Paramedic Final Exam

PARAMEDIC FINAL EXAMA protocol that is a written document signed by the EMS system's medical director that outlines specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care that is rendered prior to contacting medical control. – Standing order If a paramedic transports a patient without the patient's consent or uses restraints in a wrongful manner – False Imprisonment A treatment plan developed for a specific illness or injury. – Protocol If you must deviate from your protocols because of unusual circumstances, you should FIRST: - Notify Medical Control HIPPA mandates that: - Patient information shall not be shared with entities or persons not involved in the care of the patient. HIPPA Defined: - a. The first standards established to protect the confidentiality of a patient's health information. b. Medical information can be disclosed only if it is necessary for a patient's treatment or for payment. c. Special situations such as dog bites, gunshot wounds, and abuse require the release of patient information without the patient's consent. According to HIPAA, it is acceptable and permissible for hospitals to: - share information with the EMS providers about patient outcome for purposes of quality assurance and education. Wheezing that is resolved with administration of bronchodilator medication was probably caused by? – constriction of smooth muscles Wheezing is resolved with medications that? – Relax the smooth muscle of the bronchiole Difficulty with exhalation is MOST characteristic of: - obstructive lung disease A+ COPD: Emphysema: - Characterized by distention of the alveoli and destructive changes in the lungs. COPD: Chronic Bronchitis: - Defined as sputum production most days of month for 3 or more months out of year for more than 2 years. Will rarely have normal oxygen saturation; (maybe less than 90%). May have another condition, including respiratory conditions A 66-year-old man with chronic bronchitis presents with severe respiratory distress. The patient's wife tells you that he takes medications for high blood pressure and bronchitis, is on home oxygen therapy, and has recently been taking an over-the-counter antitussive. She further tells you that he has not been compliant with his oxygen therapy. Auscultation of his lungs reveals diffuse rhonchi. What is the MOST likely cause of this patient's respiratory distress? – Recent antitussive use A 76-year-old woman with emphysema presents with respiratory distress that has worsened progressively over the past 2 days. She is breathing through pursed lips and has a prolonged expiratory phase and an oxygen saturation of 76%. She is on home oxygen at 2 L/min. Your initial action should be to? – place her in a position that facilitates breathing. Common clinical findings in patients with obstructive lung disease include all of the following, EXCEPT: - a decreased expiratory phase Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by: - changes in pulmonary structure and function that are progressive and irreversible The hypoxic drive is a phenomenon in which – bicarbonate ions migrate into the cerebrospinal fluid of a chronically hypoventilating patient, making the brain think that acid and base are in balance Pulmonary Embolism Characteristics – Sudden dyspnea & cyanosis, and perhaps, a sharp pain in the chest. A hallmark of pulmonary embolism is that the cyanosis does not resolve with oxygen therapy. You are dispatched to a residence for a young woman with difficulty breathing. When you arrive, you find the patient sitting in a tripod position, noticeably dyspneic and tachypneic. She tells you that she experienced a sudden sharp pain to the left side of her chest and then started having trouble breathing. She denies any past medical history and states that she only tak