Question 1

You are assessing a military veteran complaining of a headache, visual disturbances, and generalized anxiety. You suspect that he may be suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). What questions would be most appropriate in getting additional information regarding the possibility of PTSD?

A) "Were you forced to kill anyone?"
B) "What branch of the military did you serve?"
C) "Where did you see combat?"
D) "Do you need alcohol to get through the day?"

C

Accepted Answer

C

Question 2

The four essential features of post-traumatic stress disorder include:&#10;A) chronic confusion.&#10;B) unexplained attraction to war memorabilia.&#10;C) feelings of anger.&#10;D) migration to crowds for security.

Accepted Answer

Feelings of anger are one of the essential features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as individuals with PTSD often experience intense emotional reactions, including anger, irritability, and aggression, as part of their symptomatology.

Question 3

A soldier patrolling the streets in a foreign country is suddenly fired on by a sniper. In response, what would you expect to occur within his body?&#10;A) The heart rate slows&#10;B) The blood pressure drops&#10;C) The body temperature drops&#10;D) The pupils dilate

Accepted Answer

The sudden threat and danger activate the body's fight or flight response, which leads to the dilation of pupils in order to increase visual awareness and better perceive potential threats. A and B may occur in response to other stressors, but are unlikely in this scenario. C is also unlikely as stress usually causes an increase in body temperature.

Question 4

Regarding suicide in the combat veteran, which of the following is true?&#10;A) Prompt removal of guns will typically disable a veteran from committing suicide.&#10;B) There is often no preventing suicide when this course of action is decided.&#10;C) Most veterans do not make any prior notification of their thoughts of suicide.&#10;D) Combat veterans typically do not have prior attempts at suicide.

Accepted Answer

While prompt removal of guns may be helpful, it is not always a foolproof way to prevent suicide in combat veterans. Unfortunately, many veterans do not seek help or communicate their thoughts of suicide, making it difficult to intervene before it is too late. The risk of suicide is also higher in combat veterans who have previously attempted suicide.

Question 5

When faced with danger, what component of the nervous system is immediately activated for basic survival?&#10;A) Sympathetic&#10;B) Central&#10;C) Voluntary&#10;D) Parasympathetic

Accepted Answer

The sympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "fight or flight" response, which is a basic survival reflex to danger. It increases heart rate, dilates pupils, constricts blood vessels, and increases adrenaline production to aid in the body's response to threat.

Answer: D) Parasympathetic 
 The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the body's "rest and digest" response and operates in a more subdued manner than the sympathetic nervous system. It decreases heart rate, constricts pupils, increases blood flow to the digestive system, and promotes relaxation. It is not the immediate response when faced with danger.

Question 6

You have been dispatched to a Veteran's Administration (VA) clinic for a male patient with a behavioral emergency. On scene, the VA physician tells you that the patient is a returning veteran with newly diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Based on this, you would realize:

A) the veteran was involved in active combat while in the service.
B) the veteran may have been in the military but never involved in combat.
C) the veteran most likely had a prior history of mental health issues.
D) the veteran has sustained physical injury to his brain.

Accepted Answer

PTSD can occur in veterans who have experienced traumatic events, not necessarily limited to active combat.

Question 7

You arrived on scene of a local restaurant and encounter a highly agitated combat veteran who is yelling at patrons. Given the public nature of the scene and a known history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which of the following statements indicates appropriate initial management of the situation?

A) "Let me see if I can establish a rapport and calm him."
B) "We need to contact ALS for chemical restraints."
C) "This is more a police matter so we need to contact them."
D) "Let's determine if he has a weapon before we attempt to physically restrain him."

Unlock Deck

Unlock for access to all 23 flashcards in this deck.

Unlock Deck

k this deck

Accepted Answer

Establishing a rapport and attempting to calm the individual down is a more appropriate initial management approach than jumping straight to chemical restraints or involving law enforcement. It also takes into consideration the individual's known history of PTSD. However, safety considerations should still be taken into account, such as determining if the individual has a weapon.

Question 8

Which of the following is true regarding post-traumatic stress disorder?&#10;A) There is no cure for the post-traumatic stress disorder.&#10;B) All military veterans will eventually become debilitated from PTSD.&#10;C) The symptoms of PTSD are evident within 6 months of an event.&#10;D) PTSD can be cured with timely intervention and medication use.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following is true regarding...

Question 9

The EMT would recognize what response when a patient states &#34;I still see them burning but cannot do anything about it&#34;?&#10;A) Relive&#10;B) Response&#10;C) Avoidance&#10;D) Anxiety

Accepted Answer

The patient's statement indicates they are reliving the traumatic event, which is a symptom of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This symptom involves experiencing vivid, intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event.

Question 10

When caring for a 34-year-old male with a history of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which of the following instructions to your crew would be most appropriate?&#10;A) &#34;We must remove family members from around him.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;We need to determine if he feels suicidal or homicidal.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;We need to determine if he has ever killed anyone.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;We need to determine if he remembers the event that caused the PTSD.&#34;

Accepted Answer

It is important to assess the patient for any suicidal or homicidal ideation, as these can be common in individuals with PTSD. Removing family members may not be necessary or appropriate, and asking about past violent behavior or the traumatic event may exacerbate symptoms of PTSD.

