EMT-B Final Exam Study Set

Questions and Answers

A continuous self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the EMS system that require improvement is called:

Standing orders

Medical direction

Quality improvement (correct)

Protocols

A physician who assumes the ultimate responsibility for the patient-care aspects of the EMS system is called the:

Medical Director (correct)

Primary Care Physician

Off-line Director

Designated Agent

Situations that are higher risks of a lawsuit against an EMS agency are:

Patients who refuse care (correct)

Pedestrians struck by cars (correct)

Cardiac arrest cases (correct)

On-scene deaths (correct)

The legal extent or limits of the EMT's job are formally defined by the:

Scope of practice Signup and view all the answers

Which is not generally considered a sign or symptom of stress?

Decisiveness Signup and view all the answers

All of the following are types of calls that have a high potential for causing excessive stress except:

Motor vehicle collisions Signup and view all the answers

Lifestyle changes that can help the EMT deal with stress include all of the following except:

Increased consumption of fatty foods Signup and view all the answers

Changes in your professional life to reduce and prevent stress can include:

Requesting a change of shift or location Signup and view all the answers

One of the functions of the integumentary system is to:

Protect the body from the environment, bacteria, and other organisms Signup and view all the answers

Stress after a major EMS incident is:

Normal and to be expected Signup and view all the answers

Retreating to a world of one's own after hearing one is going to die is a result of the stage of grief called:

Depression Signup and view all the answers

When a patient's lower extremities are trapped under a farm tractor, the blood supply is diminished to the cells in the legs. This injury can result in:

Anaerobic metabolism Signup and view all the answers

A disease that is spread by exposure to an open wound or sore of an infected individual is caused by a(n) _____ pathogen.

bloodborne Signup and view all the answers

An infection that causes inflammation of the liver is called:

Hepatitis Signup and view all the answers

A disease spread by inhaling or absorbing droplets from the air through the eyes, nose, or mouth is considered:

Airborne Signup and view all the answers

The communicable disease that kills the most health workers every year in the United States is:

Hepatitis B virus Signup and view all the answers

Always assume that any patient with a productive cough has TB.

True Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not true about the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)?

It is an airborne pathogen Signup and view all the answers

Your patient has hepatitis B. You are accidentally stuck with a needle that has some of this patient's infected blood on it. Your chance of contracting the disease is about:

30 percent Signup and view all the answers

Your patient has HIV. You are accidentally stuck with a needle that has some infected blood on it. Your chance of contracting the disease is about:

0.5 percent Signup and view all the answers

If you think your patient has TB, you should wear the usual personal protective equipment plus a:

HEPA or N-95 respirator Signup and view all the answers

Instead of providing mouth-to-mouth ventilations on the nonbreathing patient, the EMT, when acting alone, should use a(n):

Pocket mask with a one-way valve Signup and view all the answers

Which method of infection control reduces exposure to yourself, your crew, and your next patient?

Hand washing after each patient contact Signup and view all the answers

An act that establishes procedures through which emergency response workers can find out if they have been exposed to life-threatening infectious diseases is called:

The Ryan White CARE Act Signup and view all the answers

Each emergency response employer must develop a plan that identifies and documents job classifications and tasks in which there is the possibility for exposure to potentially infectious body fluids. This is required by:

OSHA 1910.1030 Signup and view all the answers

Every employer of EMTs must provide free of charge:

Hepatitis B vaccination Signup and view all the answers

Engineering controls that prevent the spread of bloodborne diseases include:

All of these Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not required by the OSHA bloodborne pathogen standard?

HEPA or N-95 respirator Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not considered a high-risk area for TB?

