EMT Study Guide: Key Concepts and Procedures

Mandated ReportingV

EMTs are legally required to tell authorities about certain problems to protect people.

Types of Abuse EMTs Must Report?

Child abuse, elder abuse, and neglect.

Domestic Violence Reporting?

Often yes, but rules depend on your state.

Injuries Requiring Reporting?

Gunshot wounds and stab wounds must be reported to police.

Diseases Requiring Reporting?

Certain contagious diseases like tuberculosis or other serious infections.

Reporting Agencies?

Agencies like Child Protective Services (CPS), Adult Protective Services (APS), or the police.

Hypoglycemia?

Blood sugar gets too low quickly; brain doesn't get enough sugar.

Signs of Hypoglycemia?

Feeling shaky, sweaty, confused, weak, may faint or have seizures.

Treatment for Hypoglycemia?

If awake and alert, give oral glucose (sugar).

Hyperglycemia?

Blood sugar is too high over time; body can't use sugar properly.

Signs of Hyperglycemia?

Dry, warm skin; fruity-smelling breath; deep, fast breathing; very thirsty; peeing a lot.

Treatment for Hyperglycemia?

Give oxygen and get them to hospital quickly.

Supine Position

Lay patient flat on back for shock or spinal injury care.

Fowler's Position

Patient sits up about 45 degrees to help with breathing.

High Fowler's Position

Patient sits fully upright (90 degrees) for severe breathing problems.

Recovery Position

Place unconscious but breathing patients on their side to keep airway clear.

Normal Adult Heart Rate

60 to 100 beats per minute.

Normal Breathing Rate for Children

18 to 30 breaths per minute.

Normal Blood Pressure for Infants

About 70 to 95 mmHg.

Normal Body Temperature

Around 98.6°F (37°C) for all ages.

Signs of Allergic Reaction

Swelling (especially face/lips), itchy rash or hives, trouble breathing, low blood pressure, confusion.

Causes of Allergic Reactions

Foods like nuts or shellfish, bee or insect stings, medicines, latex.

Treatment for Allergic Reactions

Help patient use epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen), give oxygen, and get to hospital fast.

Asthma Attack Effects

Air passages narrow and fill with mucus, making it hard to breathe.

Signs of Asthma Attack

Wheezing, shortness of breath, using extra muscles to breathe.

Assistance for Asthma

Assist with inhaler, give oxygen, and transport to hospital.

Advanced Directives

Legal papers that tell EMS how to care for patients, like DNR (Do Not Resuscitate).

No Advanced Directive

Treat the patient fully as you normally would.

Right Upper Quadrant (RUQ)

Contains the liver and gallbladder.

Left Lower Quadrant (LLQ)

Contains the left ovary and part of the large intestine.

Function of Small Intestine

Breaks down food and absorbs nutrients.

Function of Large Intestine

Absorbs water and forms stool.

Main Pelvic Bones

Ilium (top), Ischium (bottom, sit bones), Pubis (front).

Pelvis Protection

Protects bladder and reproductive organs.

EMT Protocols

Step-by-step guidelines EMTs follow to give safe, consistent care.

Common types of protocols

Trauma, heart emergencies, children, breathing problems, mental health.

Patent Airway Signs

Patient speaks clearly, normal chest rise, no strange sounds like wheezing or gurgling, easy breathing.

Cervical vertebrae

7 in the neck.

Lumbar spine

5 vertebrae in the lower back.

Fused parts of the spine

Sacral (5 fused) and coccyx (4 fused).

Choking response for coughing adult or child

Encourage coughing to clear airway.

Choking response for unable to breathe or talk

Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).

Choking response for infant

Give 5 back blows then 5 chest thrusts.

Nosebleed treatment steps

Sit upright, lean forward, pinch nostrils for 10-15 minutes, apply cold compress on nose.

What not to do during a nosebleed

Don't tilt head back-it can cause choking.

SAMPLE history

Signs/Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last oral intake, Events before injury.

OPQRST

Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time.

Expressed consent

Patient clearly agrees to treatment.

Implied consent

Consent assumed when patient is unconscious or unable to respond.

Handling refusal of care

Make sure patient is alert, explain risks, have them sign refusal form with witness.

HIPAA

Law that protects patient privacy.

Adult CPR compression-to-breath ratio

30 compressions to 2 breaths.

Infant CPR differences

Use two fingers or thumbs, compress less deeply but same ratio.

Nasal cannula usage

For mild oxygen needs at 1-6 liters per minute.

Highest oxygen concentration device

Non-rebreather mask at 10-15 liters per minute.

Major organs in the chest

Heart and lungs.

Bones in the arm

Humerus (upper arm), radius and ulna (forearm).

Skin's main job

Protect the body and regulate temperature.

Circulatory system function

Moves blood carrying oxygen and nutrients through the body.

Respiratory system job

Bring oxygen into the body and remove carbon dioxide.

Nervous system control

All body functions including movement, sensation, and thought.

Musculoskeletal system

Bones and muscles that support and move the body.

Medial

Toward the middle of the body (Example: The nose is medial to the eyes.)

Lateral

Away from the middle, toward the sides (Example: The ears are lateral to the nose.)

Proximal

Closer to the point where the limb attaches to the body (Example: The elbow is proximal to the wrist.)

Distal

Farther from the point where the limb attaches to the body (Example: The fingers are distal to the elbow.)

Anterior (ventral)

Front of the body (Example: The chest is on the anterior side.)

Posterior (dorsal)

Back of the body (Example: The shoulder blades are on the posterior side.)

Superior

Above or higher (toward the head) (Example: The head is superior to the neck.)

Inferior

Below or lower (toward the feet) (Example: The stomach is inferior to the chest.)

Superficial

Near the surface of the body (Example: The skin is superficial to the muscles.)

Deep

Farther inside the body (Example: The bones are deep to the muscles.)

Adult

19–40 yrs) 12–20 bpm Respiratory Rate, 60–100 bpm Pulse Rate, Systolic BP 120/80 mmHg

School-age

6-12age, Respiratory Rate 15–30 bpm, 70–120 bpm Pulse Rate, Pulse Rate 100–160 bpm ,Systolic BP 80–120 mmHg

Infant

Respiratory Rate 30–60 bpm, Pulse Rate 100–160 bpm ,Systolic BP 70–95 mmHg