Public Health Basics Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary focus of public health?

Enhancing emergency services efficiency

Increasing hospital capacities

Improving community health (correct)

Preventing individual health issues

Which of the following is NOT a basic principle of public health?

Control of communicable diseases

Health education

Monitoring of environmental hazards

Implementation of advanced surgical techniques (correct)

What is necessary for a strong connection between EMS and public health?

Public health being managed separately

High investment in medical technology

Increase in emergency service personnel

Strong medical oversight of both sectors (correct)

Which method does public health utilize to maintain control over communicable diseases?

Sanitary measures and monitoring Signup and view all the answers

What underlying emotion do EMS providers often experience after responding to crises?

Wish to have done more for the patients Signup and view all the answers

Which approach is NOT part of public health's methodology?

Promotion of expensive medical treatments Signup and view all the answers

How can emergency care and public health providers improve their roles effectively?

By educating themselves about each other's roles Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a preventive measure in public health?

Vaccination campaigns Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT considered a major accomplishment of public health?

Genetic engineering Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary focus of epidemiology?

Investigating incidence and prevalence of diseases Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following principles is essential for linking EMS and public health effectively?

Including community stakeholders in planning Signup and view all the answers

Which category is NOT part of public health laws?

General welfare policies Signup and view all the answers

What is one example of secondary prevention in public health?

Health screenings to detect diseases early Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant outcome of increased food education in public health?

Improved nutritional choices Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of tertiary prevention?

Rehabilitation after surgery Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about injury is incorrect?

Injury surveillance programs are unnecessary. Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary responsibility of EMS in injury prevention?

Documenting findings and scene hazards Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a component of a community needs assessment?

Emergency transport services Signup and view all the answers

How can EMS teams enhance on-scene education?

By facilitating community educational programs Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of safety should EMS preserve while responding to an incident?

The safety of the response team Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of deaths from unintentional injuries is attributed to motor vehicle collisions?

50% Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following activities is included in the implementation of prevention strategies?

Engaging in on-scene education Signup and view all the answers

Which age group is most affected by falls, leading to preventable injuries?

Persons over 75 Signup and view all the answers

What common factor contributes to approximately half of all motor vehicle fatalities?

Alcohol use Signup and view all the answers

How do EMS services go beyond traditional roles?

By promoting wellness in communities Signup and view all the answers

What is one way EMS can promote the awareness of injury prevention?

By providing information on their agency's website Signup and view all the answers

What is the leading cause of injury-related deaths among children in the United States?

Motor vehicle collisions Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following injuries accounts for 27.5% of back injuries in work and recreation hazards?

Disabling injuries Signup and view all the answers

Which type of clinic is aimed at promoting wellness for new mothers and infants?

Prenatal and well-baby clinics Signup and view all the answers

What is a common hazard associated with medication use that can lead to injuries?

Improper use of medications Signup and view all the answers

What potential issue arises from early discharge mandated by managed care organizations?

Increased hospital readmission rates Signup and view all the answers

What factor is important for preventing injuries related to medication usage?

Following physician's and pharmacist's directions Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'vector' refer to in epidemiology?

An organism that can transmit an infectious agent from a reservoir to a host Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines 'virulence'?

The proportion of infected individuals who develop severe illness Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a 'pandemic'?

An epidemic covering several countries or continents affecting a large proportion of the population Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the primary roles for EMS in public health?

Disease surveillance Signup and view all the answers

What does 'biologic transmission' involve?

Indirect transmission where the agent undergoes changes within the vector Signup and view all the answers

Which term describes the occurrence of more disease cases than expected in a specific area?

Epidemic Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best represents an aspect of organizational commitment for EMS providers?

Education of EMS providers Signup and view all the answers

What is a key commitment for EMS practitioners regarding personal safety?

Standard precautions Signup and view all the answers

What is a 'carrier' in the context of infectious diseases?

A person harboring an infectious agent without apparent disease who can transmit it Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a role of EMS in public health?

Lobbying for government contracts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes 'droplet spread'?

Direct transmission by large droplets during sneezing or coughing Signup and view all the answers

What does 'prevalence' refer to in epidemiological terms?

The total number or proportion of cases in a given population Signup and view all the answers

Why is scene safety a priority for EMS providers?

To maintain personal safety and effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of EMS commitment involves physical fitness?

Enhancing response time and effectiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is critical for protecting EMS providers in their roles?

Organizational commitment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes EMS personnel's role in injury prevention?

They advocate for injury prevention while engaging with the community. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice

This is a textbook on Paramedic Care, sixth edition.
The book is published by Pearson Education, Inc.

Chapter 6: Public Health

Standard: Public health
Competency: Applies fundamental knowledge of principles of public health and epidemiology, including public health emergencies, health promotion, and illness and injury prevention
Introduction: EMS providers are drawn to the field to contribute to society and help those in need. They respond to crises and tragedies, and experience fulfillment when patients improve after receiving care. There is a common sentiment among providers wishing they could have done more or that the tragedy wouldn't have happened.

Basic Principles of Public Health (1 of 3)

Public health is the science and practice of protecting and improving a community's health.
This includes the use of preventive medicine, health education, controlling communicable diseases, applying sanitary measures, and monitoring environmental hazards.

Figure 6-1

Public Health Functions: A circular diagram showcasing interconnected elements of public health, including assessment, research, and assurance.

