Question 1

You are dispatched to a suicide attempt.You arrive to find a 16-year-old,who is extremely agitated and pacing up and down in the living room of his house.Apparently,he had threatened to go out,get a gun,and shoot himself.The parents called it in as an attempted suicide.The scene is safe and there are apparently no weapons accessible to the patient.Which of the following would NOT be appropriate in caring for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Making certain the patient gets between you and the door is not appropriate as it may make the patient feel trapped and increase their anxiety. Instead, try to position yourself in a way that provides a route of escape for both you and the patient if needed.

Question 2

Which of the following statements concerning forcible restraint of patients is true?

Accepted Answer

Forcible restraint of patients is normally considered to be within the jurisdiction of law enforcement. EMTs may need to request for law enforcement assistance to safely restrain a patient who is a danger to themselves or others. It should only be done as a last resort and with extreme caution to avoid causing physical or emotional harm to the patient.

Question 3

You are called to the scene of an attempted suicide.You arrive to find a 25-year-old man sitting on the sofa who apparently cut his wrists.Family members have bandaged them,and there does not appear to be any bleeding risk at this time.The scene is secure.Which action would you NOT take in treating this patient?

Accepted Answer

Choice D is not appropriate as it demonstrates a lack of empathy and could result in the patient feeling more isolated and resistant to care. It is important to approach the patient with understanding and kindness while providing necessary medical care and coordinating with appropriate mental health professionals.

Question 4

Which of the following situations generally allows the EMT to transport a patient with a behavioral emergency against his or her wishes?

Accepted Answer

If the patient is considered a threat to himself or others, the EMT may transport the patient against his or her wishes in order to ensure safety for all parties involved. This is known as involuntary transport. However, it is important to follow local and state laws regarding involuntary transport and involve law enforcement if necessary. None of the other options (A, B, and D) allow the EMT to transport a patient with a behavioral emergency against his or her wishes.

Question 5

Your patient is a 37-year-old male sitting on the kitchen floor.His wife is attempting to talk with him,but he does not look at her or answer.He is fidgeting and has apparently thrown some dishes against the wall.What should be your first consideration?

Accepted Answer

The patient's behavior suggests he may be experiencing a psychiatric crisis or potentially violent outburst. Therefore, staying a safe distance away is the first consideration to ensure safety for both the patient and the provider. Once the provider can assess the situation from a safe distance, they can consider next steps, such as calling for backup or engaging in communication with the patient if deemed safe. Asking the wife to step outside or into another room may be considered later, but ensuring safety should be the immediate concern. Checking the carotid pulse is not relevant to the situation at hand.

Question 6

Concerning behavioral emergencies,which of the following statements is true?

Accepted Answer

Restraint may be necessary for the safety of the patient and others, and transport to a psychiatric facility may be necessary when crisis management techniques are not successful. A, B, and C are incorrect statements. A licensed mental health professional, not necessarily a psychiatrist, can apply crisis management techniques. Diabetic problems can mimic the signs of a behavioral emergency, such as confusion and agitation. It may be difficult to determine if drug abuse is the underlying cause of a behavioral emergency, as other medical and psychiatric conditions can also cause similar symptoms.

Question 7

It is important that,as an EMS provider,you avoid creating a situation where positional asphyxia could occur.Which of the following is positional asphyxia?

Accepted Answer

Positional asphyxia is inadequate breathing or respiratory arrest caused by a body position that restricts breathing. It can occur when a person is in a position where their chest is compressed or their airway is obstructed. As an EMS provider, it is important to be aware of this and to avoid putting patients in a position that could lead to positional asphyxia.

Question 8

Which of the following statements concerning people who have made prior suicide attempts is true?

Accepted Answer

People who have made prior suicide attempts are at an increased risk for a subsequent successful suicide. Therefore, it is important to take their suicide attempts seriously, provide psychological counseling, and monitor them closely to prevent future attempts. Options B, C, and D are not accurate statements concerning people who have made prior suicide attempts.

Question 9

Your patient is a 22-year-old male who has ingested a large amount of alcohol and is vomiting.He is conscious but uncooperative.He allows you to examine him but refuses transport to the hospital.You have sought assistance from law enforcement on scene.Which of the following is the BEST action?

Accepted Answer

Contacting medical control for further advice is the best action as it provides guidance on how to handle the situation, especially since the patient is uncooperative and refusing transport.

Question 10

You respond to the scene of a private residence for a patient who is a known insulin-dependant diabetic patient.The patient is combative and cursing as you approach.Should this patient be restrained?

Accepted Answer

There is not enough information to determine if restraint is necessary. The patient's behavior could be due to hypoglycemia, a common issue in insulin-dependent diabetics, which requires medical treatment rather than restraint.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method or adjunct in restraining a patient?

Accepted Answer

Hog-tying a patient is not an acceptable method of restraint as it can cause injury and asphyxiation. The other options may be acceptable in certain situations, such as placing a surgical mask to prevent spitting or restraining the patient face-up for medical procedures. However, the use of restraints should always be a last resort and only used when necessary for the safety of the patient and the healthcare team.

Question 12

Your patient is a 24-year-old male who is severely depressed.He tells you that he can't "handle the pressure" anymore and that he wants to die.He is refusing transport.Which of the following is the most appropriate decision regarding this patient's care?

Accepted Answer

In this situation, the patient is expressing suicidal ideation and is refusing transport. Therefore, it is necessary to transport the patient against his will with the assistance of law enforcement to ensure that he receives the necessary care and evaluation to ensure his safety. This is a situation of grave concern and requires immediate action to ensure the patient's well-being.

Question 13

You are on the scene where a 23-year-old female has attempted suicide by cutting her forearms with a razor.She is sitting in the front yard and has lost a large amount of blood.She is conscious and holding a small razor blade,and tells you to get away from her.Which of the following should NOT be done?

Accepted Answer

Taking the razor blade away by force could escalate the situation and potentially harm both the patient and the responder. It's important to ensure safety and gain the patient's trust, not to use force unless absolutely necessary and safe to do so.

Question 14

Which of the following does NOT indicate that a patient may be about to become violent?

Accepted Answer

Crying typically does not indicate that a patient may become violent. The other options may suggest that the patient is agitated and may be at risk for violent behavior.

Question 15

When restraining a patient,which of the following is NOT a consideration?

Accepted Answer

Informed consent is always necessary before any type of medical procedure or treatment is performed, including physical restraints. It is important to respect a patient's autonomy and provide them with all necessary information before obtaining their consent. Therefore, obtaining informed consent is always a consideration when restraining a patient. Choices A, B, and D are all important considerations when restraining a patient, such as the number of people required to perform the restraint, the patient's size and strength, and how best to position the patient for their safety and the safety of others.

Quiz 23: Behavioral and Psychiatric Emergencies and Suicide