Texas EMT Flashcards & Quiz on Airborne Substances

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Questions and Answers

What should the EMT do for a 25-year-old man who overdosed on heroin and is unresponsive?

Insert a nasal airway and ventilate with a BVM.

Airborne substances should be diluted with?

Oxygen.

Common names for activated charcoal include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Activated charcoal

Fructose (correct)

Charcoal

Carbo activatus

Why are injected poisons impossible to dilute or remove?

Because they are usually absorbed quickly into the body. Signup and view all the answers

What are signs and symptoms of a sympathomimetic drug overdose?

Tachycardia. Signup and view all the answers

Substance abuse is MOST accurately defined as?

Knowingly misusing a substance to produce a desired effect. Signup and view all the answers

What is the major side effect associated with the administration of activated charcoal?

Black stools. Signup and view all the answers

What information does the poison control center need to provide appropriate treatment for a drug overdose?

Awareness of the substance that is involved. Signup and view all the answers

Immediate management for a semiconscious 39-year-old female with copious saliva and a slow pulse should include?

Thoroughly suctioning her oropharynx. Signup and view all the answers

What should be done for a young male acting strangely with a blood pressure of 200/110 mm Hg?

Attempt to calm him and give him oxygen if tolerated. Signup and view all the answers

What should you ask a daughter if her father exhibits bizarre behavior?

How her father normally behaves. Signup and view all the answers

Immediately after physically restraining a violent patient, the EMT should?

Reassess the patient's airway and breathing. Signup and view all the answers

Besides ensuring safety, what is the EMT's responsibility when caring for a patient with a behavioral emergency?

Diffuse and control the situation and safely transport the patient. Signup and view all the answers

What signifies a psychiatric emergency?

Someone becomes agitated or violent and is a threat to themselves or others. Signup and view all the answers

How is organic brain syndrome defined?

A dysfunction of the brain caused by abnormal physical or physiological function. Signup and view all the answers

People at a higher risk for suicide include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Married males older than 30 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in assessing a patient with a behavioral emergency?

Ensure your safety. Signup and view all the answers

What is the single most significant factor that contributes to suicide?

Depression. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do when assessing a patient with a behavioral crisis?

Be direct and clearly state your intentions. Signup and view all the answers

Which condition would MOST likely make excited delirium worse?

Alcohol withdrawal. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drug Overdose and Emergency Management

In cases of opioid overdose, like heroin, if the patient is unresponsive with slow, shallow breathing and bradycardia, insert a nasal airway and ventilate with a BVM.
Symptoms of sympathomimetic drug overdose include rapid heart rate or tachycardia.
Patient management in drug overdoses is enhanced when the poison control center has information about the involved substance.

Poisoning and Toxicology

Airborne substances should be diluted with oxygen for effective treatment.
Injected poisons are quickly absorbed, making them difficult to dilute or remove from the body.
Common names for activated charcoal do not include Fructose, as it is not a synonym.

Behavioral Emergencies

Patients with behavioral emergencies require the EMT to ensure safety, diffuse situations, and safely transport them.
Major psychiatric emergencies are marked by the patient becoming a threat to themselves or others.
In assessing a patient's behavioral emergency, the first step is to ensure your safety and establish a clear intention.

Patient Assessment and Care

For a patient displaying signs of agitation and rapid pulse, such as a high blood pressure reading of 200/110 mm Hg, attempt to calm them and provide oxygen if tolerated.
In inconscious patients with excessive saliva and slow pulse, immediately suctioning the oropharynx is essential.
For elderly patients exhibiting bizarre behavior, gathering information from family about normal behavior can aid in assessment.

Suicide Risk Factors

Major suicide risk factors include depression, but certain groups, such as married males over 30 years, are not at an increased risk.
Understanding environmental or situational stresses, like alcohol withdrawal, can exacerbate conditions like excited delirium.

Side Effects and Treatment Protocols

Administration of activated charcoal typically results in black stools as a common side effect.
Upon restraining a violent patient, reassessing the airway and breathing is crucial for ongoing care.

Important Precautionary Measures

Always consider patient safety and personal safety when dealing with behavioral emergencies, both for the patient and the EMT.
Communication should be direct and intentions clearly stated to avoid misunderstandings during patient assessment and care.

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Description

Test your knowledge with this quiz based on Texas EMT flashcards. It covers critical emergency medical scenarios and protocols, including overdose responses and treatment of airborne substances. Perfect for aspiring EMTs and paramedics looking to enhance their skills.