Chapter 4-Communications and Documentation

Question 1

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

Answer 1

patient care report

Question 2

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

Answer 2

mobile data terminal

Question 3

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

Answer 3

cultural imposition

Question 4

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

Answer 4

dedicated line

Question 5

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

Answer 5

communication

Question 6

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

Answer 6

mission-critical communications

Question 7

Telecommunication sister that allows a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies.

Answer 7

trunking

Question 8

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

Answer 8

repeater

Question 9

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

Answer 9

base station

Question 10

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

Answer 10

ethnocentrism

Question 11

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

Answer 11

scanner

Question 12

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

Answer 12

standing orders

Question 13

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously.

Answer 13

duplex

Question 14

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

Answer 14

interoperable communications system

Question 15

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

Answer 15

emotional intelligence

Question 16

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 decider at the hospital.

Answer 16

telemetry

Question 17

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.

Answer 17

chief concern

Question 18

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

Answer 18

therapeutic communication

Question 19

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

Answer 19

multiplex

Question 20

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz

Answer 20

UHF

Question 21

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

Answer 21

mental model

Question 22

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

Answer 22

VHF

Question 23

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

Answer 23

open-ended questions

Question 24

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

Answer 24

Federal Communications Commission

Question 25

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

Answer 25

cellular telephone

Question 26

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.

Answer 26

handover

Question 27

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

Answer 27

documentation

Question 28

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

Answer 28

chief complaint

Question 29

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

Answer 29

channel

Question 30

A system that allows EMS providers to access relevant health days (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.

Answer 30

health information exchange

Question 31

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

Answer 31

noise

Question 32

A trusting relationship that build with your patient.

Answer 32

rapport

Question 33

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.

Answer 33

simplex

Question 34

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

Answer 34

paging

Question 35

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

Answer 35

MED channels

Question 36

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

Answer 36

closed-ended questions