EMSP 1501 Exam 1

Medical Director

Doctor who is legally responsible for clinical aspects of an EMS system

Abandonment

Leaving a patient without ensuring proper transfer of care

Simple Negligence

Misfeasance: no intent to do harm, but treatment deviates from standard of care

Gross Negligence

Malfeasance: willful and wanton action that causes harm

Duty to Act

Obligation of EMT to respond and provide care

Proximate Cause

Injury was direct result of EMT’s negligence

Damage

Real, recognizable, and demonstrable injury

Breach of Duty

EMT with duty to act fails to live up to standard of care

Assault

Putting another person in fear of harm

Battery

Touching another person without their consent

Good Samaritan Law

Protects off-duty medic from liability for acts performed in good faith unless gross negligence is involved

Standard of Care

Care expected of any EMT under similar circumstances

Scope of Practice

Actions that an EMT can perform as defined by law

Off-Line Medical Direction

Consists of pre-established protocols, guidelines, and standing orders developed by the medical director. EMTs follow these protocols in the field without needing direct consultation every call.

On-Line Medical Direction

Involves direct communication between EMS providers and a physician (medical director) via radio, phone, or other communication devices. Allows EMTs to receive real-time guidance for specific situations.

Informed Consent

Patient agrees to treatment after being told risks and consequences, and indicates they understand

Involuntary Consent

Used when a patient refuses treatment but is in custody

Implied Consent

Used when a patient is unconscious or not competent

Prone

Patient lying face down

Supine

Patient lying face up

Lateral Recumbent

Patient lying on their side

Proximal

Nearer to the point of reference

Distal

Away from point of reference

Lateral

Away from the midline

Medial

Toward the midline

Bilateral

Both sides of the midline

Anterior/ventral

Toward the front

Posterior/Dorsal

Toward the back

Superior

Toward the head

Inferior

Toward the feet

Systolic BP

Pressure exerted against walls of arteries when heart contracts

Diastolic BP

Pressure exerted against walls of arteries when heart is at rest

Pulse Pressure

Difference between systolic and diastolic blood pressures

Artery

Carries blood away from heart

Vein

Carries blood to the heart

Perfusion

Delivery of oxygen/nutrients and removal of wastes by blood

Defusing

Informal session following a critical call that allows responders to vent their emotions

Debriefing (CISD)

Formal meeting 2-3 days after a critical call attended by mental health professionals to help responders deal with stress reactions

Stroke Volume

Amount of blood ejected by left ventricle with each contraction

Cardiac Output

Amount of blood ejected by left ventricle in one minute. Heart rate times stroke volume

Tidal Volume

Amount of air taken into lungs with each inhalation

Baroreceptors

Receptors that detect changes in blood pressure

Chemoreceptor

Receptors that monitor pH, CO2, and O2 levels in blood

Right Upper Quadrant

Left Upper Quadrant

Right Lower Quadrant

Left Lower Quadrant

Cervical

Thoracic

Lumbar

Sacrum

Coccyx

Skull

Mandible

Clavicle

Sternum

Humerus

Radius

Ulna

Femur

Pelvis

Patella

Tibia

Fibula

Carpals

Tarsals

Metacarpals

Phalanges

Ligaments

Attach bone to bone

Tendons

Attach muscle to bone

Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)

Provides immediate, basic care while awaiting higher-level EMTs. This includes controlling bleeding, basic airway management, CPR, and used automated external defibrillator (AED)

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)

Provides basic life support, which includes patient assessment, oxygen administration, use of adjuncts for airway management (eg oropharyngeal and nasopharyngeal airways), splinting of fractures, spinal immobilization, patient transport, and basic medication administration (aspirin, oral glucose)

Advanced EMT (AEMT)

Offers a higher level of care than EMTs, including intravenous (IV) therapy, advanced airway management (eg supraglottic airways), and administration of a broader range of medications (e.g. epinephrine, naloxone)

Paramedic

Provides advanced life support (ALS), including endotracheal intubation, electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation, cardiac pacing, manual defibrillation, advanced pharmacology, and management of complex medical emergencies (cardiac arrest etc)

Emergency Medical Dispatch (EMD)

Acts as initial point of contact for emergency calls. Dispatchers assess the severity of the situation, provide pre-arrival instructions, and allocate the appropriate resources

EMS Personnel

Provide pre-hospital medical care based on their certification level and transport patients to healthcare facilities

Medical Direction

Provides clinical oversight, develops treatment protocols, and guides patient care

Transport Services

Includes ambulances, hospitals, or other vehicles equipped to transport patients safely to medical facilities

Receiving Facilities (Hospitals)

Offer definitive care including emergency departments

Public Health Services

Collaborate with EMS for large-scale health emergencies

Evidence-based Medicine

Making clinical decisions based on the best available, current, and scientifically valid research. This approach combines clinical expertise with patient values and the best research information to improve patient care.

Patient Advocacy

Acting in the best interest of the patient throughout care. Includes protecting their privacy, respecting their wishes, providing necessary information for informed decisions, and ensuring their dignity and safety during care and transport

Acute Stress

Occurs during or immediately after a stressful event (e.g. scene of an accident). Symptoms include rapid heart rate, sweating, heightened alertness, and emotional distress

Delayed Stress

Develops after a stressful event has passed, sometimes weeks, months, or even years later. Symptoms include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and emotional distress

Cumulative Stress

Results from prolonged exposure to stress over time, leading to physical and emotional exhaustion Symptoms include irritability, detachment, loss of empathy, sense of disillusionment, and decrease in performance

Ways of protection

Hand hygiene, use of PPE, safe handling, respiratory hygiene

Handwashing

Most effective way to protect against pathogens

Covid-19

PPE necessary for prevention of this is N95, eye protection, and gown

Hepatitis

PPE necessary for prevention of this is gloves, gown and face protection if risk of splashing blood or body fluids

HIV

PPE necessary for prevention of this is gloves. Additional PPE (gowns, masks, face protection) if risk of blood or other bodily fluids.

Tuberculosis (TB)

PPE necessary for prevention of this is N95 mask.

Expressed Consent

Given verbally or non-verbally by a competent adult who understands the nature of the treatment.Examples include nodding or verbal agreement to care.

Competency

A legal determination made by a court about an individual’s ability to make decisions. Usually applies to long-term decision-making abilities, such as managing finances.

Capacity

A clinical assessment of a person’s ability to understand information, appreciate the situation, and make an infored decision about their medical care.

Do Not Resuscitate

A legal document that instructs healthcare providers not to perform CPR or other life-saving interventions if the patient’s heart stops beating or they stop breathing.

EMTALA

Ensures access to the public of healthcare regardless of ability to pay

Emergency Move

Used when a patient must be moved immediately due to a life-threatening situation that puts the patient or rescuer in danger.

Urgent Move

Used when a patient’s condition requires quick transport, but there is no immediate threat to life.

Rapid Extrication Technique

Used to quickly remove a patient from a vehicle while maintaining spinal precautions

Non-Urgent Move

Used when there is no immediate threat to the patient’s life, allowing for careful, deliberate move.