Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Basics

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Questions and Answers

During a motor vehicle collision, the unrestrained driver's chest strikes the steering wheel. Which of the following best explains why internal injuries may be more severe than external signs indicate?

  • The force is distributed evenly across the body, minimizing localized damage.
  • The law of inertia suggests the body continues to move until an external force stops it. (correct)
  • Vehicle speed has little effect on the severity of internal injuries.
  • Energy transfer is minimal in blunt trauma, leading to superficial injuries.

A patient presents with labored breathing, wheezing, and a known history of asthma. After administering oxygen, which medication would be MOST appropriate to administer next?

  • Nitroglycerin (NTG)
  • Albuterol (MDI) (correct)
  • Aspirin (ASA)
  • Epinephrine (EPI)

You are called to the scene of a 6-year-old child who is showing signs of respiratory distress, including an increased respiratory rate and nasal flaring. When assessing the airway, what specific anatomical consideration should be kept in mind for pediatric patients?

  • Children have a more developed cricoid cartilage providing additional airway support.
  • Pediatric airways are more easily obstructed due to their smaller size and a proportionally larger tongue. (correct)
  • Pediatric patients have a less flexible trachea compared to adults.
  • The tongue of a child takes up proportionally less space in the pharynx.

At a mass casualty incident, you encounter a patient who is breathing at a rate of 32 breaths per minute and is able to follow simple commands. Using START triage, what triage category should this patient be assigned?

<p>Immediate (Red) (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

While treating a patient involved in a car accident, you note significant damage to the left upper quadrant of the abdomen. Which of the following organs is MOST likely to be injured?

<p>Spleen (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

You are called to the scene of a house fire. A patient has burns covering the entire front of their torso and the entire back of their right leg. Using the Rule of Nines, what is the estimated percentage of total body surface area (TBSA) burned?

<p>27% (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An elderly patient is found unresponsive. CPR is in progress. After attaching the AED, the device indicates “Shock Advised.” What rhythm is MOST likely present?

<p>Ventricular Fibrillation (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

You are treating a patient with a suspected opioid overdose. They are unresponsive with shallow respirations. Which medication should you prepare to administer?

<p>Naloxone (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best exemplifies the difference between 'signs' and 'symptoms' when assessing a patient?

<p>Symptoms are subjective feelings reported by the patient, while signs are objective observations the rescuer can see, hear, feel, or smell. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct anatomical term to describe a body part being closer to the midline of the body?

<p>Medial (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

AVPU

Evaluates a patient's level of consciousness: Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive.

Airway management

Techniques to open and maintain a patient's airway.

Peds BP formula

Used to measure blood pressure in children.

Treatment priorities

Prioritizes immediate life threats during patient assessment.

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Signs vs Symptoms

Objective findings vs. what the patient reports.

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Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT)

Pediatric assessment tool considering appearance, work of breathing, and circulation.

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Duty to act

Defines a medical professional's responsibilities to provide care

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Types of 911 services

Municipal, fire, third service, private

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HIPAA

Information from patient is confidential.

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Anatomical Terminology

Proximal, distal, superior, inferior, medial, lateral.

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Study Notes

  • AVPU is used in assessment
  • Airway management involves head-tilt chin-lift or jaw-thrust maneuvers
  • Nasopharyngeal airway (NPA) and oropharyngeal airway (OPA) insertion are key skills
  • Palpate pulse sites to check circulation
  • Immediately address life threats and prioritize treatment
  • Vital signs differ for adults, pediatrics, and infants
  • Pediatric blood pressure (BP) is estimated by (2 x age) + 90

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation

  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) order of operations is fundamental
  • Know compression ratios, rates, and depth for effective CPR
  • Understand when an automated external defibrillator (AED) advises a shock

Pediatric Patients

  • The pediatric assessment triangle is a tool for rapid evaluation
  • Recognize signs of a sick pediatric patient
  • Pediatric airway considerations may necessitate padding the shoulders
  • Differentiate epiglottitis from croup

Operations

  • EMS systems vary, including municipal, fire, third service, and private models
  • The medical director defines scope of practice, protocols, standing orders and base hospital orders
  • "Duty to act" and "Good Samaritan Law" are legal concepts for providers
  • Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects patient privacy
  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and Body Substance Isolation (BSI) are essential
  • Different types of consent exist
  • Abandonment and negligence have legal implications
  • Advanced directives guide end-of-life care
  • Radios/communications utilize mobile, portable, and repeater systems
  • EMT wellness addresses emotional stages of grief
  • Proper body mechanics are crucial for moving/lifting patients
  • Incident Command Structure guides multi-agency response
  • Code 3 driving has inherent dangers and requires due regard
  • HAZMAT incidents necessitate safety zones

