Infectious Disease Management Quiz

Questions and Answers

A patient who presents with a headache, fever, confusion, and red blotches on his or her skin should be suspected of having:

MERS-CoV

Tuberculosis

Hepatitis

Meningitis (correct)

After sizing up the scene of a patient with a possible infectious disease, your next priority should be to:

Take standard precautions (correct)

Contact medical control

Notify law enforcement

Quickly access the patient

An index of suspicion is MOST accurately defined as:

Your awareness and concern for potentially serious underlying and unseen injuries or illness (correct)

Ruling out specific medical conditions based on the absence of certain signs and symptoms

Determining the underlying cause of a patient's medical condition based on signs and symptoms

The EMT's prediction of the type of illness a patient has based on how the call is dispatched

An infectious disease is MOST accurately defined as:

A medical condition caused by the growth and spread of small, harmful organisms within the body Signup and view all the answers

Factors that increase the risk for developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) include:

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

Hepatitis B is more virulent than hepatitis C, which means that:

Has a greater ability to produce disease Signup and view all the 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 Signup and view all the answers

In contrast to the assessment of a trauma patient, assessment of a medical patient:

Is focused on the nature of illness, the patient's chief complaint, and his or her symptoms Signup and view all the answers

It is especially important to assess pulse, sensation, and movement in all extremities as well as pupillary reactions in patients with a suspected _________________ problem.

neurologic Signup and view all the answers

Patients with tuberculosis pose the greatest risk for transmitting the disease when they:

Cough Signup and view all the answers

Reassessment of a patient with a medical complaint should begin by:

Repeating the primary assessment Signup and view all the answers

The BEST way to prevent infection from whooping cough is to:

Get vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis Signup and view all the answers

The primary prehospital treatment for most medical emergencies:

Addresses the patient's symptoms more than the actual disease process Signup and view all the answers

The secondary assessment of a medical patient:

Is not practical if the patient is critically ill or your transport time is short 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

Upon initial contact with a patient who appears to be unconscious, you should:

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

When assessing a patient with a medical complaint, which of the following would MOST likely reveal the cause of the problem?

Medical history Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following medications would the EMT be LEAST likely to administer to a patient with a medical complaint?

Ibuprofen Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following patients is at greatest risk for complications caused by the influenza virus?

68-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following 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

In addition to looking for severe bleeding, assessment of circulation in the conscious patient should involve:

Checking the radial pulse and noting the color, temperature, and condition of the skin 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?

Stroke and heart attack Signup and view all the answers

Your patient's symptoms include high fever, cough, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and shortness of breath. Which of the following should you suspect?

MERS-CoV Signup and view all the answers

The greatest danger in displaying a personal bias or 'labeling' a patient who frequently calls EMS is:

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

You and your EMT partner arrive at the residence of a 50-year-old man who complains of weakness. Your primary assessment reveals that he is critically ill and will require aggressive treatment. The closest hospital is 25 miles away. You should:

Manage all threats to airway, breathing, and circulation and consider requesting an ALS unit Signup and view all the answers

Ten days after treating a 34-year-old patient with tuberculosis, you are given a tuberculin skin test, which yields a positive result. This MOST likely indicates that:

You were exposed to another infected person prior to treating the 34-year-old patient Signup and view all the answers

Your primary assessment of an elderly woman reveals that she is conscious and alert, but is experiencing difficulty breathing. She has a history of emphysema, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. As you assess the patient's circulatory status, you should direct your partner to:

Administer oxygen with the appropriate device Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following assessment findings is MOST indicative of a cardiovascular problem?

Jugular venous distention Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Infectious Disease Recognition

Symptoms like headache, fever, confusion, and red blotches suggest meningitis.
Most infectious diseases arise from harmful organisms invading the body, not merely through direct transmission.
Patients with tuberculosis are most contagious when they cough.

Scene Management and Patient Assessment

After scene evaluation, prioritize standard precautions to protect against infection.
Index of suspicion involves awareness of unseen injuries or illnesses.
In contrast to trauma assessments, medical patient assessments focus on symptoms rather than physical signs.

Treatment and Management Priorities

In emergencies, address symptoms more than the actual disease during transport.
Reassessing involves a repeat of the primary assessment to track changes over time.

High-Risk Populations and Conditions

The elderly with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, are at greater risk for complications from influenza.
Patients requiring specialized care (e.g., stroke or heart attack) may need transport to facilities with specific capabilities.

Key Medical History and Symptoms

Recent travel history should be checked for patients with suspected infectious diseases.
Common symptoms of infectious diseases include fever, rash, nausea, and difficulty breathing.
Medical history often reveals the underlying cause of a patient's condition, guiding treatment.

Infection Control Measures

Vaccination against diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis is crucial in preventing whooping cough.
Understanding patient bias can prevent overlooking serious conditions.

Special Considerations in Assessment

Pulse, sensation, and movement assessments are critical in patients with neurological issues.
Jugular venous distention is a key cardiovascular indicator.
Document details of specific complaints such as high fever and shortness of breath to determine suspected conditions (e.g., MERS-CoV).

Response Protocols in Emergencies

For critically ill patients, prioritize airway management and consider requesting advanced life support (ALS).
In cases of unconscious patients, begin by eliciting verbal responses before proceeding with other assessments.

Medication Administration Guidelines

Ibuprofen is least likely to be administered by EMTs for medical complaints, while Albuterol, Aspirin, and Oral glucose are more common.
In cases of suspected tuberculosis exposure, a positive skin test likely indicates prior exposure, not active infection.

Assessment Response Techniques

During assessment, checking the radial pulse alongside skin condition is essential for gauging circulation in conscious patients.
Understanding how to ask relevant questions about chief complaints helps in accurately determining the nature of an illness.

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Description

Test your knowledge on recognizing and managing infectious diseases. This quiz covers essential topics such as symptoms of meningitis, patient assessment techniques, and managing high-risk populations in emergencies. Perfect for healthcare professionals and students alike!