Emergency Medical Services Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the index of suspicion?

Your concern for potentially serious underlying conditions

When a motor vehicle strikes a tree while traveling 40 mph, what happens to the unrestrained occupant?

Remains in motion until acted upon by an outside force

What is true about the first collision in a motor vehicle crash?

It is the most dramatic part of the collision and makes extrication difficult

In the event of a rollover motor vehicle crash, what is likely to happen to the driver?

Is ejected or partially ejected Signup and view all the answers

What is the phenomenon of pressure waves emanating from a bullet that causes damage remote from its path known as?

Cavitation Signup and view all the answers

Why might bleeding occur from even a minor injury during the normal wound healing process?

New capillaries that stem from intact capillaries are delicate and take time to become as stable as the preexisting capillaries Signup and view all the answers

What is a laceration?

A jagged cut caused by a sharp object or blunt force trauma Signup and view all the answers

What is the adam's apple?

The upper part of the larynx that is formed by the thyroid cartilage Signup and view all the answers

Significant trauma to the face should increase the EMT's index of suspicion for what condition?

Spinal cord injury Signup and view all the answers

What does hyphema refer to?

Blood in the anterior chamber of the eye Signup and view all the answers

What are the two main components of the CNS?

Brain and spinal cord Signup and view all the answers

The _____ nervous system consists of 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

Peripheral Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during a reflex arc?

A sensory nerve detects an irritating stimulus and bypasses the brain by sending a direct message to the motor nerve Signup and view all the answers

The cervical spine is composed of ______ vertebrae.

7 Signup and view all the answers

The most common and most serious complication of a significant head injury is ______.

Cerebral edema Signup and view all the answers

What defines an epidural hematoma?

Bleeding between the skull and the dura mater Signup and view all the answers

How should you be suspicious of a significant head injury if the patient's pulse is:

Slow Signup and view all the answers

What is the most reliable sign of a head injury?

Decreased level of consciousness Signup and view all the answers

What does hemoptysis refer to?

Coughing up blood Signup and view all the answers

What is pneumothorax?

Accumulation of air in the pleural space Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during an open pneumothorax?

Air enters the pleural space from outside of the body Signup and view all the answers

What is a flail chest?

A segment of the chest wall is detached from the thoracic cage Signup and view all the answers

Bruising to the RU quadrant following blunt trauma is MOST suggestive of an injury to the:

Liver Signup and view all the answers

What is the likely cause of abdominal distention?

Accumulation of blood in the abdominal cavity Signup and view all the answers

What may occur when a hollow organ is punctured during a penetrating injury to the abdomen?

Peritonitis may not develop for several hours Signup and view all the answers

Which organ is most at risk for injury as the result of a pelvic fracture?

Urinary bladder Signup and view all the answers

What does the musculoskeletal system refer to?

Bones and voluntary muscles of the body Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following types of muscle is under direct voluntary control of the brain?

Skeletal Signup and view all the answers

Bone marrow produces:

Blood cells Signup and view all the answers

A ______ is a musculoskeletal injury in which there is a partial or temporary separation of the bone end as well as partial stretching or tearing of the supporting ligaments.

Sprain Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST reliable indicator of an underlying fracture?

Point tenderness Signup and view all the answers

What are crepitus and false motion indicators of?

Positive indicators of a fracture Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following musculoskeletal injuries would pose the greatest threat to a patient's life?

Pelvic fracture with hypotension Signup and view all the answers

What is the MOST significant hazard associated with splinting?

Delaying transport of a critically injured patient Signup and view all the answers

All of the following are lines with mucous membranes EXCEPT for:

Lips Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of systemic veins?

Returning deoxygenated blood back to the heart Signup and view all the answers

What are the smaller vessels that carry blood away from the heart and connect the arteries to the capillaries called?

Arterioles Signup and view all the answers

The ability of a person's cardiovascular system to compensate for blood loss is MOST related to what?

How rapidly he or she bleeds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding hemophilia is correct?

Patients with hemophilia may bleed spontaneously Signup and view all the answers

Bleeding from the nose following head trauma is a sign of what?

A skull fracture and should not be stopped Signup and view all the answers

What develops when large blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged?

A hematoma Signup and view all the answers

When administering supplemental oxygen to a hypoxemic patient with chronic lung disease, what should you do?

Adjust the flow rate accordingly until you see symptom improvement, but be prepared to assist his or her ventilations Signup and view all the answers

Deoxygenated blood from the body returns to the:

Right atrium Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of the left atrium?

It receives oxygenated blood from the lungs Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to the sympathetic nervous system, the parasympathetic nervous system:

Slows the heart and respiratory rates Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during an acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?