Daycare centers Signup and view all the answers

As you near an emergency scene, you should:

Turn off your lights and siren Signup and view all the answers

If anyone at the scene is in possession of a weapon, the EMT should:

Notify the police immediately Signup and view all the answers

The reduction of breathing to the point where oxygen intake is not sufficient to support life is called:

Respiratory failure Signup and view all the answers

Adequate signs of breathing include all of the following except:

Blue or gray skin coloration Signup and view all the answers

The widening of the nostrils of the nose with respirations is called:

Nasal flaring Signup and view all the answers

The condition in which a patient's skin or lips are blue or gray is called:

Cyanosis Signup and view all the answers

Which organization are most EMT training programs based on?

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Signup and view all the answers

An EMT can inspire patient confidence and cooperation by:

Being pleasant, cooperative, and sincere, and a good listener Signup and view all the answers

If an on-duty EMT fails to provide the standard of care and this failure causes harm to the patient, the EMT may be accused of:

Negligence Signup and view all the answers

You are treating a conscious and mentally competent adult patient who wants to refuse your care and transport to the hospital. This refusal must be _____ and documented.

informed Signup and view all the answers

The EMT is authorized to treat and transport an unconscious patient because of the legal consideration known as _____ consent.

implied Signup and view all the answers

Because the parents are not present, the child's consent is:

Meaningless Signup and view all the answers

In some states, _____ help protect the off-duty EMT from lawsuits when stopping at the scene of a collision to offer assistance.

Good Samaritan laws Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the responsibility of an EMT at a hazardous-materials (hazmat) incident except:

Entering hazmat scenes with SCBA Signup and view all the answers

The form of infection control that assumes that all body fluids should be considered potentially infectious is:

Standard Precautions Signup and view all the answers

When planning to lift a patient, all of the following are important considerations for the EMT except:

The distance the patient needs to be carried Signup and view all the answers

When lifting an injured patient, the EMT should:

Use the leg muscles to do the lift Signup and view all the answers

To carry a patient on the stairs, you should:

Use a stair chair whenever possible Signup and view all the answers

Ways an EMT can avoid a potential back injury include all of the following except:

Keep arms straight when pulling Signup and view all the answers

An emergency move is required in each of the following situations except when:

The patient is unconscious Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the greatest danger to the patient in an emergency move?

A spinal injury may be aggravated Signup and view all the answers

A method of lifting and carrying a patient in which one EMT slips hands under the patient's armpits and grasps the wrists while another EMT grasps the patient's knees is called the:

Extremity lift Signup and view all the answers

Your patient is a medical patient with a suspected drug overdose. He is lying supine on your stretcher. When moving him from the ambulance stretcher to the hospital stretcher, you will probably use the:

Modified draw-sheet method Signup and view all the answers

To load the wheeled ambulance stretcher into the ambulance, the two EMTs should position themselves on _____ of the stretcher.

opposite sides Signup and view all the answers

You are treating a 28-year-old conscious diabetic who has an altered level of consciousness. She is lying on the floor at the moment. To move her from the floor to a stair chair, use the:

Extremity lift Signup and view all the answers

Drags are used only in emergencies because they:

Do not protect the patient's neck and spine Signup and view all the answers

To maintain balance when lifting a patient-carrying device, it is best to use _____ rescuers to carry the device.

An even number of Signup and view all the answers

You are treating the driver of a vehicle involved in a collision. He requires immediate airway and bleeding control. You are unable to provide this treatment in the vehicle. You should:

Make an urgent move Signup and view all the answers

Your patient is an unconscious adult female stroke patient. Which carry is considered very difficult to use with an unconscious person?

Piggyback Signup and view all the answers

The _____ carry must be performed in one unbroken sweep.

Firefighter's Signup and view all the answers

A canvas or rubberized stretcher that can be used to move a patient through a narrow hallway or restricted area is called a _____ stretcher.

Flexible Signup and view all the answers

A patient with obvious spinal injuries is found on the floor of a burning building. The EMT rates the situation hazardous but not yet dire. Alone and without special equipment, the EMT should use the:

Clothes drag Signup and view all the answers

The patient-carrying device of choice for a 20-year-old male who is dizzy but not injured is the _____ stretcher.

