Wilderness Medicine Practice Test

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

Unusable athletic injuries are treated with:

immobilization and evacuation (correct)

Ice and heat therapy

supporting tape wraps

high doses of NSAID (anti inflammatory) medications

Certification as a wilderness medicine provider:

gives you a license to practice medicine beyond urban training

indicates you have completed training (correct)

allows you to administer medications to a patient

prevents claims of negligence for your patient care

Wilderness medicine is different from urban medicine because wilderness medicine has:

more than 30 minutes transport time to definitive care

different hypothermia protocols

extended patient contact time, environmental challenges and improvised gear (correct)

the freedom to suture wounds and set fractures

The most common injuries consistently reported on wilderness expeditions are

soft tissue wounds Signup and view all the answers

A patient in compensatory shock:

maintains adequate perfusion with vasoconstriction, increased HR and RR Signup and view all the answers

Compartment syndrome is

pressure in a muscle secondary to an injury Signup and view all the answers

A hypothermic patient

can be treated with a hypothermia wrap Signup and view all the answers

Your tent mate has accidentally swallowed a small amount of white gas. You recommend that she:

call poison control Signup and view all the answers

We guard against an allergic response to a medication by

asking the patient if they have taken a medication previously Signup and view all the answers

Treatment principles for snow blindness include

cool compresses over the eyes Signup and view all the answers

A pneumothorax is

air in the chest Signup and view all the answers

Sunscreens

should be applied several times a day Signup and view all the answers

Rapidly evacuate a patient with a headache if the headache

is sudden, severe or is associated with altered mental status Signup and view all the answers

Urinary tract infections

can be accompanied by fever and blood in the urine Signup and view all the answers

Your 54 year old co-instructor wakes up with chest pain and a sensation of tightness in his chest, shortness of breath, anxiety, nausea and pale cool, clammy skin. Your treatment plan includes

suggesting he take one adult aspirin Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about exercise in hot conditions is false?

over hydration can prevent heat illness Signup and view all the answers

The head-to-toe physical exam

is done on all patients Signup and view all the answers

In the wilderness we can stop CPR if:

the patient's pulse returns Signup and view all the answers

Abandonment occurs when:

you turn over patient care to a person unable to manage the patient Signup and view all the answers

To effectively make water safe to drink it needs to

be hot enough for a rolling boil Signup and view all the answers

In a hydrated person urine is commonly

light yellow or clear Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Wilderness Medicine Practice Test - Key Concepts

Unusable Athletic Injuries: Treated with immobilization and evacuation, not just support. High doses of NSAIDs are not recommended due to potential GI bleeding and improper healing. Ice and heat are supplemental treatments.
Wilderness Medicine Certification: Demonstrates completion of training, but does not grant medical licensing or liability protection.
Wilderness vs. Urban Medicine: Key differences include prolonged patient contact time, environmental challenges, improvised gear, and longer transport times to definitive care. Suture repair or fracture setting is not typically part of WFR scope.
Common Wilderness Injuries: Soft tissue wounds are the most frequent type of injury.
Compensatory Shock: Patients exhibit increased heart rate and respiratory rate, and vasoconstriction, to maintain adequate perfusion. Treatment includes injury management with elevation and fluids.
Compartment Syndrome: Increased pressure within a muscle compartment due to injury. Evacuation is often necessary.
Hypothermia: Treatment involves placing the patient in a hypothermia wrap utilizing dry and windproof layers to conserve body heat.
Ingestion of White Gas: Call poison control, avoiding vomiting. The dilution method is no longer supported.
Allergic Response: Question patients about prior medication use to prevent adverse reactions.
Snow Blindness: Treat with cool compresses. Warm compresses are contraindicated.
Pneumothorax: Air in the chest cavity.
Sunscreen: Reapplication is important for effective protection.
Headache Evacuation: Sudden, severe headaches or those accompanied by altered mental status, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea, require rapid evacuation.
Urinary Tract Infections: Can be accompanied by fever and blood in the urine.
Cardiac Chest Pain: Aspirin is a recommended initial treatment for cardiac chest pain.
Exercise in Hot Conditions: Acclimatization, avoiding cumulative exposure, and preventing dehydration are key preventative measures. Overhydration is not a solution.
Head-to-Toe Exam: Essential for assessment of all patients.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) Cessation: CPR can be stopped if the patient's pulse returns.
Abandonment: Abandonment occurs when patient care is transferred to someone unable or unqualified to manage the patient effectively.
Water Purification: Boiling water for a rolling boil is the most reliable method of water purification.
Hydration: Healthy urine is generally light yellow or clear.
Pit Viper Bites: Transport to a hospital for antivenom is essential.
High Fever: Evacuation is indicated for fevers above 102°F (39°C) or those lasting 48 hours.
Pelvic Assessment: Gentle palpation of the iliac crests is essential.
Focused Spine Assessment: A focused spine assessment is performed on patients with a fall or trauma/sudden onset of pain or neuro deficit who may have a spinal injury.
High-Risk Wounds: Wounds that open a joint space require careful attention and possible evacuation.
Gastroenteritis: Inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
Open Chest Wounds: Cover with an occlusive dressing taped on all four sides.
Non-Freezing Cold Injury: Initial signs include numbness, itching, or pain.
Oral Fluid Restrictions: Do not administer oral fluids to patients with altered mental status.
Allergic Reactions: Itchy skin, watery eyes, runny nose, and hives are signs of an allergic reaction.
Hay Fever: Treated with antihistamines.
Avulsed Tooth: Attempt re-implantation of the tooth.
Wound Cleaning: Clean wounds with irrigation using clean water. Vigorous scrubbing is unnecessary.
Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): Temporary interruption of blood supply to the brain.
Abdominal Evacuation Criteria: Blood in urine, vomit, or feces is an evacuation criteria.
Severe Hypothermia: Lack of shivering, and the inability to walk, rigidity, and no pulse are signs.
Altitude Acclimatization: Slow ascending is key to reduce risk of altitude illness.
Dislocations: WFRs are trained to reduce some types of dislocations (shoulder, jaw, fingers/toes, patella).
High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE): Ataxia is a key sign.
Asthma Trigger: Remove the patient from the asthma trigger, for example, from a pollen-filled forest.
Complete Patient Assessment: Assess the entire patient, not just specific symptoms.
Hyponatremia: Excessive fluid intake suggests the possibility of hyponatremia.
Mental Health Concerns: Evacuate patients with mental health concerns that are beyond the WFR's ability to manage in the field.
Seizures: Protect the patient's airway, head, and dignity during a seizure.
Frostbite: Rapid warming in warm water is the treatment for frostbite.
Brain Injury: Swelling and increased intracranial pressure are major concerns.
Diarrhea/Flu-like Illness Vectors: Hands are the most likely vector of illness.
Hot Spots: Treat them early as they are a sign of injury.
Diabetic Emergency: Administer oral sugar to a patient with altered mental status and a history of type 1 diabetes.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in wilderness medicine, including treatment protocols for athletic injuries, differences between wilderness and urban medicine, and handling common wilderness injuries. This quiz will challenge your understanding of essential practices for wilderness medical professionals.