Chapter 2 The well-being of the EMT Flashcards
Key Terms
the introduction of dangerous chemicals, disease, or infectious materials
Contamination
Key Terms
a comprehensive system that includes education and resources to both prevent stress and to deal with stress appropriately when it occurs
Critical incident stress management (CISM)
Key Terms
the removal or cleansing of dangerous chemicals and other dangerous or infectious materials
Decontamination
Key Terms
the release of a harmful substance into the environment
Hazardous material incident
Key Terms
an emergency involving multiple patients
Multiple-casualty incident
Key Terms
the organisms that cause infection, such as viruses and bacteria
Pathogens
Key Terms
equipment that protects the EMS worker from infection and/or exposure to the dangers of rescue operations
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Key Terms
a strict form of infection control that is based on the assumption that all blood and other body fluids are infectious
Standard Precautions
Key Terms
a state of physical and/or psychological arousal to a stimulus
Stress
Short Answer
Name some of the causes of stress for an EMT and explain some ways the EMT can alleviate job-related stress.
Some situations that may cause stress for an EMT include multiple-casualty incidents, injuries to infants and children, severe injuries, abuse and neglect, the death of a coworker, or personal situations unrelated to work.
Short Answer
Differentiate between acute and chronic stress. Give an example of each.
Acute stress happens suddenly, as might be seen after handling a serious pediatric call. Chronic stress develops over time. Weeks or months or years of long shifts and tough calls may eventually take a toll.
Short Answer
What are the stages of grief? How should the EMT deal with these emotions?
The stages of grief are:
- Denial: the patient denies the fact that he is dying
- Anger: the patient becomes angry
- Bargaining: the patient tries to postpone death, even if only briefly
- Depression: the patient is sad or in despair over things left undone
- Acceptance: the patient is ready to die
Understanding what the families and the patients go through can help an EMT deal with the stress they feel as well as his own emotions.
Short Answer
List the types of personal protective equipment used in Standard Precautions. Identify a condition or patient with which each one should be used.
Examples of personal protective equipment include:
- Protective gloves: used with controlled bleeding, suctioning, artificial ventilation, CPR
- Eye protection: used with splashing, spattering, or spraying body fluids
- Masks: used with infections spread by airborne droplets (such as measles)
- Gowns: used with arterial bleeding and childbirth
