7 exam Flashcards
1
Q
What injuries are common in a frontal collision?
A
Head, chest, and internal organ injuries.
2
Q
What type of injury is often seen in rear-end collisions?
A
Neck injuries (whiplash).
3
Q
What injuries are associated with a side-impact (T-bone) collision?
A
Injuries to the side of the body, head, chest, and pelvis.
4
Q
What determines injury severity in rollover collisions?
A
Seatbelt use and the number of vehicle rolls.
5
Q
What kind of injuries result from rotational impacts?
A
A combination of different injury types due to spinning.
6
Q
What are the components of the Scene Size-up?
A
Scene safety, MOI/NOI, number of patients, PPE, additional help.
7
Q
What is included in the Primary Assessment?
A
General impression, responsiveness, ABCs, determine priority.
8
Q
What does SAMPLE stand for in History Taking?
A
Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events leading up.
9
Q
What is the focus of the Secondary Assessment?
A
Full body or focused exam and vital signs.
10
Q
How often should Reassessment be done?
A
Every 5–15 minutes depending on patient stability.
11
Q
How do you treat heat emergencies?
A
Move to a cool place, cool the body, hydrate if alert.
12
Q
What is the treatment for cold exposure?
A
Remove wet clothes, warm the patient slowly, prevent further heat loss.
13
Q
How do you treat a drowning victim?
A
Safe rescue, support airway/breathing, give CPR if needed.
14
Q
What are the steps for treating bites or stings?
A
Remove the source, clean the wound, monitor for allergic reaction.
15
Q
How should a stinger be removed?
A
Scrape off sideways with a card; don’t squeeze it.
16
Q
How do you treat jellyfish tentacles?
A
Rinse with vinegar or saltwater, remove tentacles with gloves.
17
Q
What is the correct way to remove a tick?
A
Use tweezers close to the skin, pull straight out slowly.
18
Q
What is the general treatment after removal of a stinger/tentacle/tick?
A
Clean the wound, monitor for infection or allergic reaction, seek medical help if needed.
19
Q
What does arterial bleeding look like, and how is it treated?
A
Bright red, spurting; treat with direct pressure and a tourniquet if needed.
20
Q
What are the signs of venous bleeding, and how is it treated?
A
Dark red, steady flow; treat with direct pressure and bandaging.
21
Q
What does capillary bleeding look like, and how do you treat it?
A
Oozing blood; clean, apply pressure, cover.
22
Q
What PPE is required for all bleeding types?
A
Gloves at a minimum.
23
Q
What additional PPE is recommended for arterial or venous bleeding?
A
Gloves, eye protection, and possibly a gown.
24
Q
What PPE is usually sufficient for capillary bleeding?
A
Gloves.
25
What is the first collision in a motor vehicle crash (MVC)?
The vehicle collides with an object.
26
What is the second collision in an MVC?
The person's body hits the inside of the vehicle (e.g., steering wheel).
27
What is the third collision in an MVC?
Internal organs collide with the inside of the body, causing internal injuries.
28
What is a contusion?
A bruise caused by broken capillaries under the skin.
29
How do you treat a contusion?
RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
30
What is a hematoma?
A collection of blood under the skin or in tissues.
31
How is a hematoma treated?
RICE, monitor for worsening, and drainage if severe.
32
What is a dressing used for?
A sterile covering placed over a wound to control bleeding and prevent infection.
33
How is a dressing applied?
Apply directly to the wound.
34
What is a bandage?
Material used to secure a dressing or support an injury.
35
How is a bandage used?
Wrap around the dressing or injury site.
36
What is commotio cordis?
Sudden cardiac arrest from blunt chest trauma (often during sports).
37
What is the treatment for commotio cordis?
Immediate CPR and AED use.
38
What is melena?
Black, tarry stool from upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
39
How is melena treated in the field?
Monitor for shock and transport immediately.
40
What is compartment syndrome?
Swelling in a confined space that cuts off circulation.
41
What is the treatment for compartment syndrome?
Rapid transport; may need surgical fasciotomy.
42
What is hemophilia?
A genetic disorder where the blood doesn't clot properly.
43
How do you treat a patient with hemophilia?
Avoid trauma, control bleeding with pressure, transport, and possibly administer clotting factors.
44
What is sickle cell anemia?
