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EMT-Basic Questions And Answers
medial - CORRECT ANSWER -toward the midline of the body
lateral - CORRECT ANSWER -to the side, away from the midline of the body
bilateral - CORRECT ANSWER -on both sides
mid-axillary line - CORRECT ANSWER -a line drawn vertically from the middle of the armpit to
the ankle
anterior - CORRECT ANSWER -the front of the body or body
posterior - CORRECT ANSWER -the back of the body or body part
ventral - CORRECT ANSWER -referring to the front of the body. a synonym for anterior
dorsal - CORRECT ANSWER -referring to the back of the body or the back of the hand or foot. A
synonym for posterior
superior - CORRECT ANSWER -toward the head.
inferior - CORRECT ANSWER -away from the head; usually compared with another structure
that is closer to the head
proximal - CORRECT ANSWER -closer to the torso
distal - CORRECT ANSWER -farther away from the torso
torso - CORRECT ANSWER -the trunk of the body; the body without the head and the
extremities
palmer - CORRECT ANSWER -referring to the palm of the hand
plantar - CORRECT ANSWER -referring to the sole of the foot
mid-clavicular - CORRECT ANSWER -the line through the center of the clavical
abdominal quadrants - CORRECT ANSWER -four divisions of the abdomen used to pinpoint the
location of a pain or injury: the right upper quadrant, the left upper quadrant, the right lower
quadrant and the left lower quadrant
supine - CORRECT ANSWER -lying on the back
recovery position - CORRECT ANSWER -lying on the side. also called the lateral recumbent
position
Fowler's Position - CORRECT ANSWER -a sitting position
Right Upper Quadrant - CORRECT ANSWER -Liver, Right Kidney, Colon, Pancreas, Gallbladder
Left Upper Quadrant - CORRECT ANSWER -Liver, Spleen, Left Kidney, Stomach, Colon Pancreas
nasal bones - CORRECT ANSWER -the nose bones
orbits - CORRECT ANSWER -the bony structures around the eyes, the eye sockets
zygomatic arches - CORRECT ANSWER -form the structure of the cheeks
vertebrae - CORRECT ANSWER -the 33 bones of the spinal column
thorax - CORRECT ANSWER -the chest
sternum - CORRECT ANSWER -breastbone
manubrium - CORRECT ANSWER -the superior portion of the sternum
xiphoid process - CORRECT ANSWER -inferior portion of the sternum
pelvis - CORRECT ANSWER -the basin-shaped bony structure that supports the
spine and is the point of proximal attachment for the lower extremities
ilium - CORRECT ANSWER -the superior and widest portion of the pelvis
ischium - CORRECT ANSWER -the lower, posterior portions of the pelvis
pubis - CORRECT ANSWER -the medial anterior portion of the pelvis
acetabulum - CORRECT ANSWER -the pelvis socket into which the ball at the
proximal end of the femur fits to form the hip joint
femur - CORRECT ANSWER -the large bone of the thigh
patella - CORRECT ANSWER -kneecap
tibia - CORRECT ANSWER -the medial and larger bone of the lower leg
fibula - CORRECT ANSWER -the lateral and small bone of the lower leg
malleolous - CORRECT ANSWER -protrusion on the side of the ankle.
