Question 1

A student in a science lab has had an unknown chemical splashed into her eye. After assessing the airway, breathing, and circulation, the EMT would immediately:

Accepted Answer

The immediate action that the EMT should take if a student in a science lab has had an unknown chemical splashed into her eye is to flush the eye with copious amounts of tap water. This should be done for at least 20 minutes to remove the chemical from the eye and prevent further damage. Other options such as examining the pupils and structures of the eye for damage, identifying the chemical and whether or not a neutralizing solution can be used, or covering both eyes with sterile dressing and providing rapid transport to the hospital can be done after the initial flushing of the eye.

Question 2

You have been called for an intoxicated male who sustained a full-thickness burn to his leg after passing out against a kerosene heater. After ensuring that his airway, breathing, and circulation are intact, you cool the burn with water and then:

Accepted Answer

For a full-thickness burn, after ensuring the patient's ABCs are stable and cooling the burn, the next step is to cover the burn with a dry sterile dressing. This helps protect the burn from infection and further injury. Wet dressings or ice can cause further damage to the tissue.

Question 3

Why would an EMT be concerned about a partial-thickness burn circumferentially to the chest?

Accepted Answer

A partial-thickness burn that encircles the chest can cause breathing difficulty due to the constriction of the chest wall, which can compromise the respiratory system.

Question 4

Which one of the following statements shows that the EMT understands the palm method of estimating the BSA burned?

Accepted Answer

The palm method involves using the patient's own palm (not including fingers) to estimate the size of the burn area. The patient's palm approximately equals 1% of their total body surface area (BSA), making it a useful tool for quickly estimating the size of a burn.

Question 5

A 51-year-old male was burned in the face after a steam valve was accidentally opened. His face is red and swollen, and he is screaming in pain. He also states that he is having a hard time seeing. Which of the following is the EMT's priority concern in caring for this patient?

Accepted Answer

The EMT's priority concern in caring for this patient should be airway compromise. Burns to the face can cause swelling which could potentially compromise the patient's airway. The EMT should assess the patient's airway and intervene as necessary to ensure it remains patent. Pain management and loss of vision are also important considerations in the care of this patient, but they are secondary to ensuring the patient's airway remains open. Facial disfigurement may be a concern for the patient in the long term, but it is not an immediate threat to their life or health.

Question 6

You have been called for a patient who had a large bag of lime powder tear as he was unloading it from a truck. On arrival he is complaining of burning to both legs and you note that aside from the shorts he is wearing, lime dust covers both legs. Your immediate action would be to:

Accepted Answer

Brushing off the lime powder is the immediate action to prevent further chemical reaction with moisture on the skin, which could worsen the burns.

Question 7

A patient has been pulled from a house fire. Assessment reveals him to be lethargic with stridorous respirations and a rapid but strong radial pulse. Firefighters are dousing his body with water to cool him. What action would the EMT perform immediately?

Accepted Answer

The patient is exhibiting signs of upper airway inflammation or edema, which can lead to airway compromise. Positive pressure ventilation with a bag-valve mask will help maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation until the patient can be transported to a hospital for further care. Administering oxygen and obtaining vitals can be done while providing positive pressure ventilation, but providing oxygen alone may not be sufficient if the patient's airway is compromised. Determining the type of burn and critical areas of the body can also be done during transport to the hospital.

Question 8

A 24-year-old man was shocked while working on his house's electrical system. Assessment reveals a minor burn to the fingers on his left hand. Aside from being slightly shaky, he states he feels fine and does not see the need to be treated further or transported to the hospital. What statement would you make before allowing him to refuse additional care and transport?

Accepted Answer

Electrical shocks can cause internal damage that isn't immediately apparent, including potential heart issues, which is why it's important for anyone who has received an electrical shock to be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Question 9

A male patient was injured when a steam valve opened, causing hot steam to contact his face. Which one of the following statements made by the patient would be of most concern to the EMT and require immediate assessment or treatment?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty breathing can indicate airway involvement or inhalation injury, which can rapidly progress to respiratory distress and compromise the patient's breathing. This needs to be assessed and treated immediately to prevent further deterioration.

Question 10

Of the actions that follow, which one indicates proper care of a patient who has suffered a partial-thickness burn to the hand?

Accepted Answer

It is important to remove any jewelry from the area to prevent circulation from being cut off if swelling occurs. This can also prevent further damage to the affected area. The other options listed can potentially cause further harm or delay proper healing.

