West Coast EMT Block Exam 2 Study Notes

EMT Exam Notes: West Coast University Block Exam 2

General Overview

  • Anticipated Exam Content: 200+ questions, primarily focused on basic life support, resuscitation methods, respiratory and cardiac emergencies, pharmacology, and patient assessment techniques.
  • Question Types: Multiple choice format with a focus on identifying correct practices and understanding medical concepts pertinent to EMT training.
  • Study Materials: Verified answers available, practical skills and hands-on training are emphasized.

Section 1: Basic Life Support (BLS)

  • Basic Life Support (BLS) is defined as:
    • Noninvasive emergency care that is used to treat conditions such as airway obstruction, respiratory arrest, and cardiac arrest.
Key Practices in BLS

  1. Initiation of CPR:

    • Scenario: 60-year-old man found unresponsive, pulseless, apneic.
    • Correct Action: Begin CPR until an AED is available.
    • Correct Answer: B.

  2. Chest Compressions:

    • Between each chest compression, you should allow full chest recoil to optimize blood circulation.
    • Correct Answer: B.
    • Common Complications of Compressions:
      • Fractured sternum.
      • Gastric distention.
      • Rib fractures.
      • Liver laceration (this is an exception).
      • Correct Answer for Exception: B (gastric distention).

  3. Pregnant Patients:

    • During CPR on a pregnant woman, displacing the uterus alleviates pressure on major blood vessels and enhances the effectiveness of chest compressions.
    • Correct Answer: D (pressure relief on the aorta and vena cava).

  4. CPR Retraining:

    • Should occur with hands-on practice to ensure skill retention.
    • Correct Answer: C.

  5. When to Initiate CPR:

    • When no valid living will is available.
    • Correct Answer: D.

Section 2: Airway Management

  • Complications of ventilation include: gastric distention often caused by too rapid ventilation.
  • Intervention: If an object is visible in an unconscious patient's airway, it should be removed.
  • Infant Cardiac Arrest: Commonly due to respiratory issues.
  • Airway Opening Techniques:
    • Jaw-thrust maneuver is preferred in suspected trauma.
    • If unsuccessful, consider the head tilt-chin lift.
    • Correct Answer for Head Tilt-Chin Lift: D.

Section 3: Respiratory Emergencies

  1. Signs of Severe Upper Airway Obstruction:

    • Grasping throat.
    • Acute cyanosis.
    • Inability to speak.
    • Exception: Forceful coughing (Correct Answer: D).

  2. Impedance Threshold Device (ITD):

    • Enhances cardiac filling during CPR by limiting air intake during chest compressions.
    • Correct Answer: A.

  3. Oxygenation Ratios:

    • Adult CPR compression-to-ventilation ratio is 30:2.
    • For children, compress depth and technique vary based on size and responder presence.
    • Common Rescuer Actions: After 5 cycles of CPR, rescuer should switch places to avoid fatigue and ensure efficient compressions.
    • Respiration Assessment: Be aware of the presence of wheezing (indicative of lower airway obstruction).

Section 4: Cardiovascular Emergencies

  • Knowledge of the Sinoatrial Node: Origin point of electrical impulses in the heart.
  • Electrical Properties of AEDs: Understand adjustments based on impedance (body's resistance to electricity).
  • Patient Symptoms to Recognize:
    • Crushing chest pain with diaphoresis indicates acute cardiac events. CPR and prompt transport are critical.

Section 5: Pharmacology

  1. Medication Administration Guidelines:

    • Use of EpiPen auto-injectors is intramuscular for allergy reactions.
    • Ensure proper assessments prior to drug administration, particularly in altered consciousness cases.
    • Peer-Assisted Administration: Given if EMT administers to themselves or partners.
    • Common side effects of medications include drowsiness or gastrointestinal disturbances.

  2. Medications:

    • Activated Charcoal: Classed as a suspension, acting to detoxify in overdose cases.
    • Generic names versus trade names are crucial for clinical accuracy (e.g., Ibuprofen).

  3. Responsibility: EMTs must understand the mechanisms of medications including their pharmacodynamics and potential contraindications (e.g., nitroglycerin after a head injury).

Section 6: Special Considerations

  • Attention to older patients and individuals with chronic diseases, as they may represent atypical symptoms or require modified assessment techniques.
  • Use of Diagnostic Tools:
    • Utilization of GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale) to assess neurological status.
    • Follow established protocols and reassessments in trauma scenarios.
    • Mass Casualty Incident Response: Prioritize triaging to timely manage multiple patients.