Deck 4: Workforce Safety and Wellness

Question 1

When operating an emergency vehicle, the paramedic should show due regard for the safety of:

A) the patient.
B) the EMS crew members.
C) the general public.
D) all of the above.

Answer 1

all of the above.

Question 2

Good nutrition habits include:

A) drinking 2-3 cups of coffee a day.
B) eating 1-2 servings of grains or breads daily.
C) enjoying charcoal-cooked foods.
D) bringing low-calorie snacks to work.

Answer 2

bringing low-calorie snacks to work.

Question 3

The stage of the stress response in which the pituitary gland releases a flood of adrenocorticotropic hormones is:

A) exhaustion.
B) resistance.
C) withdrawal.
D) alarm.

Answer 3

alarm.

Question 4

Which of the following is an important factor in reducing the risk of infection?

A) Stress management
B) Adequate rest
C) Good nutrition
D) All of the above

Question 5

At which of the following times should you wash your hands?

A) Before meals
B) When your hands are visibly soiled
C) After every patient contact and/or decontamination procedure
D) All of the above

Question 6

To minimize the stress of shift work, on their days off paramedics should sleep:

A) at the times they sleep on workdays.
B) after a heavy meal or strenuous exercise.
C) at least 12 hours to catch up on lost sleep.
D) at night, regardless of when they sleep on workdays.

Question 7

Which of the following statements about Kübler-Ross's five stages of grief is most accurate?

A) These stages are only experienced by patients actually undergoing the dying process.
B) Dying patients experience these stages in their own unique ways.
C) Although people have unique experiences along the way, they do experience all five stages.
D) Health care providers typically experience one to three of the stages when grieving the death of a patient.

Question 8

The most important Standard Precaution the EMS provider can employ as an infection control practice is to:

A) avoid direct patient contact.
B) sterilize all contaminated equipment.
C) wash hands frequently.
D) receive all recommended vaccinations.

Question 9

Which of the following causes the greatest hazard for EMS personnel?

A) Motor vehicle collisions
B) Violence
C) Suicide
D) Communicable diseases

Question 10

Which of the following is NOT one of the core elements of physical fitness?

A) Muscular strength
B) Speed
C) Cardiovascular endurance
D) Flexibility

Question 11

When coping mechanisms can no longer buffer job stressors, the likely result is:

A) withdrawal.
B) burnout.
C) eustress.
D) fugue state.

Question 12

You are on a scene at which you have requested and received orders for field termination of resuscitative measures. Which of the following terms should you use when informing the family of the patient's status?

A) Gone
B) Expired
C) Dead
D) Passed

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT a recommended vaccination for EMS providers?

A) Tuberculosis
B) Hepatitis B
C) Measles/mumps/rubella
D) Influenza

Question 14

One of the principles of proper lifting is to:

A) hold your breath while lifting.
B) position the load close to your body.
C) pull rather than push when possible.
D) bend at the waist to use the strong muscles of the back.

Question 15

The minimum recommended PPE for prehospital providers is all of the following, EXCEPT:

A) reusable equipment.
B) HEPA respirator.
C) protective gloves.
D) protective eyewear.

Question 16

Which of the Kübler-Ross stages of grief would be suspected if a cancer patient said to you, "This frustrates me so much. I never saw it coming, and now my family will have to go on without me"?

A) Bargaining
B) Hopelessness
C) Anger
D) Denial

Question 17

A type of exercise in which muscles are worked through their full ranges of motion to develop muscular strength is called:

A) iatrogenic.
B) isotonic.
C) isolateral.
D) isometric.

Question 18

Which of the following best describes those in an ambulance who should use seat belts?

A) All persons on board (care providers, patients, and family)
B) Only the patient, because the requirements of medical care take priority
C) Only those riding in the back
D) Only those seated in the front

Question 19

Of the following, which is NOT generally used on scene to minimize hazards?

