CH 5

Question 1

If a patient is reluctant to communicate because he or she feels threatened, the paramedic should:
cross his or her arms and take five steps backward.
maintain a closed posture as this will convey authority.
cautiously approach the patient with palms facing out.
keep his or her hands to the side and move slowly.

Answer 1

cautiously approach the patient with palms facing out.

Question 2

Which of the following questions would be most effective when inquiring about a patient’s chest pain?
“Does the pain radiate to your arm?”
“Can you describe the pain to me?”
“Is the pain sharp or dull?”
“Does the pain feel more like pressure?”

Answer 2

“Can you describe the pain to me?”

Question 3

Ethnocentrism is defined as the:
belief that one’s own culture is superior to others.
standards to which a particular culture is held.
acknowledgment of one’s cultural practices.
study of different cultures and cultural practices.

Answer 3

belief that one’s own culture is superior to others.

Question 4

Statements such as, “Please say more,” or, “Please feel welcome to tell me about that,” are examples of:
facilitation.
reflection.
clarification.
sympathy.

Answer 4

facilitation.

Question 5

When transmitting data over the radio, do not disclose the patient’s:
age and sex.
vital signs.
chief complaint.
date of birth

Answer 5

date of birth

Question 6

The first principle of communicating by radio is:
calmness.
thoroughness.
accuracy.
clarity.

Answer 6

clarity.

Question 7

Sitting a chair next to a patient when conducting your interview promotes:
trust.
professionalism.
empathy.
authority.

Answer 7

trust.

Question 8

Which of the following words can be easily missed in transmission?
Affirmative
Received
Negative
Yes

Answer 8

Yes

Question 9

The combination of two or more signals, which allows the paramedic to talk and transmit an ECG simultaneously on one frequency, is called a:
multiplex system.
trunking system.
simplex system.
half-duplex system.

Answer 9

multiplex system.

Question 10

Which of the following is indicative of a patient who is about to attack you?
Clenched facial muscles
Disorganized speech
Uncontrolled crying
Large physical body size

Answer 10

Clenched facial muscles

Question 11

When relaying medical information to a physician in person, you should:
ensure that another physician or a nurse is present to avoid confusion.
routinely give your report at the patient’s bedside so he or she can hear.
provide a lengthy, detailed report that includes all patient information.
include information that you did not provide during your radio report.

Answer 11

include information that you did not provide during your radio report.

Question 12

If a patient avoids answering a specific question, you should:
redirect him or her to the question to elicit a response.
avoid repeating the question as this may upset the patient.
document that the patient did not answer the question.
conclude that the patient is trying to hide something.

Answer 12

redirect him or her to the question to elicit a response.

Question 13

An elderly man states that he is sad and depressed because his wife recently died of cancer. Which of the following statements from the paramedic demonstrates empathy?
“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know how I would feel in your situation, but I am sure it would be similar.”
“Your wife’s death is very tragic, but perhaps going to the hospital will provide you with some relief.”
“I understand why you are sad, and I am sad for you. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?”
“I’m sorry to hear about your wife, but you should take comfort in the fact that she is in a better place.”

Answer 13

“I’m sorry, sir. I don’t know how I would feel in your situation, but I am sure it would be similar.”

Question 14

Biotelemetry can be defined as:
the ability of more than one public safety agency to share the same radio frequency during a crisis.
a common radio frequency assigned to EMS by the Federal Communications Commission.
the capability to measure vital signs and ECG tracings and transmit them to a distant terminal.
linking two frequencies together so that the paramedic and physician can converse directly.

Answer 14

the capability to measure vital signs and ECG tracings and transmit them to a distant terminal.

Question 15

Which of the following actions demonstrates that the paramedic has his or her emotions under control?
Speaking close to the patient’s ear in a calm voice in an extremely noisy situation
Frequently reassuring a seriously injured patient that everything will be okay
Taking notes while repeating some of the patient’s statements back to him or her
Obtaining the patient’s medical history while administering emergency treatment

Answer 15

Speaking close to the patient’s ear in a calm voice in an extremely noisy situation

Question 16

If the wife of a critically ill man asks you if her husband is going to die, how should you respond?
“The situation appears grim, but you should not lose all hope.”
“He is very sick, but we are doing everything we can to help him.”
“That question is best answered by the physician at the hospital.”
“It is possible, and you should prepare yourself for the worst.”

