Deck 57: Emergency Preparedness

Question 1

A patient who has been stung by a honeybee comes to the office to have the stinger removed. What is the appropriate way to remove the bee stinger?

A) Use your fingers to pull out the stinger
B) Scrape the skin with a credit card or flat, hard, sharp object
C) Squeeze the skin near the stinger between your thumbs
D) Call the physician immediately; only the physician can remove a stinger
E) Take it out with a pair of tweezers

Answer 1

Scrape the skin with a credit card or flat, hard, sharp object

Question 2

Which type of bone fracture occurs most often in children because their bones are still soft and pliable?

A) Greenstick
B) Comminuted
C) Closed
D) Open
E) Complete

Answer 2

Greenstick

Question 3

Which animals are likely to be carriers of rabies?

A) Gerbils and hamsters
B) Guinea pigs and mice
C) Dogs, cats, and raccoons
D) Lizards and snakes
E) Birds and insects

Answer 3

Dogs, cats, and raccoons

Question 4

A tetanus toxoid is administered for an infectious bite if the patient has not received one in the last ____.

A) 1 to 2 years
B) 2 to 3 years
C) 4 to 6 years
D) 5 to 10 years
E) 10 to 15 years

Question 5

Which of the following is the appropriate care for a spider bite?

A) Administer a tetanus toxoid
B) Remove the stinger
C) Apply a tourniquet and cut the wound
D) Apply an ice pack and keep the area below the level of the heart
E) Apply a cold compress and elevate the area

Question 6

The universal sign of choking is a(n) ____.

A) coughing fit
B) anxious patient saying "I'm choking."
C) hand up to the throat and a fearful look
D) unconscious patient
E) hands pressed to the chest

Question 7

Which of the following is part of the care of a severed ear?

A) Avoid covering the ear and place it directly in ice
B) Place the ear in a cup of water
C) Wrap the ear in plastic and place it in ice
D) Dry the ear and wrap it in paper
E) Wash the ear with saline and bandage it in place

Question 8

Which of the following is the term for a fracture that goes entirely across the bone?

A) Comminuted
B) Greenstick
C) Complete
D) Incomplete
E) Closed

Question 9

For which accidental injury would you apply ice to the site, 10 minutes on and 10 minutes off, to reduce the pain and swelling?

A) Insect sting
B) Snakebite
C) Dog bite
D) Spider bite
E) Gerbil bite

Question 10

Incomplete fractures ____.

A) are those in which the bone has broken into several fragments
B) go through only part of the bone
C) always cause a break in the skin
D) are those in which the bone is bent, but only one side is fractured
E) do not cause a break in the skin

Question 11

You are having lunch with friends at a local restaurant. Suddenly, you notice someone at the table next to yours putting his hands up to his throat. He has a fearful look on his face. Which of the following is the appropriate first action to take?

A) Ask the person if he or she is choking
B) Perform CPR
C) Call 911
D) Perform the Heimlich maneuver
E) Place the person in a supine position

Question 12

A patient should be placed in which position before you begin cardiopulmonary resuscitation?

A) On the left side
B) On the back
C) Prone, with the head turned to the side
D) On the right side
E) In the Sims' position

Question 13

Which of the following is included in cast care?

A) Keep the cast below the level of the heart for the first day
B) Use a coat hanger to scratch inside the cast
C) Report any pain, swelling, discoloration, lack of pulsation, warmth, or inability to move
D) Resume all activities, including strenuous activities and walking for extended periods
E) Shower quickly so the cast is not exposed to water for more than 2 minutes

Question 14

Which of the following is the appropriate removal of tiny specks of foreign bodies in the eye?

A) Avoid attempting to remove them
B) Moisten a sterile gauze pad to remove them
C) Flush the eye with hydrogen peroxide
D) Use a cotton ball to remove them
E) Use the pad of your index finger

Question 15

Which of the following is included in the care of a human or animal bite?

A) Suction the wound and apply a dressing soaked in aloe vera juice
B) Apply a paste of baking soda
C) Wash the area and apply an antibiotic ointment and a dry, sterile dressing
D) Apply an ice pack to the area and keep the area below heart level
E) Apply a cold compress and elevate the area

Question 16

A greenstick fracture occurs when ____.

A) the bone is broken into several fragments
B) the bone breaks through the skin
C) the break goes completely through the bone
D) the bone is bent, but only one side is fractured
E) the bone is displaced from a joint

Question 17

In a comminuted fracture, ____.