A) Helmets
B) Body armor
C) Reflective tape
D) Surgical scrubs

Question 20

What is the minimum number of times you should exercise weekly to build cardiovascular endurance?

A) 2
B) 5
C) 3
D) 10

Question 21

Your ambulance arrives at a scene where a car has run into a ditch alongside a two-lane country highway. You should park the ambulance:

A) in front of the car on the same side of the street.
B) behind the car on the same side of the street.
C) behind the car on the opposite side of the street.
D) in front of the car on the opposite side of the street.

Question 22

Your EMS partner has been through some hard times lately. He broke up with his wife a few months ago, and his father died last month. After not smoking for years, he's taken it up again and now chain-smokes. He's sometimes rude to patients, and when you try to talk with him about this, he cuts you off. Your partner is using stress management techniques best described as:

A) normal.
B) defensive.
C) detrimental.
D) neutral.

Question 23

One way to prevent a potentially hostile situation is to:

A) assert your authority.
B) move into bystanders' personal space.
C) communicate effectively.
D) maintain a closed stance.

Question 24

Which of the following increases the risk of motor vehicle collision?

A) Poor weather conditions
B) Multiple vehicle responses
C) The use of an ambulance escort
D) All of the above

Question 25

When you are in a stressful situation and find yourself thinking, "I can't do this," one effective strategy is to:

A) withdraw.
B) deny.
C) project.
D) reframe.

Question 26

You are responding to a call for a "person slumped behind the wheel of a car" on a quiet side street at 1 am. How should you approach this car?

A) Pull up in front of the car, turn on all lights and the siren, and move quickly toward the vehicle.
B) Pull up in front of the car, turn on all lights, and stay in the ambulance to determine scene safety.
C) Pull up behind the car, use spotlights to "blind" the occupant, and approach cautiously until you perceive that there is no hostile intent.
D) Park behind the car at a safe distance, remain in the ambulance, and wait for law enforcement to arrive and ensure scene safety.

Question 27

Which of the following is a benefit of good nutritional habits?

A) Proper body weight
B) Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
C) Reduced cancer risk
D) All of the above

Question 28

Which of the following practices, when done regularly, can help reduce back injuries during lifting?

A) Gaining body weight to "anchor" the lift
B) Keeping the palms up when possible while lifting the cot
C) Using traditional sit-ups to strengthen lower back muscles during exercise routines
D) Counterbalance the lift by moving your center of gravity away from the load

Question 29

You are providing end-of-life care to a patient in the last stages of a terminal illness. She appears to be at peace and speaks animatedly about her upcoming funeral. She is in which stage of loss?

A) Acceptance
B) Denial
C) Bargaining
D) Depression

Question 30

In addition to gloves, what personal protective equipment should you wear when assisting with childbirth?

A) Protective eyewear and gown
B) Mask, gown, and protective eyewear
C) Mask
D) Protective eyewear and N-95 respirator

Question 31

Which of the following procedures would you use for dealing with a backboard contaminated with blood?

A) Sterilization
B) Cleaning
C) Disinfection
D) Disposal

Question 32

Which of the following Standard Precautions should paramedics use with every patient?

A) Disposable gloves
B) Surgical gown and mask
C) Mask and protective eyewear
D) HEPA mask

Question 33

Which of the following can increase the risk of back injury?

A) Smoking
B) Weak abdominal muscles
C) Poor nutrition
D) All of the above

Question 34

The stress management technique of controlled breathing works by:

A) reducing adrenaline levels.
B) increasing blood pressure.
C) increasing ACTH levels.
D) speeding digestion.

Question 35

A patient with suspected or known ________ makes it necessary for the care provider to don a HEPA or an N-95 respirator.

A) pneumonia
B) HIV
C) viral meningitis
D) tuberculosis

Question 36

Standard Precautions are used on the assumption that:

A) the blood and body fluids of all patients are potentially infectious.
B) hemorrhage is likely in most patients who call EMS.
C) paramedics are threatened mainly by airborne pathogens.
D) patients who look healthy are not contagious.

