Question 1

Rescue workers are preparing to remove the windshield and roof from a car to extricate a patient who is trapped. Before the rescue commences, which of the following should the EMT do first?

Accepted Answer

The EMT should first explain to the patient what is taking place to help keep them calm and informed.

Question 2

A midsize car has been struck by a small delivery truck and sustained moderate damage to the front passenger area. The car is on its tires, and wood chocks have been placed under the undercarriage of the car. The air bags did not deploy. Which one of the following is the next step in this rescue?

Accepted Answer

Releasing air from the tires can help stabilize the vehicle further, reducing the risk of movement during the rescue operation.

Question 3

You are on the scene of a motor vehicle collision involving two cars. To remove the driver of the first car, rescuers must break the windshield and roll back the roof. While he is assisting in this operation, which of the following pieces of personal protective equipment will afford him the best protection?

Accepted Answer

The rescuer needs to have full-body protection, including a helmet, goggles, turnout gear, leather gloves, and steel-toed boots, to ensure the highest degree of safety while breaking the windshield and rolling back the roof. Sunglasses and latex gloves provide no protection in this scenario. A fluorescent identification vest can help identify the rescuer but does not provide personal protection.

Question 4

A car has struck a utility pole at a high rate of speed. The male driver appears to be unresponsive with snoring respirations. The vehicle has just been stabilized, and you have donned the appropriate personal protective equipment. Which one of the following should you do next?

Accepted Answer

The answer of A car has struck a utility pole...

Question 5

An unresponsive patient is in a car with the doors locked and the windows up. Which one of the following actions is most appropriate when attempting to gain access to the patient?

Accepted Answer

Breaking the window opposite the patient with a spring-loaded punch is the most appropriate action as it allows for the quickest and safest access to the patient without causing further harm. Using a crowbar or forcibly removing a door can cause damage to the car and increase the risk of injury to the patient. Striking the window directly with a crowbar can also be dangerous as the broken glass can cause injury to the rescuer or the patient.

Question 6

At the scene of a motor vehicle collision, a driver is entrapped in his car after striking the back of a truck at a high rate of speed. Which action would be performed first when providing stabilization of the car?

Accepted Answer

Shutting off the engine is the first action to take to prevent further risk of fire or running engine hazards.

Question 7

Which one of the following situations represents simple access to a patient?

Accepted Answer

Climbing stairs to gain access to a patient on a porch represents simple access to a patient. It does not involve any forced entry or destruction of property.

Question 8

A car has rolled several times and is on its roof. Closer inspection reveals the unrestrained driver lying in her back with the back portion of the roof collapsed. At this time, what instruction should you give first?

Accepted Answer

Taking the weight off of the posts is crucial in this scenario to prevent further collapse of the vehicle's structure onto the patient, which could exacerbate injuries.

Question 9

A roofer on top of a two-story house called 911 after experiencing chest pain and dizziness. You are providing care to the patient on top of the roof and the fire department has arrived to help remove the patient from his present location. As the patient is brought down the ladder, your highest priority as an EMT is:

Accepted Answer

Your personal safety is always the highest priority for emergency responders, including EMTs. This ensures that they can effectively provide care without becoming victims themselves.

Question 10

A vehicle has been struck in its front end by another car. The driver is entrapped and the roof must be rolled back to allow extrication. The car has been appropriately stabilized and you are inside with the patient. The primary assessment is complete and a cervical collar applied. Rescue personnel are ready to begin cutting the vehicle. At this time, the appropriate action is to:

Accepted Answer

Placing a tarp over the patient is the appropriate action to protect them from glass and other debris that may be generated during the cutting process for extrication.

Question 11

You have been dispatched to a motor vehicle collision. On scene you find that a minivan has completely sheared a wooden utility pole. The electrical wires are draped over the hood of the minivan and the driver, a woman in her 20s, is screaming that she is not hurt and wants to get out of the vehicle. The wires are not moving, arcing, or making any noise. What instruction is most appropriate at this time?

Accepted Answer

The correct instruction is for the woman to remain still and calm in her seat and not touch anything in the car. This is because downed electrical wires can still be live and pose a risk of electrocution. Exiting the vehicle could create a path for electricity to ground through her body, leading to serious injury or death. It's safest to stay inside the vehicle unless there's an immediate danger, such as fire.

