AEMT EMS Operations and Scene Management

Question 1

The START triage system classifies patients into four categories. Which color tag indicates immediate life-threatening injuries that are survivable with rapid intervention?

Accepted Answer

Red (Immediate)

Answer

Red tags in START triage identify patients with critical but survivable injuries who require immediate treatment to prevent death.

Question 2

During a mass-casualty incident (MCI), which patient is assigned a BLACK tag under START triage?

Accepted Answer

Patients with apnea that persists after one attempt to open the airway

Answer

In START, a patient who remains apneic after one attempt to open the airway is tagged black (expectant/deceased) because resuscitation resources must be allocated to savable patients.

Question 3

The Incident Command System (ICS) principle of 'span of control' recommends that one supervisor oversee no more than:

Accepted Answer

5–7 subordinates

Answer

ICS recommends a span of control of 3–7 subordinates per supervisor, with 5 as the optimal number to maintain effective oversight.

Question 4

Upon arriving at a scene with downed power lines across a vehicle, you should:

Accepted Answer

Stage at a safe distance, keep bystanders back, and wait for the utility company to de-energize the lines

Answer

Downed power lines must be treated as energized until utility personnel confirm they are de-energized; approach creates lethal electrocution risk.

Question 5

Which of the following is the CORRECT order of the AEMT's scene size-up?

Accepted Answer

Scene safety → BSI/standard precautions → mechanism/nature of illness → number of patients → additional resources

Answer

Scene size-up begins with ensuring safety first, then donning BSI precautions, assessing MOI/NOI, counting patients, and calling for additional resources as needed.

AEMT - Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Practice Test

AEMT - Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Practice Test

AEMT EMS Operations and Scene Management