Question 11

You have arrived on the scene of a large structure fire. Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) are by the side of a patient who is responsive to verbal stimuli and has suffered significant burns to his body. They report that the patient fell down a flight of stairs while trying to escape and was trapped for several minutes. Their assessment findings include partial- and full-thickness burns to his right arm, right leg, and right side of the face. The EMRs also report that the patient's unburned skin is cool, clammy, and pale, with a delayed capillary refill. His pulse is 144, respirations are 22, and blood pressure is 88/50 mmHg. Which one of the following instructions would be most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms indicate shock, possibly from burns but also potentially from other injuries sustained during the fall. Reassessing the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) and conducting a secondary assessment for additional injuries is crucial for proper management and treatment. Cooling burns or calculating burn percentages are secondary concerns to ensuring the patient's airway is clear, breathing is adequate, and circulation is supported.

Question 12

Firefighters have just pulled a young woman from a house fire and have laid her on the lawn. She is conscious and badly burned on the chest, abdomen, and legs. Her clothes are smoldering. Which one of the following actions should the EMT take immediately?

Accepted Answer

Cooling the burn with water is the immediate priority for this patient to prevent further tissue damage and reduce pain. The other interventions may be necessary, but cooling the burn is the priority.

Question 13

You are transporting a patient who was shocked by an electrical current while repairing a residential electrical service panel. He has partial-thickness burns to the hand and foot where the electricity entered and exited his body respectively. When reassessing the patient, what sign or symptom would be of most concern?

Accepted Answer

Palpation of an irregular heartbeat would be the most concerning sign as electrical shock can cause disruptions in cardiac function, potentially leading to cardiac arrest. Pain, headache, and swelling can all be expected symptoms of electrical shock and can be managed with appropriate treatment.

Question 14

When applying the rule of nines to a 10-month-old child, the EMT should recognize which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The rule of nines for estimating the percentage of body surface area burned is adjusted for children and infants because their body proportions are different from adults. In children, the head and neck account for a larger percentage of the body surface area, approximately 18%, reflecting their larger head size relative to their body.

Question 15

A burn patient has full-thickness burns to the fronts of both legs and the entire left arm. The front of the patient's right arm has superficial burns. Using the rule of nines, the EMT should estimate what percentage of the patient's body has been burned?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A burn patient has full-thickness burns to...

Question 16

You are assessing an elderly male patient who was trapped in a burning trailer. What finding would be most indicative that he has suffered an inhalation injury?

Accepted Answer

Coughing of black sputum is the most indicative finding of an inhalation injury, as it suggests that the patient has inhaled toxic fumes from the fire. The other options may also be present in burn victims, but they are not specific to inhalation injuries.

Question 17

A 44-year-old electrician has been shocked and responds to verbal stimuli with garbled speech. His airway is open and he is breathing poorly at a rate of 8 times per minute. His pulse is slow and irregular. What action would the EMT perform next?

Accepted Answer

The patient is experiencing respiratory distress and needs immediate ventilation with a bag-valve mask. The slow and irregular pulse may indicate a cardiac issue, but focusing on providing oxygenation and ventilation is the priority before attaching the AED or obtaining vital signs. Inserting an oral airway and applying oxygen with a nonrebreather mask may not be effective if the patient is not breathing adequately on his own.

Question 18

A patient was trapped in a burning apartment before being rescued by firefighters. As you approach him, you note that his legs and arms are burned. He is screaming in pain and coughing, but no longer actively burning. Given this information, what intervention would you perform first?

Accepted Answer

The patient is coughing, indicating possible respiratory distress due to inhalation of smoke and/or other toxic agents. Administering oxygen with a bag-valve mask would allow for better ventilation and oxygenation. The other options (performing a secondary assessment, estimating percentage of body burned, and determining depth of burns) are important steps in managing burn patients, but addressing the patient's immediate respiratory distress takes priority.

Question 19

Which statement made by an EMT shows that he understands the major cause of death in the prehospital setting for a burn patient?

Accepted Answer

The EMT's statement that "Most burn patients who die before getting to the hospital die of airway or bleeding problems, not the burn itself" shows a correct understanding that the major cause of death in prehospital burn patients is often related to problems such as airway compromise or bleeding, rather than the burn itself.

Question 20

A patient has suffered partial- and full-thickness thermal burns to the anterior chest, abdomen, and arms in an industrial accident. What action would be appropriate in the care of this patient?

Accepted Answer

Cooling burns with water for a brief period can help reduce the temperature of the burn and minimize damage. However, prolonged cooling or the use of ice can cause hypothermia or further damage to the tissue. Covering the burns with a sterile, dry sheet helps protect the burn area from infection and further injury.

Quiz 29: Burns