Chapter 1: EMS Systems

Question 1

An individual who has training in specific aspects of advanced life support, such as intravenous therapy, and the administration of certain emergency medications.

Answer 1

advanced EMT (AEMT)

Question 2

Advanced lifesaving procedures, some of which are now being provided by the EMT

Answer 2

advanced life support (ALS)

Question 3

Comprehensive legislation that is designed to protect individuals with disabilities against discrimination

Answer 3

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Question 4

A device that detects treatable life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia) and delivers the appropriate electrical shock to the patient

Answer 4

automated external defibrillator (AED)

Question 5

A process in which a person, an institution, or a program is evaluated and recognized as meeting certain predetermined standards to provide safe and ethical care

Answer 5

certification

Question 6

A system of internal and external reviews and audits of all aspects of an EMS system

Answer 6

continuous quality improvement (CQI)

Question 7

A system that assists dispatchers in selecting appropriate units to respond to a particular call for assistance and in providing callers with vital instructions until the arrival of EMS crews

Answer 7

emergency medical dispatch (EMD)

Question 8

The first trained individual, such as a police officer, fire fighter, lifeguard, or other rescuer, to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide initial medical assistance

Answer 8

emergency medical responder (EMR)

Question 9

A multidisciplinary system that represents the combined efforts of several professionals and agencies to provide prehospital emergency care to the sick and injured

Answer 9

emergency medical services (EMS)

Question 10

An individual who has training in basic life support, including automated external defibrillation, use of a definitive airway adjunct, and assisting patients with certain medications

Answer 10

emergency medical technician (EMT)

Question 11

Federal legislation passed in 1996. Its main effect in EMS is limiting availability of patients’ health care information and penalizing violations of patient privacy

Answer 11

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)

Question 12

The delivery of medication directly into a vein

Answer 12

intravenous (IV) therapy

Question 13

The process whereby a state allows individuals to perform a regulated act

Answer 13

licensure

Question 14

Physician instructions that are given directly by radio or cell phone (online/direct) or indirectly by protocol/guidelines (offline/indirect), as authorized by the medical director of the service program

Answer 14

medical control

Question 15

The physician who authorizes or delegates to the EMT the authority to provide medical care in the field

Answer 15

medical director

Question 16

A document created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that outlines the skills performed by various EMS providers

Answer 16

National EMS Scope of Practice Model

Question 17

An individual who has extensive training in advanced life support, including endotracheal intubation, emergency pharmacology, cardiac monitoring, and other advanced assessment and treatment skills

Answer 17

paramedic

Question 18

Efforts to prevent an injury or illness from ever occurring

Answer 18

primary prevention

Question 19

The designated area in which the EMS service is responsible for the provision of prehospital emergency care and transportation to the hospital

Answer 19

primary service area (PSA)

Question 20

Focused on examining the health needs of entire populations with the goal of preventing health problems

Answer 20

public health

Question 21

A call center, staffed by trained personnel who are responsible for managing requests for police, fire fighting, and ambulance services.

Answer 21

public safety access point

Question 22

The responsibility of the medical director to ensure that the appropriate medical care standards are met by EMTs on each call

Answer 22

quality control

Question 23

Efforts to limit the effects of an injury or illness that you cannot completely prevent

Answer 23

secondary prevention