Wheeled ambulance Signup and view all the answers

If you are an EMT with a service that does not provide the appropriate personal protective equipment, why should you serve as an advocate for this equipment?

All of these are reasons to serve as an advocate Signup and view all the answers

During an EMT call, a lethal threat is made by a 24-year-old intoxicated male. The EMT should first:

Retreat to a safe area Signup and view all the answers

Of the different types of stress, which is a positive form that helps the EMT work under pressure and respond effectively?

Eustress Signup and view all the answers

When responding to a violent situation, observation begins when you:

Enter the neighborhood Signup and view all the answers

To ensure crew safety, one member of the crew should always:

Carry a portable radio Signup and view all the answers

While you are treating a patient with a severely bleeding forearm, the patient's pet dog appears. Your best course of action would be to:

Quickly control the bleeding; then have the dog locked in another room Signup and view all the answers

If a patient refuses care and then becomes unconscious, it is best for the EMT to:

Treat life-threatening problems and transport Signup and view all the answers

An advantage of the advance directive is that:

The patient's expressed wishes may be followed Signup and view all the answers

In most cases, the oral wishes of the patient's family to withhold care are:

Not a reason to withhold medical care Signup and view all the answers

You can prevent most lawsuits if you:

Do all of these Signup and view all the answers

The negligent EMT may be required to pay for all of the following except the patient's:

Health insurance costs Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is not a function of the musculoskeletal system?

It regulates body temperature Signup and view all the answers

The superior portion of the sternum is called the:

Manubrium Signup and view all the answers

The medical term for the protrusion on the inside of the ankle is the:

Medial malleolus Signup and view all the answers

The heart muscle has the property called _____. This means that the heart has the ability to generate and conduct electrical impulses on its own.

automaticity Signup and view all the answers

A division of the peripheral nervous system that controls involuntary motor functions is called the _____ nervous system.

autonomic Signup and view all the answers

When in the anatomical position, a person is facing:

The observer Signup and view all the answers

In the anatomical position, the person's palms will be facing:

Forward Signup and view all the answers

An anatomical term that is occasionally used to refer to the sole of the foot is:

Plantar Signup and view all the answers

The bones of the cheek are called the _____ bones.

Zygomatic Signup and view all the answers

The heart is _____ to the stomach.

Superior Signup and view all the answers

When comparing body structure positions, the knees are said to be _ to the toes, and the toes are _ to the knees.

Proximal; distal Signup and view all the answers

A patient found lying on her back is in the _____ position.

Supine Signup and view all the answers

To assist in describing the location of abdominal organs, we divide the abdomen into _____ parts.

Four Signup and view all the answers

Your 18-year-old male patient has severe burns of the entire front (anterior) surface of the torso. The torso of the body is composed of the abdomen, pelvis, and:

Thorax Signup and view all the answers

The heart is located in the center of the _____ cavity.

Thoracic Signup and view all the answers

The structure that divides the chest cavity from the abdominal cavity is the:

Diaphragm Signup and view all the answers

The anatomical name for the kneecap is the:

Patella Signup and view all the answers

The cranium consists of the:

Top, back, and sides of the skull Signup and view all the answers

The highest point in the shoulder is the:

Acromion process Signup and view all the answers

At the scene of a collision, an off-duty EMT provides care to the patient, acting in good faith and to the best of her abilities. In many states, this EMT is protected from care-related lawsuits by _____ laws.

Good Samaritan Signup and view all the answers

When confronted with an unconscious minor without parents or a legal guardian present, the EMT should:

Consider consent for care to be implied and begin care Signup and view all the answers

The legal concept of negligence requires that three circumstances must be demonstrated. Which of the following is not one of the three circumstances?

The EMT had a local duty Signup and view all the answers

A person lying on his stomach with his face down is in the _____ position.

Prone Signup and view all the answers

As an EMT, you have been assigned to take a terminally ill patient back and forth to chemotherapy multiple times a week for the next few weeks. You realize that the patient has been going through emotional stages in the following order:

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance Signup and view all the answers

In 1970, the _____ was founded to establish professional standards for EMS personnel.

