EMT-B Chapter 3 Quiz & Flashcards on Emergency Care

Questions and Answers

Putrefaction is defined as:

Blood setting to the lowest part of the body.

Separation of the torso from the rest of the body.

Profound cyanosis to the trunk and face.

Decomposition of the body's tissues. (correct)

You respond to the home of a 59-year-old man who is unconscious; has slow, shallow breathing; and has a weak pulse. The family states that the patient has terminal brain cancer and does not wish to be resuscitated. They further state that there is a DNR order for this patient, but they are unable to locate it. You should:

Honor the patient's wishes and withhold all treatment.

Begin treatment and contact medical control as needed. (correct)

Decide on further action once the DNR order is produced.

Transport the patient without providing any treatment.

To help protect patients, EMS agencies are required to have:

Public forums with their medical director

An anonymous reporting system

A privacy officer to answer questions (correct)

Online access to patient records

Which of the following components are needed to prove negligence?

Duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation Signup and view all the answers

Where would you MOST likely find information regarding a patient's wishes to be an organ donor?

Driver's license Signup and view all the answers

You arrive at the scene of a motor vehicle versus pedestrian accident. The patient, a 13-year-old male, is unconscious and has multiple injuries. As you are treating the child, a law enforcement officer advises you that the child's parents will be at the scene in approximately 15 minutes. What should you do?

Transport the child immediately and have the parents meet you at the hospital. Signup and view all the answers

When performing his or her duties, the EMT is generally expected to:

Exercise reasonable care and act prudently Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about the patient care report is correct?

It is difficult to prove actions were performed if they are not included on the report. Signup and view all the answers

You and your partner arrive at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash. The driver, a young male, is severely entrapped in his car. He has an open head injury and massive facial trauma. He is unresponsive, is not breathing, and does not have a palpable carotid pulse. You should:

Have your partner check for a pulse to confirm that the patient is deceased. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following general statements regarding consent is correct?

A patient can consent to transport but can legally refuse to be treated. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) MOST affects EMS personnel?

Protecting patient privacy Signup and view all the answers

You are called to attend to an elderly patient with an extensive medical history who is now in cardiac arrest. The patient's family tells you that the patient has a DNR order. There is no paperwork available but the patient does have a MedicAlert bracelet indicating Do Not Resuscitate. You should:

Confirm the patient identity and then confirm the DNR by calling the MedicAlert Foundation number on the bracelet. Signup and view all the answers

As an EMT, the standards of emergency care are often partially based on:

Locally accepted protocols Signup and view all the answers

The EMT's scope of practice within his or her local response area is defined by the:

Medical director Signup and view all the answers

Which type of consent is involved when a 39-year-old mentally competent female with a severe headache asks you to take her to the hospital?

Expressed Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following situations does a legal duty to act clearly exist?

A call is received 15 minutes prior to shift change. Signup and view all the answers

During your monthly internal quality improvement (QI) meeting, you review several patient care reports (PCRs) with the staff of your EMT system. You identify the patient's name, age, and sex, and discuss the treatment that was provided by the EMTs in the field. By taking this approach to the QI process, you:

Are in violation of HIPAA because you did not remove the PHI from the PCR beforehand. Signup and view all the answers

In which of the following circumstances can the EMT legally release confidential patient information?

The patient is competent and signs a release form. Signup and view all the answers

Maintaining the chain of evidence at the scene of a crime should include:

Not cutting through holes in clothing that were caused by weapons. Signup and view all the answers

When is forcible restraint permitted?

When the patient poses a significant threat to self or others. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Putrefaction

Defined as the decomposition of the body's tissues.

DNR Situations

In cases of unconscious patients with a DNR order, begin treatment and contact medical control as needed, even if the DNR paperwork is unavailable.

Privacy in EMS

EMS agencies must employ a privacy officer to address patient questions and ensure compliance with regulations regarding patient privacy.

Proving Negligence

To establish negligence in an EMS context, four elements must be present: duty to act, breach of duty, injury/damages, and causation.

Organ Donation

A driver's license is the most common location for information regarding a patient's organ donor status.

In emergencies involving minors, immediately transport the patient to the hospital, having the parents meet you there.

EMT Responsibilities

EMTs are expected to exercise reasonable care and act prudently while performing their duties.

Patient Care Report

It is essential to document actions accurately; failure to include them can hinder proof of treatment performed.

Deceased Patients

When dealing with unresponsive patients lacking a pulse, confirm the patient's status before taking further action.

Patients can refuse treatment but may still consent to transport; expressed consent can be verbal or written.

HIPAA Compliance

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act primarily focuses on protecting patient privacy, which is crucial for EMS personnel.

Confirming DNR Orders

Verify a DNR by contacting the MedicAlert Foundation using the number on the patient’s bracelet before proceeding.

Local Protocols

EMT standards of care are based on locally accepted protocols, reflecting community needs and resources.

Defining Scope of Practice

The medical director defines an EMT's scope of practice within their local response area.

The consent from a mentally competent patient, such as a female with a severe headache requesting transport, is considered expressed consent.

Duty to Act

A clear duty to act exists when a call is received shortly before a shift change, obligating the EMT to respond.

Quality Improvement Violations

Discussing patient information without proper protocols during quality improvement reviews can violate HIPAA regulations.

Releasing Confidential Information

Confidential patient information can only be released if the patient is competent and signs a release form.

Preserving Crime Scene Evidence

It is important to not cut through holes in clothing caused by weapons to preserve evidence at a crime scene.

Forcible Restraint

Forcible restraint is allowed when the patient poses a significant threat to themselves or others, following appropriate assessments.

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Description

Test your knowledge with the EMT-B Chapter 3 Quiz focused on key concepts related to patient assessment and body decomposition. Challenge yourself with flashcards designed to help you remember critical terminology and scenarios encountered in emergency medical services. Perfect for aspiring EMTs or those looking to refresh their knowledge.

EMT-B Chapter 3 Quiz