tarsal - CORRECT ANSWER -ankle bone
metatarsal - CORRECT ANSWER -the foot bone
calcaneus - CORRECT ANSWER -the heel bone
phalanges - CORRECT ANSWER -the toe and finger bones
clavicle - CORRECT ANSWER -the collarbone
scapula - CORRECT ANSWER -Shoulder Blade
cardiac muscle - CORRECT ANSWER -specialized involuntary
muscle found only in the heart; has its own blood supply;
contracts on its own
automaticity - CORRECT ANSWER -the ability of the heart to generate and conduct
electrical impulses on its own
respiratory system - CORRECT ANSWER -the system of the nose, mouth, throat,
lungs, and muscles that bings oxygen into the body and expels carbon dioxide
oropharynx - CORRECT ANSWER -the area directly posterior to the mouth
nasopharynx - CORRECT ANSWER -the area directly posterior to the nose
pharynx - CORRECT ANSWER -the area directly posterior to the mouth and nose. It
is made up of the oropharynx and the nasopharynx
epiglottis - CORRECT ANSWER -a leaf-shaped structure that prevents food and
foreign matter from entering the trachea
larynx - CORRECT ANSWER -the voice box
cricoid cartilage - CORRECT ANSWER -the ring-structure that forms the lower
portion of the larynx
trachea - CORRECT ANSWER -the 'windpipe'; the structure that connects the
pharynx to the lungs
lungs - CORRECT ANSWER -the organs where exchange of atmospheric oxygen
and waste carbon dioxide take place
bronchi - CORRECT ANSWER -the two large sets of branches that come off the
trachea and enter the lungs. There are right and left bronchi
alveoli - CORRECT ANSWER -the microscopic sacs of the lungs where gas exchange
with the bloodstream takes place
diaphragm - CORRECT ANSWER -the muscular structure that divides the chest
cavity from the abdominal cavity. A major muscle of respiration
inhalation - CORRECT ANSWER -an active process in which the intercostal muscles
and the diaphragm contract, expanding the size of the chest cavity and causing air
to flow into the lungs
exhalation - CORRECT ANSWER -a passive process in which the intercostal muscles
and the diaphragm relax, causing the chest cavity to decrease in size and air to
flow out of the lungs
cardiovascular system/circulatory system - CORRECT ANSWER -the system made
up of the heart and the blood vessels
carotid arteries - CORRECT ANSWER -large neck arteries, one on each side of the
neck, that carry blood blood from the heart to the head
femoral artery - CORRECT ANSWER -the major artery supplying the leg
brachial artery - CORRECT ANSWER -artery of the upper arm; site of the pulse
checked during infant CPR
radial artery - CORRECT ANSWER -artery of the lower arm. it is felt when taking
the pulse at the wrist
posterior tibial artery - CORRECT ANSWER -artery supplying the foot, behind the
medial ankle
dorsalis pedis artery - CORRECT ANSWER -artery supplying the foot, lateral to the
large tendon of the big toe
arteriole - CORRECT ANSWER -the smallest kind of artery
capillary - CORRECT ANSWER -a thin-walled, microscopic blood vessel where the
oxygen/carbon dioxide and nutrient/waste exchange with the body's cells takes
place
venule - CORRECT ANSWER -the smallest kind of vein
vein - CORRECT ANSWER -any blood vessel returning blood to the heart
pulmonary veins - CORRECT ANSWER -the vessels that carry oxygenated blood from the lungs to the left atrium of the heart
Designated agent - CORRECT ANSWER -an EMT or other person authorized by a medical director to give medications and provide emergency car.
