Quiz 1

Question 1

Continuing education in EMS serves to:

confirm research and statistical findings in prehospital care.

maintain, update, and expand the EMT’s knowledge and skills.

enforce mandatory attendance at agency-specific training.

provide an ongoing review and audit of the EMS system.

Answer 1

maintain, update, and expand the EMT’s knowledge and skills.

Question 2

EMS as we know it today had its origins in 1966 with the publication of:

Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.

the Emergency Medical Services Act.
You Answered

the Department of Transportation’s White Paper: Death and Dying.

Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured.

Answer 2

Accidental Death and Disability: The Neglected Disease of Modern Society.

Question 3

EMT training in nearly every state meets or exceeds the guidelines recommended by the:

National Association of EMTs.
National Registry of EMTs.
individual state’s EMS protocols
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Answer 3

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

Question 4

Obtaining continuing medical education is the responsibility of the:
EMS training officer.
State Bureau of EMS.
EMS medical director.
individual EMT

Answer 4

individual EMT

Question 5

The continuous quality improvement (CQI) process is designed to:

identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed.
ensure that all EMTs maintain licensure through the state EMS office.
focus specifically on the quality of emergency care provided to the patient.
administer punitive actions to EMTs who do not follow local protocols.

Answer 5

identify areas of improvement and provide remedial training if needed.

Question 6

The person who is responsible for authorizing EMTs to perform emergency medical care in the field is the:

field training officer.
EMS administrator.
shift supervisor.
medical director

Answer 6

medical director

Question 7

Which type of medical direction do standing orders and protocols describe?
Off-line
Online
Direct
Radio

Answer 7

Off-line

Question 8

Why are prehospital emergency care guidelines updated on a regular basis?
Additional information and evidence indicate that the effectiveness of certain interventions has changed.
The federal government requires the implementation of changes to existing emergency care protocols at least every five years.
EMS providers should be encouraged to actively participate in research and become familiar with data analysis.
Statistical data indicate that an increasing number of people are being diagnosed with a particular illness.

Answer 8

Additional information and evidence indicate that the effectiveness of certain interventions has changed.

Question 9

A 75-year-old male with a terminal illness has died at home. As you and your partner enter the residence, a family member becomes verbally abusive, pushes you, and states that you took too long to get there. You should:
subdue the family member until the police arrive.
tell the family member that it is not your fault.
ignore the family member and assess the patient.
retreat and notify law enforcement personnel

Answer 9

retreat and notify law enforcement personnel

Question 10

At the scene of an automobile crash, a utility pole has been broken, and power lines are lying across the car. The patients inside the car are conscious. You should:
mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.
advise the patients to carefully get out of the car.
remove the lines with a nonconductive object.
proceed with normal extrication procedures.

Answer 10

mark off a danger zone around the downed lines.

Question 11

General adaptation syndrome is characterized by which of the following phases?
Immediate reaction, psychological exhaustion, and recovery
Delayed reaction, alarm response, and physical recovery
Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery
Reaction and resistance, euphoria, and physical exhaustion

Answer 11

Alarm response, reaction and resistance, and recovery

Question 12

If you use a waterless handwashing substitute in the field, it is important to:
immediately dry your hands with a paper towel.
avoid donning another pair of gloves for at least 10 minutes.
wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital.
wait at least five minutes before touching another patient.

Answer 12

wash your hands with soap and water at the hospital.

Question 13

Prescription glasses do not provide adequate eye protection because they:
are not secured with a strap.
offer little or no side protection.
have large, rounded lenses.
do not have shatterproof lenses.

Answer 13

offer little or no side protection.

Question 14

Quid pro quo, a type of sexual harassment, occurs when the harasser:
requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.
touches another person without his or her consent.
makes rude remarks about a person’s body parts.
stares at certain parts of another person’s anatomy

Answer 14

requests sexual favors in exchange for something else.

Question 15

The capacity of an individual to cope with and recover from stress is called:
eustress.
distress.
resilience.
wellness.

Answer 15

resilience.

Question 16

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you note that two small cars collided head-on; the occupants are still in their vehicles. The fire department is in the process of stabilizing the vehicles and law enforcement personnel are directing traffic. After parking the ambulance at a safe distance, you and your partner should:
quickly begin the triage process.
assist with vehicle stabilization.
report to the incident commander.
put on high-visibility safety vests.

Answer 16

put on high-visibility safety vests.

Question 17

Vector-borne transmission of an infectious organism occurs via:
inanimate objects.
animals or insects.
direct contact.
smoke or dust.

Answer 17

animals or insects.

Question 18

When decontaminating the back of your ambulance after a call, you should:
clean all surfaces and patient contact areas with a mixture of alcohol and water.
allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.
use a bleach and water solution at a 1:2 dilution ratio to thoroughly wipe all surfaces.
spray the contaminated areas and then immediately wipe them dry with a towel.

Answer 18

allow surfaces to air dry unless otherwise indicated in the product directions.

