Loyola EMS System Entry Newest Questions
and Answers (2026/2027) | Comprehensive
Review | A+ Verified
• Radio Report Order -✓✓-agency name, unit number/call sign, desired
destination (if different than hospital being contacted), level of care being provided
-patient age, sex, approx. weight
-LOC and orientation (GCS)
-Chief complaint/primary impression, symptoms, MOI/NOI, pertinent scene info,
pertinent negatives/associated complaints
-vital signs: BP, HR, RR, SpO2, temperature, pain score 0-10 (Wong Baker)
-Cincinnati Stroke Scale/NIH Stroke Scale findings
-Last known well
-Blood glucose level
-Pupils, lung sounds, skin parameters, history, medications, allergies
-Interventions, medications given, disposition
-Destination, ETA
• General Patient Assessment -✓✓Initial Assessment:
-Scene safety/PPE
-ABCs/C-spine: airway (establish and maintain), breathing (assess, assist or
provide ventilations, assess lung sounds), circulation (check pulse, control
hemorrhage)
-AVPU
-expose/examine
-priority transport
Focused history and physical exam
-SAMPLE (Signs/symptoms, systematic head-to-toe, GCS; allergies; medications;
pertinent medical history; last oral intake/menstrual period; events leading to)
-initial vital signs
-pain 0-10 scale
Detailed physical exam
Ongoing assessment - reassess ABCDs
• Most adult SMOs include -✓✓-AIMC or PIMC
,-AITC or PITC
-don't do anything if contraindicated
-Refer to other SMOs as needed
-transport, support ABCs, keep warm
-when in doubt contact MD
• Considerations for patients with special healthcare needs -✓✓Be aware of
situation and equipment and utilize resources such as caregivers/family
• Streamlined BLS communication -✓✓-Name and vehicle number of provider
-Patient age and gender
-Chief complain/MOI
-SMO being followed
-Any deviation from SMO or unusual circumstance
-ETA
• Load-and-go situation -✓✓-When needing hospital care for patient stability
-May need to omit/adapt SMO based on own medical judgment
-Document deviations thoroughly
-not implying speed of transport increases but emphasize rapid patient packaging
and limited on-scene time
• Withholding or withdrawing resuscitative efforts -✓✓-uncertainty = begin
treating and contact MD
-emotional support to significant others
• Who can pronounce a patient dead? -✓✓ED physician
-document time in PCR
• Power of attorney -✓✓-honor only if written POLST/DNR order signed by
patient's attending practitioner is presented
-other healthcare decisions may be made by POA if document allows
-bring all documents to hospital
• Living Will/surrogates -✓✓-may not be honored; treat and contact MD
-no situation where surrogate can give direct instructions to EMS provider; treat,
contact MD, explain
,• POLST/DNR orders/withholding treatment -✓✓-confirm validity of
POLST/DNR order, call MD if item is missing
-Must be a written document that hasn't been revoked
-Must include all needed components
-If valid: resuscitative efforts withheld and follow anything on order
-if valid and patient is not in cardiac or respiratory arrest with a decompensating
condition: begin AIMC
-If resuscitative efforts were begun prior to order being present, may withdraw
effort once validity confirmed, contact MD
-Illinois POLST form preferred, but accept those of other states/entities as long as
minimum requirements met
• Components validating a POLST/DNR order -✓✓NEEDS:
-name of patient
-resuscitation orders
-2 signatures
-evidence of consent (signature of patient, legal guardian, durable POA for health
care agent, OR surrogate decision maker under Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act)
-signature of attending pracitioner
-effective date
• Obviously dead patients/"triple zero" -✓✓-no resuscitative efforts initiated
-Non-breathing, pulseless, asystolic, and one or more of the following:
decapitation, rigor mortis w/o hypothermia, profound dependent lividity,
decomposition, mummification/putrefaction, incineration, frozen state
-Contact MD if obviously dead but not listed above (indicate you have a "triple
zero"
-Document pronouncement time and physician name
• Hospice patients not in arrest -✓✓-Initiate BLS care and contact MD for orders
-Check for written treatment orders/valid POLST/DNR orders
• Blunt traumatic arrest -✓✓-blunt trauma patient w/o vital signs upon arrival -
can consider withholding resuscitative efforts with MD approval
• Emerging infectious disease guidance -✓✓
• Adult Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) -✓✓Eye opening
-Spontaneous 4
, -To voice 3
-To pain 2
-None 1
Verbal response
-Oriented 5
-Confused speech 4
-Inappropriate words 3
-Incomprehensible sounds 2
-None 1
Motor response
-Obeys commands 6
-Localizes pain 5
-Withdraws to pain 4
-Abnormal flexion to pain 3
-Abnormal extension 2
-None 1
Total (3-15)
• Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale -✓✓Similar numbering except:
Age<=1 year: eye opening to shout instead of verbal command, motor response
spontaneous instead of obeys commands
All: flexion-withdraws, decorticate posturing, decerebrate posturing for 4,3,2 of
motor
2-5 years: appropriate words/phrases, inappropriate words, persistent cries and
screams, and grunts for 5,4,3,2
0-23 months: smiles/coos appropriately, cries but is consolable, persistent
inappropriate crying and/or screaming, and grunts/agitated/restless for 5,4,3,2
• Airway Obstruction -✓✓-determine responsiveness/ability to speak
-opening airway: unconscious - head tilt/chin lift; possible spinal injury - modified
jaw thrust
-assess breathlessness/degree of airway impairment
-monitor for cardiac arrest
-if conscious and able to speak: don't interfere patient attempt to clear
-if conscious and unable to speak: 5 abdominal thrusts (stand or sit) OR 5 chest
