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Questions and Answers
In addition to obtaining a SAMPLE history and asking questions related to the chief complaint, what else should you specifically inquire about when assessing a patient with a potentially infectious disease?
In addition to obtaining a SAMPLE history and asking questions related to the chief complaint, what else should you specifically inquire about when assessing a patient with a potentially infectious disease?
Recent travel
Which of the following statements regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is correct?
Which of the following statements regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is correct?
What does the primary prehospital treatment for most medical emergencies address?
What does the primary prehospital treatment for most medical emergencies address?
Addresses the patient's symptoms more than the actual disease process.
What is the most accurate definition of an index of suspicion?
What is the most accurate definition of an index of suspicion?
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What should the EMT suspect if a 50-year-old man begins experiencing a fever, cough, and muscle aches three months after returning home from West Africa?
What should the EMT suspect if a 50-year-old man begins experiencing a fever, cough, and muscle aches three months after returning home from West Africa?
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What factors increase the risk for developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
What factors increase the risk for developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?
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In contrast to the assessment of a trauma patient, assessment of a medical patient is focused on what?
In contrast to the assessment of a trauma patient, assessment of a medical patient is focused on what?
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Which of the following statements regarding medical emergencies is correct?
Which of the following statements regarding medical emergencies is correct?
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Early signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis include all of the following, EXCEPT: _____ and _____
Early signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis include all of the following, EXCEPT: _____ and _____
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Upon initial contact with a patient who appears to be unconscious, what should you do?
Upon initial contact with a patient who appears to be unconscious, what should you do?
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Typical chief complaints in patients with an infectious disease include:
Typical chief complaints in patients with an infectious disease include:
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What condition should be suspected in a patient who presents with a headache, fever, confusion, and red blotches on their skin?
What condition should be suspected in a patient who presents with a headache, fever, confusion, and red blotches on their skin?
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The acronym 'TACOS' is used to _____
The acronym 'TACOS' is used to _____
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'Tunnel vision' occurs when _____
'Tunnel vision' occurs when _____
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What will MOST reliably allow you to determine the nature of a patient's illness?
What will MOST reliably allow you to determine the nature of a patient's illness?
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What should you suspect when a patient presents with symptoms including high fever, cough, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and shortness of breath?
What should you suspect when a patient presents with symptoms including high fever, cough, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and shortness of breath?
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Which of the following conditions often requires transport to a hospital with specialized capabilities that may not be available at the closest hospital?
Which of the following conditions often requires transport to a hospital with specialized capabilities that may not be available at the closest hospital?
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What is the greatest danger in displaying a personal bias or labeling a patient who frequently calls EMS?
What is the greatest danger in displaying a personal bias or labeling a patient who frequently calls EMS?
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What should you do after noting a patient's mental status has deteriorated and he is now bradycardic following crushing chest pain and difficulty breathing?
What should you do after noting a patient's mental status has deteriorated and he is now bradycardic following crushing chest pain and difficulty breathing?
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What would be the MOST pertinent question to ask a patient who recently returned from Europe and is now ill?
What would be the MOST pertinent question to ask a patient who recently returned from Europe and is now ill?
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Which of the following is an example of a common urologic emergency?
Which of the following is an example of a common urologic emergency?
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Which of the following is an example of a hematologic emergency?
Which of the following is an example of a hematologic emergency?
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Your awareness and concern for potentially serious underlying and unseen injuries or illnesses is called?
Your awareness and concern for potentially serious underlying and unseen injuries or illnesses is called?
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If you have a conscious medical patient, what type of secondary assessment should you perform?
If you have a conscious medical patient, what type of secondary assessment should you perform?
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All of the following should be considered high-priority transport, EXCEPT? _____
All of the following should be considered high-priority transport, EXCEPT? _____
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The time on scene should be limited to _____ minutes for critical patients?
The time on scene should be limited to _____ minutes for critical patients?
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Most patients with infectious diseases will have a _____ of unexplained origin or mild _____ problems.
Most patients with infectious diseases will have a _____ of unexplained origin or mild _____ problems.
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Which of the following statements is NOT true about a pandemic?
Which of the following statements is NOT true about a pandemic?
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During the management of a patient with a possible infectious or communicable disease, what must the EMT complete?
During the management of a patient with a possible infectious or communicable disease, what must the EMT complete?
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What is your best approach to treating a medical patient?
What is your best approach to treating a medical patient?
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Study Notes
Infectious Disease Assessment
- Always inquire about recent travel history when assessing a patient with a potentially infectious disease.
- Identify chief complaints and specific symptoms in patients with infectious diseases, including fever, rash, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
- Greatest risk of HIV infection occurs when the virus is introduced directly into the bloodstream or on mucous membranes.
Medical Emergency Treatment
- Prehospital treatment primarily focuses on alleviating patient symptoms rather than addressing the underlying disease process.
- Assessment of medical patients involves evaluating the nature of the illness and the specific chief complaints and symptoms.
Index of Suspicion
- The index of suspicion reflects a healthcare provider's concern for serious hidden injuries or conditions.
- Personal biases can lead to overlooking critical medical conditions, particularly in patients with frequent EMS calls.
Specific Medical Conditions
- Symptoms such as fever, cough, and muscle aches in a patient returning from regions like West Africa may indicate influenza.
- A patient presenting with headache, fever, confusion, and skin blotches may have meningitis.
Special Considerations in EMS
- Serious medical emergencies can masquerade as traumatic incidents, making careful assessment crucial.
- When transporting critical patients, scene time should be limited to 10 minutes.
- Patients experiencing difficult breathing but responding well to treatment may not require high-priority transport.
Secondary Assessments
- For conscious medical patients, conduct a detailed physical examination focusing on their chief complaint.
- Questions regarding the health of fellow travelers are vital for assessing the risk of infectious diseases.
Recognizing Emergencies
- Common urologic emergencies include kidney stones, while sickle cell disease serves as an example of hematologic emergencies.
- Not all pandemics involve the quick availability of vaccines; this is often a misconception.
Equipment Management
- When managing a patient with a possible infectious disease, clean all equipment as per exposure control protocols, properly dispose of waste, and ensure thorough hygiene practices.
Treatment Approach
- Maintain composure while using patient assessment skills to treat medical patients, prioritize symptom management, communicate with medical control, and ensure safe transport.
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Description
Test your knowledge on key concepts from EMS Chapter 14. This quiz focuses on patient assessment, specifically related to potentially infectious diseases and HIV. Dive into the critical questions that can make a difference in emergency medical situations.