Answer 16

“He is very sick, but we are doing everything we can to help him.”

Question 17

When touching a patient as a form of reassurance, the paramedic should:
touch the patient on a neutral part of his or her body.
remember that most patients take offense to being touched.
not touch the patient if he or she leans toward the paramedic.
touch the patient in the center of the chest or on the thigh.

Answer 17

touch the patient on a neutral part of his or her body.

Question 18

When attempting to interview a potentially violent patient, you should:
use closed-ended questions to obtain his or her medical history.
avoid eye contact with the patient, as this may agitate him or her.
ensure that you are positioned between the patient and the door.
set “ground rules” regarding what you expect from him or her.

Answer 18

ensure that you are positioned between the patient and the door.

Question 19

If a patient asks for your advice regarding a treatment decision that his or her physician made, you should:
obtain specific information about the physician’s decision.
advise the patient to consult with his or her physician.
give your opinion, but state that you are not a physician.
only give advice if you disagree with the physician.

Answer 19

advise the patient to consult with his or her physician.

Question 20

At minimum, sending the 12-lead ECG of a patient with chest pain to the emergency department physician via telemetry would:
enable the paramedic to begin treatment in the field.
allow the physician to choose the appropriate fibrinolytic.
decrease the time from diagnosis to treatment.
decrease the likelihood of prehospital cardiac arrest.

Answer 20

decrease the time from diagnosis to treatment.

Question 21

If a patient gives you a confusing or disorganized response, try:
diplomatically telling the patient what you think you heard and believe is going on.
redirecting the patient’s attention.
asking the patient to explain what he or she means.
putting the patient’s comments into simpler terms and see if he or she agrees with your summary.

Answer 21

putting the patient’s comments into simpler terms and see if he or she agrees with your summary.

Question 22

Which of the following patient data would typically not be communicated during your radio report to the hospital?
ECG findings
Brief, pertinent history
The patient’s ethnicity
Underlying medical conditions

Answer 22

The patient’s ethnicity

Question 23

The process of formulating the words or ideas to be sent and formatting the information for transmission is called:
encoding.
decoding.
biotelemetry.
interoperability.

Answer 23

encoding.

Question 24

Stereotyping an elderly, very young, or hostile patient during your attempt to communicate with him or her:
is an effective means of communicating.
works against effective communication.
yields relatively accurate information.
is proper under certain circumstances.

Answer 24

works against effective communication.

Question 25

Which of the following is a drawback of using the ten-code system when communicating by radio? They are difficult to hear over the radio. They do not convey accurate information. They disclose too much information. The meaning of the codes vary by jurisdiction

Answer 25

The meaning of the codes vary by jurisdiction.

Question 26

Which of the following statements is an example of providing false reassurance? “Your condition does not appear to be life threatening at the present time, but that could change.” “I can see that you are obviously upset, but I will provide the best care possible to you.” “I don't see any abnormalities on your ECG, but you should be evaluated by a physician.” “I'm sure that you will be fine, but let us take you to the hospital just to be on the safe side.”

Answer 26

“I'm sure that you will be fine, but let us take you to the hospital just to be on the safe side.”

Question 27

When the paramedic encounters a patient who has difficulty communicating, he or she should: suspect that the patient may have a psychiatric condition. enlist the help of a family member or primary caregiver. transport the patient and advise the hospital of the situation. try to use sign language when asking a specific question.

Answer 27

enlist the help of a family member or primary caregiver.

Question 28

A patient states, “I can't catch my breath,” and the paramedic responds, “You say you can't catch your breath, ma'am'?” This is an example of: reflection. interpretation. facilitation. confrontation.

Answer 28

reflection.