thrusts (if in 2nd/3rd trimester of pregnancy or very obese), repeat if no response,
and Answers (2026/2027) | Comprehensive
Review | A+ Verified
• Radio Report Order -✓✓-agency name, unit number/call sign, desired
destination (if different than hospital being contacted), level of care being provided
-patient age, sex, approx. weight
-LOC and orientation (GCS)
-Chief complaint/primary impression, symptoms, MOI/NOI, pertinent scene info,
pertinent negatives/associated complaints
-vital signs: BP, HR, RR, SpO2, temperature, pain score 0-10 (Wong Baker)
-Cincinnati Stroke Scale/NIH Stroke Scale findings
-Last known well
-Blood glucose level
-Pupils, lung sounds, skin parameters, history, medications, allergies
-Interventions, medications given, disposition
-Destination, ETA
• General Patient Assessment -✓✓Initial Assessment:
-Scene safety/PPE
-ABCs/C-spine: airway (establish and maintain), breathing (assess, assist or
provide ventilations, assess lung sounds), circulation (check pulse, control
hemorrhage)
-AVPU
-expose/examine
-priority transport
Focused history and physical exam
-SAMPLE (Signs/symptoms, systematic head-to-toe, GCS; allergies; medications;
pertinent medical history; last oral intake/menstrual period; events leading to)
-initial vital signs
-pain 0-10 scale
Detailed physical exam
Ongoing assessment - reassess ABCDs
• Most adult SMOs include -✓✓-AIMC or PIMC
,-AITC or PITC
-don't do anything if contraindicated
-Refer to other SMOs as needed
-transport, support ABCs, keep warm
-when in doubt contact MD
• Considerations for patients with special healthcare needs -✓✓Be aware of
situation and equipment and utilize resources such as caregivers/family
• Streamlined BLS communication -✓✓-Name and vehicle number of provider
-Patient age and gender
-Chief complain/MOI
-SMO being followed
-Any deviation from SMO or unusual circumstance
-ETA
• Load-and-go situation -✓✓-When needing hospital care for patient stability
-May need to omit/adapt SMO based on own medical judgment
-Document deviations thoroughly
-not implying speed of transport increases but emphasize rapid patient packaging
and limited on-scene time
• Withholding or withdrawing resuscitative efforts -✓✓-uncertainty = begin
treating and contact MD
-emotional support to significant others
• Who can pronounce a patient dead? -✓✓ED physician
-document time in PCR
• Power of attorney -✓✓-honor only if written POLST/DNR order signed by
patient's attending practitioner is presented
-other healthcare decisions may be made by POA if document allows
-bring all documents to hospital
• Living Will/surrogates -✓✓-may not be honored; treat and contact MD
-no situation where surrogate can give direct instructions to EMS provider; treat,
contact MD, explain
,• POLST/DNR orders/withholding treatment -✓✓-confirm validity of
POLST/DNR order, call MD if item is missing
-Must be a written document that hasn't been revoked
-Must include all needed components
-If valid: resuscitative efforts withheld and follow anything on order
-if valid and patient is not in cardiac or respiratory arrest with a decompensating
condition: begin AIMC
-If resuscitative efforts were begun prior to order being present, may withdraw
effort once validity confirmed, contact MD
-Illinois POLST form preferred, but accept those of other states/entities as long as
minimum requirements met
• Components validating a POLST/DNR order -✓✓NEEDS:
-name of patient
-resuscitation orders
-2 signatures
-evidence of consent (signature of patient, legal guardian, durable POA for health
care agent, OR surrogate decision maker under Illinois Health Care Surrogate Act)
-signature of attending pracitioner
-effective date
• Obviously dead patients/"triple zero" -✓✓-no resuscitative efforts initiated
-Non-breathing, pulseless, asystolic, and one or more of the following:
decapitation, rigor mortis w/o hypothermia, profound dependent lividity,
decomposition, mummification/putrefaction, incineration, frozen state
-Contact MD if obviously dead but not listed above (indicate you have a "triple
zero"
-Document pronouncement time and physician name
• Hospice patients not in arrest -✓✓-Initiate BLS care and contact MD for orders
-Check for written treatment orders/valid POLST/DNR orders
• Blunt traumatic arrest -✓✓-blunt trauma patient w/o vital signs upon arrival -
can consider withholding resuscitative efforts with MD approval
• Emerging infectious disease guidance -✓✓
• Adult Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) -✓✓Eye opening
-Spontaneous 4
, -To voice 3
-To pain 2
-None 1
Verbal response
-Oriented 5
-Confused speech 4
-Inappropriate words 3
-Incomprehensible sounds 2
-None 1
Motor response
-Obeys commands 6
-Localizes pain 5
-Withdraws to pain 4
-Abnormal flexion to pain 3
-Abnormal extension 2
-None 1
Total (3-15)
• Pediatric Glasgow Coma Scale -✓✓Similar numbering except:
Age<=1 year: eye opening to shout instead of verbal command, motor response
spontaneous instead of obeys commands
All: flexion-withdraws, decorticate posturing, decerebrate posturing for 4,3,2 of
motor
2-5 years: appropriate words/phrases, inappropriate words, persistent cries and
screams, and grunts for 5,4,3,2
0-23 months: smiles/coos appropriately, cries but is consolable, persistent
inappropriate crying and/or screaming, and grunts/agitated/restless for 5,4,3,2
• Airway Obstruction -✓✓-determine responsiveness/ability to speak
-opening airway: unconscious - head tilt/chin lift; possible spinal injury - modified
jaw thrust
-assess breathlessness/degree of airway impairment
-monitor for cardiac arrest
-if conscious and able to speak: don't interfere patient attempt to clear
-if conscious and unable to speak: 5 abdominal thrusts (stand or sit) OR 5 chest
thrusts (if in 2nd/3rd trimester of pregnancy or very obese), repeat if no response,
