Exam 1: EMS Operations Flashcards by Valerie Solinap

What is certification?

an exam used to ensure all healthcare providers have at least the same basic level of knowledge and skill

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What is licensure?

a process by which states ensure an applicant competency in an examination setting

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What is certification reciprocity?

transfer certification from one state to another

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Define clinical care?

describes the various pieces of equipment and the scope of practice for using that equipment

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What is medical direction?

given by a medical director who defines the EMT’s scope of practice | acts as a liasion between EMS and medical community

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What are the 2 ways EMTs obtain medical direction?

online and offline

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What is an offline method of obtaining medical direction?

via protocols and standing orders

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Define protocol.

comprehensive guide outlining EMT’s scope of practice

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Define standing orders.

parts of a protocol that designate the required actions EMTs must take for a specific complaint/condition

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What is an online method of obtaining medical direction?

contacting medical control over phone or radio

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What does in the integration of health services mean?

the care EMTs provide should be continued at the ED

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What are the 4 national levels of EMS training?

EMR, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate (AEMT), and paramedic

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What are the 4 common types of BSI/PPE?

gloves, mask, eye protection and a gown

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List some medical conditions or pathogens which would make an EMT don a mask.

tuberculosis | COVID-19 | airborne droplets

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List some conditions which would make the EMT where a face shield?

Vomiting, blood splatters, COVID-19

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How much particulates does an N95 mask filter?

95%

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Describe proper hand-washing techniques.

wash hands with soap and warm water for about 20 seconds, make sure to get under the fingernails, between fingers and back of the hand

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List the steps in preparing for your shift.

Clock in, check ambulance outside in.

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Describe your responsibilities as an EMT.

Protect patient and deliver high-quality emergency medical care

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Describe the safe driving habits while responding in an ambulance with lights and sirens?

no speeding | patients restained with shoulder restraints | wear your seatbelt and remain seated as much as possible | learn how ambulance accelerates, turns, sways and stoops

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Explain the process of approaching a school bus in an ambulance with lights and sirens.

Let the school bus pass | turn off lights and sirens

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When do ambulances do not have the right of way?

train tracks | blocked intersections with no way to oppose | school buses with lights activated | pedestrians

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Describe the type of patient who would benefit from helicopter transport.

critical patients | away from hospital | need prolonged extrication (ie: trapped at a mountain) | limb replantation (time sensitive) | hyperbaric chamber

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3 techniques to improve radio communication.

short, simple language, no codes

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Components of scene size up

PENMAN

List the 4 resources an EMT has to help identify an unknown hazardous material.

placards, fixed facilities, ERG guidebook, NFPA 704 system

What is consent?

permission to treat

3 types of consent

expressed, implied, involuntary

What is expressed consent?

informed consent = tell the patient everything about what is happening and why you are treating them

What are the 3 ways expressed consent may be given?

verbal, written, or signals/movements

What is implied consent?

applies only to patients who are unconscious or unable to make an informed consent

What type of consent apply to unaccompanied minors?

implied consent if a true emergency exists = must treat patient

What is involuntary consent?

against patient's will despite if they are conscious

Who does involuntary consent apply to?

mentally ill, in behavioral crisis, developmentally delayed

Who can police personnel give consent for?

detained patients

In what situations would using restraints apply?

patient is combative and a danger to themselves and others

Why do we never position a patient in a prone position?

Can potentially close their airway

Who has the right to refuse treatment?

People 18yo+ who are ANOx4

What must you do when patients refuse treatment

explain risks and consequences of their refusal, encourage treatment, ask them to sign a refusal of care form, document refusal, have a witness available and sign

What is a "Do Not Resuscitate" (DNR) order?

an advanced directive that gives permission not to resuscitate

What kinds of patients might have a DNR?

cancer patients, those in hospice, have life-threatening conditions

How does a DNR impact the care an EMT may provide?

unable to perform CPR or Ventilations but may treat other problems such as a sprained ankle

What must be present on the DNR in order for it to be valid?

Physician signature and patient or health proxy signature

When would an EMT NOT follow a DNR order?

if no DNR is given or the patient decides they want to be resuscitated

List the criteria for not providing any interventions or CPR in a patient?

if they have a DNR OR present with definitive signs of death.

What are the 4 definitive signs of death?

rigor mortis, putrification, lividity, and decapitation

What is rigor mortis?

stiffening

What is putrification?

body decomposition

What is lividity?

blood settling

Discuss the importance of patient management at a crime scene and how an EMT would go about moving items at the scene?

patient care is top priority after scene safety. if need to move objects, ask PD or personnel or let them know.

Explain findings that would make the EMT think there was presence of a weapon of mass destruction.

Everyone will present with the same symptoms and general appearance

Describe the steps of a primary assessment including treatment taken.

PENMAN (C-Spine stabilization) | GI = AVPU (unconscious no pulse but breathing = CPR) and LOC | ABCDs

When does a duty to act legally apply?

responding to a call or have begun treatment

What is standards of care?

manner in which you must act

What is negligence?

failure to provide the same care that a person with the same level of licensure would provide in the same situation

What are the 4 things that need to be present in order to be charged with negligence?

duty to act | breach of duty | damage to the patient | your actions caused the damages

What is abandonment?

unilateral termination of care by EMT without patient consent or transferring care to someone with the same or higher level of licensure

What is assault?

verbal threats , unlawful placing person in fear of immediate bodily harm

What is battery?

unlawful touching a person (can be charged if you treat a patient without consent)

What is false imprisonment?

unauthporized confinement of a person

what is defamation?

communication of false information that damages reputation of a person

What is libel?

written defamation

What is slander?

spoken defamation

What are the 7 cases in which special mandatory reporting occurs?

What must an EMT encourage a patient to not do in a sexual assault case?

not shower or bathe

What must the EMT avoid doing when removing clothing of a patient at a crime scene?

don't cut through bullet holes and stab wounds | dispose bloody clothes in a paper bag

What is ethics?

philosophy of right and wrong, moral duties, IDEAL PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR

What is morality?

code of conduct affecting character, conduct and conscience

What is bioethics?

specifically addresses issues that arise in healthcare

What criteria must be met to be considered an MCI situation?

3+ patients | place of demand on the system to require mutual aid | overwhelms capabilities of an agency's normal first response

In a START triage, who would qualify as Yellow?

Repirations < 30/min, CR < 2s, able to follow commands can't walk

In a START triage, who would qualify as Red?

RR > 30/min, CR > 2s OR unable to follow commands

In a START triage, who would qualify as Black?

dead/expectant = those who do not have an open airway, no respirations

Signs and Symptoms of nerve agent exposure?

SLUDGEM = salivation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, GI upset, emesis, twitching eyes (miosis)

List the 4 conditions in which rapid extrication is necessary?

AMS, inadequate ventilation, shock (hypoperfusion) and dangerous weather conditions