A) the bone is broken into several fragments
B) the bone is separated from the joint
C) the break does not extend all the way across the bone
D) the skin is not broken at the site of the break
E) the bone is bent, but not broken all the way through

Question 18

What action should be taken if a patient falls from an examining table and cannot get up?

A) Quickly sit him up in a chair
B) Help him to get back on the table
C) Avoid telling the physician
D) Document the incident after assisting the patient from the floor
E) Call for help and do not move the patient until the physician examines him

Question 19

The main symptom of a choking emergency is ____.

A) a coughing sensation
B) the inability to speak
C) difficulty in swallowing
D) a flushed face
E) a pale, bluish skin color

Question 20

Your brother has been working in the backyard, trimming bushes and pulling weeds. He was not wearing gloves, and suddenly he comes into the house looking scared and holding his lower arm. He has been bitten by a snake that he thinks was a rattlesnake. You call EMS immediately. Until help arrives, what will you do for your brother?

A) Immobilize his arm and positioning it below heart level.
B) Apply an ice pack or a plastic bag full of ice.
C) Suction the wound to remove the poison.
D) Apply a tourniquet.
E) Position his arm above heart level.

Question 21

Which of the following is included in the care of a patient who has come in contact with an absorbed poison?

A) Turn the patient on the left side
B) Remove contaminated clothing and wash skin with soap and water
C) Administer ipecac syrup
D) Loosen tight-fitting clothing and wrap the patient in a blanket
E) Rub the skin with dry gauze to remove the poison

Question 22

Which of the following steps would you include if a patient has ingested poison but is alert and not having convulsions?

A) Call the regional poison control center and follow their instructions
B) Turn the patient on the right side
C) Loosen tight-fitting clothing and wrap the patient in a blanket to prevent shock
D) Administer medications for nausea and pain
E) Induce vomiting immediately

Question 23

The symptoms that are specific to a severe head injury include which of the following?

A) Headache, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue
B) Leakage of clear or bloody fluid from the ears or nose, seizures, and respiratory arrest
C) Memory loss, pallor, listlessness, and temporary loss of vision
D) Staggering gait, sluggishness, or irritability
E) Profuse bleeding at the site of injury

Question 24

Which of the following is a jarring injury to the brain?

A) Concussion
B) Hematoma
C) Fracture
D) Laceration
E) Hemorrhage

Question 25

What is the correct position to place a patient in after ingestion of a poison?

A) On the left side
B) Sitting up
C) Lying prone
D) Lying supine
E) In a semi-Fowler's position

Question 26

A 19-year-old college student is seen in the office due to severe sunburn. The physician has asked you to provide patient education on preventing sunburn in the future. Which of the following statements should you include in your teaching?

A) "Avoid sunbathing between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m."
B) "Apply sunscreen once every 8 hours."
C) "Always keep your arms and legs below the level of your heart."
D) "Restrict your fluid intake while you are out in the sun."
E) "You do not need to get out of the sun until your skin begins to turn pink."

Question 27

Which of the following instructions should be included in the care of a patient who inhaled a poison?

A) Have the patient drink one or two glasses of water or milk
B) Get the patient into fresh air, loosen tight-fitting clothing, and wrap the patient in a blanket to prevent shock
C) Have the patient remove all affected clothing, wash the area with soap and water, and rinse with alcohol
D) Offer a colloidal oatmeal bath and administer a corticosteroid ointment
E) Administer medications for pain and nausea

Question 28

Which of the following is the first priority when caring for multiple injuries?

A) Assess the CABs
B) Stop the bleeding
C) Notify family members
D) Administer pain medications
E) Immobilize any fractures

Question 29

Symptoms of an ingested poison include ____.

A) rash, swelling, burning eyes, headache, fever, and abnormal pulse and respirations
B) abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, burns in or around the mouth, and drowsiness
C) headache, tinnitus, angina, shortness of breath, and muscle weakness
D) confusion, dizziness, and blurred or double vision
E) lethargy, loss of coordination, confusion, and uncontrollable shivering

Question 30

A swelling caused by an accumulation of blood under the skin is a ____.

A) laceration
B) hematoma
C) concussion
D) contusion
E) fracture

Question 31

Which of the following are symptoms of inhaled poisons?

A) Rash, swelling, burning eyes, fever, abnormal pulse or respirations
B) Headache, tinnitus, angina, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, nausea, dizziness
C) Abdominal pain, gas, frequent bowel sounds, diarrhea
D) Chills, joint pain, excessive sweating
E) Lethargy, loss of coordination, confusion, and uncontrollable shivering

Question 32

Closed wounds are often called ____.

