EMR Care 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You arrive on scene and find a patient who is apneic, pulseless, and has obvious dependent lividity. What is the correct action?
- Begin CPR immediately
- Apply the AED and analyze rhythm
- Do not resuscitate and document findings (Correct answer)
- Attempt two rescue breaths first
Correct answer: Do not resuscitate and document findings
Obvious signs of death such as dependent lividity, rigor mortis, or decapitation indicate that resuscitation is not appropriate and should not be initiated.
Question 2: A patient is bleeding from a wound on the scalp. Which characteristic of scalp wounds should the EMR be aware of?
- They rarely bleed significantly due to limited vascularity
- They tend to bleed profusely even from minor injuries (Correct answer)
- They always indicate skull fracture
- They are best treated with a tourniquet
Correct answer: They tend to bleed profusely even from minor injuries
The scalp is highly vascular and tends to bleed heavily even from minor lacerations, which can be alarming but is usually manageable with direct pressure.
Question 3: When caring for a patient in cardiogenic shock, which position is most appropriate if there is no spinal injury?
- Supine with legs elevated 12 inches
- Seated or semi-reclined (Fowler's position) (Correct answer)
- Prone position
- Lateral recumbent position
Correct answer: Seated or semi-reclined (Fowler's position)
Patients in cardiogenic shock often have fluid overload; sitting them up reduces preload and respiratory difficulty compared to the Trendelenburg position.
Question 4: A 3-year-old child ingested an unknown household chemical. The child is conscious. What is your first action?
- Induce vomiting immediately
- Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or 911 (Correct answer)
- Give the child milk to dilute the substance
- Administer activated charcoal
Correct answer: Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) or 911
For any poisoning emergency, Poison Control or EMS activation should occur immediately; vomiting should never be induced without medical direction.
Question 5: You are caring for a patient with a suspected forearm fracture. There is no deformity. What is an important sign that confirms the injury?
- Crepitus felt through the skin
- Discoloration of the fingernails
- Point tenderness directly over the bone (Correct answer)
- Decreased capillary refill in the opposite hand
Correct answer: Point tenderness directly over the bone
Point tenderness directly over the bone is a reliable indicator of a fracture even without visible deformity.
Question 6: A patient is found in a hot car and is unconscious with hot, red, dry skin. Which condition does this describe?
- Heat exhaustion
- Heat cramps
- Heat stroke (Correct answer)
- Mild hyperthermia
Correct answer: Heat stroke
Hot, red, dry skin combined with unconsciousness indicates heat stroke, a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate cooling and EMS activation.
Question 7: When performing a secondary assessment, what does SAMPLE stand for in the patient history?
- Signs, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last oral intake, Events
- Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events (Correct answer)
- Signs, Age, Medical history, Pulse, Level of consciousness, Events
- Symptoms, Airway, Medical history, Pain, Last vitals, Exposure
Correct answer: Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent history, Last oral intake, Events
SAMPLE stands for Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent past medical history, Last oral intake, and Events leading to the emergency.
EMR Care 4
You arrive on scene and find a patient who is apneic, pulseless, and has obvious dependent lividity.
What is the correct action?