Deck 42: Ambulance Operations and Air Medical Response

Question 1

While cleaning the ambulance following an emergency call, you find a syringe and a needle that were used by the paramedic to give a patient an injection. Which one of the following is the proper way to dispose of used syringes and needles?

A) Re-cap the needle, and dispose of it in the garbage.
B) Remove the needle from the syringe, and dispose of it in the trash.
C) Bend the needle, and then dispose of it in a special garbage bag at the hospital.
D) Place the syringe and needle in a special puncture resistant container.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

You are instructing a group of new EMTs on the basics of driving an emergency vehicle. What would you emphasize as the most frequent situation or location in which collisions involving ambulances occur?

A) Parking lots
B) Backing up
C) Intersections
D) Emergency scenes

Answer 2

C

Question 3

You are driving an ambulance with antilock brakes. A deer darts out in front of the ambulance. Your most appropriate action would be to:

A) swerve into the opposite lane.
B) apply the brakes for 3 seconds, and then release.
C) gently pump the brakes.
D) apply constant and firm pressure to the brakes.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

When she is dispatched to an emergency call, which piece of information is it most essential that the EMT obtain first?

A) Location of the call
B) Patient's chief complaint
C) Number of patients
D) Specific conditions or problems

Question 5

The EMT recognizes that preventive mechanical maintenance performed regularly on the ambulance results in:

A) cleaner ambulances.
B) fully stocked ambulances.
C) more knowledgeable EMTs.
D) safer patient transports.

Question 6

Since supplies and materials used to treat the sick or injured may be used on every call, it is good practice to replace or restock the ambulance:

A) after every call.
B) daily and weekly.
C) at the beginning of a shift.
D) weekly and monthly.

Question 7

In an EMS system, the first assessment of the call and the patient's condition is most often made by the:

A) Emergency Medical Responder.
B) Emergency Medical Dispatcher.
C) Emergency Physician.
D) Emergency Medical Technician.

Question 8

An ambulance, responding to a call using lights and sirens, is involved in a collision at an intersection. Witnesses state that the ambulance slowly went through the red light without first stopping, resulting in a collision with a car. No one is injured, and the driver of the car is insured. Based on the witnesses' account of the collision, which one of the following may occur?

A) The driver of the car is liable for the collision.
B) The EMT is immune from liability for the collision.
C) Liability for the collision cannot be assigned since no one was injured.
D) The EMT driving the ambulance may be liable for the collision.

Question 9

You are the third ambulance to arrive at the scene of a nighttime motor vehicle collision on a busy road. As you approach the scene, which one of the following observations should cause you to alert the incident commander of a problem?

A) One ambulance acting as a physical barrier between the wrecked car and oncoming traffic.
B) Traffic cones and an EMT are being used to divert and monitor traffic.
C) One ambulance has been positioned with its lights facing oncoming traffic.
D) The closest ambulance is parked 200 feet from the wrecked car.

Question 10

An EMT asks you how he can decrease the chances of being involved in a collision when driving with lights and siren at night. Your advice would be:

A) "It is safer to use your high beams with the lights and siren, so that oncoming cars can see you better."
B) "If blinded by the lights of an oncoming car, look to the right side of the road and not at the car."
C) "Flashing your high beams on and off when approaching another vehicle is a good way to alert him to your presence."
D) "Keep all lights on your dashboard to the highest setting so that you can easily see the speedometer to monitor your speed."

Question 11

You walk into the station at the beginning of your shift and see another EMT laundering sheets and pillowcases used from the previous shift. Which one of the following observations should cause you to stop and correct the EMT in relation to this task?

A) He uses exam gloves to transfer the laundry into the washer.
B) He is using an EPA-registered sterilant as the detergent.
C) He is using a regular laundry detergent to clean the items.
D) He handles the dirty laundry as little as possible.

Question 12

When an EMT is driving an ambulance in emergency mode (lights and sirens), most states do not permit the EMT to:

A) proceed through a red light without stopping.
B) drive in the wrong direction down a one-way street.
C) turn in any direction at an intersection.
D) pass other vehicles in a no-passing zone.

Question 13

A paramedic has asked you to sterilize a laryngoscope blade, which was placed in the mouth of a patient during an endotracheal intubation procedure. To sterilize this piece of equipment, you should:

A) wipe the blade down with a solution of one part bleach to 10 parts water.
B) clean the blade with soap and water, and then soak it in bleach for 1 hour.
C) immerse and leave the blade in an EPA-registered (approved) chemical sterilant.
D) wipe and soak the blade in a solution of 100 parts bleach to one part water.

Question 14

Which one of the following statements about the use of an escort to drive a critical patient to the hospital is true?

A) "It is actually safer, because traffic is cleared ahead of the ambulance."
B) "It should be used as a last resort, because it increases the risk of an accident."
C) "It is a safe way to get a critical patient to the hospital quickly and should be used when needed."
D) "It is safer if the ambulance transporting the patient goes first and is followed by the second emergency vehicle."