A) lacerations
B) contusions
C) abrasions
D) punctures
E) incisions

Question 33

What are symptoms of absorbed poisons?

A) Shortness of breath, muscle weakness, angina
B) Rash, swelling, burning eyes, headache, fever, abnormal pulse or respirations
C) Abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, frequent bowel sounds, diarrhea
D) Blurred or double vision, confusion, unconsciousness
E) Lethargy, loss of coordination, confusion, and uncontrollable shivering.

Question 34

Which of the following is an appropriate action to stop bleeding?

A) Avoid putting pressure on a pressure point
B) Remove a blood-soaked dressing and replace it
C) Administer pain medications
D) Keep the body part that is bleeding below the heart
E) Apply direct pressure over the injury

Question 35

While camping with friends, you are asked to help find a nearby camper's lost son. The 9-year-old boy is found after being lost in the woods for several hours in temperatures below 10°F. His hands have a white, waxy appearance. When you touch them, they feel cold and hard. He says they are tingling and hurt a lot. Which of the following actions will you take?

A) Place his hands in warm water
B) Rub his hands briskly to warm them
C) Place his hands in cool water and apply calamine lotion
D) Break any blisters that have formed after assessing his CABs
E) Pour hot water over his hands to thaw them

Question 36

Which of the following is the first priority in caring for a patient with a severe head injury?

A) Educate the patient on how to prevent future head injuries
B) Maintain the patient's airway
C) Wash the area with soap and water and cover it with a dressing
D) Apply direct pressure to stop bleeding
E) Apply ice immediately after the injury

Question 37

Which of the following is characteristic of carbon monoxide poisoning?

A) It rarely occurs in closed spaces.
B) People usually know they are being poisoned.
C) It is caused by a yellowish gas that smells like sulfur.
D) There are never any symptoms.
E) It is a major cause of inhalation poisoning in the home.

Question 38

For which condition would you move the patient to a cool place and remove outer clothing?

A) Dehydration
B) Heatstroke
C) Frostbite
D) Hyperventilation
E) Sunburn

Question 39

Which of the following would you include in the care of a patient who has sustained a concussion?

A) Inform the patient that the first two hours after the injury are the most critical
B) Tell the patient that regular activities may be resumed
C) Instruct the patient to avoid pain medicines other than acetaminophen
D) Encourage the patient to eat well-balanced meals three times a day
E) Tell the family to check on the patient at least once a day

Question 40

A strain is ____.

A) a muscle injury that results from overexertion
B) an injury characterized by partial tearing of a ligament that supports a joint
C) a break in the bone
D) the displacement of a bone end from the joint
E) the complete severing of a ligament

Question 41

Which of the following is this fracture?

A) Greenstick fracture
B) Complete fracture
C) Comminuted fracture
D) Open fracture
E) Incomplete fracture

Question 42

What type of fracture is pictured here?

A) Greenstick fracture
B) Comminuted fracture
C) Open fracture
D) Complete fracture
E) Incomplete fracture

Question 43

The fracture pictured here is a(n) ____.

A) greenstick fracture
B) comminuted fracture
C) closed fracture
D) incomplete fracture
E) open fracture

Question 44

Which of the following results from insufficient blood volume in the circulatory system?

A) Septic shock
B) Toxic shock syndrome
C) Stroke
D) Hypovolemic shock
E) Anaphylactic shock

Question 45

Which type of wound, pictured here, occurs when someone slides across gravel during a softball game?

A) Puncture
B) Incision
C) Abrasion
D) Laceration
E) Contusion

Question 46

Symptoms of hyperglycemia include ____.

A) dizziness, headache, rapid pulse, and pallor
B) dry mouth, intense thirst, muscle weakness, and blurred vision
C) rapid pulse, shallow respirations, hunger, profuse sweating, and pale, cool, clammy skin
D) rapid, deep, gulping breaths; flushed, warm, dry skin; and acetone breath
E) fever, chills, headache, neck stiffness, and vomiting

Question 47

The cardinal symptom of a myocardial infarction is ____.

A) shortness of breath
B) anxiety
C) chest pain
D) nausea and vomiting
E) sweating

Question 48

The signs of infection in a wound are ____.

A) dizziness and rash
B) heat, redness, pain, and swelling
C) nausea, vomiting, and cramps
D) fatigue, tinnitus, and headache
E) confusion and lethargy

Question 49

Which of the following, pictured here, is a closed wound with bruising?

A) Contusion
B) Abrasion
C) Laceration
D) Puncture
E) Incision

Question 50

What type of wound is pictured here?