National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Signup and view all the answers

Safe, reliable transportation is a critical component of an EMS system. Most patients can be transported effectively by:

Ambulance Signup and view all the answers

An _____ is a national-level EMT who has been trained to start IVs, perform advanced airway techniques, and administer some medicines beyond the EMT.

EMT-Intermediate Signup and view all the answers

The process of ensuring that the care provided is meeting established standards is known as _____ improvement.

Quality Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

EMT-B Final Exam Study Notes

National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) establishes standards for most EMT training programs.
EMTs can inspire patient confidence by being pleasant, cooperative, sincere, and good listeners.
Failure to provide proper care by an EMT may lead to negligence accusations.
An informed consent is necessary for conscious, mentally competent adults refusing care.
Implied consent allows EMTs to treat unconscious patients legally.
Consent for minors is considered meaningless if parents are absent.
Good Samaritan laws protect off-duty EMTs from lawsuits when providing care at accident scenes.
At hazardous materials incidents, EMTs should focus on self-protection, problem recognition, and notifying hazmat teams, but not enter hot zones.
Standard Precautions assume that all body fluids should be treated as potentially infectious.
Important considerations for lifting a patient exclude the distance they must be carried.
EMTs should use leg muscles when lifting to prevent injury.
A stair chair is preferred for transporting patients on stairs.
Keeping arms straight when pulling is not recommended to avoid back injuries; twisting movements should be avoided.
Emergency moves are not required if the patient is unconscious.
The greatest risk of an emergency move is aggravating a spinal injury.
An extremity lift involves one EMT lifting under the armpits while another supports the knees.
The modified draw-sheet method is suitable for transferring patients on a stretcher.
When loading an ambulance stretcher, EMTs should position themselves on opposite sides for balance.
An extremity lift is the appropriate method to move a conscious diabetic patient from the floor.
Drags are used in emergencies but do not protect the patient's neck or spine.
Using an even number of rescuers ensures balance when lifting patient-carrying devices.
Immediate intervention is necessary when an urgent move is required for a patient needing airway control.
Carrying an unconscious patient is challenging with the piggyback method.
The firefighter's carry must be executed in one smooth motion.
A flexible stretcher can maneuver through tight spaces effectively.
In a controlled situation, use the clothes drag to safely move a patient from a hazardous area.
A wheeled ambulance stretcher is the preferred device for transporting non-injured patients.
Serving as an advocate for appropriate protective equipment is crucial for the safety of EMTs and patients.
When threatened during a call, EMTs should first retreat to a safe area.
Eustress is a beneficial type of stress that helps EMTs perform effectively under pressure.
Observation of safety conditions starts as EMTs enter the neighborhood of a violent situation.
One crew member should always carry a portable radio to ensure communication and safety.
Quick bleeding control is the priority when a patient's pet appears during treatment.
If a patient who declined care becomes unconscious, the EMT should treat any life-threatening issues and transport them.
Advanced directives allow the patient’s intentions to guide treatment decisions.
Family wishes to withhold care are not sufficient to stop medical intervention without legal documentation.
Most lawsuits against EMTs can be avoided by providing proper care, documentation, and patient respect.
Negligent EMTs may be liable for lost wages and medical expenses, but not health insurance costs.
The musculoskeletal system supports body shape, organ protection, and movement but does not regulate temperature.
The superior portion of the sternum is known as the manubrium.
The medical term for the protrusion on the inside of the ankle is the medial malleolus.
Automaticity allows the heart to generate electrical impulses independently.
The autonomic nervous system controls involuntary motor functions.
In the anatomical position, individuals face the observer, palms forward.
The term plantar is used to refer to the sole of the foot.
Zygomatic bones form the structure of the cheeks.
The heart is located superior to the stomach.
The knees are proximal to the toes, which are distal to the knees.
A patient lying on their back is in the supine position.
Abdomen reference includes four parts.
Thorax describes the upper trunk area, including the heart.
The diaphragm separates the chest and abdominal cavities.
Patella refers to the kneecap.
The cranium comprises the top, back, and sides of the skull.
The highest point of the shoulder is the acromion process.
Good Samaritan laws provide legal protection for EMTs offering help in emergencies.
Consent for an unconscious minor to receive care is considered implied.
A breach of duty must cause harm to fulfill the legal concept of negligence.
Prone position describes a person lying face down.
Emotional stages of terminal illness include denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians was established in 1970 to standardize EMS personnel qualifications.
Reliable transportation for patients typically involves an ambulance.
EMT-Intermediate level offers advanced training in procedures like IV initiation and administering certain medications.
Quality improvement involves ongoing self-assessment to enhance EMS systems.
The Medical Director oversees patient care aspects in EMS.
Patients refusing care significantly increase the risk of legal action for EMS agencies.
Scope of practice defines the legal limits of an EMT’s responsibilities.
Signs of stress do not generally include decisiveness.
Various call types that could cause stress in EMTs include scenarios involving children, severe injuries, but not necessarily vehicle collisions.
Healthier lifestyle choices to manage stress exclude increased fatty food consumption.
To alleviate stress, creating changes in one's work situation may include requesting shifts or locations that are manageable.### Integumentary System Functions
Protects the body from environmental hazards, bacteria, and other organisms.
Regulates blood vessel diameter affecting circulation.

