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About This Quiz
There are days when time seems to stand still and suddenly work deadlines and dirty diapers don’t seem quite as pressing as they used to. On those days – when serious medical problems happen, due to instances like heart attacks and car accidents – EMTs (emergency medical technicians) rush to the rescue, hoping to save lives and to improve to future quality of life for people who’ve suffered serious medical trauma. Do you think you know about the work of EMTs to pass this EMT lingo and vocabulary quiz?
If you watch prime time TV (especially CBS) you've heard a lot of these words, but did they stick in your brain? Be warned: Sometimes the words that get used on TV aren't used the way real pros in the business use them.
EMTs undergo major education and training before they’re turned loose on emergency calls. They have to know a vast range of information, from medical terminology to high-speed first aid in order to help people who’ve fallen from roofs, suffered burns, or been in motor vehicle accidents.
Grab your medical kit, don your non-latex protective gear, and lace up your boots. It’s time to race off to this frantic EMT lingo quiz!
When EMTs administer CPR to a patient, what are they attempting to do?
remove an obstruction in the throat
stabilize the spine
resuscitate the patient
CPR stands for "cardiopulmonary rescucitation." EMTs will apply hand pressure on the chest and blow into the patient's mouth in hopes of resuscitating them.
apply pressure to a wound
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Why would an EMT perform "triage"?
There are a lot of patients.
In large-scale incidents, there are too many patients and not enough EMTs and doctors. So EMTs use triage to categorize the seriousness of each patient's injuries in order to save as many people as possible.
A child accidentally consumed poison.
The patient eyes won't focus.
The ambulance's engine won't start.
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It's all about helping people. What does "BLS" stand for?
basic life support
BLS stands for "basic life support." With BLS, EMTs can perform many vital medical tasks, from simple first aid to life-saving procedures.
bad leg symptoms
bring light stretchers
be a life saver
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EMTs specialize in providing what?
resections
prehospital care
EMTs ride to the rescue during medical emergencies. They provide "prehospital care," lifesaving care that keeps patients alive until they reach an emergency room.
eye exams
prescriptions
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For what purpose would EMTs use an "AED"?
brain damage
heavy bleeding
spinal injuries
heart issues
When patients' hearts begin to fail, EMTs come to the rescue with AEDs, or automatic external defibrillators. These devices (hopefullly) shock the heart back into rhythm.
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"ABC" is a common EMT term. Which of the following is NOT one of the words represented by this acronym?
circulation
airways
breathing
aneurysm
A doesn’t stand for "aneurysm." ABC is "airway, breathing, circulation," and it's a reminder for three critical variables an EMT must check during a call.
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When EMTs shout about an "MVA," they're most likely referring to what?
a car accident
EMTs must often deal with the carnage of MVAs, or motor vehicle accidents. These wrecks produce some of the worst injuries that EMTs see.
a bomb threat
a shooting
a bar fight
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It's not all fun and games. How might a "critical incident" affect EMTs?
create a sense of well being
train them for large emergencies
cause emotional distress
EMTs are people, too. When they respond to "critical incidents," they've been exposed to situations that may have an emotional impact on their lives. Some EMTs need help recovering from critical incidents.
expose the EMT to deadly viruses
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Why would an EMT need to check "BP"?
The patient is severely blistered.
It refers to brain problems.
It stands for blood pressure.
BP, or blood pressure, is one of the first vital signs that EMTs check when they reach a patient. Very high or very low BP can mean a patient is having serious heart problems.
It's a bronchial failure.
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What does it mean if an EMT says, "bag him"?
Roll him on the ambulance.
Put him in a body bag.
Place him in the intensive care unit.
Apply a respiratory mask.
In other arenas, "bag him" might refer to a body bag. But EMTs often use this term when referring to bag valve masks, which may help the patient breathe more easily.
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It's all about safety. What's the purpose of PPE?
to reduce burn potential
to heal wounds
to protect people from all sorts of hazards
PPE is personal protective equipment. It refers to a range of gear, from gloves, to biohazard suits, to face masks, all of which are meant to protect the wearer from harm.
to remove hazardous waste from a crash site
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What does POPTA stand for?
perforated optical nerve
poor oxygen absorbtion
pretended to be a transient
passed out prior to our arrival
Any number of medical issues may result in a loss of consciousness. When EMTs mention "POPTA," it means the patient passed out prior to our arrival.
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What happens during "body substance isolation"?
Patients are placed into plastic bags.
EMTs embalm patients.
Bleach is sprayed on every surface.
All bodily fluids are contained to prevent the spread of infection.
With body substance isolation, EMTs treat all bodily fluids as if they were carrying serious infections. It helps to protect the EMT and everyone around them.
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What do EMTs do with a "C-collar"?
stop bleeding
administer medicine
drive quickly
protect the spine
Many situations result in potential neck injuries. EMTs will put on a C-collar to prevent injuries from worsening before an X-ray can be administered.
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Who delegates work to EMTs?
ambulance driver
hospital CEO
medical director
Medical directors are head doctors in charge of EMT crews. They delegate many tasks to the EMTs, who then go about the business of saving patients.
EMTs direct themselves.
