EMS Chapter 16 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What should you expect to encounter during your assessment of a patient with a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) whose pump flow is continuous?

Rapid breathing

Increased body temperature

Absence of a palpable pulse (correct)

Irregular heartbeat

Further treatment for a patient who regained spontaneous circulation (ROSC) but remains unresponsive and breaths slowly should include what?

BVM ventilation at 10-12 breaths/min and assessment of oxygen saturation.

What is the main legal risk in using an AED?

Failing to deliver a shock when one is needed.

Which of the following would cause the greatest increase in cardiac output?

Increased stroke volume and increased heart rate Signup and view all the answers

Which medication is commonly given to patients with chest pain to prevent blood clots?

Aspirin Signup and view all the answers

What is a major difference between angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction (AMI)?

Anginal pain typically subsides with rest. Signup and view all the answers

Which blood vessels transport oxygenated blood?

Pulmonary veins Signup and view all the answers

What do the signs and symptoms of a 66-year-old woman with stabbing chest pain and unequal blood pressure in her arms MOST likely indicate?

Dissecting aortic aneurysm Signup and view all the answers

What is the most advantageous feature of the AED for the EMT?

It delivers prompt defibrillation to patients with ventricular fibrillation. Signup and view all the answers

What are common signs and symptoms of a hypertensive emergency?

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

Which signs or symptoms would you NOT expect to encounter in a patient with congestive heart failure?

Flat jugular veins Signup and view all the answers

Prior to defibrillating a patient with an AED, what is most important?

Ensure that no one is touching the patient. Signup and view all the answers

An acute myocardial infarction (AMI) occurs when what happens?

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

What method is most appropriate for assisting a patient with a prescribed nitroglycerin tablet?

Administer the medication sublingually and allow it to dissolve or absorb. Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the ability of cardiac muscle cells to contract spontaneously without a nerve stimulus?

Automaticity. Signup and view all the answers

When obtaining a 12-lead ECG, how should the patient be positioned?

In a supine position with legs uncrossed. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after connecting the AED and receiving a 'no shock advised' message?

Perform CPR for 2 minutes and reassess. Signup and view all the answers

How does an external defibrillator vest differ from an automatic implantable cardiac defibrillator (AICD)?

Delivers high-energy shocks, similar to an AED. Signup and view all the answers

What is the process called that involves narrowing of the coronary arteries due to fatty deposits?

Atherosclerosis. Signup and view all the answers

Where should defibrillator pads be placed on the patient's chest?

One pad to the right of the upper sternum and the other pad to the left lower chest below the armpit. Signup and view all the answers

Where is the brachial pulse taken?

Inside of the upper arm. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a component needed for good perfusion?

Presence of plaque buildup in arteries Signup and view all the answers

What is determined by multiplying the heart rate by the volume of blood ejected with each contraction?

Cardiac output. Signup and view all the answers

What does automaticity allow in cardiac muscle cells?

Allows a cardiac muscle cell to contract spontaneously without stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of all patients with an AMI do not reach the hospital alive?

40% Signup and view all the answers

What happens to the lumen as cholesterol and calcium deposits begin to form?

The lumen begins to narrow. Signup and view all the answers

In a patient with an acute myocardial infarction, which blood vessel is likely to become blocked?

Pulmonary arteries. Signup and view all the answers

Where is an AMI most likely to occur?

Left atrium. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following symptoms is NOT consistent with an AMI?

Back possibly involved Signup and view all the answers

What should you do if a 66-year-old man with a suspected AMI does not have prescribed nitroglycerin and you lack permission to administer it?

Complete your assessment and prepare to transport. Signup and view all the answers

What is the recommended dosage of low-dose aspirin for a patient with chest pain?

162mg to 324mg. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after administering a nitroglycerin tablet?

Reassess the patient's blood pressure within 5 minutes. Signup and view all the answers

To maintain consistency in monitoring and obtaining a useful ECG, there are predetermined ________ for each electrode.

locations Signup and view all the answers

What is the last step in performing cardiac monitoring?

Label each strip. Signup and view all the answers

Which heart surgery uses a balloon attached to a long, thin tube?

Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Signup and view all the answers

What is the complete cessation of cardiac activity known as?

Cardiac arrest. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT true when treating a pediatric patient with chest pain?

If the child is between 1 month and 9 months, a manual defibrillator is preferred. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Cardiac Conditions and Devices

A left ventricular assist device (LVAD) results in an absence of a palpable pulse due to continuous pump flow.
Return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in a cardiac arrest patient requires BVM ventilation and oxygen saturation assessment if unresponsive with irregular breathing.
Automatic implantable cardiac defibrillators (AICD) differ from external defibrillator vests, which deliver high-energy shocks like an AED.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

The primary legal risk associated with using an AED is failing to deliver a necessary shock.

Cardiac Function and Health

Cardiac output increases with both a higher heart rate and stroke volume.
A common medication for chest pain that prevents blood clots is aspirin.
Anginal pain typically resolves with rest, distinguishing it from acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Blood Vessels and Circulation

Pulmonary veins are responsible for transporting oxygenated blood.
A hypertensive emergency can manifest through a bounding pulse, severe headache, and dizziness.
Atherosclerosis is the condition where coronary arteries narrow due to fatty deposits.

Patient Assessment Indicators

Signs of a dissecting aortic aneurysm can include severe chest pain radiating to the back and significant blood pressure differences between arms.
Patients in congestive heart failure typically do not exhibit hypotension or flat jugular veins.

Emergency Procedures

Before using an AED, ensure no one is in contact with the patient.
Following a "no shock advised" message from an AED, perform CPR for 2 minutes before reassessing.

ECG and Monitoring

A 12-lead ECG should be done with the patient supine and legs uncrossed.
Accurate ECG monitoring requires predetermined electrode locations, and each strip must be labeled after monitoring.

Dosages and Administration

Recommended low-dose aspirin for chest pain is between 162 mg to 324 mg.
Administer prescribed nitroglycerin tablet or spray sublingually and reassess blood pressure within 5 minutes after administration.

Pediatric Considerations

If treating a child with chest pain, avoid assuming that manual defibrillators are always preferred for infants aged between 1 month and 9 months.

Statistics and General Knowledge

Approximately 40% of patients experiencing an AMI do not reach the hospital alive.
Blockage leading to an AMI typically occurs in coronary arteries; however, incidents may also involve pulmonary arteries among other factors.
Automaticity in cardiac cells allows them to contract spontaneously without a nerve impulse.

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Description

Test your knowledge with these flashcards focused on Chapter 16 of EMS. The questions cover important concepts such as LVADs and ROSC, which are crucial for emergency medical providers. Use these flashcards to reinforce your learning and preparation for real-life scenarios.