A condition where red blood cells are misshapen, causing blockages and pain.
45
How is a sickle cell crisis treated?
Oxygen, pain management, hydration, and transport.
46
What is flail chest?
Multiple broken ribs causing paradoxical chest movement.
47
What is the treatment for flail chest?
Stabilize with bulky dressing, oxygen, assist breathing, rapid transport.
48
What is a hemothorax?
Blood in the pleural space compressing the lung.
49
How do you treat a hemothorax?
Oxygen, support breathing, treat for shock, transport.
50
What is a pneumothorax?
Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.
51
How do you treat a pneumothorax?
Oxygen, seal open chest wounds with an occlusive dressing, support breathing, transport.
52
What is an epidural hemorrhage?
Arterial bleeding between the skull and dura mater with rapid onset.
53
How is an epidural hemorrhage treated?
Monitor airway, provide oxygen, and rapid transport.
54
What is a subdural hemorrhage?
Venous bleeding between the dura and brain with slower symptom onset.
55
How is a subdural hemorrhage treated?
Provide oxygen, monitor vital signs, and transport rapidly.
56
What are the signs of Beck’s Triad?
Jugular vein distention (JVD), muffled heart sounds, and hypotension.
57
How is cardiac tamponade treated in the field?
Oxygen, monitor for shock, rapid transport.
58
What are the signs of Cushing’s Reflex?
Hypertension, bradycardia, and irregular respirations.
59
What is the field treatment for increased intracranial pressure (ICP)?
Monitor airway and breathing, elevate head if allowed, rapid transport.
60
What is a concussion?
A mild traumatic brain injury with temporary loss of brain function.
61
How should a concussion be managed?
Monitor mental status and ABCs; transport if symptoms worsen.
62
What are the signs of a snake bite?
Puncture wounds, swelling, and pain.
63
How do you treat a snake bite?
Keep the patient calm and still, immobilize the limb below the heart, transport. **Do not** apply ice or a tourniquet.
64
What diseases can tick bites transmit?
Lyme disease and other tick-borne illnesses.
65
How should a tick bite be treated?
Remove with tweezers, clean the area, monitor for fever/rash, and seek medical care.
66
What are the signs of moderate to severe hypothermia?
Shivering stops, altered mental status.
67
How is moderate-severe hypothermia treated?
Remove wet clothing, insulate the patient, warm gradually, and transport immediately.
68
What are the signs of heat stroke?
No sweating, hot skin, altered level of consciousness.
69
What is the treatment for heat stroke?
Rapid cooling (ice packs in groin, armpits, neck), oxygen, transport.
70
What causes heat cramps?
Painful muscle spasms from electrolyte loss.
71
How are heat cramps treated?
Rest, cooling, and electrolyte hydration.
72
What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?
Heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea.
73
How is heat exhaustion treated?
Move to a cool environment, provide fluids if alert, oxygen, and transport if no improvement.
74
What are signs of a snake bite?
Puncture wounds, swelling, and pain.
75
How should a snake bite be treated in the field?
Keep the patient calm and still, immobilize the limb below the heart, transport. **Do not** use ice or a tourniquet.
76
What is a major concern with tick bites?
They can transmit diseases like Lyme disease.
77
What is the treatment for a tick bite?
Remove with tweezers, clean the area, monitor for fever or rash, and seek medical care.
78
What are signs of moderate to severe hypothermia?
Shivering stops and altered mental status.
79
How should moderate to severe hypothermia be treated?
Remove wet clothes, insulate the patient, warm gradually, and transport ASAP.
80
What are the signs of heat stroke?
No sweating, hot skin, and altered level of consciousness (LOC).
81
How do you treat heat stroke?
Rapid cooling (ice packs to groin, armpits, and neck), give oxygen, and transport.
82
What causes heat cramps?
Electrolyte loss causing painful muscle spasms.
83
What is the treatment for heat cramps?
Rest, cool down, and hydrate with electrolytes.
84
What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion?
Heavy sweating, weakness, and nausea.
85
How is heat exhaustion treated?
Move to a cool environment, provide fluids if the patient is alert, administer oxygen, and transport if symptoms don’t improve.
86
What can cause scuba diving accidents?
Rapid ascent, breath-holding during ascent, diving too deep, or staying too long at depth.
