West Coast EMT Final Exam Study Guide
Questions and Answers
1. What makes up the axial skeleton?
Answer skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage
2. what is the epiglottis?
Answer a flap that flips down to cover the entry to the trachea during swallowing
3. what is croup?
Answer acute VIRAL inflammatory disease of larynx, primarily w/in the subglottic space
-6 months to 6 years
4. what is a pulmonary embolism?
Answer A condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood
clot.
5. what is an aneurysm?
Answer an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery
wall.
6. what is a thrombus?
Answer stationary blood clot
,7. what is an embolism?
Answer A piece of a blood clot that enters the bloodstream
8. What is subcutaneous emphysema?
Answer a characteristic crackling sensation felt on palpation of the skin, caused by the
presence of air in the soft tissue
-may feel like rice crispy treats
9. what is hemoptysis?
Answer Coughing up blood; blood in sputum generally from the lungs.
10. what is hematuria?
Answer presence of blood in the urine
11. What is hematemesis?
Answer vomiting blood
12. What is capnography?
Answer A noninvasive technique to alert you to hypoventilation even when your patient's
pulse ox reading are fine. Carbon dioxide is the most significant factor in monitoring ventilation.
Capnography measures the CO2 in every breath to monitor air exchange in the patient's alveoli.
13. Trendelenburg position
, Answer A position in which the patient's feet and legs are higher than the head
14. What is CPAP? Why is it used?
Answer continuous positive airway pressure; used to deliver pressure to the airways to keep the
airway open while the individual sleeps
15. small-volume nebulizer
Answer a device that uses compressed air or oxygen to nebulize a liquid medication into a mist
that a patient can inhale
16. How to care for a patient who has been sexually assaulted
Answer Have female be treated by female EMT
-First component is medical treatment.
-Second is psychologic care of the patient - don't cross-examine patient or attempt to obtain info
-Don't tamper any evidence. Put evidence in paper bags, not plastic.
17. types of consent; expressed
Answer Patient verbally or otherwise acknowledges that he/she wants you to provide care
or transport. May be nonverbal.
, informed consent - you explained the nature of treatment being ottered, along with potential risks, benefits,
and alternatives to treatment, as well as consequences of refusing treatment.
18. types of consent; implied
Answer Legal principle that allows treatment under circumstances, such as intoxi-
cation, mentally impaired, or suttering from certain conditions such as head injury.
-applies only when a serious medical condition exists and should never be used unless there is a threat to
life or limb
19. types of consent
Answer involuntary
Applies when a person is mentally ill, developmentally delayed, or who is in a behavioral
(psychological) crisis. Someone makes the decision on their behalf (legally responsible).
20. types of consent
Answer minors
- When a parent cannot be reached to provide consent, health care providers are allowed to give
emergency care to a child.
-If a minor is injured and requires medical treatment in a school or camp setting, teachers and oflcials
may act in loco parentis, meaning in position of parent.
21. emancipated minors
Questions and Answers
1. What makes up the axial skeleton?
Answer skull, vertebral column, thoracic cage
2. what is the epiglottis?
Answer a flap that flips down to cover the entry to the trachea during swallowing
3. what is croup?
Answer acute VIRAL inflammatory disease of larynx, primarily w/in the subglottic space
-6 months to 6 years
4. what is a pulmonary embolism?
Answer A condition in which one or more arteries in the lungs become blocked by a blood
clot.
5. what is an aneurysm?
Answer an excessive localized enlargement of an artery caused by a weakening of the artery
wall.
6. what is a thrombus?
Answer stationary blood clot
,7. what is an embolism?
Answer A piece of a blood clot that enters the bloodstream
8. What is subcutaneous emphysema?
Answer a characteristic crackling sensation felt on palpation of the skin, caused by the
presence of air in the soft tissue
-may feel like rice crispy treats
9. what is hemoptysis?
Answer Coughing up blood; blood in sputum generally from the lungs.
10. what is hematuria?
Answer presence of blood in the urine
11. What is hematemesis?
Answer vomiting blood
12. What is capnography?
Answer A noninvasive technique to alert you to hypoventilation even when your patient's
pulse ox reading are fine. Carbon dioxide is the most significant factor in monitoring ventilation.
Capnography measures the CO2 in every breath to monitor air exchange in the patient's alveoli.
13. Trendelenburg position
, Answer A position in which the patient's feet and legs are higher than the head
14. What is CPAP? Why is it used?
Answer continuous positive airway pressure; used to deliver pressure to the airways to keep the
airway open while the individual sleeps
15. small-volume nebulizer
Answer a device that uses compressed air or oxygen to nebulize a liquid medication into a mist
that a patient can inhale
16. How to care for a patient who has been sexually assaulted
Answer Have female be treated by female EMT
-First component is medical treatment.
-Second is psychologic care of the patient - don't cross-examine patient or attempt to obtain info
-Don't tamper any evidence. Put evidence in paper bags, not plastic.
17. types of consent; expressed
Answer Patient verbally or otherwise acknowledges that he/she wants you to provide care
or transport. May be nonverbal.
, informed consent - you explained the nature of treatment being ottered, along with potential risks, benefits,
and alternatives to treatment, as well as consequences of refusing treatment.
18. types of consent; implied
Answer Legal principle that allows treatment under circumstances, such as intoxi-
cation, mentally impaired, or suttering from certain conditions such as head injury.
-applies only when a serious medical condition exists and should never be used unless there is a threat to
life or limb
19. types of consent
Answer involuntary
Applies when a person is mentally ill, developmentally delayed, or who is in a behavioral
(psychological) crisis. Someone makes the decision on their behalf (legally responsible).
20. types of consent
Answer minors
- When a parent cannot be reached to provide consent, health care providers are allowed to give
emergency care to a child.
-If a minor is injured and requires medical treatment in a school or camp setting, teachers and oflcials
may act in loco parentis, meaning in position of parent.
21. emancipated minors