Stress and Grieving

Stress after major EMS incidents is normal and expected.
This reaction is part of the grieving process rather than a sign of weakness.

Stages of Grief

Depression is a stage of grief marked by retreating to one's own world after receiving terminal news.

Medical Conditions and Metabolism

Trapped lower extremities can lead to anaerobic metabolism due to diminished blood supply, resulting in lactic acid production.

Pathogen Types

Bloodborne pathogens spread through exposure to infected bodily fluids.
Airborne diseases are transmitted via inhaling droplets or absorbing from the air.

Infectious Diseases

Hepatitis is an infection causing liver inflammation.
Hepatitis B virus is the leading communicable disease causing deaths among health workers in the U.S.

Symptoms and Disease Assessment

Always suspect tuberculosis (TB) in patients with a productive cough.
Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) does not spread through the air.

Exposure Risks

Hepatitis B has a transmission risk of about 30% upon needle stick from an infected patient.
HIV has a lower transmission risk of approximately 0.5%.

Infection Control

A HEPA or N-95 respirator is required when dealing with TB patients.
A pocket mask with a one-way valve is recommended for nonbreathing patients instead of mouth-to-mouth.

Regulations and Safety Protocols

Hand washing after each patient contact significantly reduces infection exposure.
The Ryan White CARE Act allows emergency responders to check for exposure to infectious diseases.
OSHA 1910.1030 mandates employers to identify exposure risks related to bloodborne pathogens.

Vaccination and Protective Measures

Employers must provide free hepatitis B vaccinations to EMTs.
Engineering controls, such as needle containers and pocket masks, help prevent bloodborne disease spread.

High-Risk Areas for Disease

Correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and nursing homes are high-risk for TB, while daycare centers are not considered high-risk.

Emergency Scene Conduct

EMTs should turn off lights and sirens as they approach an emergency scene to secure it properly.
If a weapon is present at the scene, notifying the police is the immediate course of action.

Respiratory Conditions

Respiratory failure occurs when breathing is insufficient to maintain life.
Signs of inadequate breathing include blue or gray skin coloration, while nasal flaring indicates respiratory effort.

Cyanosis

Cyanosis describes the blue or gray coloration of the skin or lips due to lack of oxygen.

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Prepare for your EMT-B final exam with this comprehensive study set of flashcards. Each card covers essential terms and definitions necessary for EMT training, ensuring you understand critical concepts and standards. Enhance your knowledge and confidence ahead of the exam!