Myocardial tissue dies secondary to an absence of oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What is angina pectoris?

Myocardial oxygen demand exceeds the supply Signup and view all the answers

What causes cardiogenic shock following AMI?

Decreased pumping force of the heart muscle Signup and view all the answers

Common signs and symptoms of a hypertensive emergency include:

A bounding pulse, a severe headache, and dizziness Signup and view all the answers

When would it be most appropriate for a patient to take his or her prescribed nitroglycerin?

Chest pain that does not immediately subside with rest Signup and view all the answers

What should the EMT do after an AED has delivered a shock?

Immediately resume CPR Signup and view all the answers

What are the three major parts of the brain?

Cerebrum, cerebellum, and brainstem Signup and view all the answers

What does the anterior aspect of the cerebrum control?

Emotion Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during a transient ischemic attack (TIA)?

The normal body processes destroy a clot in a cerebral artery Signup and view all the answers

What does it mean when a patient is experiencing aphasia?

Unable to produce or understand speech Signup and view all the answers

Status epilepticus is characterized by:

Prolonged seizures without a return of consciousness Signup and view all the answers

What is the principal clinical difference between a stroke and hypoglycemia?

A patient with hypoglycemia usually has an altered mental status or decreased level of consciousness Signup and view all the answers

Solid abdominal organs include:

Spleen, kidneys, and pancreas Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following organs would MOST likely bleed profusely if injured?

Liver Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of the liver?

Production of substances necessary for clotting Signup and view all the answers

What may peritonitis result in?

Shock because fluid shifts from the bloodstream into body tissues Signup and view all the answers

Erosion of the protective layer of the stomach or duodenum secondary to overactivity of digestive juices results in:

An ulcer Signup and view all the answers

What is a strangulated hernia?

One that loses its blood supply due to compression of local tissues Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference in the management/control of diabetes between type I and type II?

Type II does not control their disease with supplemental insulin Signup and view all the answers

Ketone production is a result of:

Fat metabolization when glucose is unavailable Signup and view all the answers

Diabetic coma is a life-threatening condition that results from:

Hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis, and dehydration Signup and view all the answers

What is sickle cell disease?

The red blood cells are abnormally shaped and are less able to carry oxygen Signup and view all the answers

What do Kussmaul respirations indicate?

The body is attempting to eliminate acids from the blood Signup and view all the answers

Classic signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia include:

Cool, clammy skin; weakness; tachycardia; rapid respirations Signup and view all the answers

What is hemoglobin responsible for?

Carrying oxygen within the red blood cells Signup and view all the answers

What is urticaria?

Hives Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if a stinger from a honeybee is encountered?

Scraped away from the skin Signup and view all the answers

Epinephrine is indicated for patients with an allergic reaction when:

Wheezing and hypotension are present Signup and view all the answers

What are signs of agitated delirium?

Diaphoresis, tachycardia, hallucinations Signup and view all the answers

How is body heat lost through radiation?

Body heat is lost to the atmosphere to nearby objects without physically touching them Signup and view all the answers

How is body heat lost through convection?

Body heat is lost to surrounding air, which becomes warmer, rises, and is replaced with cooler air Signup and view all the answers

How is body heat lost through conduction?

Body heat is lost to nearby objects through physical touch (direct contact) Signup and view all the answers

In order for evaporation to be an effective cooling mechanism, what must occur?

It must be able to evaporate from the body Signup and view all the answers

High humidity reduces the body's ability to lose heat through:

Evaporation Signup and view all the answers

Common signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion include all of the following except:

Hot, dry skin Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during heatstroke?

The body's heat-eliminating mechanisms are overwhelmed Signup and view all the answers

Who typically regulates the standards for prehospital care and the individuals who provide it?

State office of EMS Signup and view all the answers

Why do prescription glasses not provide adequate eye protection?

They offer little to no side protection Signup and view all the answers

CISM can occur at an ongoing scene in all of the following circumstances except:

When patients are actively being assessed or treated Signup and view all the answers

To minimize the risk of litigation, what should the EMT always do?

Provide competent care that meets current standards Signup and view all the answers

In order for a DNR order to be valid, it must:

Clearly state the patient's medical problem Signup and view all the answers

What does putrefaction refer to?

Decomposition of the body's tissues Signup and view all the answers

What does the PCR ensure?

Continuity of care Signup and view all the answers

The nose, chin, umbilicus, and spine are examples of _____ anatomic structures.

Midline Signup and view all the answers

The _____ plane separates the body into left and right halves.

Midsagittal Signup and view all the answers

In relation to the wrist, the elbow is:

Distal Signup and view all the answers

What are examples of facial bones?

