Chapter 4 - Communication and Documentation

Question 1

Base station

Answer 1

Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver that is located in a fixed place.

Question 2

Cellular telephone

Answer 2

A low-power portable radio that communicates through an interconnected series of repeater station called “cells.”

Question 3

Channel

Answer 3

And assigned frequency or frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communications.

Question 4

Closed-ended questions

Answer 4

Questions that can be answered and short or single word responses.

Question 5

Communication

Answer 5

The transmission of information to another person – verbally or through body language.

Question 6

Cultural imposition

Answer 6

When one person imposes his or her beliefs, values, and practices on another because he or she believes his her ideals are superior.

Question 7

Dedicated line

Answer 7

A special telephone line that is used for specific point-to-point communications; also known as a hotline.

Question 8

Documentation

Answer 8

The recorded portion of the EMT’s patient interaction, either written or electronic. This becomes part of the patients permanent medical record.

Question 9

Duplex

Answer 9

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously.

Question 10

Ethnocentrism

Answer 10

When a person considers his or her own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture.

Question 11

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Answer 11

The federal agency that has jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone and telegraph services and satellite communications, all of which may involve EMS activity.

Question 12

Interoperable communication system

Answer 12

A communication system that uses voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) technology to allow multiple agencies to communicate and transmit data.

Question 13

MED channels

Answer 13

VHF and UHF channels that the Federal Communications Commission has designated exclusively for EMS use.

Question 14

Mobile data terminal (MDT)

Answer 14

A small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly receives data from the dispatch center.

Question 15

Multiplex

Answer 15

The ability to transmit audio and data signals through the use of more than one communications channel.

Question 16

Noise

Answer 16

Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message.

Question 17

Open-ended questions

Answer 17

Questions for which the patient must provide detail to give an answer.

Question 18

Paging

Answer 18

The use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers (“beepers”) or desktop monitor radios.

Question 19

Patient care report (PCR)

Answer 19

The legal document used to record all patient care activities. This report has direct patient care functions but also administrative and quality control functions. PCRs are known as prehospital care reports.

Question 20

Rapport

Answer 20

A trusting relationship that you build with your patient.

Question 21

Repeater

Answer 21

A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.

Question 22

Scanner

Answer 22

A radio receiver that searches or “scans” across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated.

Question 23

Simplex

Answer 23

Single frequency radio; transmissions can occur in either direction but not simultaneously in both; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is transmitting is unable to receive.

Question 24

Standing orders

Answer 24

Written documents, signed by the EMS system’s medical director, that outline specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care; also called protocols.

Question 25

Telemetry

Answer 25

A process in which electronic signals are converted into coded, audible signal; these signals can then be transmitted by radio or telephone to a receiver with a decoder at the hospital.

Question 26

Therapeutic communication

Answer 26

Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship.

Question 27

Trunking

Answer 27

Telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies.

Question 28

UHF (ultra-high frequency)

Answer 28

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3000 MHz.

Question 29

VHF (very high frequency)

Answer 29

Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; the VHF spectrum is further divided into “high” and “low” bands.