Off-Line medical direction - CORRECT ANSWER -consists of standing orders issued by the medical director that allow EMT's to give certain medications or perform certain procedures without speaking to the medical director or another physician
On-line medical direction - CORRECT ANSWER -consists of orders from the on-duty physician given directly to an EMT in the field by radio or telephone
Medical director - CORRECT ANSWER -a physician who assumes ultimate responsibility for the patient care aspects of the EMS system
911 System - CORRECT ANSWER -a system for telephone access to report emergencies. A dispatcher takes the information and alerts EMS or the fire or police department as needed
protocols - CORRECT ANSWER -lists of steps, such as assessments and interventions, to be taken in different situations
quality improvement - CORRECT ANSWER -a process of continuous self-review with the purpose of identifying and correcting aspects of the system that require improvement
standing orders - CORRECT ANSWER -a policy or protocol issued by a medical director that authorizes EMT's and others to perform particular skills in certain situations
contamination - CORRECT ANSWER -the introduction of dangerous chemicals, diseases, or infectious material
crime scene - CORRECT ANSWER -the location where a crime has been committed or any place that evidence relating to a crime may be found
DNR - CORRECT ANSWER -a legal document, usually signed by the patient and his physician, which states that the patient and his physician, which state that the patient has a terminal illness and does not wish to prolong life through resuscitation efforts
duty to act - CORRECT ANSWER -an obligation to provide care to a patient
expressed consent - CORRECT ANSWER -consent given by adults who are of legal age and mentally competent to make a rational decision in regard to their medical well-being
Good Samaritan Laws - CORRECT ANSWER -a series of laws, varying in each state, designed, to provide limited legal protection for citizens and some health care personnel when they are administering emergency care
HIPAA - CORRECT ANSWER -The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, a federal law protecting the privacy of patient-specific health care information and providing the patient with control over how this information is used and distributed
implied consent - CORRECT ANSWER -the consent it is presumed a patient, or patient's parent/guardian would give if they could, such as for an unconscious patient or a parent who cannot be contacted when care is needed
liability - CORRECT ANSWER -being held legally responsible
negligence - CORRECT ANSWER -a finding of failure to act properly in a situation in which there was a duty to act, that needed care as would reasonably be expected of the EMT was not provided, and that harm was caused to the patient as a result
organ donor - CORRECT ANSWER -a person who has completed a legal document that allows for donation of organs and tissues in the event of death
scope of practice - CORRECT ANSWER -a set of regulations and ethical considerations that define the scope, or extent and limits, of the EMT's job
plasma - CORRECT ANSWER -the fluid portion of the blood
RBC - CORRECT ANSWER -components of the blood. carry oxygen to and carbon dioxide from cells
WBC - CORRECT ANSWER -components of the blood, produce substances that help the body fight infection
platelets - CORRECT ANSWER -components of the blood; membrane-enclosed fragments of specialized cells
pulse - CORRECT ANSWER -the rhythmic beats caused as waves of blood move through and expand the arteries
peripheral pulses - CORRECT ANSWER -radial, brachial, posterior, tibial, dorsalis pedis pulses, which can be felt at peripheral points of the body
central pulses - CORRECT ANSWER -the cartoid and femeral pulses, which can be felt in the center part of the body
blood pressure - CORRECT ANSWER -pressure caused by blood exerting force against the walls of blood vessels, usually arterial BP is measured
systolic BP - CORRECT ANSWER -pressure created in the arteries when the left ventrical contracts and forces blood out into circulation
diastolic BP - CORRECT ANSWER -the pressure in the arteries when the left ventricle is refilling
perfusion - CORRECT ANSWER -the supply of oxygen to and removal of wastes from the cells and tissues of the body as a result of the flow of blood through the capillaries
pancreas - CORRECT ANSWER -a gland located behind the stomach that produces insulin and juices that assist in digestion of food in the duodenum of the small intestine
spleen - CORRECT ANSWER -an organ located in the LUQ of the ab that acts as a blood filtering system and a reservoirs for reserves of blood