Anatomy

  • Anatomical planes and terminology describe body orientation and position
  • Circulatory system includes vasculature and hematocrit
  • Common medical terminology includes Tachy, brady, dsy, a-
  • Aerobic and anaerobic metabolism differ in oxygen use

Nervous System

  • Brain functions divided among Cerebellum, cerebrum, thalamus, brain stem areas
  • Central nervous system (CNS) differs from peripheral nervous system (PNS)
  • Sympathetic vs. parasympathetic nervous system impacts physiological responses
  • Protective layers surround the CNS
  • Vertebrae numbers and functions are important

Skeletal

  • Skeletal functions include support and movement
  • Tendons connect muscle to bone, ligaments connect bone to bone

Cardiac

  • Heart chambers and valves facilitate blood flow
  • Blood flows through the heart in a set pattern
  • Coronary arteries supply the heart muscle
  • Electrical conduction system controls heart rhythm
  • Cardiac cells possess automaticity

Respiratory

  • Upper and lower airways have distinct structures
  • Knowing the flow path of air including dead space is vital
  • Understand tidal volume and BVM considerations
  • Gas exchange occurs via diffusion
  • Oxygenation, ventilation, and perfusion are key concepts
  • Tissue layers include parietal and visceral layers

Abdomen

  • Abdominal organs are located in quadrants
  • Distinguish hollow vs. solid organs

Integumentary

  • Skin layers and functions protect the body

Pharmacology

  • Understand ASA, NTG, EPI, MDI, NARCAN, Glucose, Charcoal.
  • Administer oxygen via liter flow
  • Be familiar with common acronyms

Shock

  • Shock is hypoperfusion due to pump, pipe or fluid issues
  • Types of shock include cardiogenic, hypovolemic, distributive, obstructive
  • Know categories of shock

Cardiac Emergencies

  • Recognize angina and acute myocardial infarction (MI)
  • Use 12-lead placement strategically
  • Congestive heart failure leads to left vs. right-sided failure

Respiratory Emergencies

  • Identify upper and lower respiratory sounds (wheezes, rales, Rhonchi, stridor)
  • Know Asthma and Pulmonary Embolism risks
  • COPD presents as emphysema/chronic bronchitis
  • Pneumonia has specific characteristics

Anaphylaxis

  • Anaphylaxis is a serve allergic reaction

Neurological Emergencies

  • Differentiate Strokes - Hemorrhagic, ischemic, TIA
  • Recognize symptoms of a concussion
  • Know the different types and phases of seizures
  • Status epilepticus is a dangerous condition

Endocrinological Emergencies

  • Differentiate Diabetes type I vs Type II - DKA vs HHNS

GI/GU / Renal Emergencies

  • Kidney failure manifests as ESRD and other complications

Poisoning and Overdose

  • Routes of poisoning vary, know the most common
  • Opiate overdose has specific symptoms

OB/GYN

  • Differentiate Para vs Gravida
  • Labor stages progress in phases
  • APGAR meaning and scoring assess newborn status
  • Delivery complications include Breech, abruptio, previa, prolapsed cord, ectopic pregnancy
  • Meconium presence indicates fetal distress
  • Newborn delivery requires specific skills
  • Neonatal resuscitation demands 100 bpm, 60 bpm, CPR
  • Neonates have fontanelles

Environmental Emergencies

  • Cold injuries differ from heat injuries like heat cramps, stoke, exhaustion

Trauma

  • Kinetics of trauma involves injury patterns from impact
  • The Trauma System focuses on the Golden period vs Platinum 10
  • Multi-system trauma affects multiple body systems
  • Use GCS and scoring
  • Law of inertia impacts vehicle impacts
  • Blood loss results from bone fractures
  • Control bleeding by type (A, V, C)
  • Chest injuries include pneumothorax, flail segments and penetrating injuries
  • Splinting rules guide immobilization
  • Open vs closed injuries have distinct characteristics
  • Soft tissue injuries are classified by DCAP-BLS-TIC
  • Fractures vs. sprains vs. strains differ by the structures involved
  • Manage head injuries
  • Recognize penetrating injuries
  • Deal with evisceration
  • Consider bombing scenarios
  • Plan extrication, covering the patient

Burns

  • Classify burns by depth
  • Estimate burn severity using the Rule of 9's

MCI Triage

  • Triage categories are essential in mass casualty incidents (MCI)
  • Prioritize using 30:2 Can Do!
  • RPM method guides triage

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