Emergency Medical Responder Review Questions
and Answers
What is the purpose of the EMS? (p. 2) - -A network of resources linked together to provide
emergency care and transport to victims of sudden illness or injury.
-What are two basic ways to access the EMS system? (p. 4) - -1. 9-1-1
2. non-9-1-1
-How many nationally recognized levels of training are offered in the EMS system?
Describe each. (pp. 4-6) - -1. EMR: First person on scene with emergency training.
2. PCP: Can do everything the EMR does and more including IV's and certain symptom
relief drugs.
3. ACP: Can do everything an EMR and PCP can do and also preform a number of advanced
techniques and administer many medications.
4. CCP: Most advanced EMS.
-What are the EMR's responsibilities? (pp. 6-7) - -1. Guard your personal health and safety
2. Maintain a caring attitude
3. Maintain your composure
4. Keep your appearance neat, clean, and professional
5. Maintain socioeconomic and cultural sensitivity
6. Keep your knowledge and skills up to date
7. Keep your knowledge of local, provincial, and national issues affecting the EMS system
up to date.
-What are two types of medical control? Describe each. (p. 7) - -1. Direct medical control:
also called "online," medical director or another physician directs an EMS rescuer at the
scene of an emergency. May also be exercised through a paramedic medical supervisor.
2. Indirect medical control: also called "offline," "retrospective," or "prospective," includes
system design and quality management. protocols that spell out the accepted practice for
EMR's in your area.
-What are the five stages of the grieving process? (pp. 12-13) - -1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
-What is critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)? (p. 16) - -a system developed to help
rescuers cope with critical incident stress. Combining a team of peer counsellors with
mental health professionals. Includes anyone involved in an incident , eg . police,
firefighters, ems..
, -How does debriefing differ from defusing? (p. 16) - -Defusing is much shorter and less
formal than a debriefing and is held within hours of the critical incident, where as
debriefing is usually held within 24-72 hrs.
Defusing gives rescuers an outlet to vent feelings and gather information before larger
meetings.
Debriefing rescuers are urged to explore any physical , mental, or emotional symptoms
they are experiencing.
-How does an infectious disease spread from person to person? (p. 17) - -Pathogens ,
either directly or indirectly (contaminated object)
-List five immunizations that should be kept up to date by an EMR. (p. 22) - -1. Tetanus
prophylaxis (every 10 years)
2. Hepatitis B vaccine
3. Influenza vaccine (every year)
4. Polio vaccine
5. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
-What rule applies to all unsafe emergency scenes? (p. 23) - -If the scene is unsafe, make it
safe before you enter. Otherwise, wait for help.
-Explain the difference between express and implied consent. (pp. 29-30) - -Express
consent may consist of verbal consent, a nod, or an affirming gesture from a competent
adult. To get it, you must explain your plan for emergency care in terms that the patient can
understand.
Implied consent applies when you assume that a patient who cannot consent (due to being
unconscious, or mental state) to life-saving care would do so if he or she were able to.
-What is an advance care plan? (p. 31) - -An advance directive, advance care plan, or
health care directive (HCD) is written in advance of an emergency. Such directives express
a patient's desire regarding the rendering or withholding of treatment options.
It MUST be signed by the patient.
-What is a DNR order? What should an EMR do if presented with one? (pp. 31-32) - -
Documents the wish of the chronically or terminally ill patient not to be resuscitated. It
allows the EMR to legally withhold resuscitation.
The document must be physically present when needed.
-How should you handle a patient's refusal of treatment? (pp. 32-33) - -1. Try again to
persuade the patient to accept treatment or transport.
2. Be sure the patient is able to make a rational, informed decision.
3. Obtain medical direction as required by local protocol.
4. Have the patient sign a refusal or "release from lia-bility" form
, -What must happen in order for an EMR to be liable for abandonment or negligence? (p.
34) - -Abandonment means you stopped providing care to a patient without making sure
that the same or better care would be continued.