Question 19

Which of the following statements regarding the different stages of the grieving process is correct?
Bargaining is the most unpleasant stage of the grieving process.
The stages of the grieving process might occur simultaneously.
The grieving process typically begins with severe depression.
It is rare that people will jump back and forth between stages of the grieving process.

Answer 19

The stages of the grieving process might occur simultaneously.

Question 20

Which type of stress reaction occurs when an EMT is exposed to many insignificant stressors over a period of several months or years?
Acute stress reaction
Posttraumatic stress reaction
Cumulative stress reaction
Critical incident stress reaction

Answer 20

Cumulative stress reaction

Question 21

While providing care to a patient, blood got onto the ambulance stretcher. Because the stretcher was not properly cleaned afterward, a virus was transmitted to another emergency medical technician (EMT) several days later. Which route of transmission does this scenario describe?
Direct contact
Indirect contact
Airborne transmission
Vector-borne transmission

Answer 21

Indirect contact

Question 22

You are transporting a 40-year-old male with respiratory distress. The patient tells you that he recently had a positive tuberculosis (TB) skin test and is currently being evaluated for possible TB. You should:
apply a nasal cannula on the patient and a sterile surgical mask on yourself.
apply a nonrebreathing mask on the patient and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on yourself.
remain at least three feet away from the patient and apply a surgical mask on him.
apply a sterile surgical mask on yourself and a HEPA respirator on the patient.

Answer 22

apply a nonrebreathing mask on the patient and a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) respirator on yourself.

Question 23

Maintaining the chain of evidence at the scene of a crime should include:
quickly moving any weapons out of the patient’s sight.
not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons.
placing the patient in a private area until the police arrive.
making brief notes at the scene and then completing them later.

Answer 23

not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons.

Question 24

Acting in such a way as to make another person fear immediate bodily harm is called:
assault.
negligence.
battery.
libel.

Answer 24

assault.

Question 25

When caring for a 65-year-old male with respiratory distress, you place him in a comfortable position but do not apply oxygen. The patient’s condition continues to deteriorate: He develops cardiac arrest and dies at the hospital. This scenario is an example of:
negligence.
assault.
battery.
abandonment.

Answer 25

negligence.

Question 26

When is forcible restraint permitted?
Only if consent to restrain is given by a family member
Anytime that the EMT feels threatened
Only if law enforcement personnel have witnessed threatening behavior
When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others

Answer 26

When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others

Question 27

Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence?
Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation
Abandonment, breach of duty, damages, and causation
Breach of duty, injury/damages, abandonment, and causation
Duty to act, abandonment, breach of duty, and causation

Answer 27

Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation

Question 28

Which of the following general statements regarding consent is correct?
All patients older than 18 years can legally refuse treatment or transport.
Expressed consent is valid only if given in writing by a family member.
Patients who are intoxicated are generally allowed to refuse treatment.
A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse treatment.

Answer 28

A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse treatment.

Question 29

Which of the following statements regarding Good Samaritan laws is correct?
Such laws will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.
Such laws provide the EMT with absolute immunity from a lawsuit.
Such laws do not protect EMTs who are off duty.
Such laws guarantee that the EMT will not be held liable if he or she is sued.

Answer 29

Such laws will not protect the EMT in cases of gross negligence.

Question 30

Which of the following types of consent allows treatment of a patient who is unconscious or mentally incapacitated?
Informed
Actual
Implied
Expressed

Answer 30

Implied

Question 31

Which type of consent is involved when a 39-year-old, mentally competent female with a severe headache asks you to take her to the hospital?
Implied
Informed
Formal
Expressed

Answer 31

Expressed

Question 32

You are treating a man who was assaulted and has a closed-head injury. The patient, who has slurred speech, becomes verbally abusive and tells you to leave him alone. You should:
ask a police officer to transport the patient to the hospital.
have the police arrest the patient so that you can legally begin treatment.
proceed with treatment and utilize law enforcement for assistance if necessary.
allow the patient to refuse treatment because the injury was not his fault.

Answer 32

proceed with treatment and utilize law enforcement for assistance if necessary.

Question 33

You arrive at the scene of an apparent death. When evaluating the patient, which of the following is a definitive sign of death?
Dependent lividity
Absence of a pulse
Profound cyanosis
Absent breath sounds

Answer 33

Dependent lividity

Question 34

Your best protection against legal liability when a patient with decision-making capacity refuses EMS care and transport is to:
advise medical control of the situation.
thoroughly document the entire event.
ensure that the family is aware of the risks.
err on the side of caution and transport

Answer 34

thoroughly document the entire event.

Question 35

You respond to the home of a 59-year-old man who is unconscious with slow, shallow breathing and a weak pulse. The family states that the patient has terminal brain cancer and does not wish to be resuscitated. They further state that there is a DNR order for this patient, but they are unable to locate it. You should:
honor the patient’s wishes and withhold all treatment.
decide on further action once the DNR order is produced.
transport the patient without providing any treatment.
begin treatment and contact medical control as needed.

Answer 35

begin treatment and contact medical control as needed.

