chapter 2

You and your partner respond to a call about a sick person.
Upon arrival:
- Patient is conscious.
- Reports symptoms:
- Fever
- Night sweats
- Cough
- Medical history includes tuberculosis.
Your partner begins patient assessment and does not wear standard precautions, specifically personal protective equipment (PPE).
Observations about partner's behavior:
- Disinterest in work
- Arriving late
- Taking unnecessary risks
- Isolating himself from teammates
Context: Increased job stress, high call volume, minimal downtime between calls.

What standard precautions should your partner have taken with this patient?
- A. Gloves only
- B. Gloves and surgical mask
- C. Gloves and HEPA mask
- D. Gloves, mask, and gown
- Correct Answer: C. Gloves and HEPA mask

If your partner becomes infected with this patient’s illness, what type of transmission would this occur through?
- A. Vector-borne
- B. Foodborne
- C. Indirect contact
- D. Airborne
- Correct Answer: D. Airborne

Because your partner did not use standard precautions, he has potentially been exposed to an infectious disease. What should he do?
- A. Ignore it because the risk of contamination is small.
- B. Report it to the hospital staff so they can isolate the patient.
- C. Report it to the infection control officer.
- D. Sanitize any equipment that was in contact with the patient.
- Correct Answer: C. Report it to the infection control officer.

On the basis of your partner’s actions, what is he most likely experiencing?
- A. Acute stress reaction
- B. Cumulative stress reaction
- C. Posttraumatic stress disorder
- D. Delayed stress reaction
- Correct Answer: B. Cumulative stress reaction

Which of the following signs and symptoms are NOT usually associated with stress?
- A. Headaches
- B. Risk taking
- C. Night sweats
- D. Isolation
- Correct Answer: C. Night sweats