EMT Safety and Wellness Quiz

Study Notes

EMS Safety and Well-being

An EMT's first priority in terms of safety is their own personal safety.
Fatigue impairs cognitive function and is a highlighted safety issue for EMS providers.

Stress and Burnout

Chronic stress contributes to burnout, anxiety, low job satisfaction, and increased clinical errors in EMS providers.
The body's response to acute stress is to activate the "fight or flight" response, releasing stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol.

Managing Stress

Resilience is the ability to cope with stress without lasting harm.
A known risk factor for heart disease and stroke that should be managed by EMS providers is stress.

Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM)

Defusing sessions are typically held within 1-3 hours after an incident.
The primary purpose of a CISM session for emergency workers is to mitigate the effects of a traumatic event.

Infection Control

The main difference between bacterial and viral infections in terms of treatment is that bacterial infections are typically treated with antibiotics, while viral infections are not.
An epidemic is a disease outbreak that affects a larger number of people than expected, whereas a pandemic is a widespread epidemic that affects multiple countries or regions.
The most effective way to prevent the spread of infection is to practice proper hand hygiene.
Sharps should be disposed of in a designated sharps container after use, according to workplace safety guidelines.

Description

Test your knowledge on EMT safety practices and wellness considerations. Learn about maintaining scene safety, addressing hazards, infection control, safe lifting techniques, and the importance of physical well-being for EMTs.