Chapter 1-4

Question 1

You respond to a middle school for a 12 year old male patient who has been hit by a car. You get consent to treat the patient from the school principal. What concept allows the principal to speak for the parent?

A. In loco parentis
B. Healthcare proxy
C. Informed consent
D. Res ipsa loquitur

Answer 1

A. In loco parentis

Question 2

Which of the following refers to the care that would be expected to be provided by an EMT with similar training when caring for a patient in a similar situation?

A. Standard of care
B. Professional standards
C. Scope of practice
D. Protocols and standing orders

Answer 2

A. Standard of care

Question 3

Which of the following is not correct when performing log roll?

A. Lean forward from the hips.
B. Keep your back straight.
C. Use your shoulder muscles.
D. Place both feet flat on the ground.

Answer 3

D. Place both feet flat on the ground

Question 4

Urgent moves are required when:

A. Life threats exist but there is time for precautions for spinal injuries.
B. There are no life threats and conditions are stable.
C. rapid transport is necessary
D. An emergency move is not possible

Answer 4

A. Life threats exist but there is time for precautions for spinal injuries.

Question 5

Which of the following devices is best suited for maneuvering a patient through a narrow hallway?

A. Long backboard
B. Basket stretcher
C. Flexible stretcher
D. Wheeled stretcher

Answer 5

C. Flexible stretcher

Question 6

Which of the following best describes a person who speaks up on behalf of the patient and supports his cause?

A. Assistant
B. Advocate
C. Guardian
D. Representative

Answer 6

B. Advocate

Question 7

What mode of transportation most accurately describes the route of spreading hepatitis A?

A. Respiratory droplet
B. Unprotected sex
C. Bloodborne
D. Fecal-oral

Answer 7

D. Fecal-oral

Question 8

Which of the following incidents might the EMT be legally required to report to law enforcement?

A. Your patient has facial and head injuries and states that her husband beat her with a telephone receiver.
B. Your patient is a 12 year old male who fell from his bicycle, breaking his left arm, and tells you his parents are at work.
C. You suspect the wife of a patient you are treating for chest pain has been smoking marijuana.
D. Your patient is an 18 year old college student who has been consuming large amounts of alcohol at a fraternity party.

Answer 8

A. Your patient has facial and head injuries and states that her husband beat her with a telephone receiver.

Question 9

Why is it important for EMTs to participate in quality improvement programs?

A. To ensure adequate personnel are available for emergencies.
B. To identify problems and develop a plan to prevent their recurrence.
C. To ensure that individuals making false calls for EMS are prosecuted
D. To identify problem employees and create a corrective action plan.

Answer 9

B. To identify problems and develop a plan to prevent their recurrence.

Question 10

What is a positive, healthy way to help deal with stress?

A. Regular physical exercise
B. Caffeine to “get up and go”
C. Drinking alcohol to “unwind”
D. Adding workload to a busy regular schedule

Answer 10

A. Regular physical exercise

Question 11

Which of the following statements regarding body mechanics is true?

A. Use your back to lift
B. Use your legs to lift
C. Twist your torso while lifting.
D. Position your feet close together

Answer 11

B. Use your legs to lift

Question 12

Your patient is a 45 year old man who is suffering from chest pain. Upon arrival, the patient is pale, sweaty, and seems short of breath. The patient is angry with his daughter for calling 911 and refuses transport. He says that he had some spicy sausage for breakfast and has indigestion. Which of the following is an appropriate means of getting the patient the care he needs?

A. Try to find out why the patient does not want to go to the hospital
B. Inform the patient that if he does not agree to treatment, you will have to take him against his will because he has a potentially life threatening problem.
C. Ask the patient’s daughter for the number of another family member you can call to convince him to consent to care.
D> Tell the patient that his chest pain is most likely caused by his diet, have him take an antacid and go to bed.

Answer 12

A. Try to find out why the patient does not want to go to the hospital.

Question 13

Sharing information about a patients medical history with your neighbor after you hear a call on a radio scanner would constitute which of the following?

A. Violation of patient privacy
B. Slander
C. Libel
D. Breach of confidentiality

Answer 13

D. Breach of confidentiality

Question 14

You respond to the report of an unconscious female patient. You can acquire important medical information about the patient through which of the following?

A. Medical history identifier
B. Driver’s license
C. Medical identification device
D. On call medical director

Answer 14

C. On call medical director

Question 15

While treating a patient involved in a shooting at the patient’s vacation home, which of the following actions will NOT interfere with the investigation of a crime scene?

