Week 3 Flashcards

1
Q

What are three cases in which information can be disclosed?

A

If the patient signs a release
If a legal subpoena is presented
If it is needed by billing personnel

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2
Q

What is loco parentis?

A

school officials may be given the okay to provide consent for children involved in incidents at school or camp

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3
Q

What is negligence?

A

Failure to provide same care that person with similar training would provide in same or similar situation

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4
Q

What are the two forms of service animals that you must attempt to arrange to bring with the patient?

A

guide dogs, miniature pony

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5
Q

All four of what elements must be present for negligence to apply?

A

on-duty, breach of duty, damages, causation

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6
Q

What are POLST and MOLST?

A

Physician orders for life-sustaining treatment and medical orders for life-sustaining treatment; they explicitly describe acceptable interventions for the patient, Must be signed by an authorized medical provider, and you must contact medical control for guidance

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7
Q

What is simplex?

A

push to talk, release to listen.

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8
Q

Who must you notify when called to testify about an incident encountered on the job?

A

your service director, legal counsel

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9
Q

What are some definitive signs of death?

A

decapitation, dependent lividity (blood settling), rigor mortis (stiffening), and putrefaction (decomposition)

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10
Q

What are the Good Samaritan conditions that need to be met for protection from law?

A

responder must act: in Good faith;
Without expectation of compensation;
Within scope of training;
Did not act in grossly negligent manner

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11
Q

When should open-ended questions be used?

A

when asking about a patient’s situation or problem

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12
Q

When does involuntary consent apply?

A

to patients who are mentally ill, in behavioral crisis, developmentally delayed; try to get consent from family

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13
Q

Where do you often submit data from a run?

A

National EMS Information System (NEMSIS)

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14
Q

Can emergency medical providers go ahead and provide emergency treatment to children who’s family cannot be reached to give consent?

A

yes in every state

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15
Q

What is assault?

A

unlawfully placing person in fear of immediate bodily harm

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16
Q

What are the consequences of falsification on PCR’s?

A

Results in poor patient care and May result in suspension and/or legal action

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17
Q

What do you include in a patient report given over the phone?

A

Your unit identification and level of services;
The receiving hospital and your estimated time of arrival (ETA);
The patient’s age and gender;
The patient’s chief complaint;
A brief history of the patient’s problem;
A brief report of physical findings;
A brief summary of the care given;
A brief description of the patient’s response to treatment

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18
Q

When does implied consent apply?

A

only when a serious medical condition exists and should never be used unless there is a threat to life or limb, or the person is unconscious or otherwise incapable of making decisions; try to get consent from family

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19
Q

What organization regulates all radio operations in the US?

A

the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

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20
Q

When should closed-ended questions be used?

A

when patient is having trouble breathing or responded for whatever reason

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21
Q

What is an important consideration prior to transporting pediatric patients?

A

allow the child to bring any sort of comforting object and be transported with parent

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22
Q

When is the medical examiner notified about a case?

A
Dead on arrival (DOA)/dead on scene (DOS)
Death without previous medical care
Suicide
Violent death
Poisoning, known or suspected
Death from accidents
Suspicion of a criminal act
Infant and child deaths
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23
Q

How is an organ donor designated?

A

they have either a donor card or designation on their driver’s license

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24
Q

What is battery?

