Deck 12: Scene Size-Up

Question 1

You are entering the scene where a 32-year-old intoxicated male has fallen down 13 stairs leading to the basement. He is seated on the floor of the basement, holding a bloody towel over his face. During the initial scene size-up, what is it essential that the EMT quickly identify?

A) The patient's level of consciousness
B) Possible need of additional personnel
C) Status of the patient's airway and breathing
D) Amount of alcohol consumed by the patient

Answer 1

B

Question 2

A 67-year-old male, with a history of diabetes and previous heart attack, fell down three stairs. His chief complaint is pain and deformity to his right wrist. The EMT would classify the patient as a:

A) medical patient.
B) trauma patient.
C) medical and trauma patient.
D) special needs patient.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

What is the most common potential hazard an EMT faces on scene?

A) Blood and body fluids
B) Aggressive patients
C) Upset family members
D) Unfamiliar settings

Answer 3

A

Question 4

An intoxicated patient is complaining of a severe headache and a large bruise to the left side of his face after accidentally being struck with a baseball bat. In this situation, being struck with the baseball bat is called the:

A) nature of illness.
B) chief complaint.
C) mechanism of injury.
D) differential diagnosis.

Question 5

You are providing care to a patient with altered mental status in the midst of a large crowd gathered for a concert. Which characteristic of the crowd should concern you the most in relation to personal safety?

A) Angry mood growing within the crowd
B) A growing number of people making up the crowd
C) The growing size of the crowd as more people gather to watch you
D) Presence of alcohol and possible drugs in the crowd

Question 6

You have been dispatched for an 89-year-old female patient who fell in her kitchen and was found by family members several hours later. Should something go awry on scene, which of the following serve to give you the most safety and security?

A) Notifying dispatch that you are at the residence
B) Ensuring that lights are on throughout the residence
C) Backing the ambulance into the driveway for rapid egress
D) Carrying a portable radio with you into the house

Question 7

When should the EMT evaluate the scene of an emergency for hazards that may threaten or harm him?

A) Prior to leaving the ambulance
B) After completing the primary assessment
C) Throughout the entire call
D) Before responding to the call

Question 8

A 67-year-old male who lives in an extremely "bad" neighborhood is experiencing chest pain. There are vacant homes throughout, including the homes to either side of his residence. Additionally, parked cars have forced you to park three houses away, making it necessary to walk and carry supplies to the residence. Which action is most appropriate as you approach and/or gain access to the patient's house?

A) Stand in front of the door while knocking to make your presence known.
B) Walk single file with your partner behind you carrying the medical bag.
C) Walk on the sidewalk instead of the grass to ensure steadier footing.
D) Hold a lit flashlight in front of you to illuminate shrubbery and trash cans.

Question 9

Dispatch has sent you to a residence for a female with a possible broken arm. On scene you find her seated in a chair holding her left arm. Her arm appears deformed and she has blood and bruises on her face. She tells you that an intruder, who she believes lives in her neighborhood, broke into her home and robbed her. Prior to fleeing, he beat her, leaving her as you find her. With this information, you would immediately:

A) leave the patient and scene and wait in the ambulance until the police arrive.
B) determine the identity of the intruder and contact and direct the police to his location.
C) assess the patient, provide basic care, and contact law enforcement.
D) recognize a crime scene and not touch the patient to avoid altering any evidence.

Question 10

A young male playing hockey on an ice-covered pond has been injured and remains on the ice. As you arrive on scene, a park ranger informs you that the ice is 12 inches thick and poses no danger of collapse. In this situation, which one of the following actions would be most appropriate?

A) Have a teammate assist the injured player to your location.
B) Apply salt to the ice to provide traction.
C) Place tarps on the ice to walk over to the injured player.
D) Take small slow steps to the patient's location.

Question 11

You and your partner are first on the scene of a bleacher collapse at a local raceway. As you exit the ambulance, you note several patients seated throughout the debris from the seats. In this situation, which action would you perform first?

A) Determine the severity of injuries.
B) Wait for additional units to arrive.
C) Determine the number of patients.
D) Notify the local hospitals of a mass-casualty incident.

Question 12

When would an EMT enter the scene of a crime to provide care to the patient?

A) When an additional crew arrives on scene
B) When all hazards have been addressed
C) When the police return their guns to their holsters
D) When the dispatcher informs the crew to enter

Question 13

If a scene becomes unsafe after you have entered, you should first:

A) attempt to neutralize the threat.
B) call for assistance on the radio.
C) remove yourself from the scene.
D) notify the EMS supervisor.

