FISDAP Clinical Skills and Competency Verification 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a FISDAP competency verification for IV insertion, the student successfully establishes access on the second attempt after the first attempt failed. How should this outcome typically be recorded?
- As a failed attempt requiring remediation before credit is given
- As a successful skill with a note that two attempts were needed (Correct answer)
- As an incomplete skill requiring a preceptor override
- As a deferred skill to be repeated on a future shift
Correct answer: As a successful skill with a note that two attempts were needed
FISDAP records skill outcomes with attempt details; a successful second attempt still counts as a completed skill but is documented to reflect the number of tries.
Question 2: A paramedic student is performing a 12-lead ECG acquisition in the field. Which action would most likely result in artifact that invalidates the tracing for competency credit?
- Placing limb leads on the wrists and ankles
- Asking the patient to remain still during acquisition
- Placing precordial leads on muscle tissue instead of bony landmarks (Correct answer)
- Shaving excessive chest hair before electrode placement
Correct answer: Placing precordial leads on muscle tissue instead of bony landmarks
Placing precordial electrodes over muscle mass rather than the correct anatomical landmarks causes motion artifact and inaccurate ST-segment representation, invalidating the tracing.
Question 3: Under FISDAP clinical skill tracking, which scenario best demonstrates 'observed' versus 'performed' competency credit?
- A student who documents a skill without witnessing it receives 'performed' credit
- A student who watches a preceptor intubate receives 'observed' credit, while one who performs it receives 'performed' credit (Correct answer)
- Both credit types require the student to physically complete the intervention
- Observed credit is only awarded for cardiac arrest management
Correct answer: A student who watches a preceptor intubate receives 'observed' credit, while one who performs it receives 'performed' credit
FISDAP differentiates 'observed' (student witnessed the skill) from 'performed' (student executed the skill), and both categories count toward meeting clinical hour objectives.
Question 4: A student administering a nebulized albuterol treatment must verify patient understanding before administration. Which statement by the patient indicates the teaching was effective?
- 'I'll breathe normally and this will help open my airways.' (Correct answer)
- 'I need to hold my breath after each puff so the medicine absorbs.'
- 'I should breathe as fast as possible to get more medicine.'
- 'The treatment will work better if I sit completely flat.'
Correct answer: 'I'll breathe normally and this will help open my airways.'
Normal tidal breathing during nebulizer treatment maximizes particle deposition in the small airways, which is the correct technique to reinforce during patient education.
Question 5: When verifying competency in pediatric BVM ventilation, which finding would indicate the student is performing the skill correctly?
- Chest rise visible with each ventilation at a rate of 20-24 breaths/min for infants
- Using an adult BVM with a pediatric mask for better reservoir volume
- Visible chest rise with each breath at age-appropriate rate with good mask seal (Correct answer)
- Hyperventilating the patient at 30 breaths/min to prevent hypoxia
Correct answer: Visible chest rise with each breath at age-appropriate rate with good mask seal
Correct pediatric BVM ventilation requires visible chest rise, appropriate rate for the patient's age, and an effective mask seal to prevent air leak.
Question 6: A FISDAP preceptor asks a student to demonstrate hemorrhage control using a tourniquet on a simulated extremity wound. What is the critical endpoint confirming correct application?
- The tourniquet is placed within 2 inches distal to the wound
- Bleeding from the wound has stopped and distal pulse is absent (Correct answer)
- The patient reports severe pain at the tourniquet site
- The tourniquet is tightened until the windlass can no longer turn
Correct answer: Bleeding from the wound has stopped and distal pulse is absent
Effective tourniquet application is confirmed by cessation of bleeding and elimination of the distal pulse, indicating arterial flow has been occluded.
Question 7: During an FISDAP-tracked shift, a student performs a needle decompression for suspected tension pneumothorax. Which anatomical landmark is correct for this procedure in the prehospital setting?
- Second intercostal space, midaxillary line, over the top of the rib
- Second intercostal space, midclavicular line, over the top of the third rib (Correct answer)
- Fourth intercostal space, midclavicular line, below the rib
- Fifth intercostal space, anterior axillary line, over the top of the rib
Correct answer: Second intercostal space, midclavicular line, over the top of the third rib
The standard prehospital landmark for needle thoracostomy is the 2nd intercostal space at the midclavicular line, inserting over the superior border of the 3rd rib to avoid neurovascular structures.
FISDAP Clinical Skills and Competency Verification 4
During a FISDAP competency verification for IV insertion, the student successfully establishes access on the second attempt after the first attempt failed.
How should this outcome typically be recorded?