appendix - CORRECT ANSWER -a small tube located near the junction of the small and large intestines in the RLQ of the ab, then function of which is not well known; best known for it's inflammation which is appendicitis
skin - CORRECT ANSWER -layer of tissue between the body and the external environment
epidermis - CORRECT ANSWER -outer layer of the skin
dermis - CORRECT ANSWER -the inner layer of skin, rich in blood vessels and nerves, found beneath the epidermis
subcutaneous layers - CORRECT ANSWER -layers of fat and soft tissues found below the dermis
endocrine system - CORRECT ANSWER -system of glands that produce chemicals called hormones that help to regulate many body activities and functions
insulin - CORRECT ANSWER -hormone produced by the pancreas or taken as a medication by many diabetics
epinephrine - CORRECT ANSWER -hormone produced by the body, as a med it dilated the respiratory passages and is used to relieve severe allergic reactions
body mechanics - CORRECT ANSWER -proper use of the body to facilitate lifting and moving and preventing injury
direct carry - CORRECT ANSWER -a method of transferring a patient from bed to stretcher, during which two or more rescuers curl the patient to their chests, then reverse the process to lower the patient to the stretcher
draw-sheet method - CORRECT ANSWER -a method of transferring a patient from bed to stretcher by grasping and pulling the loosened bottom sheet of the bed
extremity lift - CORRECT ANSWER -a method of lifting and carrying a patient during which one rescuer slips hands under patient's armpits and grasps the wrists, which another rescuer grasps the patient's knees
power grip - CORRECT ANSWER -gripping with as much hand surface as possible in contact with the objects being lifted, all fingers bent at the same angle, hands at least 10 inches apart
power lift - CORRECT ANSWER -a lift from a squatting position with weight to be lifted close to the body, feet apart and flat on the ground, body weight on or just behind balls of feet, back locked in. the upper body is raised before the hips
TRAMP - CORRECT ANSWER -Time, Route, Amount, Medication, Patient
Activated Charcoal - CORRECT ANSWER -Trade Names: Superchar, Insta-char, liqui-char
Action: Binds to some poisons preventing absorpotion
Indications: Ingested poison
Don't give if (contraindications): altered mental status, ingested acids or alkalis, inability to swallow
Side Effects: black stool, vomiting
Dose:1g/kg of body weight
Oral
supplied: suspension
Oxygen - CORRECT ANSWER -Action:increases levels of O2 in the blood
indications: hypoxia, known or suspected
dose: 6lpm NC (44%), 12 lpm NRB (90%), 15 lpm BVM (100%)
Epinephrine - CORRECT ANSWER -Trade name: adrenaline
Actions: causes bronchiole dilation and contraction of blood vessels (Vasoconstrictor and broncodialator)
Indiction: anaphylaxis-respiratory distress, hypoperfusion
side effects: increased heart rate, chest pain, dissiness, headache, nausea, vomiting, excitability
dose: .3mg adults, .15 mg children
intramuscular
supplied: .3 in auto injector (adult or greater than 66 lbs)
.15 in auto injector (child or 33-66 lbs)
nitroglycerin - CORRECT ANSWER -Trade Name: nitrostat, nitrolingual
Action: relaxes blood vessels, decreases workload of heart
indication: chest pain and history of cardiac problems and prescribed Nitro
Contraindication: bradycardia, tachycardia, head injury, systolic BP greater than 120, recently taken med for erectile dysfunction
Side effect: hypotension, headache
.4 mg pill or 1 spray
sublingual
supplied: tablet, sublingual spray
Bradycardia - CORRECT ANSWER -heart beating too slow
tachycardia - CORRECT ANSWER -High heart rate (Above 160)
Levels of EMS training - CORRECT ANSWER -First Responder, EMT, EMT-intermediate, EMT paramedic
QI - CORRECT ANSWER -continuous self-review to identify aspects of the system that require improvement to ensure that the public receives the highest quality prehospital care
concealment - CORRECT ANSWER -hides body
cover - CORRECT ANSWER -hides and protects your body
assault/battery - CORRECT ANSWER -unlawfully touching a patient without consent can be considered battery; providing care without consent
anatomy - CORRECT ANSWER -study of the structure or form of living things
physiology - CORRECT ANSWER -study of function
Left Lateral Recumbent - CORRECT ANSWER -Recovery position, patient ends up on their left side, with their left arm folded under their head
Fowler's Position - CORRECT ANSWER -In a stretcher sitting up
Trendelenburg Position - CORRECT ANSWER -Laying down with their legs elevated (Shock)
Breathing Rates - CORRECT ANSWER -Adults: 12-
Children: 15-
Infants: 25-
cyanosis - CORRECT ANSWER -lips turning blue
arteries - CORRECT ANSWER -carry blood away from the heart
Veins - CORRECT ANSWER -carry blood toward the heart
arterioles - CORRECT ANSWER -smallest arteries