Question 11

The wife of a military veteran with PTSD states that her husband became a type II diabetic 10 years after returning from combat. She states that there is no history of this in either side of the family and he is not overweight nor has any other risk factors for the disease. Consequently, she believes the diabetes is resultant from his experience in the military. Your response would be:

A) "The diabetes is most likely a result of undiagnosed traumatic brain injury, not the PTSD."
B) "It is not uncommon for combat veterans to unexplainably develop such conditions like this."
C) "I think we have to suspect that he sustained an injury to his pancreas at some point."
D) "Not that it cannot happen, but era veterans, not combat veterans, typically develop diabetes."

Unlock Deck

Unlock for access to all 23 flashcards in this deck.

Unlock Deck

k this deck

Accepted Answer

The answer of The wife of a military veteran with...

Question 12

When approaching a combat veteran who is highly agitated, the EMT must remember that:&#10;A) combat veterans are more dangerous than civilians because of their training.&#10;B) determination of the event leading to the PTSD is essential.&#10;C) combat veterans are more likely to assault caregivers and medical providers.&#10;D) reassurance with a firm, calm voice may be necessary.

Accepted Answer

The answer of When approaching a combat veteran who is...

Question 13

In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the EMT would recognize that a patient is reliving an event when he states:&#10;A) &#34;I do not like the smell of diesel fuel because of the airplane crash.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;I feel so guilty that there was nothing I could do to save them.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;I notice that my heart rate will sometimes increase for no reason.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;I cannot sleep well because of nightmares that I am back in the desert.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of In post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), the EMT...

Question 14

A traumatic brain injury (TBI) would most likely be caused by:&#10;A) witnessing fellow soldiers dying.&#10;B) accidentally shooting an unarmed civilian.&#10;C) nearby explosion of a concussion grenade.&#10;D) disappearance of best friend in platoon.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A traumatic brain injury (TBI) would most...

Question 15

The signature wound of recent combat missions in the Middle East is typically caused by:&#10;A) high-powered guns.&#10;B) post-traumatic stress disorder.&#10;C) aerial bombings.&#10;D) improvised explosive devices.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The signature wound of recent combat missions...

Question 16

As an EMT, you realize that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs when:&#10;A) the brain is emotionally injured by an external force.&#10;B) the returning veteran perceives a lack of respect by society or the government.&#10;C) an individual is exposed to an abnormal or dangerous condition.&#10;D) an individual is overwhelmed with daily living when returning from the military.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As an EMT, you realize that post-traumatic...

Question 17

The EMT recognizes that alcohol or drug dependence often occurs in those with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) because:&#10;A) it is used to blunt the sympathetic nervous system and emotional mental anguish.&#10;B) the medications that treat PTSD make the individual more prone to alcohol and drug abuse.&#10;C) it reflects an individual weakness since not all with PTSD have substance abuse issues.&#10;D) it is therapeutic by &#34;slowing down&#34; the brain and allowing mental processing of past experiences.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The EMT recognizes that alcohol or drug...

Question 18

The EMT would recognize an era veteran when a family member states:&#10;A) &#34;He has spent his whole life in the military.&#34;&#10;B) &#34;He served three tours in Vietnam and the Middle East.&#34;&#10;C) &#34;He was shot in the leg by a sniper in Iraq.&#34;&#10;D) &#34;He trained for combat but was never deployed.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of The EMT would recognize an era veteran...

Question 19

During scene size-up on an unknown medical call, which clue would best indicate that the patient very well may be a veteran of the military?&#10;A) Psych medications on nightstand&#10;B) Military style haircut&#10;C) Vintage guns on display in the living room&#10;D) Collection of war movie DVDs

Accepted Answer

The answer of During scene size-up on an unknown medical...

Question 20

A combat veteran patient with a history of severe PTSD states that he has a headache that feels worse than any other he has ever had. The patient is alert and oriented with no threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation. His vital signs are: pulse 68, respirations 16, blood pressure 168/100 mmHg, and SpO₂ 95% on room air. You next action is to:

A) recognize the component of anguish.
B) perform a neurological assessment.
C) treat the patient for PTSD and transport.
D) administer low-concentration oxygen.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A combat veteran patient with a history...

Question 21

The EMT would suspect that a patient suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI), as opposed to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) when he observes:&#10;A) relationship problems.&#10;B) confusion and disorientation.&#10;C) anxiety and anger.&#10;D) left arm amputation.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The EMT would suspect that a patient...

Question 22

A wife of a returning combat veteran has called EMS because her husband is complaining of constant headaches. You ask about post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or traumatic brain injury (TBI) and she states that he was injured by an improvised explosive device in Iraq, but cannot remember the event. She continues on by telling you that he has had numerous CTs and MRIs of head and has been told by his family doctor that there is no sign of injury. Regarding either of these medical conditions, you realize that:

A) TBI may exist despite the negative findings of the CT and MRI tests.
B) PTSD is likely and requires immediate identification and treatment for total recovery.
C) TBI and PTSD most likely do not exist since there is no memory of the event.
D) TBI and PTSD are not likely since the patient does not have associated symptoms like dizziness.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A wife of a returning combat veteran...

Question 23

A combat veteran's wife has summoned 911 after her husband suddenly became confused and agitated. She states that he takes several mood stabilizing drugs and has a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) from an improvised explosive device (IED) while on tour in the Middle East. There is no other medical history. In the bedroom, the patient is staring at you with a face that appears angry. Your initial priority in the care of this patient would be to:

A) recognize post-traumatic stress disorder and check a blood sugar.
B) gather and identify the medications taken by the patient.
C) recognize post-traumatic stress disorder and prepare for immediate transport.
D) establish a rapport with the patient and ensure personal safety.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A combat veteran's wife has summoned 911...

Deck 41: The Combat Veteran