A) Laceration
B) Puncture
C) Abrasion
D) Contusion
E) Incision

Question 51

Which of the following is an acute infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus?

A) Viral encephalitis
B) Toxic shock syndrome
C) Bacterial meningitis
D) Botulism
E) Tetanus

Question 52

Acute abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant that radiates to the back between the shoulder blades is characteristic of ____.

A) bacterial meningitis
B) a gallbladder attack
C) diarrhea
D) dehydration
E) anaphylaxis

Question 53

What type of wound is pictured here?

A) Laceration
B) Puncture
C) Abrasion
D) Contusion
E) Incision

Question 54

A(n) ________ is a clean, smooth cut like that from a kitchen knife.

Question 55

Which type of fracture is pictured here?

A) Greenstick fracture
B) Comminuted fracture
C) Open fracture
D) Closed fracture
E) Dislocation

Question 56

If not contraindicated, which of the following would you include in the care of a patient in shock?

A) Elevate the feet 8 to 12 inches
B) Loosen restrictive clothing
C) Administer a tetanus toxoid immunization
D) Place the patient in Fowler's position
E) Offer a light meal

Question 57

The fracture pictured here, which occurs most often in children, is a(n) ____.

A) greenstick fracture
B) comminuted fracture
C) open fracture
D) complete fracture
E) dislocation

Question 58

A wound pictured here, which is clean and has a smooth cut, is a(n) ____.

A) incision
B) laceration
C) abrasion
D) puncture
E) contusion

Question 59

Which of the following is pictured here?

A) Greenstick fracture
B) Comminuted fracture
C) Closed fracture
D) Incomplete fracture
E) Open fracture

Question 60

You are at a friend's house when her mother begins having acute pains in her abdomen. You know that sudden acute abdominal pain may indicate an emergency, so you immediately call EMS. While waiting for their arrival, what can you do to make your friend's mother more comfortable?

A) Encourage her to lie on her side.
B) Offering her a light meal.
C) Apply heat to her abdomen.
D) Apply a cold compress to her abdomen.
E) Encourage her to lie on her back with her knees flexed.

Question 61

The condition in which the body's fluid intake is not sufficient to meet its fluid needs because of vomiting, excessive heat and sweating, diarrhea, or lack of food or fluid intake is called ________.

Question 62

Blowing the nose too hard, local irritation or dryness, or frequent sneezing can result in a nosebleed, called ________.

Question 63

A rigid external dressing, usually made of plaster or fiberglass and molded to the contours of the body part to which it is applied is a (n) ________.

Question 64

A diabetic coma occurs when the patient has very severe ________, in which there is too much sugar in the blood.

Question 65

Mr. Jamison is in the office complaining of back pain after moving and carrying heavy boxes. The practitioner suspects he has a back ________ due to overexertion.

Question 66

Insulin shock in which the patient has too little sugar in the blood is basically very severe ________,.

Question 67

Jamal fell on the playground and was brought to the medical office complaining of pain in his wrist. X-rays are negative for a fracture. In this case a(n) ________ will be applied to the wrist to provide support without rigid immobilization.

Question 68

Symptoms of ________, or low blood sugar, include dizziness, headache, hunger, weakness, rapid pulse, and pallor.

Question 69

A massive, widespread infection that affects the ability of the blood vessels to circulate blood results in ________ shock.

Question 70

The intentional release of a biologic agent with the intent to harm individuals is ________.

Question 71

Symptoms of ________, or high blood sugar, include dry mouth, intense thirst, muscle weakness, and blurred vision.

Question 72

As part of the team, the medical assistant may be required to check the emergency supplies and equipment on the ________.

Question 73

The procedure for obtaining a specimen from a victim of a crime, identifying the specimen correctly, keeping it under uninterrupted control of authorized personnel, and ensuring that the specimen has not been altered or replaced is called establishing ________.

Question 74

A (n) ________ is a computerized machine programmed to recognize ventricular fibrillation and other lethal heart rhythms.

Question 75

The unusually rapid, strong, or irregular pulsations of the heart that the patient describes as pounding are ________.

Question 76

A (n) ________ is a jarring injury to the brain and is the most common type of head injury.

Question 77

A swelling caused by blood under the skin is a(n) ________, which can be reduced by applying ice immediately after the injury.

Question 78

Insufficient blood volume in the circulatory system due to injury that causes major fluid loss can lead to ________ shock, which requires immediate emergency care.

Question 79

Mr. Coral called the office because he was vomiting blood. The medical term for this is ________.

Question 80

A wound is a(n) ________.