Question 15

The EMT shows that she understands the concept of driving with due regard when she states:

A) "When responding to an emergency, I drive as fast as possible so that emergency care can be delivered as quickly as possible."
B) "When taking a patient to the hospital, I drive as quickly as possible so that I can get back into service for another call."
C) "When approaching an intersection, I wait for all traffic to stop before proceeding through."
D) "It is acceptable to take a nonemergency patient to the hospital using lights and siren if dispatch informs me that there is another call waiting."

Question 16

Which one of the following actions is appropriate when using a helicopter on the scene of an emergency?

A) Always approach the helicopter from the front and never from behind.
B) Point a spotlight at the helicopter to indicate the location of the landing zone.
C) Always approach the helicopter from behind and never from the front.
D) Keep all EMS and rescuer personnel at least 50 feet from the helicopter as it lands.

Question 17

You are responding to a possible pediatric overdose. It is raining and suddenly the ambulance starts to hydroplane. Your immediate action should be to:

A) firmly apply the brakes while holding the steering wheel straight.
B) turn the steering wheel from side to side to get down through the water.
C) increase speed, and then quickly apply the brakes.
D) gently pump the brakes and decrease pressure on the accelerator pedal.

Question 18

A 43-year-old male is entrapped in a car that struck a tree at a high rate of speed. He suffered blunt trauma to the chest and has a decreased level of consciousness. In this situation, which one of the following is the best reason to transfer the patient by helicopter to the hospital?

A) A family member on scene requests it.
B) Death of the car's driver occurred.
C) Prolonged extrication was necessary.
D) The helicopter base is only 1 mile away.

Question 19

Which of the following illustrates a basic medical supply that must be carried on an ambulance?

A) Written protocols
B) Street maps
C) Exam gloves
D) Self contained breathing apparatus

Question 20

For routine disinfection of a stethoscope after each call, the EMT should:

A) clean it thoroughly with soap and water.
B) spray it with a solution of one part peroxide and 100 parts bleach.
C) soak it for 1 hour in a solution of hot water and bleach.
D) wipe it with a solution of one part water and 10 parts bleach.

Question 21

The use of high-visibility vests when operating on a roadway is a requirement of the:

A) federal government.
B) state EMS department.
C) medical director.
D) state department of highways.

Question 22

A helicopter has been requested to the scene of a motor vehicle collision in which two people have been critically injured. As safety officer overseeing the incident, what would cause you to immediately intervene for the safety of all rescuers, bystanders, and patients?

A) Soaking down the landing site using water from a fire hose
B) Stopping traffic in both lanes of divided highway as the aircraft lands
C) Guiding the helicopter to the landing site using a bright spotlight
D) Rescuers positioned in front of the aircraft instead of behind it

Question 23

As an instructor for safe ambulance operations, which of the following statements should you make to new EMTs about responding with lights and sirens through curves in the road?

A) "At night, turn your high beams off prior to entering the curve."
B) "It is best to start braking after entering the curve."
C) "To be safe, maintain a steady speed through the entire curve."
D) "It is easier to control the ambulance when you accelerate just before entering the curve."

Question 24

In terms of high-visibility vests, which of the following is true?

A) They help other rescuers identify EMTs as medical personnel.
B) They provide protection against blood and other body fluids at a trauma scene.
C) They make EMS personnel more visible to passing motorists.
D) They provide protection against bent metal and broken glass at an accident scene.

Question 25

You are on the scene of a motor vehicle collision and must look for an area to land a medical helicopter. As such, what would be best?

A) Flat sloped square area 40 × 40 feet free of debris
B) Small flat concrete lot with light posts on all sides
C) Level and well-maintained parking lot that remains half-filled with cars
D) Open field that is level, but 250 feet from the accident

Question 26

Which action would reduce the chance of being involved in a response-related collision?

A) Unless it is dark out, the headlights should be left off when the red lights and sirens are being used.
B) During a nonemergency transport, it is important to use the red lights without a siren to make other motorists aware of your presence.
C) Sirens should only be used when approaching an intersection to warn drivers to stop.
D) White strobe lights should be used in conjunction with the red flashing lights.

Question 27

What would cause you to start transporting a critically injured patient to a local hospital (not equipped for major trauma) instead of waiting on a helicopter for rapid transport to a trauma center 50 miles away?

A) Sudden drop in patient's blood pressure
B) Start of lightning and poor weather
C) Patient statement that he cannot afford the cost
D) Request by family to go to local hospital

Question 28

Which statement is true regarding driving in inclement weather?

A) Roads are most hazardous in terms of traction near the end of a rainstorm.
B) It is best to accelerate when attempting to drive through a large standing puddle.
C) Roadways typically freeze over sooner than do bridges and overpasses.
D) Stopping on wet pavement takes approximately twice the distance as stopping on dry pavement.

Question 29

While responding to an emergency call, what should you do if you encounter a school bus unloading students?

A) Slow down and carefully proceed past the school bus.
B) Continue responding as you were, since you have the right of way.
C) Stop and wait for all children to cross the road safely.
D) Stop and determine an alternative route to the emergency.

Question 30

You have been dispatched for a 2-year-old female who is not breathing. When responding, you realize that your primary goal is to:

A) mentally prepare for what might be required on scene.
B) arrive at the scene safely with no mishaps.
C) review the protocol for pediatric cardiac arrest.
D) get to the scene as quickly as possible.