Question 1

A patient has a history of tendonitis to the right elbow. Based on this, the EMT would understand that the:

Accepted Answer

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tissue (tendon) that connects muscle to bone. In this case, it is specifically referring to the tendon(s) involved in the right elbow joint. It is not related to a previous fracture or infection of the bones.

Question 2

Which of the following bodily activities is a function of a voluntary muscle?

Accepted Answer

Blinking of the eyes is a voluntary muscle activity, controlled by the somatic nervous system. Contraction of the heart is an involuntary muscle activity, controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Movement of food through the intestines is a combination of voluntary and involuntary muscle activity, where voluntary muscle contraction can help in creating pressure to push the food forward but involuntary smooth muscles also play a role in the movement. Protection of the abdominal organs is a function of skeletal muscles, but it is an involuntary reflex action, controlled by the spinal cord, not a voluntary muscle activity.

Question 3

A patient you transported several days ago stops by your station to thank you. He reports that he was diagnosed with a strain to the lower right leg. As such, you recognize what structure as being affected by that injury?

Accepted Answer

Straining refers to stretching or tearing of muscle fibers and can cause pain and weakness. Therefore, the affected structure in this case would be a muscle, specifically one located in the lower right leg.

Question 4

A young man riding a motorcycle was hit head on and ejected from the bike. Your scene size-up reveals him to be lying supine in the roadway with obvious deformity to his right thigh and left ankle, with blood noted on his pants in these areas. Patient assessment reveals he is unresponsive with snoring respirations and is breathing irregularly at 16 times per minute. His radial pulse is moderate in strength, and his skin is warm and dry. Which one of the following actions should be performed first?

Accepted Answer

The first action that should be performed is taking and maintaining manual in-line spinal stabilization to prevent any further potential injury to the spine. This should be done before any other assessment or treatment, as any movement or manipulation of the patient can cause further damage if there is a spinal injury. Once spinal stabilization is established, the airway should be opened using the head-tilt, chin-lift, and then a rapid trauma assessment should be completed to identify and treat any life-threatening injuries. Checking for distal pulses and splinting the legs may be important interventions, but they should not be done until after spinal stabilization and a full trauma assessment are completed.

Question 5

The rapid secondary assessment of a male patient who was ejected from a motorcycle indicates instability and pain on palpation to the pelvic area. What is the EMT's primary concern related to this injury?

Accepted Answer

Instability and pain on palpation to the pelvic area suggests the possibility of internal blood loss, which is a critical and potentially life-threatening condition. The EMT should prioritize transport to a trauma center with advanced capabilities for managing such injuries. Suspected pelvic or hip fractures would also be a concern and should be considered in the overall assessment and management of the patient. Risk for infection and severe pain may be important considerations but are not the primary concern in this case.

Question 6

Which type of muscle tissue is found in the forearm?

Accepted Answer

The forearm contains skeletal muscle tissue, which is a type of voluntary muscle tissue.

Question 7

A young female patient was walking on a 7-foot-high retaining wall when she stumbled and fell. She impacted a concrete sidewalk surface with her left foot and left hand. Your assessment reveals ecchymosis, deformity, and edema to both the left foot and left hand. Based on the concept of injury caused by indirect force, where else should the EMT look for injury?

Accepted Answer

Injury caused by indirect force often results in injury to other parts of the body not directly impacted. In this case, a fall from a height could lead to an injury to the left hip, especially since the patient landed on her left foot and hand. The left ankle and toes are also possible locations for injury, but the left hip is the most likely based on the mechanism of injury. The left fingers may also be injured, but the impact to the left hand may have absorbed most of the force, and the description of the injury suggests more significant damage to the foot.

Question 8

The secondary assessment of a patient complaining of right leg pain after falling down several stairs reveals a break in the skin where a fractured tibia bone broke through and then retreated back into the leg. The EMT should recognize this as what type of injury?

Accepted Answer

An open or compound fracture occurs when a broken bone penetrates the skin, as described in the scenario. The fact that the bone has retreated back into the leg does not change the classification of the injury.

Question 9

Family members report that their 62-year-old mother complained of dizziness and right leg weakness just before falling down a flight of stairs. Your assessment indicates that she is responsive, but confused and talking with garbled speech. Her breathing is adequate and her radial pulse is strong. Vital signs are: pulse 84, respirations 18, blood pressure 188/110 mmHg, and SpO₂ 96%. There is an open fracture to her right forearm. When instructed to do so, she does not move her right arm. When caring for this patient, you should do which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms suggest a possible stroke, which is a time-sensitive emergency. Immediate transport to the hospital is crucial, and immobilizing her to the long board ensures safe extrication.

Question 10

Which assessment finding, on a 32-year-old female involved in an MVC, should the EMT recognize as potentially life threatening?

