Patient Care and Trauma Flashcards

A 33-year-old woman has a possible broken left ankle. She is in significant pain but is conscious and otherwise stable. This patient:

Answer: requires transport but without lights and sirens.

A patient with a possible broken ankle who is conscious, stable, and not experiencing life-threatening conditions requires transport to a hospital for definitive medical care. However, since there is no immediate threat to life or limb, an emergency transport using lights and sirens is not necessary. A non-emergency transport ensures patient comfort and safety while minimizing risks to the public.

If you suspect that a patient has suffered a head or spine injury, you should:

Answer: keep the patient's head and spine immobilized to avoid movement.

If a head or spine injury is suspected, the absolute priority is to keep the patient's head and spine completely immobilized. Any movement could exacerbate the injury, potentially leading to permanent neurological damage. EMRs must manually stabilize the head and neck and then apply appropriate immobilization devices to prevent any movement until higher-level care takes over.

Regardless of the technique you use for moving patients, you should:

Answer: lift and lower the patient by bending your legs.

Regardless of the specific patient movement technique used, maintaining proper body mechanics is critical for the EMR's safety. The fundamental rule is to lift and lower patients by bending your legs, not your back. This utilizes the stronger leg muscles and helps prevent back injuries, ensuring the EMR can continue to provide care safely.

You and your partner are the first to arrive at the scene of a man who fell approximately 20′ (6 m) from a second-story balcony. The patient is found lying on his side. He is conscious and alert with adequate breathing. A paramedic unit is approximately 5 minutes away. You should:

Answer: keep the patient's head and neck stabilized, tell the patient not to move, and wait for the paramedic unit to arrive at the scene.

A fall from 20 feet is a significant mechanism of injury, strongly indicating potential spinal trauma. Even if the patient is conscious and alert, any movement could worsen a spinal injury. Given that paramedics are only 5 minutes away, the most appropriate action for an EMR is to manually stabilize the patient's head and neck, instruct them not to move, and await the arrival of higher-level care for definitive immobilization.

You are a volunteer EMR and have placed your name on the schedule to respond for a 12-hour shift. With 10 minutes left in your shift, you are dispatched for a patient with a possible fractured leg. You should:

Answer: proceed to the scene and begin providing care to the patient.

As a volunteer EMR, once you have committed to a shift and are dispatched to a call, you have a professional and ethical obligation to respond and provide care. Your shift ending soon does not relieve you of this responsibility. Proceeding to the scene ensures that the patient receives timely care and demonstrates your commitment to your role.

You arrive at the scene of an incident involving a motor vehicle and a pedestrian. Law enforcement officers are present, but the paramedic unit will not arrive for another 5 minutes. Your patient, who was struck by the vehicle, is a 16-year-old girl. She is unconscious and has severe bleeding from her head. You should:

Answer: begin immediate treatment and ask a law enforcement officer to attempt to contact the child's parents.

In an emergency involving an unconscious minor with life-threatening injuries (like severe bleeding), implied consent allows EMRs to begin immediate treatment without parental permission. Delaying care to obtain consent could be detrimental to the patient's outcome. It is appropriate to simultaneously initiate treatment and delegate the task of contacting the child's parents to another responsible party, such as law enforcement.

Which of the following statements regarding a patient's consent to treatment is correct?

Answer: Patients may refuse treatment at any time, even if treatment has begun.

A patient's right to self-determination includes the right to refuse medical treatment, even if they initially consented or if treatment has already begun. As long as the patient is conscious, mentally competent, and understands the risks of refusal, their decision must be respected. EMRs should document the refusal and attempt to educate the patient on the potential consequences.

Upon arriving at the scene of a major motor vehicle crash, you determine that there are multiple patients. You should:

Answer: immediately request additional resources using the mobile radio in your response vehicle.

Upon arriving at a scene with multiple patients (a mass casualty incident), the EMR's immediate priority, after ensuring scene safety, is to call for additional resources. This initial request should be made promptly using the mobile radio to ensure that adequate personnel and equipment are en route as quickly as possible, even before a full patient assessment or triage is completed.

When EMTs or paramedics arrive at an emergency scene, the EMR should:

Answer: provide them with a hand-off report and assist as needed.

When higher-level providers like EMTs or paramedics arrive at an emergency scene, the EMR's role transitions to assisting them. It is crucial to provide a concise and accurate hand-off report, summarizing the patient's condition, interventions performed, and any relevant history. The EMR should then remain on scene to assist as directed, leveraging their knowledge of the patient and the scene.

Which of the following is an example of an internal distraction that may hinder an EMR's communication with a patient?

Answer: Worrying about personal finances while at the scene of a car crash

Internal distractions are thoughts or feelings originating within the EMR that interfere with their focus and communication during patient care. Worrying about personal finances while on a call is a prime example of an internal distraction. It diverts the EMR's attention from the patient and the emergency situation, potentially hindering effective communication and care.

When communicating with a conscious, sick, or injured patient, it is important to:

Answer: maintain eye contact whenever possible.

When communicating with a conscious, sick, or injured patient, maintaining eye contact whenever possible is crucial. It demonstrates attentiveness, respect, and empathy, which helps build rapport and trust. This non-verbal cue makes the patient feel heard and understood, facilitating clearer communication and allowing the EMR to better assess their emotional state and comprehension.