A. Using the bathroom
B. Moving the patient
C. Using the patient’s phone
D. Wearing gloves at the scene

Answer 15

D. Wearing gloves at the scene

Question 16

You respond to a bus accident with multiple patients. As you arrive at the scene, you are approached by a local politician who states that his wife has been involved. He tells you that if you will take care of her first, he will ensure that you get the promotion you are up for. This becomes what type of decision for you as an EMT?

A. Financial
B. Legal
C. Medical
D. Ethical

Answer 16

D. Ethical

Question 17

You are treating an unconscious patient who does not have a possibility of a spinal injury and who is breathing adequately. Which of the following is the best position for transporting the patient?

A. Recovery patient
B. Semi-fowler position
C. Fowler position
D. Supine

Answer 17

A. Recovery postition

Question 18

In which of the following situations should an EMT withhold resuscitative measures from a patient in cardiac arrest?

A. Family members request that nothing be done
B. The patient’s caregiver believes the patient would not want resuscitative measures
C. The patient’s caregiver presents a DNR order signed by the patient and his physician
D. The EMT’s religious beliefs permit withholding resuscitation

Answer 18

C. The patient’s caregiver presents a DNR order signed by the patient and his physician

Question 19

When a stretcher with a patient secured to it is elevated, what occurs?

A. The stretcher is more stable and easily pushed
B. The center of gravity is raised and this causes a tip hazard.
C. The patient feels more comfortable being at near normal height
D. The EMT’s lessen the possibility of injury from being bent over the patient.

Answer 19

B. The center of gravity is raised and this causes a tip hazard.

Question 20

Which of the following is a component of patient advocacy?

A. Granting patient wishes and not reporting spousal abuse to the authorities
B. Immobilizing the neck of a patient with a possible spinal injury
C. Building rapport with the patient during transport to the hospital
D. Providing oxygen to a patient that is short of breath

Answer 20

C. Building rapport with the patient during transport to the hospital.

Question 21

You are dispatched to the staging area of a terrorist related chemical exposure. The incident commander asks you to stand by while hazmat personnel bring patients to the cold zone. As an EMT on board an ambulance, what best describes your role?

A. Transport patients to be decontaminated
B. Triage patients to be decontaminated
C. Coordinate hazmat response
D. Transport decontaminated patients to

Answer 21

D. Transport decontaminated patients

Question 22

What best describes the level of EMS training that emphasizes activation of the EMS system and provides immediate care for life threatening problems?

A. Emergency medical responder
B. Emergency medical dispatcher
C. Cardiac care responder
D. EMT

Answer 22

A. Emergency medical responder

Question 23

During the new employee orientation, the training officer meets with the new EMT’s and explains to them the monthly training schedule and the classes they must attend for EMT recertification. One of the new EMT’s asks the training officer why they have to keep taking EMT courses if they already passed the EMT examination. What is the best answer?

A. It looks good to a jury should the service be sued
B. EMS is constantly evolving in response to evidence based research
C. The state requires the training
D. EMT’s forget everything once they pass the EMT exam

Answer 23

B. EMS is constantly evolving in response to evidence based research

Question 24

You are dispatched to a female with altered mental status. Once inside the home, you find a female who appears to have been beaten unconscious. A man, who smells of alcohol, says that she is his wife and that he does not know what happened. “I just found her this way!”. The husband is behaving suspiciously, appears paranoid, and is pacing erratically around the room. What would be the safest course of action?

A. Continue to question the man and begin treating the patient
B. Leave the house and call for law enforcement
C. Have your partner call for help while you stay with the patient
D. Evacuate the patient and begin treatment

Answer 24

B. Leave the house and call for law enforcement

Question 25

Because EMS personnel are often exposed to both acute and chronic stressors, ___________ management may be helpful to cope with on the job experience.

A. Crisis intervention
B. Stress prevention
C. Critical incident stress
D. Chronic stress

Answer 25

C. Critical incident stress

Question 26

Which of the following information may be important to law enforcement officers investigating a crime scene?

A. Your experience as an EMT
B. How you gained access to the scene
C. Your opinion of what happened before you arrived on scene
D. What route you took when responding to the scene

Answer 26

B. How you gained access to the scene

Question 27

You are treating an elderly male patient in the back of your ambulance. En route, the patient becomes unresponsive. Upon arrival, the ED nurse asks you several questions about his condition. What should you do?

