Chapter 4 - Communication & 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
stations called cells.

Question 3

channel

Answer 3

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

Question 4

chief complaint

Answer 4

The reason a patient called for help; also, the patient’s response to questions such as “What’s
wrong?” or “What happened?”

Question 5

chief concern

Answer 5

The condition requiring the most urgent intervention as determined by the provider’s assessment of the
patient; it is not always the same as the chief complaint.

Question 6

closed-ended questions

Answer 6

Questions that can be answered in short or single-word responses.

Question 7

communication

Answer 7

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

Question 8

cultural imposition

Answer 8

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

Question 9

dedicated line

Answer 9

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

Question 10

documentation

Answer 10

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

Question 11

duplex

Answer 11

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously

Question 12

emotional intelligence

Answer 12

The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and properly respond to the
emotions of others.

Question 13

ethnocentrism

Answer 13

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

Question 14

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Answer 14

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 15

handover

Answer 15

The transfer of pertinent patient information and the responsibility for the patient’s care; often involves the
physical movement of the patient and associated equipment; also known as handoff.

Question 16

health information exchange (HIE)

Answer 16

A system that allows EMS providers to access relevant health data (eg, past
medical problems, medications, allergies, end-of-life decisions), avoid unnecessary duplication of effort in data entry,
and view patient outcomes related to hospital care.

Question 17

interoperable communications system

Answer 17

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

Question 18

MED channels

Answer 18

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

Question 19

mental model

Answer 19

The picture an individual has in his or her head of “what’s going on” in a given situation.

Question 20

mission-critical communications

Answer 20

Any communications where disruption will result in the failure of the mission at hand.

Question 21

mobile data terminal (MDT)

Answer 21

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

Question 22

multiplex

Answer 22

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

Question 23

noise

Answer 23

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

Question 24

open-ended questions

Answer 24

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

Question 25

paging

Answer 25

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

Question 26

patient care report (PCR)

Answer 26

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

Question 27

rapport

Answer 27

A trusting relationship that you build with your patient.

Question 28

repeater

Answer 28

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

Question 29

scanner

Answer 29

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

Question 30

simplex

Answer 30

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

Question 31

standing orders

Answer 31

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 32

telemetry

Answer 32

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

Question 33

therapeutic communication

Answer 33

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

Question 34

trunking

Answer 34

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

Question 35

UHF

Answer 35

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz

Question 36

VHF

Answer 36

Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; this spectrum is further divided into high
and low bands.