Emt: Brady Emergency Care 11Th Edition - Chapter 2 - The Well Being Of An Emt - Part 1

Front 1

Define "pathogen."

Back 1

Pathogens are the organisms that cause infection, such as viruses and bacteria.

Front 2

How can pathogens be spread?

Back 2

Pathogens can be spread through the air or by contact with blood and other body fluids.

Front 3

Define "airborne pathogens."

Back 3

Airborne pathogens are pathogens spread by tiny droplets that spray during coughing, sneezing, or breathing.

Front 4

How can airborne pathogens enter the body?

Back 4

Airborne pathogens can enter your body through your eyes or when you inhale.

Front 5

Define "bloodborne pathogens."

Back 5

Bloodborne pathogens are pathogens that can be contracted by exposure to blood or sometimes other body fluids.

Front 6

How can bloodborne pathogens enter the body?

Back 6

Bloodborne pathogens can enter the body through open wounds, exposed mucous membranes, and even minor breaks in the skin.

Front 7

Since it's impossible for an EMT to detect all pathogens just by looking at a patient, all body fluids must be considered ________.

Back 7

infectious

Front 8

Define "standard precautions."

Back 8

Standard precautions are a strict form of infection control that is based on the assumption that all blood and other body fluids are infectious.

Front 9

What are some other words for "standard precautions?"

Back 9

Body substance isolation (BSI) precautions, or infection control

Front 10

What's OSHA?

Back 10

OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and it issues workplace safety and health guidelines.

Front 11

What are some standard precautions should you keep in mind when called to the scene of a motor vehicle collision?

Back 11

Disposable gloves to protect you from blood and heavy-duty gloves to protect you from broken glass.

Front 12

What are some standard precautions you should keep in mind when called to a nursing home for an interfacility transfer?

Back 12

Disposable gloves to protect you from possible contact with body fluids.

Front 13

What are some standard precautions you should keep in mind when working with an advanced life support crew treating a patient with chest pain?

Back 13

An IV might be administered, so you should wear disposable gloves.

Front 14

If you were treating a patient with chest pain who suddenly becomes unresponsive, what additional standard precautions should you think about?

Back 14

You should make sure you're wearing disposable gloves and face protection to protect from spatter encountered in airway and suction procedures.

Front 15

Define "personal protective equipment," or "PPE."

Back 15

Personal protective equipment is equipment that protects the EMS worker from infection and/or exposure to the dangers of rescue operations.

Front 16

Any contact such as a needle-stick or exposure to potentially infectious fluid must be _______.

Back 16

properly documented according to local policy

Front 17

Define "contamination."

Back 17

Contamination is the introduction of dangerous chemicals, disease, or infectious materials.

Front 18

What must an EMT do with his or her gloves between patients?

Back 18

An EMT must change gloves between patients.

Front 19

What type of glove must be worn when cleaning the ambulance and soiled equipment?

Back 19

Heavy duty gloves must be worn when cleaning the ambulance and soiled equipment due to the likelihood of tears occurring during the work.

Front 20

When must an EMT wash his or her hands?

Back 20

An EMT must wash his or her hands between each patient contact, whether or not gloves were worn, and when hands are soiled.

Front 21

What are the two methods of hand washing?

Back 21

1) Thorough scrubbing with soap and water (preferred)

2) Cleaning with alcohol-based hand cleanser

Front 22

What three pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) must you wear if you reasonably expect contact with splashing, spattering, or spraying fluids?

Back 22

1) Protective eyewear

2) Mask

3) Disposable gloves

Front 23

What piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when tuberculosis is suspected?

Back 23

An N-95 or High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Front 24

What is NIOSH?

Back 24

NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.

Front 25

When heavy bleeding or childbirth is expected, what piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn?

Back 25

A gown should be worn, as well as gloves and eye protection and a mask.

Front 26

Why should you always encourage your crewmates to use proper PPE (personal protective equipment)?

Back 26

Because as an EMT you have a moral and ethical obligation to do so, and it helps keep your crew in good health.

Front 27

If in doubt...

Back 27

...take standard precautions.

Front 28

Which four communicable diseases are of particular concern to an EMT?

Back 28

1) Hepatitis B
2) Hepatitis C
3) Tuberculosis
4) AIDS

Front 29

Hepatitis B and C are extremely hardy viruses. So what assumption can you make about body fluids -- dried or otherwise -- that will keep you safe?

Back 29

Assume that body fluid in ANY form is infectious.

Front 30

What assumption can you make about any patient with a productive cough that will keep you safer from tuberculosis (TB)?

Back 30

Assume that any patient with a productive cough is infected with TB.

Front 31

Where can one expect an increased chance of contracting tuberculosis?

Back 31

You can expect higher tuberculosis infection rates in nursing homes, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and anywhere there's a crowd living in a confined space for long periods of time.

Front 32

How can AIDS be transmitted to an EMT?

Back 32

AIDS can be transmitted by contact with blood via open wounds, needle sticks, or blood transfusions. A patient with a history of intravenous drug use and unprotected sex is more likely to have the disease.

Front 33

What must an EMT do after any suspected exposure incident -- including mucous membrane or broken-skin contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials -- that happen on the job?

Back 33

An EMT must report it immediately.

Front 34

What is the Ryan White CARE act?

Back 34

The Ryan White CARE act mandates a procedure by which EMTs, firefighters, police, and first responders can seek to find out if they have been exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases while providing patient care.

Front 35

In regards to the Ryan White CARE act, what does every emergency response organization have?

Back 35

Every emergency response organization has a designated officer responsible for gathering information regarding possible infection exposure.

Front 36

By what process is an EMT informed that he or she was exposed to an airborne disease?

Back 36

Once the patient is diagnosed at the hospital, the hospital will let the designated officer know that the patient was infected, and the designated officer will notify the EMT.

Front 37

By what process is an EMT informed that he or she was exposed to a bloodborne disease?

Back 37

An EMT must request a follow-up from their designated officer after a body-fluid exposure incident. The designated officer will gather the information necessary to determine whether or not the patient was infected.

Front 38

If an emergency worker requests it, will a hospital have the power to require that a patient be tested for bloodborne illness?

Back 38

Nope.

Front 39

What are the common symptoms of tuberculosis?

Back 39

Symptoms include productive cough, coughing blood, weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, night sweats, and fever.

Front 40

When is an EMT required to wear a NIOSH-approved N-95 or HEPA respirator?

Back 40

1) When caring for patients suspected of having TB. High-risk areas include prisons, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and drug treatment centers.

2) When transporting an individual from such a setting in a closed vehicles. If possible, keep the windows of the ambulance open and set the heating of the AC and heat on non-circulating cycle.

3) When performing high-risk procedures such as endotracheal suctioning and intubation.

Front 41

How often is an EMT generally tested for tuberculosis exposure?

Back 41

An EMT is tested yearly for tuberculosis exposure.

Front 42

What test can detect tuberculosis exposure?

Back 42

The tuberculin skin test (TST, formerly called the PPD or purified protein derivative test) can detect tuberculosis exposure.