A. You should not disclose the information to the nurse because it is protected confidential information, and the patient did not sign a release authorizing you to discuss his condition.
B. You should disclose the information, as it is not protected by law.
C. You should not disclose the information because HIPAA laws only allow you to provide the information to the emergency department physician
D. You should answer her questions because you may legally share the patient’s medical condition with other pertinent health care providers.

Answer 27

D. You should answer her questions because you may legally share the patient’s medical condition with other pertinent health care providers.

Question 28

Which of the following is used to immobilize a patient with a suspected spinal injury?

A. Long backboard
B. Portable stretcher
C. Basket stretcher
D. Scoop stretcher

Answer 28

A. Long backboard

Question 29

You observe a coworker telling a terminal cancer patient and her family, “Everything will be okay.” Making false reassurance is considered:

A. Ambiguous and uncertain
B. Caring and supportive
C. Professional and discreet
D. Naive and uncompassionate

Answer 29

D. Naive and uncompassionate

Question 30

Which of the following is the most common gateway for hospital services for patients who need emergency medical assistance?

A. Emergency medical dispatch center
B. Emergency medical services system
C. Surgical services department
D. Emergency department

Answer 30

D. Emergency department

Question 31

How far apart should your hands be when using a power grip?

A. 10 inches
B. 6 inches
C. 24 inches
D. 15 inches

Answer 31

A. 10 inches

Question 32

You are on the scene of an “unknown medical” call. The patient is a 26 year old, 250n pound male patient who suddenly becomes violently angry. Everything you say to the patient only makes him angrier. Offended by your questions, he screams that he is going to “cut your tongue out” and hurries into the kitchen. What should you do?

A. Radio for police and then calmly walk out of the house, being sure to take all of your medical equipment.
B. radio for police and relay to dispatch important scene information until they arrive.
C. Leave immediately to a safe area and then call for police assistance.
D. Tackle the patient before he can get a kitchen knife to stab you.

Answer 32

C. Leave immediately to a safe area and then call for police assistance.

Question 33

For a patient without a possibility of spinal injury, Which of he following carries should be used to move him from a bed to stretcher?

A. Direct ground lift
B. Extremity lift
C. Draw-sheet method
D. Firefighter’s carry

Answer 33

C. Draw-sheet method

Question 34

What level of emergency medical training provides the most advanced pre-hospital care?

A. Paramedic
B. Advanced EMT
C. Emergency medical responder
D. Emergency medical technician

Answer 34

A. Paramedic

Question 35

If the EMT is in doubt as to whether a patient in cardiac arrest should be resuscitated, which of the following is the best decision?

A. Withhold resuscitative measures
B. Consult with a patient’s physician
C. Begin resuscitative measures.
D. Have the patient’s family put their wishes in writing.

Answer 35

C. Begin resuscitative measures.

Question 36

You are moving an elderly patient down the stairs using a stair chair. The patient is alert and very anxious. What should you do prior to moving the patient to prevent her from grabbing the railing and causing you to fall?

A. Gently tie the patient’s hands together until you are downstairs to prevent her from unconsciously grabbing the railing.
B. Use a strap to safely secure the patient’s arms to the chair without causing any loss of circulation to the patient’s extremities.
C. Explain to the patient what you are doing and advise her to hold her hands together and not let go until you are finished moving her,
D. Place the patient on oxygen during the move to calm her down.

Answer 36

C. Explain to the patient what you are doing and advise her to hold her hands together and not let go until you are finished moving her.

Question 37

The CDC recommends using an alcohol based hand sanitizer in all except which of the following situation(s)?

A. The provider’s hands come into contact with fecal matter.
B. The patient has a bloodborne communicable disease.
C. The patient has a respiratory illness.
D. The provider is not vaccinated against hepatitis B.

Answer 37

A. The provider’s hands come into contact with fecal matter.

Question 38

Which of the following best describes training that supplements the EMT’s original training and that is usually taken in regular intervals?

A. EMT training program
B. Recertification
C. Distance education
D. Continuing education

Answer 38

D. Continuing education

Question 39

Which of the following has specific requirements for storing, accessing, and sharing patient information?

A. HIAPA
B. HIPAA
C. DNR
D. POLST

Answer 39

B. HIPAA

Question 40

You have just worked a cardiac arrest call on a 48 year old father of three. Despite you best efforts the patient died in the emergency department. As you are getting your ambulance in service, the patient’s wife rushes out of the emergency department. She finds you and begins screaming at you that her husband’s death is your fault. She blames you for not getting on the scene fast enough, taking too long at the house, and not shocking her husband back to life like she has seen on television. What response should you have to her anger?