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If EMTs note "morbidity" in a patient, what does that mean?
The patient is strapped to a stretcher.
The patient is not responsive.
There is sickness or injury.
Morbity is a common term among EMTs and doctors. It simply means that the patient is sick or injured in some way.
The patient is dead.
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What's a slang term for patients who call 911 for medical help over and over again?
head wounds
ER hounds
frequent fliers
Most EMTs deal with "frequent fliers," patients who regularly call 911. Some of these people don't really need medical care, others have chronic, life-threatening issues.
psychos-somatic
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EMTs must protect themselves from patients' bodily fluids, in part because they want to avoid liver inflammation caused by a virus, otherwise known as what?
lockjaw
leukemia
flu
hepatitis
Hepatitis is a common occupational hazard for EMTs. Often spread through viruses, hepatitis can become a life-altering liver condition.
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Why would an EMT "intubate" someone?
They stopped breathing.
Patients who stop breathing have only a few minutes to live. EMTs may intubate them by pushing a tube down the patient's throat in order to get respiration going again.
They haven't eaten in days.
They have no pulse.
They are severely dehydrated.
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EMTs may observe "anisocoria" in many patients. This refers to which part of the body?
toenails
eyes
Patients often exhibit anisocoria. This is when their pupils are different sizes, and may indicate a number of physical problems.
nose
heart
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What does it mean if an EMT refers to the "expiration" of the patient?
The patient is breathing out.
Respiration is clearly an important part of human biology. "Expiration" refers to the fact that the patient is breathing out.
The patient is hyperventilating.
The patient is unconscious.
The patient has died.
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Why do EMTs fear "arterial bleeds" during emergencies?
They make a mess.
They result in heavy, life-threatening bleeding.
Because arteries carry so much blood, any nicks or cuts result in very heavy bleeding. EMTs must stop arterial bleeding right or risk losing a patient.
They mean near instantaneous death.
They always spread diseases.
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Which of the following indicates the most severe kind of burn?
1st-degree burn
2nd-degree burn
3rd-degree burn
EMTs often help patients who've suffered burns. Third-degree burns are the most serious, impacting all layers of skin. In these burns, the skin looks charred.
They are all equivalent.
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If a patient is receiving too little oxygen and experiencing insufficient blood circulation, he or she has what condition?
blunt trauma
leukemia
lacerations
shock
Shock is a serious condition that often occurs after car accidents and other violent events. EMTs must recognize and treat shock immediately to keep patients safe.
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Before an EMT provides care to a conscious adult, what must he or she do?
find a face mask
create a sterilized syringe
apply pressure to the chest
receive expressed consent
When EMTs arrive to find adults in need of care, they must ask for expressed consent before proceeding with treatment. This step, of course, is not necessary if the person is young or incapacited in some way.
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If an EMT notes that patient has "N/V," what does that mean?
no ventricles
nausea and vomiting
EMTs deal with all manner of human health issues. Noting "N/V" means that the patient has both nausea and vomiting.
non-responseive and no vision
noisy and violent
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EMTs use ACLS to address serious problems in which category?
vision problems
lack of bowel control
cardiac issues
ACLS stands for advanced cardiac life support. EMTs employ these advanced procedures for patients who are exhibiting major heart problems.
basic motor skills
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If an EMT commits "abandonment," what has happened?
He left a patient without ensuring that another health professional was in position to continue care.
EMTs have a duty to follow through on the care that they provide. If they leave the scene before making sure a qualified person is taking over, they've committed abandonment.
He inserted an IV needle improperly.
He crashed the ambulance.
He didn't finish his medical training.
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If an EMT shouts, "asystole," she's refering to which aspect of the patient's health?
heart
Asystole means that the patient's heart is no longer pumping. This situation is almost always irreversible and results in death.
lungs
feet
eyes
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An embolus travels through what part of the body?
lymph nodes
skin
feet
circulatory system
When obstructions of some sort move through the circultory system, you're dealing with an embolus. In some situations, embolus can cause life-threatening blockages.
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An EMT might use the antecubital part of the body for what?
for detoxification
a crutch
creating a cast
starting an IV
The antecubital portion of the arm is the front side of the elbow. It's where EMTs typically insert a needle for an IV.
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If a patient has no blood pressure or pulse, he or she is what?
in shock
hyperventilating
in stasis
clinically dead
You need a pulse, for obvious reasons. Zero pulse and no blood pressure mean the patient is clinically dead, and in most cases, that's irreversible.
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PALS refers to critical health care for which segment of the population?
children
PALS is an acronym for pediatric advanced life support. It specially addresses the emergency needs for newborns and children.
the elderly
females
pets
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Sometimes, the humor is black. What's an EMT slang term for motorcycles?
sadcycle
scooter
donorcycle
Because motorcycles have no metal cage protecting riders, accidents often result in serious injuries. Some EMTs call them "donorcycles," as these fatal wrecks may result in the riders becoming organ donors.
bicycle
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In blunt trauma, an EMT will NOT see which of the following conditions?
a severe laceration
Blunt trauma means a blunt object caused the injury. There are no breaks in the skin in instances of blunt trauma.
bruising
red marks
abrasions
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You Got:
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