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:
After sizing up the scene of a patient with a possible infectious disease, your next priority should be to:
An index of suspicion is MOST accurately defined as:
An infectious disease is MOST accurately defined as:
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Factors that increase the risk for developing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) include:
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Hepatitis B is more virulent than hepatitis C, which means that:
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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?
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In contrast to the assessment of a trauma patient, assessment of a medical patient:
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It is especially important to assess pulse, sensation, and movement in all extremities as well as pupillary reactions in patients with a suspected _________________ problem.
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Patients with tuberculosis pose the greatest risk for transmitting the disease when they:
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Reassessment of a patient with a medical complaint should begin by:
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The BEST way to prevent infection from whooping cough is to:
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The primary prehospital treatment for most medical emergencies:
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The secondary assessment of a medical patient:
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Typical chief complaints in patients with an infectious disease include:
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Upon initial contact with a patient who appears to be unconscious, you should:
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When assessing a patient with a medical complaint, which of the following would MOST likely reveal the cause of the problem?
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Which of the following medications would the EMT be LEAST likely to administer to a patient with a medical complaint?
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Which of the following patients is at greatest risk for complications caused by the influenza virus?
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Which of the following will MOST reliably allow you to determine the nature of a patient's illness?
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In addition to looking for severe bleeding, assessment of circulation in the conscious patient should involve:
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Which of the following conditions often requires transport to a hospital with specialized capabilities that may not be available at the closest hospital?
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Your patient's symptoms include high fever, cough, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and shortness of breath. Which of the following should you suspect?
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The greatest danger in displaying a personal bias or 'labeling' a patient who frequently calls EMS is:
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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:
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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:
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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:
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Which of the following assessment findings is MOST indicative of a cardiovascular problem?
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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!