EMT/NREMT Trauma Practice Test

Question 1

You arrive at a patient who has fallen off a ladder. Which of the following information is NOT important to the patient's care?

Accepted Answer

Height of the ladder

Answer

In assessing a fall, the *distance* the patient fell from is crucial for determining the potential for significant injury, as greater fall heights correlate with higher energy transfer and injury risk. The *surface* landed on and *what part of the body hit first* also directly impact injury patterns. The *height of the ladder itself* is less directly relevant to the patient's injuries than the actual fall distance.

Question 2

You've arrived at the scene of an MVA, where three patients have minor visible injuries. Two of them are refusing treatment, while the third is complaining neck and back pain. What should you do next?

Accepted Answer

Have your partner obtain refusals from the two patients who refused treatment, while you treat the last patient.

Answer

In a multi-patient scenario, the priority is to address the most critical patient first, while simultaneously managing other necessary tasks. The patient with neck and back pain requires immediate assessment and stabilization due to potential spinal injuries. Delegating the task of obtaining refusals from the stable, refusing patients to a partner allows for efficient use of resources and ensures the critical patient receives timely care.

Question 3

Your patient is a 17-year-old guy who was discovered face down in a pool. He's being held face up on the water's surface currently. He is breathing and has a pulse, but he is unconscious. What is the most effective treatment for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Apply cervical and spinal immobilization while the patient is still in the pool

Answer

Any unconscious patient found in a pool, especially face down, should be treated as if they have a potential spinal injury due to the possibility of a diving accident or impact during the fall. Therefore, the most effective initial treatment is to apply cervical and spinal immobilization *while the patient is still in the water* to prevent further injury during extrication. CPR is not indicated if the patient has a pulse and is breathing.

Question 4

When there is penetrating trauma, the projectile contacts the tissues and forms a permanent cavity. What causes a temporary cavity to form?

Accepted Answer

By energy scrubbing off of the projectile

Answer

In penetrating trauma, particularly from high-velocity projectiles, a temporary cavity is formed by the transfer of kinetic energy from the projectile to the surrounding tissues. As the projectile passes through, it pushes tissue radially away from its path, creating a temporary, pulsating cavity that is much larger than the projectile's diameter. This energy transfer, or "scrubbing off," causes significant tissue damage beyond the permanent wound tract.

Question 5

_______________ is the term that describes how a patient gets injured.

Accepted Answer

Mechanism of injury

Answer

The term "mechanism of injury" (MOI) specifically refers to the forces and events that caused a patient's injury. Understanding the MOI helps EMS providers predict potential injuries based on the type and severity of the incident. This knowledge guides their assessment and treatment strategies.

NREMT Practice Test

NREMT Practice Test

EMT/NREMT Trauma Practice Test