Ambulance Operations Overview

Questions and Answers

If you properly assess and stabilize a patient at the scene, driving to the hospital with excessive speed:

Is often necessary if the patient is critical.

Will decrease the driver's reaction time. (correct)

Is allowable according to state law.

Increases the patient's chance for survival.

Which of the following statements regarding the use of the warning lights and siren on the ambulance is correct?

If it is necessary to use the siren, you should tell the patient beforehand. (correct)

If the patient is stable, you may use the warning lights without the siren.

It is generally acceptable to increase your speed if lights and siren are in use.

Warning lights and siren should be avoided, even if the patient is unstable.

A portable oxygen cylinder should have a minimum capacity of ____ of oxygen.

750 L

250 L

500 L (correct)

1,000 L

Phases of an ambulance call include all of the following activities, except:

Emergency care provided at the scene. Signup and view all the answers

Minimum staffing in the patient compartment of a basic life support (BLS) ambulance includes:

At least one EMT. Signup and view all the answers

When transporting a patient who is secured to a backboard, it is important to:

Place deceleration straps over the patient's shoulders. Signup and view all the answers

When a helicopter must land on a grade (uneven ground), you should:

Approach the aircraft from the downhill side. Signup and view all the answers

When approaching a helicopter, whether the rotor blades are moving or not, you should:

Never duck under the body or the tail boom because the pilot cannot see you in these areas. Signup and view all the answers

When being tailgated by another vehicle while responding to an emergency call, you should:

Slow down and allow the driver to pass you. Signup and view all the answers

You have just delivered a major trauma patient to the hospital. Shortly after departing the hospital, dispatch advises you of another call. The back of the ambulance is contaminated with bloody dressings and is in disarray, and you are in need of airway equipment and numerous other supplies. You should:

Advise the dispatcher that you are out of service and to send another unit. Signup and view all the answers

After assessing your patient, you determine that his condition is stable. You provide the appropriate treatment and then load him into the ambulance. While en route to the hospital, you should:

Turn your emergency lights off and obey all traffic laws. Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following situations would the EMTs most likely utilize a police escort?

The EMTs are unfamiliar with the location, but the police officer is familiar with the location. Signup and view all the answers

The least practical place to store a portable oxygen cylinder is:

In the driver's compartment. Signup and view all the answers

While using lights and siren, most state laws permit an ambulance to:

Carefully exceed the posted speed limit. Signup and view all the answers

Minimum airway and ventilation equipment that should be carried on every ambulance include all of the following, except:

Combitubes, or laryngeal mask airways. Signup and view all the answers

Immediately upon arriving at the scene of an emergency call involving a traumatic injury, you should notify the dispatcher of your arrival and then:

Observe the scene for safety hazards. Signup and view all the answers

The main objective of traffic control at the scene of a motor vehicle crash is to:

Warn oncoming traffic and prevent another crash. Signup and view all the answers

Upon returning to your station following a run, you should disinfect the ambulance as needed. Disinfection is most accurately defined as:

Killing pathogenic agents with a chemical made for that purpose. Signup and view all the answers

As soon as you leave the hospital and are en route back to your station, you should inform the dispatcher:

Whether you are back in service. Signup and view all the answers

Characteristics of a safe ambulance operator include:

A positive attitude about the ability to tolerate other drivers. Signup and view all the answers

When arriving at the scene of an overturned tractor-trailer rig, you note that a green cloud is being emitted from the crashed vehicle. The driver is still in the truck; he is conscious but bleeding profusely from the head. After notifying the hazardous materials team, you should:

Position the ambulance upwind. Signup and view all the answers

General guidelines for safe ambulance driving include all of the following, except:

Regularly using the siren as much as possible. Signup and view all the answers

A disposable oxygen humidifier should be considered for ambulance services that often transport patients for ___ hour(s) or more.

1 Signup and view all the answers

If hydroplaning of the ambulance occurs, the driver should:

Gradually slow down without jamming on the brakes. Signup and view all the answers

When driving an ambulance on a multilane highway in emergency mode, you should:

Remain in the extreme left-hand lane. Signup and view all the answers

It is 10:30 pm, and you have requested air medical transport for a critically injured patient. When you arrive at the designated landing zone, you should:

Survey the area for power lines or other hazards. Signup and view all the answers

If you could only take two pieces of equipment with you to a patient's side, you should choose the:

AED and portable suction unit. Signup and view all the answers

While en route to a call for a patient in cardiac arrest, you approach a stopped school bus with its red warning lights flashing. You should:

Stop and wait until the warning lights stop flashing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of regional equipment or supplies?