Basic Principles of Public Health (2 of 3)

A key factor for a strong link between EMS and public health is strong medical oversight of both.
Another key component is educating emergency care and public health providers about their respective roles.
Lastly, developing and maintaining relationships between leaders of EMS and public health is essential.

Basic Principles of Public Health (3 of 3)

Bring community stakeholders into the planning process for disaster plans.
Public health and emergency care disaster plans should be developed locally and repeatedly drilled.
Securing funding for these activities is important.

Figure 6-2

EMS links to public health, with the wheel showing health promotion, disease surveillance, disaster management, and injury prevention

Accomplishments in Public Health

Public health has improved the quality of life and lifespan of humankind. This includes specific advancements such as: vaccinations, motor vehicle safety, workplace safety, home safety, control of infectious diseases, disease surveillance/testing, decline in cardiovascular diseases, food education, prenatal and well baby clinics, family planning, fluoridation of drinking water, and decreased tobacco use.

Public Health Laws

Laws impacting public health practice and strategies are categorized into: illness and prevention, police powers for public health agencies, and epidemiological tools.

Epidemiology (1 of 6)

Epidemiology is the branch of medicine that examines the incidence and prevalence of diseases in large populations.
Epidemiology studies the causes and source of epidemics, with a focus on infectious diseases and frequency of health issues within populations.

Epidemiology (2 of 6)

Epidemiology uses concepts including years of productive life, injury (intentional or unintentional), injury risk, injury surveillance program, primary prevention, secondary prevention, and tertiary prevention.

Epidemiology (3 of 6)

Epidemiology uses Common Epidemiological Terms that include biologic transmission, carrier, contact, contagious, direct transmission, droplet spread and epidemic

Epidemiology (4 of 6)

Epidemiology uses Common Epidemiological Terms that include host, pandemic, prevalence, reservoir, vector, vehicle, and virulence.

Epidemiology (5 of 6)

Public Health Practice includes public health surveillance, field investigation, analytic studies, evaluation, linkage, and policy development.

Epidemiology (6 of 6)

EMS Public Health strategies include health promotion, disease surveillance, disaster management, and injury prevention.

Public Health and EMS (1 of 4)

EMS personnel are important advocates for injury prevention.
EMS members often go beyond their roles to work collaboratively with the public.
EMS workers are widely distributed across populations, reflecting the population makeup/composition of communities. The EMS workforce is large, with practitioners exceeding 700,000 in number.

Public Health and EMS (2 of 4)

Organizational commitment includes protecting EMS providers, educating them, collecting data, providing financial support, and empowering them.

Figure 6-4

Proactive public education programs by EMS is needed.

Public Health and EMS (3 of 4)

EMS practitioner commitment includes standard precautions, physical fitness, stress management, seeking professional care, and driving safety

Figure 6-5

Disease prevention should start with healthcare workers.

Public Health and EMS (4 of 4)

EMS providers must prioritize scene safety, attend to the equipment that will be needed on-site, and do not approach dangerous scenes until law enforcement arrives and deems the scene safe.

Figure 6-6

Every EMS practitioner needs readily available, appropriate, and well-maintained safety equipment.

Prevention in the Community (1 of 8)

EMS can contribute actively to prevention of injuries.
Infant and child injuries are a significant cause of death in the US.
Motor vehicle collisions, pedestrian injuries, fires, burns, falls, and shootings are frequent causes of death and injury in infants and children.

Prevention in the Community (2 of 8)

Motor vehicle collisions are a significant issue.
Unintentional injuries are largely impacted by motor vehicle collisions.
Alcohol use is a major factor in motor vehicle fatalities.

Prevention in the Community (3 of 8)

Geriatric patients face injuries related to falls.
Falls are a key source of preventable injuries for those over 75.
Some patients may suffer from dementia, leading to a greater risk of wandering.

Prevention in the Community (4 of 8)

Work and recreational environments can contribute to injuries.
Back injuries are a common concern in the workplace (27.5%).
Injuries to eyes, hands, and fingers, are also concerns.
Sports injuries are an often-occurring type of harm that needs to be addressed.

Prevention in the Community (5 of 8)

Improper use and intake of medications can be a key concern.
Medications need to be taken properly to prevent harm.

Prevention in the Community (6 of 8)

Medical care policies often lead to shorter stays in the hospital.
Hospitals increasingly discharge patients sooner, potentially with increased risk for problems.

Prevention in the Community (7 of 8)

EMS must maintain safety measures during responses.
Scene hazards need to be identified.
Documentation of procedures is required.
On-site training for EMS personnel is crucial.
Adequate community resources should be known.

Prevention in the Community (8 of 8)

Community needs assessments should be conducted.
Immunization, well-baby clinics, elder care clinics, defensive driving courses, workplace safety courses, health clinics, and easily accessed prevention information on an agency's website can be useful community-based safety solutions.

Summary

EMS members have responsibility for promoting wellness and preventing illness/injury among colleagues and the community.
EMS has expanded beyond traditional treatment and transport to include public health initiatives.
EMS often offers community programs to improve awareness of illness/injury prevention strategies.
Collaboration with community members is key to increasing public awareness of illness/injury prevention methods.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the fundamental principles and methodologies of public health. This quiz covers key aspects like EMS connections, communicable disease control, and preventive measures. Perfect for students and professionals in the field of health and emergency services.