Zygoma, mandible, maxillae, orbits Signup and view all the answers

The _____ is made up of the maxilla, zygoma, as well as the frontal bone of the cranium.

Orbit Signup and view all the answers

What is the most superior portion of the sternum?

Manubrium Signup and view all the answers

A femoral head forms a ball-and-socket joint with the:

Acetabulum Signup and view all the answers

Skeletal muscle is also called:

Voluntary muscle Signup and view all the answers

What occurs during inhalation?

The diaphragm and intercostal muscles contract Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called when oxygen and carbon dioxide pass across the alveolar membrane?

Diffusion Signup and view all the answers

Breathing occurs as a result of a(n) increase in carbon dioxide, which decreases the pH of the CSF.

True Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Index of Suspicion

Defined as concern for potentially serious underlying conditions in patients.

Motor Vehicle Collisions

Unrestrained occupants in a collision continue moving until acted upon by an external force.
The first collision in a crash is dramatic and can complicate extrication.
Rollover crashes pose serious injury risks, especially if an occupant is ejected.

Wound and Injury Concepts

Cavitation describes pressure waves from a bullet causing damage away from its direct path.
During wound healing, minor injuries may bleed due to delicate new capillaries taking time to stabilize.
A laceration is a jagged cut from sharp or blunt force trauma.

Anatomy Highlights

The Adam's apple refers to the upper part of the larynx formed by the thyroid cartilage.
Significant face trauma raises suspicion for spinal cord injury.
Hyphema indicates blood in the anterior eye chamber and may arise from facial injury.

Central Nervous System (CNS)

The CNS comprises the brain and spinal cord.
The peripheral nervous system includes 31 pairs of spinal nerves and 12 pairs of cranial nerves.

Reflexes and Vertebrae

A reflex arc bypasses the brain, with a sensory nerve directly conveying a message to a motor nerve.
The cervical spine consists of seven vertebrae.

Head Injury Complications

Cerebral edema is the most common and serious complication following a significant head injury.
An epidural hematoma is bleeding between the skull and the dura mater.

Symptoms and Vitals

A slow pulse in a patient may indicate a significant head injury.
Decreased consciousness is the most reliable sign of head trauma.

Respiratory and Circulatory System Insights

Hemoptysis signifies coughing up blood, while pneumothorax denotes air accumulation in the pleural space.
An open pneumothorax involves air entering the pleural cavity from outside the body.
Flail chest occurs when a chest wall segment detaches from the thoracic cage.

Organ Injury and Trauma

Blunt trauma bruising in the right upper quadrant usually suggests liver injury.
Abdominal cavity blood accumulation typically leads to distention.
A punctured hollow organ can delay peritonitis development.
The urinary bladder is most at risk during pelvic fractures.

Musculoskeletal System

The musculoskeletal system encompasses bones and voluntary muscles.
Skeletal muscle operates under direct voluntary control, unlike cardiac or smooth muscle.
Bone marrow is responsible for blood cell production.
A sprain involves partial separation of bone ends and ligament stretching.

Fractures and Signs

Point tenderness is a key indicator of an underlying fracture.
Crepitus and false motion are positive signs confirming fractures.
Pelvic fractures accompanied by hypotension represent the greatest life threat among musculoskeletal injuries.

Circulatory Function

Systemic veins return deoxygenated blood to the heart, while arterioles carry blood from arteries to capillaries.
Acute myocardial infarction results from myocardial tissue dying due to lack of oxygen.

Hemorrhagic Conditions

Hemophilia features spontaneous bleeding due to a lack of clotting factors, but not a total lack of platelets.
A hematoma is formed when large blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged.

Diabetes Management

Differences in diabetes management highlight that Type II does not typically require supplemental insulin.
Ketones result from fat metabolism when glucose is unavailable, leading to diabetic coma through hyperglycemia and dehydration.

Environmental Factors and Thermoregulation

Radiation is the most significant way body heat loss occurs without contact.
Convection involves heat loss to moving cooler air, while conduction occurs through direct contact.
Humidity impacts the body's ability to cool via evaporation.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

DNR orders must explicitly state the patient's medical issues to be valid.
Continuity of care is ensured by proper PCR documentation, while competent care minimizes litigation risks.

Anatomical Orientation

Terms like midline, midsagittal, and distal help describe anatomical relationships and positions.
Facial bones include the zygoma, mandible, maxillae, and orbits.

Respiratory Mechanisms

The diaphragm works alongside intercostal muscles during inhalation, facilitating breathing through diffusion across alveolar membranes.

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Description

Test your knowledge on crucial definitions and concepts in Emergency Medical Services with these flashcards. Each card presents important terms and their meanings, helping you understand the index of suspicion and the dynamics of motor vehicle collisions.