EMT exam 1 possible questions

What 1966 legislation charged the U.S. DOT with developing EMS standards and helping states upgrade prehospital care?

The National Highway Safety Act (Charged the DOT with developing EMS standards nationwide.)

Which organization was founded in 1970 to establish professional standards for EMS providers?

The National Registry of EMTs (NREMT)

Which sequence correctly lists EMS training levels from least to most advanced?

EMR, EMT, AEMT, Paramedic

A physical trait expected of an EMT, per the course outline, is the ability to lift and carry up to how many pounds?

125 pounds

Standing orders that authorize an EMT to perform certain skills without contacting a physician are referred to as which type of medical direction?

Off-line medical direction

What is the correct order of the evidence-based process for EMS as described in the outline?

Form a hypothesis, review literature, evaluate the evidence, adopt the practice if supported

Which bloodborne disease of concern has a vaccine available, unlike its counterpart?

Hepatitis B (Hep B has a vaccine; Hep C does not.)

When caring for a patient suspected of having tuberculosis, which respiratory protection is required?

A NIOSH-approved N-95 or HEPA respirator

The Ryan White CARE Act primarily establishes procedures for what purpose?

Allowing emergency responders to find out if they were exposed to life-threatening infectious diseases on a call

A Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) is generally held within what timeframe after a major incident?

24 to 72 hours

Which is the correct order of the emotional stages a dying patient may go through?

Denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance (Kubler-Ross stages of grief)

According to the course outline, what should you do before treating a patient at a hazardous materials incident?

Wait until the patient has undergone decontamination

When using a power grip, how far apart should your hands be, if possible?

At least 10 inches

Per proper body mechanics, you should avoid reaching more than how many inches in front of your body?

20 inches

A stair chair should NOT be used for which type of patient?

A patient with a suspected neck or spine injury (or unresponsive/airway-care patients)

Which of the following is a situation calling for an emergency move rather than an urgent or nonurgent move?

The scene is hazardous and poses immediate danger

When carrying a stretcher over rough terrain, it can be carried by how many EMTs, one at each corner?

Four

What is recommended when lifting or pushing/pulling heavy objects, according to body mechanics principles?

Push rather than pull whenever possible

Consent that is assumed for an unconscious patient who needs emergency care is called what?

Implied consent

Which of the following is one of the two most common and significant causes of lawsuits against EMTs, per the outline?

Patient refusal of care (along with ambulance collisions)

A legal document signed by a patient and physician stating the patient does not wish resuscitative efforts is called what?

A DNR (do not resuscitate) order

Good Samaritan laws generally do NOT protect a rescuer from which of the following?

Acts of gross negligence

If an EMT begins care and leaves the patient without turning them over to someone with equal or greater training, this is considered what?

Abandonment

Under a safe haven law, where may a person legally leave an infant or child?

Any police, fire, or EMS station, or with available public safety personnel

Which term refers to a position closer to the midline of the body?

Medial

A plane that slices the body into front and back halves is called what?

Frontal (coronal) plane

Which position is preferred for an unconscious, non-trauma patient?

Recovery position (lateral recumbent)

In the Fowler position, the patient is typically seated at what angle range?

45 to 60 degrees

The abdomen is divided into how many quadrants by lines drawn through the navel?

Four (RUQ, LUQ, RLQ, LLQ)

Which term describes a position farther away from the torso, such as the hand relative to the shoulder?

Distal

How many vertebrae make up the spinal column, and how many divisions are they organized into?

33 vertebrae in 5 divisions (Cervical, thoracic, lumbar, sacral, coccyx)

How many pairs of ribs are there, and how many are 'floating' with no anterior attachment?

12 pairs total, 2 floating

What unique property allows cardiac muscle to generate and conduct its own electrical impulses?

Automaticity

Which pulses are considered 'central pulses' because they can be felt even when peripheral pulses are too weak?

Carotid and femoral

The pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle contracts is called what?

Systolic pressure

Inadequate circulation of blood through the body's organs, which can be serious and lead to death, is called what?

Hypoperfusion (shock)

Which type of metabolism occurs in the absence of oxygen and produces lactic acid as a byproduct?

Anaerobic metabolism

Approximately what percentage of the body is made up of water?

60 percent

Which of the following is NOT one of the four categories of shock described in the outline?

Neurogenic shock (not one of the 4 named: hypovolemic, distributive, cardiogenic, obstructive)

What term describes the body's ability to compensate and maintain normal function despite hypoperfusion?

Compensated shock

When air in the alveoli is sufficiently matched with blood flow in the pulmonary capillaries, this is called what?

Ventilation/perfusion (V/Q) match

Which body fluid compartment holds the largest percentage of the body's water?

Intracellular (inside cells) - about 70%

A newborn's birth weight typically doubles by what age?

6 months (triples by 12 months)

The anterior fontanelle usually closes between which ages?

9 to 18 months

Which infant reflex causes a baby to turn their head toward the side of their cheek that is touched when hungry?

Rooting reflex

During which developmental stage does peak physical condition typically occur?

Early adulthood, ages 19-26

Which is described as the major killer after age 40, according to the life span development outline?