Negligence is defined as carelessness, inattention, disregard, inadvertence, or oversight
that was accidental but avoidable. Care must not deviate from the accepted Standard of
Care.
which includes:
1. The EMR had a duty to act
2. There was a breach of duty
3. The patient was injured physically or psychologically
4. The EMR caused the injury
-What does it mean for an EMR to have a duty to act? (p. 34) - -a Contractual or legal
obligation to provide care. While you are on duty you must care for a patient who needs it
and consents to it.
-Under what conditions may an EMR release confidential patient information? (p. 34) - -To
release this information, you must have a written form signed by the patient or a parent or
legal guardian.
OR one of the following:
1. Another health care provider needs it in order to continue medical care.
2. You are required by legal subpoena to provide it in court
-What are some ways an EMR can help preserve evidence at a crime scene? (p. 35) - -
When on the scene of a potential crime, do not disturb any item that may be evidence.
1. Observe and document anything unusual at the scene
2. Touch only what you need to touch
3. Never wipe away blood. It can be used as evidence
4. Move only what you need to move to protect the patient and provide emergency care
5. Do not use the telephone unless the police give you permission to do so. They may wish
to find out who the last caller was
6. Move the patient only if he or she is in danger or must be moved in order for you to
provide emergency care.
7. If possible, do not cut through holes in the patient's clothing. They may have been caused
by bullets or stabbing.
8. Do not cut through any knot in a rope or tie. Knots are often used as evidence.
9. If the crime is a rape, do not wash the patient or allow the patient to wash. Ask him or
her not to change clothing, use the bathroom, or take any-thing by mouth. Doing any of
these things could destroy evidence.
-What are the situations an EMR may be required to report to police or hospital staff ? (p.
33) - -1. Suspected child, elder, and spouse abuse.
2. An injury that may be the result of a crime.
3. Suspected infectious disease exposure.
4. Use of restraints on a patient
and Answers
What is the purpose of the EMS? (p. 2) - -A network of resources linked together to provide
emergency care and transport to victims of sudden illness or injury.
-What are two basic ways to access the EMS system? (p. 4) - -1. 9-1-1
2. non-9-1-1
-How many nationally recognized levels of training are offered in the EMS system?
Describe each. (pp. 4-6) - -1. EMR: First person on scene with emergency training.
2. PCP: Can do everything the EMR does and more including IV's and certain symptom
relief drugs.
3. ACP: Can do everything an EMR and PCP can do and also preform a number of advanced
techniques and administer many medications.
4. CCP: Most advanced EMS.
-What are the EMR's responsibilities? (pp. 6-7) - -1. Guard your personal health and safety
2. Maintain a caring attitude
3. Maintain your composure
4. Keep your appearance neat, clean, and professional
5. Maintain socioeconomic and cultural sensitivity
6. Keep your knowledge and skills up to date
7. Keep your knowledge of local, provincial, and national issues affecting the EMS system
up to date.
-What are two types of medical control? Describe each. (p. 7) - -1. Direct medical control:
also called "online," medical director or another physician directs an EMS rescuer at the
scene of an emergency. May also be exercised through a paramedic medical supervisor.
2. Indirect medical control: also called "offline," "retrospective," or "prospective," includes
system design and quality management. protocols that spell out the accepted practice for
EMR's in your area.
-What are the five stages of the grieving process? (pp. 12-13) - -1. Denial
2. Anger
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance
-What is critical incident stress debriefing (CISD)? (p. 16) - -a system developed to help
rescuers cope with critical incident stress. Combining a team of peer counsellors with
mental health professionals. Includes anyone involved in an incident , eg . police,
firefighters, ems..
, -How does debriefing differ from defusing? (p. 16) - -Defusing is much shorter and less
formal than a debriefing and is held within hours of the critical incident, where as
debriefing is usually held within 24-72 hrs.