Question 36

A 60-year-old man complains of chest pain. He is conscious, alert, and denies shortness of breath. Which of the following questions would be the most appropriate to ask him?
“Does the pain in your chest feel like a stabbing sensation?”
“Does the pain in your chest move to either of your arms?”
“Do you have any heart problems or take any medications?”
“Were you exerting yourself when the chest pain began?”

Answer 36

“Do you have any heart problems or take any medications?”

Question 37

After delivering your patient to the hospital, you sit down to complete the handwritten PCR. When documenting the patient’s last blood pressure reading, you inadvertently write 120/60 instead of 130/70. To correct this mistake, you should:
leave the error on the PCR, but inform the staff of the patient’s actual blood pressure.
cover the error with correction fluid and then write the patient’s actual blood pressure over it.
erase the error, initial it, and then write the correct data on a separate addendum.
draw a single horizontal line through the error, initial it, and write the correct data next to it.

Answer 37

draw a single horizontal line through the error, initial it, and write the correct data next to it.

Question 38

After receiving online orders from medical control to perform a patient care intervention, you should:
repeat the order to medical control word for word.
confirm the order in your own words.
perform the intervention as ordered.
ask the physician to repeat the order.

Answer 38

repeat the order to medical control word for word.

Question 39

A ___________ receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.
repeater
scanner
duplex
decoder

Answer 39

repeater

Question 40

During your assessment of a 20-year-old man with a severe headache and nausea, you ask him when his headache began, but he does not answer your question immediately. You should:
tell him that you cannot help him unless he answers your questions.
ask him if he frequently experiences severe headaches and nausea.
repeat your question because he probably did not hear you.
allow him time to think about the question and respond to it.

Answer 40

allow him time to think about the question and respond to it.

Question 41

Ethnocentrism is defined as:
understanding that people from different cultural backgrounds respond to pain and stress differently.
subconsciously forcing your cultural values onto a patient because you believe that your own values are more acceptable.
suspecting that a person has an ulterior motive based on the tone of his or her voice when answering a question.
considering your own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture.

Answer 41

considering your own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture.

Question 42

Immediately after being dispatched to a residence for an elderly patient with diabetic complications, you should:
ask the dispatcher if the patient is conscious or unconscious.
ask the dispatcher to obtain a medical history from the caller.
confirm with dispatch that you received the call information.
request that law enforcement secure the scene before you arrive

Answer 42

confirm with dispatch that you received the call information.

Question 43

Medical control gives you an order that seems inappropriate for the patient’s condition. After confirming that you heard the physician correctly, you should:
obtain consent from the patient and then carry out the order as usual.
carry out the order and then carefully document it on the run form.
state that you will not carry out the order because it is inappropriate.
advise the physician that the order is unclear and ask for clarification.

Answer 43

advise the physician that the order is unclear and ask for clarification.

Question 44

Two-way communication that requires the EMT to “push to talk” and “release to listen” describes which mode of communication?
Multiplex
Simplex
Complex
Duplex

Answer 44

Simplex

Question 45

When obtaining patient care orders from a physician via a two-way radio, it is important to remember that:
all orders should be carried out immediately and without question.
the physician might or might not be located within your service area.
the physician’s instructions are based on the information you provide.
the use of 10 codes is an effective method of communication.

Answer 45

the physician’s instructions are based on the information you provide.

Question 46

When relaying patient information via radio, communications should be:
coded and scripted.
brief and easily understood.
lengthy and complete.
spoken in a loud voice.

Answer 46

brief and easily understood.

Question 47

When you are communicating with an older patient, it is important to remember that:
most older people think clearly and are capable of answering questions.
your questions should focus exclusively on the patient’s obvious problem.
speaking loudly and distinctly will ensure that the patient can hear you.
hostility and confusion should be presumed to be due to the patient’s age.

Answer 47

most older people think clearly and are capable of answering questions.

Question 48

Which of the following statements regarding a patient refusal is correct?
A patient who consumed a few beers will likely be able to refuse EMS treatment.
A mentally competent adult has the legal right to refuse EMS care and transport.
Advice given to a patient who refuses EMS treatment should not be documented.
Documentation of proposed care is unnecessary if the patient refuses treatment.

Answer 48

A mentally competent adult has the legal right to refuse EMS care and transport.

Question 49

You are dispatched to the residence of an Asian family for a child with a high fever. When you assess the child, you note that he has numerous red marks on his back. The child’s parents explain that these marks represent coining
advise the emergency department physician that you believe the child was intentionally abused by his parents.
advise the child’s parents that this is a harmful practice and is considered a form of child abuse in the United States.
acknowledge and respect this practice as a cultural belief, but advise the child’s parents that it has no healing power.
document this finding on your patient care report and advise the emergency department staff of what the child’s parents told you.

Answer 49

document this finding on your patient care report and advise the emergency department staff of what the child’s parents told you.

Question 50

You could be sued for ___________ if your radio report to the hospital describes the patient in a manner that injures his or her reputation.
negligence
assault
slander
libel

Answer 50

slander