Chapter 4: Communications and documentation

Question 1

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

Answer 1

open-ended questions

Question 2

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

Answer 2

documentation

Question 3

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 3

chief concern

Question 4

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

Answer 4

mental model

Question 5

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz.

Answer 5

UHF

Question 6

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 6

handover

Question 7

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

Answer 7

communication

Question 8

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.

Answer 8

health information exchange

Question 9

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

Answer 9

trunking

Question 10

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

Answer 10

closed-ended questions

Question 11

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

Answer 11

paging

Question 12

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

Answer 12

dedicated line

Question 13

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

Answer 13

cellular telephone

Question 14

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

Answer 14

therapeutic communication

Question 15

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

Answer 15

noise

Question 16

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

Answer 16

mobile data terminal

Question 17

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 17

simplex

Question 18

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.

Answer 18

telemetry

Question 19

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

Answer 19

interoperable communications system

Question 20

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

Answer 20

emotional intelligence

Question 21

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

Answer 21

channel

Question 22

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

Answer 22

standing orders

Question 23

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

Answer 23

chief complaint

Question 24

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

Answer 24

repeater

Question 25

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

Answer 25

ethnocentrism

Question 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. PCRs are also known as prehospital care reports.

Answer 26

patient care report

Question 27

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

Answer 27

VHF

Question 28

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

Answer 28

multiplex

Question 29

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

Answer 29

scanner

Question 30

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

Answer 30

mission-critical communications

Question 31

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

Answer 31

base station

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Federal Communications Commission

Question 33

A trusting relationship that you build with your patient.

Answer 33

rapport

Question 34

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

Answer 34

MED channels

Question 35

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

Answer 35

cultural imposition

Question 36

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously.

Answer 36

repeater