Question 12

On the scene of a motor vehicle collision, which one of the following EMTs is engaged in simple extrication of the patient?

Accepted Answer

The EMT removing the patient from the car is engaged in simple extrication, which involves getting the patient out of the vehicle and onto a stretcher. The other choices involve different aspects of patient care and scene safety, but not extrication.

Question 13

You are on the scene of a car that hit a tree head on. The patient has a laceration to his forehead and a deformity to his left forearm. The car is a hybrid that runs on traditional as well as hydrogen gas. There is moderate front-end damage to the vehicle, but the air bags did not deploy. The patient was wearing a seat belt. What instruction is most appropriate in this situation?

Accepted Answer

In this situation, the most appropriate instruction is to have the battery cables disconnected. This will prevent any electrical shortages or sparks that could potentially ignite the hydrogen gas in the vehicle. It is important to prioritize the safety of the patient and responders on scene. Placing a flare near the oil spill may also be important, but it is a secondary concern. Deactivating the airbags by turning off the engine is not necessary as the airbags did not deploy. Puncturing the hydrogen tank would be a dangerous and unnecessary step that could potentially cause an explosion.

Question 14

An elderly patient has fallen in her home and activated the 911 system by pressing a medical alarm worn around her neck. On arrival you can see the patient on the floor, but she cannot come to the door to open it to let you in. In this situation, your best course of action is to:

Accepted Answer

Breaking a window in a room away from where the patient is located minimizes the risk of causing further injury to the patient by avoiding the potential hazards of flying glass or debris. It also allows emergency responders to gain access to the patient in a situation where time is of the essence.

Question 15

You are on scene of a serious motor vehicle collision. As the officer in charge, which one of the following instructions for other rescuers is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

Ensuring the safety of the scene, rescuers, and the public is paramount. Stopping all traffic and rerouting it to alternative roadways minimizes the risk of additional accidents, allows for a secure working environment for emergency responders, and ensures that further harm does not come to the victims or rescuers. The other options do not prioritize overall safety and scene security to the same extent.

Question 16

A vehicle has rolled onto its passenger side after running a red light at an intersection and striking another car. The restrained driver remains in the car, screaming in pain. To manage this scene, which one of the following should you do first?

Accepted Answer

Stabilizing the vehicle is the first priority to prevent further movement, ensuring the safety of the patient and rescuers before proceeding with patient assessment or extrication.

Question 17

You have just arrived on the scene of a motor vehicle collision where a car rolled several times at a high rate of speed. The car is on its wheels with the restrained driver still in his seat. After ensuring that the scene is safe and gaining access to the patient, which of the following should you do immediately?

Accepted Answer

Providing manual in-line spinal stabilization should be the first priority to prevent further injury to the patient's spine while extrication is planned and executed. Removing broken glass and opening the door should only be done if it is necessary for patient care or extrication, and covering the patient is not necessary in this situation. Establishing a plan to extricate the patient is important, but it is not the immediate priority before providing spinal stabilization.

Question 18

On the scene of a motor vehicle collision, the driver is sitting inside the car with all windows up. When you attempt to open the doors, you find that they are locked. Given this situation, which one of the following statements made to the patient is most appropriate?

Accepted Answer

The answer of On the scene of a motor vehicle...

Question 19

To gain access to a patient entrapped in a car, the rescuers must use the "jaws of life" to open the door. The EMT should recognize this situation as:

Accepted Answer

Complex access is required when specialized tools, such as the "jaws of life," are needed to gain access to a patient who is entrapped, indicating that the situation is beyond simple or direct means of access.

Question 20

The rescue captain has asked that you disconnect a car's battery to shut down all power to the vehicle completely. How should you do this safely?

Accepted Answer

Removing the negative battery cable first is the safest way to disconnect the battery because it eliminates the risk of a short circuit if the wrench touches any metal parts of the car while removing the positive cable. By removing the negative cable first, you are also breaking the circuit and preventing any power from flowing through the vehicle.

Quiz 43: Gaining Access and Patient Extrication