Question 29

Cellular telephones are more advantageous than regular two-way radios because cellular telephones: incorporate GPS technology to help rescuers find the patient. can transmit long distances with the use of a mobile antenna. do not utilize computer technology and are less likely to fail. enable laypeople to call 9-1-1 for a minimal service charge.

Answer 29

incorporate GPS technology to help rescuers find the patient.

Question 30

If a patient mentions something in passing or avoids answering a specific question, you should: defer the question and continue with your interview. ask the patient why he or she did not provide an answer. assume that he or she is intentionally hiding something. politely redirect his or her attention to that question.

Answer 30

politely redirect his or her attention to that question.

Question 31

If the EMD suspects that your patient has a life-threatening emergency, the EMD should make you aware of the situation and then: obtain the caller's name and physical address. ask the caller to put the patient on the phone. give prearrival instructions to the caller. dispatch law enforcement to the scene.

Answer 31

give prearrival instructions to the caller.

Question 32

When communicating with older patients, it is important to remember that: older patients are generally poor historians regarding their medical history, and the paramedic should interview a family member or friend instead. the ability to hear and see is typically impaired due to the process of aging, and the paramedic must accommodate these disabilities appropriately. many older patients lose the ability to understand simple terminology, thus requiring the paramedic to frame his or her questions accordingly. their illnesses may be more complex because they may have more than one disease process and may be taking several medications concurrently.

Answer 32

their illnesses may be more complex because they may have more than one disease process and may be taking several medications concurrently.

Question 33

It is important to remember that if a patient is not personally sensitive to modesty because of an impaired mental state: this will not influence your care. the patient's family likely will be. then he or she will not care about your treatment. protecting his or her privacy is of lesser concern.

Answer 33

the patient's family likely will be.

Question 34

Which of the following details are not necessary for the EMD to obtain from the caller? An estimate of the situation's severity The patient's last known oral intake The exact location of the patient The caller's telephone number

Answer 34

The patient's last known oral intake

Question 35

Which of the following questions would be appropriate to ask a patient who has no medical training? “Do you have any endocrine-related illnesses?” “Have you ever experienced a syncopal episode?” “Have you ever had an acute myocardial infarction?” “Do you have any breathing or heart problems?”

Answer 35

“Do you have any breathing or heart problems?”

Question 36

Using the International Radiotelephony Phonetic Alphabet, how should you spell “Wilson”? WHISKEY-INDIA-LIMA-SIERRA-OSCAR-NOVEMBER WILLIAM-IDA-LINCOLN-SAM-OCEAN-NANCY WHISKEY-IDA-LIMA-SAM-OSCAR-NANCY WILLIAM-INDIA-LINCOLN-SIERRA-OCEAN-NOVEMBER

Answer 36

WHISKEY-INDIA-LIMA-SIERRA-OSCAR-NOVEMBER

Question 37

If a parent insists on monitoring your conversation with his or her adolescent son or daughter, you should: suspect that the adolescent has been physically or emotionally abused and confront the parent. communicate the situation to the emergency department physician and document it accurately. refuse the parent's prerogative and move the patient to the ambulance to continue your conversation. explain to the adolescent that he or she is a minor and that you cannot converse without parental presence.

Answer 37

communicate the situation to the emergency department physician and document it accurately.

Question 38

If a patient feels threatened and is reluctant to communicate, cautiously approach the patient and: elevate your voice. use open posturing. use hand gestures. cross your arms.

Answer 38

use open posturing.

Question 39

If the paramedic is unable to defuse a hostile patient's anger, the paramedic should: request law enforcement personnel at the scene. obtain a signed refusal and depart the scene. administer Valium or Haldol for sedation. restrain the patient and transport at once.

Answer 39

request law enforcement personnel at the scene.

Question 40

It would be appropriate to ask a patient a closed-ended question when: you are attempting to establish the quality of a patient's pain. you are trying to obtain medical history information. you are using complex medical terminology. the question requires the patient to think.

Answer 40

you are trying to obtain medical history information.