A. Correct her misconceptions and remind her that television shows are fiction, so she will not sue you in the future.
B. Recognize that she is in denial stage of grief and interrupt her hysterical behavior pattern by getting her attention and helping her calm down.
C. Reassure her that you did everything you could and that everything will be okay.
D. Listen empathetically to all of her complaints and let her know she can contact you for any additional assistance.

Answer 40

D. Listen empathetically to all of her complaints and let her know she can contact you for any additional assistance.

Question 41

Which of the following is the form of stress that can cause immediate and long term problems with and EMT’s health and well being?

A. Eustress
B. Distress
C. Megastress
D. Hypertropy

Answer 41

B. Distress

Question 42

Which of the following pathogens can live in dried blood for days and should be a major concern for EMS providers even while cleaning contaminated equipment?

A. AIDS
B. Tuberculosis
C. Hepatitis A
D. Hepatitis B

Answer 42

D. Hepatitis B

Question 43

When responding to the scene of a patient who was discovered to be unresponsive, not breathing, and without a pulse, family members state that the patient has been suffering from cancer for several years. One of his sons is cursing at you and your partner, saying that you are not moving fast enough. Which stage of grief is the patient’s son experiencing in response to his father’s death?

A. Depression
B. Denial
C. Anger
D. Acceptance

Answer 43

C. Anger

Question 44

Two EMT’s respond to the scene of syncopal episode. They evaluate a 50 year old male patient who passed out and cut his upper lip. The EMT’s examine the patient and his vital signs are normal. The EMT’s talk the patient out of an expensive ambulance ride and suggest he will save money by driving himself to the urgent care clinic for stitches for his lip rather then waiting all night in the emergency department as a nonemergency patient. The patient signs the EMS refusal form. The patient decides to see his own doctor the next morning but dies at his house from sudden cardiac arrest an hour later. Which of the following statements is true?

A. The EMT’s are not negligent because the patient signed the refusal form.
B. The EMT’s are negligent because the patient died.
C. The EMT’s are negligent because there was proximate causation.
D. The EMT’s are not negligent because the EMT’s have no control over the patient’s medical condition.

Answer 44

C. The EMT’s are negligent because there was proximate causation.

Question 45

You are treating a patient who has a productive cough and who reports weight loss, loss of appetite, weakness, night sweats, and fever. Which of the following diseases is most likely the cause of these signs and symptoms?

A. Pneumonia
B. Hepatitis B
C. Tuberculosis
D. AIDS

Answer 45

C. Tuberculosis

Question 46

You are providing care to a 54 year old male patient complaining of chest pain. The patient asks to speak to you privately. He tells you he is taking Cialis for erectile dysfunction and his wife does not know he is taking it. He does not want his wife to find out. AS you are putting the EMS bags back in the ambulance, the wife corners you and insists that you tell her what her husband said. What should you do?

A. You should tell her. He may be having an affair without her knowledge, and she needs to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.
B. You should not tell her. There is no reason to humiliate your patient by disclosing his embarrassing condition.
C. You should tell her. As his spouse, she i legally entitled to know his medical information.
D. You should not tell her. By law, your conversation with your patient is confidential.

Answer 46

D. You should not tell her. By law, your conversation with you patient is confidential.

Question 47

What best defines the evaluation of the patient’s condition in order to provide emergency care?

A. Patient assessment
B. Medical intervention
C. Patient access
D. Patient advocacy

Answer 47

A. Patient assessment

Question 48

What is not the priority of an EMT at the scene of a hazardous materials incident?

A. Safety of bystanders
B. Identification of hazardous materials
C. Patient care
D. Personal safety

Answer 48

B. Identification of hazardous materials

Question 49

What is not one of the common settings that an EMT may work in?

A. Fire departments
B. Rural/wilderness settings
C. Ambulance services
D. Hospitals

Answer 49

D. Hospitals

Question 50

Which of the following behaviors would be considered a common sign of stress rather than an acute psychological problem?

A. Flashbacks, nightmares, and feelings of detachment
B. Increased speeding and reckless driving
C. Irritability with friends, family, and coworkers
D. Failure to use PPE appropriately on a regular basis

Answer 50

C. Irritability with friends, family, and coworkers