Defusing gives rescuers an outlet to vent feelings and gather information before larger
meetings.
Debriefing rescuers are urged to explore any physical , mental, or emotional symptoms
they are experiencing.
-How does an infectious disease spread from person to person? (p. 17) - -Pathogens ,
either directly or indirectly (contaminated object)
-List five immunizations that should be kept up to date by an EMR. (p. 22) - -1. Tetanus
prophylaxis (every 10 years)
2. Hepatitis B vaccine
3. Influenza vaccine (every year)
4. Polio vaccine
5. Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine
-What rule applies to all unsafe emergency scenes? (p. 23) - -If the scene is unsafe, make it
safe before you enter. Otherwise, wait for help.
-Explain the difference between express and implied consent. (pp. 29-30) - -Express
consent may consist of verbal consent, a nod, or an affirming gesture from a competent
adult. To get it, you must explain your plan for emergency care in terms that the patient can
understand.
Implied consent applies when you assume that a patient who cannot consent (due to being
unconscious, or mental state) to life-saving care would do so if he or she were able to.
-What is an advance care plan? (p. 31) - -An advance directive, advance care plan, or
health care directive (HCD) is written in advance of an emergency. Such directives express
a patient's desire regarding the rendering or withholding of treatment options.
It MUST be signed by the patient.
-What is a DNR order? What should an EMR do if presented with one? (pp. 31-32) - -
Documents the wish of the chronically or terminally ill patient not to be resuscitated. It
allows the EMR to legally withhold resuscitation.
The document must be physically present when needed.
-How should you handle a patient's refusal of treatment? (pp. 32-33) - -1. Try again to
persuade the patient to accept treatment or transport.
2. Be sure the patient is able to make a rational, informed decision.
3. Obtain medical direction as required by local protocol.
4. Have the patient sign a refusal or "release from lia-bility" form
, -What must happen in order for an EMR to be liable for abandonment or negligence? (p.
34) - -Abandonment means you stopped providing care to a patient without making sure
that the same or better care would be continued.
Negligence is defined as carelessness, inattention, disregard, inadvertence, or oversight
that was accidental but avoidable. Care must not deviate from the accepted Standard of
Care.
which includes:
1. The EMR had a duty to act
2. There was a breach of duty
3. The patient was injured physically or psychologically
4. The EMR caused the injury
-What does it mean for an EMR to have a duty to act? (p. 34) - -a Contractual or legal
obligation to provide care. While you are on duty you must care for a patient who needs it
and consents to it.
-Under what conditions may an EMR release confidential patient information? (p. 34) - -To
release this information, you must have a written form signed by the patient or a parent or
legal guardian.
OR one of the following:
1. Another health care provider needs it in order to continue medical care.
2. You are required by legal subpoena to provide it in court
-What are some ways an EMR can help preserve evidence at a crime scene? (p. 35) - -
When on the scene of a potential crime, do not disturb any item that may be evidence.
1. Observe and document anything unusual at the scene
2. Touch only what you need to touch
3. Never wipe away blood. It can be used as evidence
4. Move only what you need to move to protect the patient and provide emergency care
5. Do not use the telephone unless the police give you permission to do so. They may wish
to find out who the last caller was
6. Move the patient only if he or she is in danger or must be moved in order for you to
provide emergency care.
7. If possible, do not cut through holes in the patient's clothing. They may have been caused
by bullets or stabbing.
8. Do not cut through any knot in a rope or tie. Knots are often used as evidence.
9. If the crime is a rape, do not wash the patient or allow the patient to wash. Ask him or
her not to change clothing, use the bathroom, or take any-thing by mouth. Doing any of
these things could destroy evidence.
-What are the situations an EMR may be required to report to police or hospital staff ? (p.
33) - -1. Suspected child, elder, and spouse abuse.
2. An injury that may be the result of a crime.
3. Suspected infectious disease exposure.
4. Use of restraints on a patient
