yes and​ "negative" for no.​ "Negative" means​ no, and​ "roger that" and​ "copy" are slang.

Which of the following resides at a fixed​ site, such as a dispatch​ center? A. Mobile radio B. Portable radio C. Cell phone D. Base station

D. Base station

Which of the following would generally lead to poor communication with a patient in the prehospital​ environment? A. Using the​ patient's name throughout the contact. B. Being aware of how your body language may send messages to the patient. C. Speaking​ clearly, slowly, and​ distinctly, using language the patient understands. D. Choosing the most soothing answer to any question.

D. Choosing the most soothing answer to any question. Honesty is important. You will frequently be asked questions that you will not have the answer​ to: "Is my leg​ broken?" "Am I having a heart​ attack?" At other​ times, you will know the answer to the​ question, but it is not​ pleasant: "Will it hurt when you put that splint​ on?" If the answer is​ "Yes," tell the truth. Explain that you will do it as gently as possible to reduce​ pain, but some pain may be experienced. It is much worse to lie to the patient and have him find out that you were not being truthful.

Which of the following is NOT one of the roles of the Federal Communications​ Commission? A. Assigning radio frequencies B. Licensing users C. Overseeing radio communications D. Developing standardized 10 codes

D. Developing standardized 10 codes

Jurisdiction over all EMS radio operations in the United States is held by​ the: A. Federal Emergency Management Agency. B. Department of Health and Human Services. C. Department of Transportation. D. Federal Communications Commission.

D. Federal Communications Commission.

Which type of radio may be carried on the​ EMT's belt? A. Base B. Mobile C. Repeater D. Portable

D. Portable A portable radio is handheld and can be easily carried on the​ EMT's belt. A mobile radio is typically found in an ambulance or other type of vehicle. Base and repeater systems are typically fixed and associated with a location.

Your EMS system covers a large area. For reliable transmission between mobile and portable​ radios, which of the following is​ essential? A. Cell phones B. Digital radios C. Microwave radios D. Repeaters

D. Repeaters Repeaters are used when transmissions must be carried over a long​ distance, as they can be used to extend the range of​ lower-powered radio units

The patient​ hand-off is: A. a​ drop-off form for patient transfers. B. the arrival at the emergency department. C. verified delivery of the​ patient's personal effects. D. a verbal transfer of care report.

D. a verbal transfer of care report. The patient​ hand-off is the oral report you deliver to or receive from other medical professionals when responsibility for patient care is transferred. Remember to always interact with other emergency colleagues with respect and dignity.

When communicating with medical​ direction, you​ must: A. give as much detail as possible. B. match your emotion to the severity of the​ patient's condition. C. speak as quickly as possible. D. be clear and concise.

D. be clear and concise.

When speaking to a child​ patient, try​ to: A. avoid crouching down. B. speak from a position of authority above the patient. C. avoid eye contact until the child knows you better. D. get down to the​ child's level.

D. get down to the​ child's level.

In the emergency prehospital care communications​ system, a mobile​ transmitter/receiver: A. is a portable radio that is useful when you are working at a distance from your vehicle. B. serves as a dispatch and coordination area. C. is a device that receives transmissions and rebroadcasts them at a higher power. D. is a​ vehicle-based radio that comes in a variety of power ranges.

D. is a​ vehicle-based radio that comes in a variety of power ranges.

When speaking during a radio​ transmission, you​ should: A. use slang you know the dispatcher will understand. B. say​ "yes" and​ "no," not​ "affirmative" and​ "negative." C. give a nonstop commentary on everything you do during transport. D. use pronouns such as​ "we" instead of​ "I."

D. use pronouns such as​ "we" instead of​ "I."