Clinical Procedures & Protocols Flashcards
7 cards from real EMS practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Clinical Procedures & Protocols flashcards as text
A pediatric patient weighing 20 kg is in respiratory failure. Using weight-based dosing, what is the correct endotracheal tube (uncuffed) size?
Answer: 5.0 mm
The formula (age/4) + 4 or (weight/4 + 4) for pediatrics: a 20 kg child is approximately 6 years old, yielding a 5.0 mm uncuffed tube.
When administering a medication via the IO route, the EMS provider should anticipate:
Answer: Similar onset to IV due to direct access to the central venous circulation
IO access provides direct entry into the non-collapsible medullary venous sinuses, producing drug onset times comparable to IV administration.
During a call for a patient in cardiogenic shock, which hemodynamic profile would you expect on assessment?
Answer: Hypotension, tachycardia, cool and diaphoretic skin
Cardiogenic shock presents with hypotension and compensatory tachycardia, along with signs of poor perfusion including cool, clammy, diaphoretic skin.
A patient presents with suspected anaphylaxis after a bee sting with hives, stridor, and hypotension. What is the PRIORITY intervention?
Answer: Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM into the anterolateral thigh
Epinephrine 0.3 mg IM into the anterolateral thigh is the first-line and priority treatment for anaphylaxis due to its rapid alpha and beta effects.
During spinal motion restriction, which action is CONTRAINDICATED when applying a rigid cervical collar?
Answer: Applying the collar to a patient with a penetrating neck wound
Rigid cervical collars are contraindicated with penetrating neck wounds because they can mask expanding hematomas and complicate airway management.
A patient requires cardioversion for unstable SVT with a pulse. Which energy setting is correct for synchronized cardioversion in adults?
Answer: 50–100 J synchronized biphasic
Synchronized cardioversion for SVT starts at 50–100 J biphasic, with the sync mode ensuring the shock avoids the T wave.
When reassessing a patient after a medication administration, what is the MINIMUM reassessment interval for a critically ill patient?
Answer: Every 5 minutes
Critically ill or unstable patients should be reassessed every 5 minutes to detect deterioration or medication effects promptly.