HIV Knowledge Quiz & EMS Chapter 14 Flashcards

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?

Recent travel

Which of the following statements regarding the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is correct?

The risk of HIV infection is greatest when deposited on a mucous membrane or directly into the bloodstream. (correct)

The risk of HIV infection is highest when transmitted via saliva.

HIV can survive for only a few minutes outside the body.

HIV infection does not pose a risk in the healthcare setting.

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?

Your awareness and concern for potentially serious underlying and unseen injuries or illness. Signup and view all the answers

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?

Influenza Signup and view all the answers

What factors increase the risk for developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)?

Prolonged hospitalization, especially in an intensive care unit. Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to the assessment of a trauma patient, assessment of a medical patient is focused on what?

The nature of illness, the patient's chief complaint, and his or her symptoms. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements regarding medical emergencies is correct?

Medical emergencies can appear to be traumatic in nature. Signup and view all the answers

Early signs and symptoms of viral hepatitis include all of the following, EXCEPT: _ and _

jaundice, abdominal pain Signup and view all the answers

Upon initial contact with a patient who appears to be unconscious, what should you do?

Attempt to elicit a verbal response by talking to the patient. Signup and view all the answers

Typical chief complaints in patients with an infectious disease include:

Fever, rash, nausea, and difficulty breathing. Signup and view all the answers

What condition should be suspected in a patient who presents with a headache, fever, confusion, and red blotches on their skin?

Meningitis Signup and view all the answers

The acronym 'TACOS' is used to _____

identify factors that may complicate the patient's condition or your treatment. Signup and view all the answers

'Tunnel vision' occurs when _____

you exclude certain possibilities for the patient's condition. Signup and view all the answers

What will MOST reliably allow you to determine the nature of a patient's illness?

Asking questions related to the chief complaint. Signup and view all the answers

What should you suspect when a patient presents with symptoms including high fever, cough, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and shortness of breath?

MERS-CoV Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following conditions often requires transport to a hospital with specialized capabilities that may not be available at the closest hospital?

Both A and B Signup and view all the answers

What is the greatest danger in displaying a personal bias or labeling a patient who frequently calls EMS?

Overlooking a potentially serious medical condition. Signup and view all the answers

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?

Prepare the patient for immediate transport. Signup and view all the answers

What would be the MOST pertinent question to ask a patient who recently returned from Europe and is now ill?

Is anyone else in your travel party sick? Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a common urologic emergency?

Kidney Stones Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a hematologic emergency?

Sickle cell disease Signup and view all the answers

Your awareness and concern for potentially serious underlying and unseen injuries or illnesses is called?

Index of suspicion. Signup and view all the answers

If you have a conscious medical patient, what type of secondary assessment should you perform?

Detailed physical examination of chief complaint. Signup and view all the answers

All of the following should be considered high-priority transport, EXCEPT? _____

Patients with difficult breathing but who are responding to treatment. Signup and view all the answers

The time on scene should be limited to _____ minutes for critical patients?

10 Signup and view all the answers

Most patients with infectious diseases will have a _ of unexplained origin or mild _ problems.

Fever, breathing Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements is NOT true about a pandemic?

The vaccine is often available quickly. Signup and view all the answers

During the management of a patient with a possible infectious or communicable disease, what must the EMT complete?

Clean equipment according to your agency's exposure control plan, properly discard any disposable supplies, and wash any lines. Signup and view all the answers

What is your best approach to treating a medical patient?

Keep calm, use your patient assessment skills, treat the patient's symptoms, report to medical control, and transport the patient safely. Signup and view all the answers

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.

EMS Chapter 14 Flashcards