Question 37

What can be done to minimize the possibility of developing cancer?

A) Eating broccoli and high-fiber foods
B) Wearing sunblock
C) Risk-assessment screening
D) All of the above

Question 38

Shift work, down time between calls, and inadequate pay are all examples of ________ stressors.

A) emotional
B) administrative
C) environmental
D) physical

Question 39

Eating habits that contribute to good nutrition include which of the following?

A) Consuming no more than 10 percent of calories from carbohydrates
B) Eating a variety of foods from the major food groups daily
C) Eating primarily high-protein foods
D) Consuming 8 to 10 glasses of fruit juice per day

Question 40

Which of the following normally occurs as part of the "fight-or-flight" response?

A) Pupils dilate.
B) Heart rate decreases.
C) Blood pressure decreases.
D) Digestion speeds up.

Question 41

Which of the following is NOT a benefit of physical fitness?

A) Back safety
B) Improved self-image
C) Enhanced quality of life
D) Maintenance of motor skills

Question 42

Which of the following is NOT a common warning sign of cancer?

A) Change in mole size or appearance
B) Weight gain
C) Unexplained chronic fatigue
D) Abnormal lumps

Question 43

When evaluating a patient with tuberculosis, paramedics should protect themselves by:

A) placing a HEPA respirator on the patient.
B) wearing surgical masks.
C) wearing HEPA respirators.
D) placing nonrebreather masks on their patients.

Question 44

The long spine board on which you transported a patient directly contacted the patient's unbroken skin. How would you clean the board?

A) Wash it with soap and water.
B) Discard it.
C) Sterilize it with an EPA-approved solution.
D) Disinfect it with a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts of water.

Question 45

Which of the following is a bloodborne disease?

A) Hepatitis B
B) Rubella
C) Tuberculosis
D) Influenza

Question 46

Any occurrence in which blood or body fluids contact non-intact skin or mucous membranes is considered a(n):

A) contamination.
B) exposure.
C) incident.
D) infection.

Question 47

When physically preparing yourself to work safely as a paramedic, you should:

A) exercise your cardiovascular system at least three times a week.
B) read as much as you can about physical fitness.
C) perform as many traditional sit-ups as you can to promote abdominal strength.
D) do as little as possible to preserve your strength for emergency duty.

Question 48

Which of the following is a physiological benefit of achieving and maintaining physical fitness?

A) Increased resting blood pressure
B) Increased metabolic rate
C) Decreased oxygen-carrying capacity
D) Increased resting heart rate

Question 49

You just sustained an accidental needle stick with a contaminated intravenous needle. You should immediately:

A) request a tetanus shot.
B) contact your supervisor.
C) wash the affected area with soap and water.
D) ask the patient about lifestyle risk factors for HIV.

Question 50

A supervisor senses that an EMS crew that has just conducted a very dramatic, but unsuccessful, rescue of a drowned child may be experiencing very intense emotions about the incident. Which of the following is an appropriate supervisory action?

A) Do nothing unless the providers become obviously distressed.
B) Refer all crew members to psychiatric help at the end of the shift.
C) Minimize any effects by keeping a low-key attitude about the incident.
D) Initiate a "resiliency based care" program to care for the mental health of the crew.

Question 51

As part of a healthy diet to control weight, you should:

A) eat low-calorie snacks.
B) cut back on fluids.
C) eat quickly.
D) eat less than the serving size on the food label.

Question 52

Which of the following is NOT a common approach to managing addiction?

A) aversion therapy
B) behavior modification
C) hypnotism
D) enhancement therapy

Question 53

Which of the following is part of good handwashing technique?

A) Use the hottest water that can be tolerated.
B) Use only antibacterial bar soap, avoiding liquid soaps when possible.
C) Thoroughly lather your hands with soap, front and back, for at least 15 seconds.
D) Use an ethanol-based, waterless hand sanitizer instead of soap when possible.