Heart disease

Which developmental stage is specifically noted for common eating disorders, self-destructive behaviors, and elevated depression/suicide risk?

Adolescence (13-18 years)

What does 'enhanced 911' automatically provide to communication centers?

Automatically identifies the caller's phone number and location

Which of the following is one of the NHTSA Technical Assistance Program's standards for assessing EMS systems?

Medical direction

Which of these is listed as one of the roles and responsibilities of the EMT?

Patient advocacy

Which personal trait is listed as important for a good EMT?

Nonjudgmental and fair

What best describes the quality improvement (QI) process in EMS?

Continuous self-review to identify and correct system problems

Contacting the on-duty physician by radio or phone before performing a skill or administering medication is called what?

On-line medical direction

What is the correct order of the scientific method as outlined for EMS research?

General observations, hypothesis, test predictions, prove/disprove

What does 'peer reviewed' mean in the context of medical research quality?

A study submitted to a journal and reviewed by the researcher's peers

What are 'Standard Precautions' as defined in the course outline?

Equipment and procedures that protect you and the patient from blood/body fluids

Any situation requiring a gown also requires which other PPE, per the outline?

Gloves, eye protection, and a mask

Which disease's later signs include bruising and internal/external bleeding, after initial fever, chills, and weakness?

Ebola

Which set of signs and symptoms is associated with tuberculosis (TB)?

Productive cough, weight loss, night sweats, and fever

Which of the listed immunization-related items has NO immunization available (only a skin test)?

Tuberculosis (via TST)

What term describes the positive form of stress that helps people work effectively under pressure?

Eustress

What does the 'e-SCAPe' curriculum stand for in preventing psychological trauma?

Every patient, Social Support, Choice and Control, Anticipate, Plan and Organize, Every time

Which resource provides information on safe distances and procedures for hazardous materials incidents, based on placard codes?

The Emergency Response Guidebook (ERG)

What three-step framework does the outline describe for scene safety regarding potential violence?

Plan, Observe, React

Which is a core rule of proper body mechanics when lifting a patient?

Use your legs, not your back

What technique defines the 'power lift' for safely lifting patients?

Squatting rather than bending at the waist

Which type of stretcher is specifically constructed to transport obese patients?

Bariatric stretcher

Which patient-carrying device splits into two pieces vertically?

Scoop stretcher

Which device is primarily used for removing patients from vehicles when a neck or spine injury is suspected?

Short spine board

Which position should a patient believed to be in shock be placed in?

Supine position (flat on back)

Which technique is used to lift a patient from the ground directly to a stretcher?

Direct ground lift

The care that would be expected from an EMT with similar training in a similar situation is called what?

Standard of care

What term describes a school authority or childcare provider acting 'in place of parents' to give consent?

In loco parentis

What conditions must be met for a patient to legally refuse care?

Must be legally able to consent, awake and oriented, and fully informed

A signed statement addressing use of long-term life support and comfort measures like respirators and IV feedings is called what?

Living will

Which three elements must all be proven for a finding of negligence against an EMT?

Duty, breach of standard of care, and proximate causation

In many states, what is true regarding an off-duty EMT's legal duty to act?

In many states, has no legal obligation to provide care

False or injurious information about someone shared verbally is called what?

Slander (libel is written)

How should emergency care differ for a patient recognized as an organ donor?

Care should not differ from a non-donor's care; contact medical direction

Which categories of incidents do many states require EMTs to report?

Suspected abuse, human trafficking, violence, and sexual assault

Standards of behavior for those who practice a certain profession are called what, as distinguished from personal beliefs about right and wrong?

Ethics

Which word part is the foundation of a medical term and is not used by itself?

Root

What is the 'anatomic position' used as a reference for describing body locations?

Standing, facing forward, with palms forward

Which plane slices the body into top and bottom halves?

Transverse (horizontal) plane

What do the terms 'superior' and 'inferior' describe in anatomical terminology?

Superior means above; inferior means below

Which term refers to the sole of the foot?

Plantar (vs palmar for hand)

A patient lying face-down on their abdomen is described as being in which position?

Prone

Which pelvic structure, along with the proximal femur, forms the hip joint?

Acetabulum

Which bone is the medial and larger bone of the lower leg, commonly called the shinbone?

Tibia

The elbow is an example of which type of joint?

Hinge joint

Which type of muscle is found in the GI system, lungs, blood vessels, and urinary system, and cannot be consciously controlled?

Involuntary (smooth) muscle

Which structure closes over the glottis to prevent food and foreign objects from entering the trachea?

Epiglottis

Which respiratory process is active, involving muscle contraction that creates negative pressure to pull air into the lungs?

Inhalation

Which artery is checked when taking a pulse at the wrist?

Radial artery

Which blood component releases chemical clotting factors needed to form blood clots?

Platelets

What is the chief function of the lymphatic system?

Capturing lymph fluid and returning it to the bloodstream

Which branch of the nervous system engages the 'fight-or-flight' response during a crisis?

Sympathetic nervous system

Which organ produces bile, detoxifies harmful substances, stores sugar, and assists in producing blood products?

Liver

Which skin layer is rich with blood vessels, nerves, sweat glands, and hair follicles?

Dermis