Accepted Answer

Deformity of the left femur can be potentially life-threatening because it can indicate a possible fracture of the femur, which is the largest bone in the body and can lead to significant blood loss and shock. Open fractures and dislocations can also be serious injuries, but they are not immediately life-threatening in the way that a femur fracture can be. Crepitus palpated to the right humerus may indicate a fracture, but it is not as immediately concerning as a femur fracture.

Question 11

A patient was struck in the right upper arm with a baseball bat. Which of the following signs or symptoms indicates the highest probability that the humerus has been fractured?

Accepted Answer

Crepitus felt on palpation is a sign of a bone fracture.

Question 12

A 9-year-old boy has fallen from a swing. Assessment findings reveal no threats to the airway, breathing, or circulation, but do indicate deformity, pain, and swelling to his right wrist. The right radial pulse is strong and is accompanied by skin that is pink and warm to the touch. Which one of the following actions indicates that the EMT is properly caring for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Applying cold packs to an injury like a swollen and deformed wrist can help reduce swelling and pain, which is a proper care technique in this scenario. Straightening the wrist, maintaining it below heart level, or massaging it could potentially worsen the injury or increase pain.

Question 13

Which one of the following bone injuries would be classified as occurring in the appendicular skeletal system?

Accepted Answer

The appendicular skeletal system consists of bones in the limbs and girdles (shoulder and hip), so a right-hip fracture would be classified as an injury in this system. The rib and skull fractures are part of the axial skeletal system, while spinal fractures can occur in both the axial and appendicular systems.

Question 14

Your partner is off from work for an extended period of time because he is having surgery for a torn ligament. Which one of the following structures needs that surgery?

Accepted Answer

Tissue that connects one bone to other bones is known as a ligament. Therefore, the surgery is required for a torn ligament.

Question 15

A 57-year-old male patient has fallen 20 feet while setting up holiday lights on his roof. He impacted the ground feet first and has suffered open fractures to both tibias, with both bones protruding through the skin. Your assessment reveals him to be responsive to painful stimuli. His airway is open, his breathing is rapid, and his radial pulse is weak. The skin is cool and diaphoretic. Vital signs are: pulse 132, respirations 24, and BP 106/90 mmHg. According to family, he has no medical history. Your partner is providing positive pressure ventilation. At this point in the patient's care, it is a priority for you to:

Accepted Answer

The answer of A 57-year-old male patient has fallen 20...

Question 16

A football player injured his knee during practice and is in pain. His left knee is swollen, ecchymotic, and flexed in an upward position. Your partner reports that the distal skin is warm, and he has located a weak pedal pulse. Which one of the following should you perform immediately?

Accepted Answer

Splinting the knee in the position it was found is the best immediate treatment for this injury. This can help alleviate pain and prevent any further damage to the knee. Applying a traction splint or attempting to straighten the knee could exacerbate the injury and should only be done under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Transport to the hospital should also be done as soon as possible for further evaluation and treatment.

Question 17

Which one of the following statements describes the benefit of using the pneumatic antishock garment (PASG) to splint a potential pelvic fracture?

Accepted Answer

The pneumatic antishock garment (PASG) can effectively stabilize the pelvis and help to control internal bleeding by exerting direct pressure on the pelvis, reducing pelvic volume, and increasing resistance to pelvic vasculature. It does not necessarily realign pelvic bones or increase blood flow into the pelvis or distal leg, nor immobilize the thoracic and lumbar spine.

Question 18

What statement regarding voluntary muscles is true?

Accepted Answer

Voluntary muscles, also known as skeletal muscles, connect to the bones of the skeletal system and are responsible for movement of the body.

Question 19

Firefighters are extricating the driver of a small car that was struck broadside by a delivery truck at a moderate rate of speed. The patient was unrestrained, and the car sustained severe damage to the driver's side. As the man is pulled from the car, you note severe deformity to his left thigh area. Your primary assessment shows the patient to be responsive to painful stimuli, with an open airway and adequate breathing at 20 breaths per minute. His radial pulse is present but rapid at a rate of 124. After applying oxygen, the EMT should immediately:

Accepted Answer

Given the patient's condition—responsive only to painful stimuli, with a rapid heart rate, and after ensuring the airway is open and breathing is adequate—the next step is to conduct a rapid secondary assessment. This is to identify any other injuries or conditions that could be life-threatening or need immediate attention. Checking the leg and applying a splint are important but come after a rapid secondary assessment to prioritize care.

Question 20

Which statement about different musculoskeletal injuries is true?

Accepted Answer

A sprain is an injury to a joint where the ligaments are stretched or torn, while a strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. A fracture is a break or crack in a bone. A dislocation occurs when a bone is forced out of its socket at a joint.

Quiz 30: Musculoskeletal Trauma and Nontraumatic Fractures