87
What are two common problems from scuba diving accidents?
Air embolism and decompression sickness ('the bends').
88
How do you treat scuba diving accidents?
Maintain airway and breathing, give high-flow oxygen, position patient on their left side if possible, and rapidly transport to a facility with a hyperbaric chamber.
89
What are the signs of compensated shock?
Fast heart rate, pale and cool skin — the body is still maintaining perfusion.
90
How is compensated shock treated?
Control bleeding, provide oxygen, keep the patient warm, and transport.
91
What are the signs of decompensated shock?
Low blood pressure and altered mental status — the body can no longer maintain blood flow.
92
How is decompensated shock treated?
Same as compensated shock but requires more urgent intervention and rapid transport.
93
What is irreversible shock?
Shock where damage is too severe and death is likely despite treatment.
94
What is the Rule of Nines used for?
To estimate the percentage of body surface area burned.
95
What is the Rule of Nines breakdown in adults?
Head: 9%
Each arm: 9%
Each leg: 18%
Front of torso: 18%
Back of torso: 18%
96
What does PSAG stand for?
Pneumatic Anti-Shock Garment.
97
What are the indications for PSAG use?
Severe pelvic fractures, lower body bleeding, and shock with low blood pressure.
98
What are the contraindications for PSAG?
Chest injuries, pregnancy, heart failure, and penetrating abdominal trauma.
99
What is the first step in airway management for trauma patients?
Manually stabilize the cervical spine.
100
How should you open the airway in trauma patients?
Use the jaw-thrust maneuver (not head-tilt-chin-lift).
101
What follows airway opening in trauma?
Suction as needed, insert airway adjuncts (OPA/NPA) if needed, and provide oxygen.
102
What is a sucking chest wound?
An open wound in the chest that allows air to enter the chest cavity.
103
How is a sucking chest wound treated?
Apply an occlusive dressing taped on three sides, give oxygen, monitor for tension pneumothorax, and transport rapidly.
104
When should you remove a helmet from a trauma patient?
If the airway can't be managed, it's too loose, or it prevents spinal immobilization.
105
What should you do if the helmet stays on?
Remove face shield, stabilize head in neutral position, and pad under shoulders if needed.
106
What must always be done with helmeted trauma patients?
Assess for spinal injury and maintain manual spinal stabilization.
107
What is the first priority when responding to electrocution or lightning strike?
Ensure scene safety – do not approach until electricity is off.
108
What is a common effect of a lightning strike?
Cardiac or respiratory arrest — begin CPR immediately if pulseless or apneic.
109
What injuries are common with electrocution?
Burns (entry/exit wounds), internal injuries, and possible spinal trauma.
110
How do you treat an electrocution patient?
Support ABCs, give high-flow oxygen, treat burns, monitor for arrhythmias, take spinal precautions, and transport rapidly.
111
Where is cardiac muscle found and what does it do?
Found only in the heart; it is involuntary and pumps blood throughout the body.
112
Where is smooth muscle found and what is its function?
Lines organs like intestines and blood vessels; it is involuntary and controls digestion and blood flow.
113
What is skeletal muscle and its function?
Attached to bones, voluntary, and responsible for movement and posture.
114
What are nematocysts?
Microscopic stinging cells found on jellyfish and similar creatures.
115
How do you treat jellyfish stings?
Rinse with vinegar (not fresh water), remove tentacles carefully with gloves or tweezers, soak in hot (not scalding) water, and monitor for allergic reactions.
116
What are general treatment principles for external genital injuries?
Use clean, moist, sterile dressings, control bleeding with gentle pressure, and preserve avulsed tissue in sterile saline-moistened dressing for transport.
117
What is important to remember in female genital injuries?
Never pack the vagina and monitor for internal bleeding or signs of sexual assault.
118
How are male genital injuries treated?
Apply cold pack and elevate the scrotum if swollen.
119
What are the five methods of heat loss?
1. **Conduction** – Direct contact with cold surfaces.
2. **Convection** – Wind or water moving heat away.
3. **Evaporation** – Sweating and moisture evaporating.
4. **Radiation** – Emitting heat into the air.
5. **Respiration** – Exhaling warm air.
120
How does the body gain heat?
Through metabolism, shivering (muscle activity), environmental heat (sun, fire), and insulating clothing.