A

unlawfully touching a person

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25
What five things MUST be included in a DNR for it to be valid?
patient's name, signature of their doctor or nurse practitioner, effective date, evidence of consent from them or whoever can legally consent for them, and must say the words DO NOT RESUSCITATE
26
How is scope of practice usually defined?
state law; further protocols & standing orders developed by medical director
27
What is duplex?
simultaneous talk–listen
28
What should an EMT do in the event that a patient is combative but needs medical treatment?
the police should be called, med control should be consulted for authorization prior to action, then the patient should be forcibly restrained and treated
29
How do minors become emancipated?
depending on the state: marriage, armed services, pregnancy, competence demonstrated to court
30
What is an important consideration prior to transporting elderly patients?
hearing aids, dentures, any other comforting piece they may want or need
31
To give consent, what must someone be oriented to?
person, place, time and events
32
What may carrying out procedures outside scope of practice be considered?
negligence, criminal offense
33
What is the term used for the system that allows for more radio traffic and quicker signal?
trunking
34
What is abandonment?
Unilateral termination of care by EMT without: Patient’s consent or Making provisions for continuing care
35
What information must you provide to a patient or legal guardian prior to allowing them to refuse treatment?
1. Your assessment of what might be wrong; 2. A description of the treatment you feel is necessary; 3. Any possible risks of treatment; 4. The availability of alternative treatments; 5. The possible consequences of refusing treatment
36
What are important steps in defusing a potentially hostile situation?
``` Assess the safety of the scene; Do not assume an aggressive posture; Make good eye contact, but do not stare; Speak calmly, confidently, and slowly; Never threaten the patient, either verbally or physically ```
37
What is cultural imposition?
forcing your values onto others; we must avoid this on the job
38
What are the six functions of a PCR?
``` Continuity of care; Legal documentation; Education; Administrative information; Essential research record; Evaluation and continuous quality improvement ```
39
What are two important things courts consider when dealing with EMS provider liability?
An action not recorded was not performed; | Incomplete or untidy reports is evidence of poor emergency medical care
40
What is defamation?
Communication of false information that damages reputation of a person; libel: written, slander: spoken
41
Do PCR's make any judgments about a patient's condition?
NOPE
42
What two main criteria are considered in determining decision-making capacity?
the patient can understand information provided and can make informed choice regarding medical care
43
What are the elements of the narrative section of a PCR?
``` Time of events Assessment findings Emergency medical care provided Changes in patient after treatment Observations at the scene Final patient disposition Refusal of care Staff person who continued care ```
44
What should be done prior to allowing a patient to refuse treatment?
notify med control, inform patient of all risks, have them sign document, document the situation yourself
45
What is HIPAA?
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996; it contains a section on patient privacy Strengthens privacy laws Safeguards patient confidentiality Considers information to be protected health information (PHI)
46
What are the components of a complete oral report?
Opening information (Name, chief complaint, illness); Detailed information (Not provided during radio report); Any important history (Not already provided); Patient’s response to treatment given en route; Vital signs
47
What is kidnapping?
seizing, confining, abducting, or carrying away by force
48
If restraint is used on a patient, what should be done?
the airway must be protected, and their respiratory status must be monitored
49
What is multiplex?
utilizes two or more frequencies so multiple people can speak
50
What is informed consent?
expressed consent by a patient after you have informed them of all possible risks and possible outcomes
51
What is included in things that are mandated reports?
abuse of any kind, assaults, domestic violence, suicidal behavior/thoughts, dog bites, crimes (just have to notify police that they happened in general), drug- or crime-related injuries, death, birth, Sexual assault or rape, Exposures to infectious disease, Transport of patients in restraints
52
What is ethnocentrism?
considering your own cultural values more important than those of others; we must avoid this on the job
53
How do you assess a patient's ability to make an informed decision?
Ask and repeat questions. Assess the patient’s answers. Observe the patient’s behavior
54
What do ambulances have on them that allows for expanded communication capabilities like maps?
Mobile data terminals (MDT's)
55
What can you be charged with if you take someone to the hospital with you who refused consent?
assault, battery, kidnapping
56
Who can refuse treatment?
Conscious, alert adults with decision-making capacity who have been informed of all risks
57
What is considered confidential information?
Patient history Assessment findings Treatment provided
58
What is gross negligence?
conduct that constitutes willful or reckless disregard
59
What is the basic ass communication model identified by the book?
Shannon-Weaver
60
What can you do to avoid abandonment at all times?
obtain a signature from an equal or higher level health care provider on your patient care record (PCR)
61
What are some presumptive signs of death?
``` Lack of a carotid pulse or heartbeat Absence of breath sounds No deep tendon or corneal reflexes Absence of eye movement No systolic blood pressure Profound cyanosis Lowered or decreased body temperature ```
62
Due to the growing number of hospice programs, what is common to see among patients that you encounter with people who are under this care?
durable powers of attorney that speak for the patient (also called health care proxies)
63
What are the two types of damages that may be awarded to a plaintiff in a case?
compensatory and/or punitive damages
64
What are two common ways defamation could happen?
A false statement on a run report | Inappropriate comments made during conversation
65
What are the two types of information gathering during a case?
Interrogatories (Written requests or questions) and Depositions (Oral requests or questions)
66
What system helps two mobile or portable units communicate that cannot directly reach each other?
a repeater-based system
67
Are bystanders, on-duty volunteer EMR/EMT's, off-duty EMR/EMT's required to act for a patient in distress?
only on-duty volunteers/paid personnel are
68
What is discovery?
An opportunity for both sides to obtain more information to reach a better understanding of the case
69
What information is collected on a PCR?
``` Chief complaint; Level of consciousness or mental status; Vital signs; Initial assessment; Patient demographics ```
70
How much does a stretcher weigh?
40 - 145 lbs
71
What are backboards used for?
Used to carry and immobilize patients with suspected spinal injury or other trauma
72
What is the power grip?
Palms up; Hands about 10 inches apart; All fingers at same angle; Fully support handle on curved palm
73
What is the furthest we should reach when dragging a patient?
15-20 inches
74
What is a good way to get a heavier person onto a backboard?
log roll
75
What is the maximum weight you and your partner should lift alone?
250 lbs
76
Who counts to lift when carrying a stretcher?
the person at the head
77
What type of move is rapid extrication?
urgent move
78
What kind of stretcher is used for a hip or pelvic injury?
scoop stretcher
79
What is it called when the back is severely bent in a geriatric patient?
kyphosis
80
How many adults are obese in the US?
30-40% or about 76 million
81
What kind of stretcher is used to immobilize seated patients?
a KED vest
82
What are baby patients transported in?
neonatal isolette or incubator
83
What position should patients in shock be put in?
supine
84
What position should patients with chest pain or respiratory distress be put in?
fowler's or semi-fowler
85
How should pregnant patients be transported?
on their left side
86
How should an unconscious patient with no suspected spinal injury be placed?
recovery position
87
How should people with a stroke be positioned?
30 degrees upwards
88
In what position should combative patients be restrained?
supine