DuoDote Auto-Injector Signup and view all the answers

When parking your ambulance at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you should position the ambulance:

100′ past the scene on the same side of the road. Signup and view all the answers

Equipment and supplies that are carried on an ambulance should be stored:

According to the urgency and frequency of their use. Signup and view all the answers

A medical transport helicopter is incoming, and you are responsible for setting up the landing zone (LZ). You should:

Use weighted cones to mark all four corners of the LZ. Signup and view all the answers

The purpose of a jump kit is to:

Contain anything that you might need during the first 5 minutes of patient care. Signup and view all the answers

Common safety equipment carried on the ambulance includes all of the following, except:

Hazardous materials gear. Signup and view all the answers

Aggressive ambulance driving might have a negative effect on other motorists because:

It might not allow for their reaction time to respond to your vehicle. Signup and view all the answers

The process of removing dirt, dust, blood, or other visible contaminants from a surface or equipment is called:

Cleaning. Signup and view all the answers

Regardless of where portable and mounted oxygen cylinders are stored in the ambulance, they must:

Be capable of delivering oxygen at 1 to 15 L/min. Signup and view all the answers

The six-pointed Star of Life emblem identifies vehicles that:

Meet federal specifications as licensed or certified ambulances. Signup and view all the answers

For every emergency request, the dispatcher should routinely gather and record all of the following information, except the:

Patient's medical history. Signup and view all the answers

Common activities that occur while you and your partner are en route to the scene of an emergency call include all of the following, except:

Apprising the medical director of the nature of the call. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Transport Operations Key Points

Patient Transport Speed: Driving too fast can reduce the driver's reaction time and may not effectively improve patient's survival chances.
Ambulance Sirens and Lights: Use the siren appropriately; inform the patient if necessary to use it.
Oxygen Cylinder Capacity: Portable oxygen cylinders must hold a minimum of 500 liters to ensure adequate supply.
Ambulance Call Phases: Key activities involve checking equipment, transferring the patient, and transporting them, but emergency care is generally performed on scene.
Staffing Requirements: A basic life support (BLS) ambulance must include at least one EMT for minimum staffing.
Patient Security During Transport: Deceleration straps should be properly placed over the patient’s shoulders when secured on a backboard.
Helicopter Landing Procedures: Always approach helicopters from the downhill side in case of uneven terrain to ensure safety.
Helicopter Safety: Do not duck under the helicopter body or tail, as the pilot has limited visibility in those areas.
Tailgating During Emergency Response: If being tailgated, slow down and allow the driver to pass safely.
Post-Transport Disinfection: Inform the dispatcher that you are out of service if the ambulance is contaminated after a call.
Driving Protocols: When transporting a stable patient, turn off emergency lights and adhere to traffic laws.
Using Police Escorts: EMTs may use a police escort primarily when unfamiliar with the location while responding to emergencies.
Oxygen Cylinder Storage: Avoid storing oxygen cylinders in the driver's compartment for safety reasons.
Speeding Laws for Ambulances: State laws may allow ambulances to exceed speed limits safely when using lights and siren.
Essential Equipment on Ambulances: All ambulances should carry various airways, suction units but not necessarily Combitubes or laryngeal mask airways.
Scene Safety Protocol: Assess the scene for hazards immediately after arrival at an emergency call.
Traffic Control Objective: Main goal is to warn oncoming traffic to prevent further accidents at crash scenes.
Disinfection Definition: Disinfection involves killing pathogenic agents using chemical agents.
Post-Dispatch Procedures: Notify the dispatcher about being back in service promptly after returning to the station.
Ambulance Operator Characteristics: Good operators are patient and tolerant towards other drivers.
Handling Hazardous Situations: Position the ambulance upwind when dealing with hazardous materials at the scene.
Safe Driving Guidelines: Avoid using sirens excessively and assume other drivers may not see you.
Oxygen Humidifier Use: Consider disposable oxygen humidifiers for transports lasting over one hour.
Hydroplaning Response: If hydroplaning occurs, gradually slow down without sudden braking to regain control.
Highway Driving Mode: Use the extreme left-hand lane on multilane highways when responding to emergencies.
Setting Up Landing Zones: Identify hazards like power lines when preparing landing zones for air medical transport.
Essential Equipment Choice: When limited to two items at a patient’s side, prioritize AED and portable suction units.
Stopping for School Buses: Always stop for flashing red lights on school buses until they stop flashing, regardless of emergency status.
Regional Supplies Knowledge: DuoDote Auto-Injector is an example of regional equipment/supply.
Ambulance Parking at Crash Scenes: Park 100 feet past the scene on the same side of the road for safety.
Equipment Storage Protocol: Store supplies on the ambulance based on urgency and their frequency of use.
Landing Zone Marking: Use weighted cones to mark the four corners of a medical transport helicopter landing zone.
Jump Kit Purpose: Intended to provide everything needed within the first vital minutes of patient care.
Safety Equipment Limits: Hazardous materials gear is not considered common safety equipment onboard ambulances.
Aggressive Driving Risk: High-speed driving can limit other drivers’ reaction times, increasing accident risk.
Cleaning Defined: Cleaning eliminates visibly contaminating substances from surfaces.
Oxygen Delivery Requirement: Portable and mounted oxygen cylinders must effectively deliver oxygen within 1 to 15 L/min.
Star of Life Significance: The emblem identifies ambulances that meet federal standards for certification.
Dispatcher's Routine Inquiry: Patient medical history is not routinely gathered during emergency requests by dispatch.
En Route Activities: Tasks during transport should include assignment of duties and obtaining additional information, but not communicating with the medical director.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key points of ambulance operations, including patient transport speed, staffing requirements, and safety procedures. This quiz covers essential protocols for effective transport and emergency care. Enhance your understanding of critical aspects that impact patient outcomes during transport.