Question 14

For the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving two vehicles, which actions would be most appropriate in regards to rescuer and patient safety?

A) Place flares 500 feet in each direction from the collision scene.
B) Remove reflective clothing to avoid distracting passing vehicles.
C) Turn your reflective back to oncoming traffic so they are aware of your presence.
D) Treat the patients between the vehicles so all rescuers can see each other.

Question 15

Of the following, who has personal protective equipment in place?

A) EMT with gloves, gown, and eye protection
B) Emergency Medical Responder with leather gloves and steel-toed boots
C) Firefighter with a self-contained breathing apparatus unit on
D) All of the above have personal protective equipment in place.

Question 16

It has been reported that two people have been shot in an alleyway. As you pull onto the scene, you see a police officer standing over a person with blood on his shirt and pants. In this situation, your first priority is?

A) Assessing the patient's airway for patency
B) Determining the number of patients on scene
C) Considering the need for additional resources
D) Overall safety of the scene

Question 17

On scene, frantic family members direct you into the basement where their 67-year-old mother has shot herself in the chest with a small handgun. She is unresponsive and breathing six times a minute. The gun remains in her hand by her side. What action should you take immediately?

A) Pick up the gun by the edge of the grip and carefully remove it.
B) Do not touch the patient or gun until the police arrive on scene.
C) Leave the gun in her hand and start providing emergency care.
D) Determine if the gun contains ammunition and remove it only if loaded.

Question 18

Which of the following standard precautions must the EMT take on every call?

A) Gloves
B) Gloves and face shield
C) Gloves, gown, and goggles
D) Goggles and gown

Question 19

Dispatch has sent you to the scene of a fight at a local sporting event. Since the EMS system is busy and there are very few ambulances available, dispatch has instructed you to call for additional units after arrival on scene. On scene you find that the police are present and have what appear to be 10 people seated or lying on the ground, many with blood on their faces and clothing. When would you call for additional ambulances?

A) Once all patients have been triaged
B) After assessing and treating life-threatening injuries
C) Once the exact number of patients has been determined
D) Before getting out of the ambulance

Question 20

It is nighttime and you have been dispatched for a vehicle on the shoulder of the interstate with a driver slumped over the steering wheel. When pulling up onto the scene, how should you best position the ambulance?

A) In front of the car with the white strobe lights activated
B) Behind the car with your high-beams on
C) Next to the car to block one lane of traffic
D) Behind the car with the ambulance wheels turned to the right

Question 21

You have been directed to a car that struck another vehicle at a moderate rate of speed. You note deformity and starring of the windshield on the driver's side. What should you do to determine if the deformity to the windshield was caused by the driver hitting his head or by the air bags?

A) Determine if a seat belt was used.
B) Ask the front seat passenger.
C) Determine if the air bags deployed.
D) Assess the patient's head.

Question 22

To best determine the type and extent of injuries sustained by a patient who has fallen, the EMT should consider which of the following pieces of information?

A) The reason that the patient fell
B) Distance fallen and type of surface landed on
C) The patient's past medical history
D) Vital signs obtained during the assessment

Question 23

You have been called to a residence of a woman who fell down the stairs. On scene you find the patient on the couch with a large laceration to her forehead. As you begin assessing and treating her, she states that she did not fall down the stairs, but was assaulted by her ex-boyfriend after inviting him into her home. In this situation, what statement would be most appropriate?

A) "What is the name of your ex-boyfriend?"
B) "Aside from your head, do you hurt anywhere else?"
C) "I am not going to bandage your head so we can preserve evidence."
D) "Why did you invite your ex-boyfriend over to your house?"

Question 24

You have been called to a bar full of intoxicated patrons for a 46-year-old man who fell off his stool, injuring his left arm. As you assess his arm, he screams in pain. Several of the patrons get angry and yell for you to give him something for pain. Someone in the back throws a bottle in your direction. What should you do next?

A) Leave the scene and only return when police have made it safe to do so.
B) Ignore the yelling and continue to care for the patient as you would anyone else with a similar injury.
C) Inform the patrons that you are a medical professional and will care for the patient as you have been educated to do so.
D) Contact medical command for permission to give aspirin as a pain medication.

Question 25

When deciding whether or not to transport a patient to the hospital using lights and sirens to the hospital, what information carries the most weight in your decision?

A) Mechanism of injury
B) Index of suspicion
C) Past medical history
D) Assessment findings