121
What is the last body part secured when using a long backboard?
The head — after securing the torso and limbs to avoid movement and neck twisting.
122
Why can excessive splinting be dangerous?
It delays transport in critical patients; life threats take priority, and splinting can often be done en route unless needed to control bleeding or allow safe movement.
123
When is rapid extraction used?
Scene is unsafe (e.g., fire, traffic).
- Patient has life-threatening condition needing immediate care.
- Patient blocks access to another critical patient.
124
When is a rapid trauma assessment performed?
Significant mechanism of injury (MOI).
- Unresponsive or multi-system trauma patient.
125
What is the order of rapid trauma assessment?
1. Head
2. Neck (apply C-collar)
3. Chest
4. Abdomen
5. Pelvis
6. Legs
7. Arms
8. Back (log-roll if needed)
126
When do you use a dry sterile dressing?
For most external wounds and to control bleeding (e.g., lacerations, abrasions).
127
When is an occlusive dressing used?
Sucking chest wounds
- Neck wounds
- Abdominal eviscerations
(Tape on 3 sides for chest to create flutter valve)
128
When is a moist sterile dressing used?
For abdominal eviscerations to keep exposed organs moist and protected.
129
What is the general care for eye injuries?
Do not apply pressure.
- Cover both eyes.
- Use a rigid shield or sterile dressing without pressure.
- Keep the patient calm and upright if possible.
130
How do you treat an impaled object in the eye?
Stabilize with bulky dressing or cup, cover both eyes, transport carefully.
131
When should you remove a diving patient from water?
When it’s safe.
- If the patient is breathing.
- Use spinal precautions if neck/back injury is suspected.
132
When should you *not* remove a diving patient from water?
If it’s unsafe or may cause more harm—wait for trained water rescue.
133
What is the treatment for diving-related injuries?
Assume C-spine injury.
- Maintain spinal alignment.
- Provide high-flow oxygen.
- Transport rapidly.
- Watch for decompression sickness or air embolism.
134
What is pericardial tamponade?
Fluid or blood fills the pericardial sac, compressing the heart and preventing effective pumping.
135
What are the signs and symptoms of pericardial tamponade?
- **Beck’s Triad:**
- Jugular vein distension (JVD)
- Muffled heart sounds
- Narrowing pulse pressure/hypotension
136
What is the treatment for pericardial tamponade?
- High-flow oxygen
- Treat for shock
- Rapid transport
- Definitive treatment is pericardiocentesis (done in the hospital).
137
What is a simple pneumothorax and its treatment?
- **Simple Pneumothorax:** Air enters the pleural space, collapsing the lung (usually from blunt trauma or spontaneous).
- **Signs:** Chest pain, shortness of breath, decreased breath sounds on one side.
- **Treatment:** Oxygen, monitor, transport.
138
What is a tension pneumothorax and its treatment?
- **Tension Pneumothorax:** Air enters but cannot escape, causing pressure build-up and compressing the heart and lungs.
- **Signs:** Severe respiratory distress, tracheal deviation (late sign), JVD, hypotension, absent breath sounds on one side.
- **Treatment:** High-flow oxygen, needle decompression by ALS, rapid transport.
139
When should you use a traction splint?
- Isolated, closed mid-shaft femur fractures (one femur only).
- No injury to pelvis, hip, knee, or lower leg.
140
When should you *not* use a traction splint?
- Open femur fracture.
- Pelvic fracture.
- Hip, knee, or ankle injury on the same leg.
- Amputation or partial amputation.
141
What are the divisions of the spine and their vertebrae count?
- **Cervical:** 7 vertebrae (C1–C7)
- **Thoracic:** 12 vertebrae (T1–T12)
- **Lumbar:** 5 vertebrae (L1–L5)
- **Sacral:** 5 fused vertebrae
- **Coccygeal:** 4 fused vertebrae (tailbone)
- **Total:** 33 vertebrae
142
What is epistaxis?
Bleeding from the nose. Can be anterior (more common) or posterior (more serious).
143
What is the treatment for epistaxis?
- Have patient sit up and lean forward (not back).
- Pinch nostrils for at least 10–15 minutes.
- Apply ice over the nose.
- If bleeding continues or is heavy, transport to the hospital.
