Chapter 4 Communications and Documentation

Question 1

base station

Answer 1

Any radio hardware containing a transmitter and receiver that is located in a fixed place.

Question 2

cellular telephone

Answer 2

A low-power portable radio that communicates through an interconnected series of repeater stations called cells.

Question 3

channel

Answer 3

An assigned frequency or frequencies that are used to carry voice and/or data communications.

Question 4

chief complaint

Answer 4

The reason a patient called for help; also the patient’s response to questions such as “What’s wrong?” or “What happened?”

Question 5

chief concern

Answer 5

The condition requiring the most urgent intervention as determined by the provider’s assessment of the patient; it is not always the same as the chief complaint.

Question 6

closed-ended questions

Answer 6

Questions that can be answered in short or single-word responses.

Question 7

communication

Answer 7

The transmission of information to another person verbally or through body language.

Question 8

cultural imposition

Answer 8

When one person imposes his or her beliefs, values, and practices on another because they believe their ideals are superior.

Question 9

dedicated line

Answer 9

A special telephone line used for specific point to point communications; also called a hotline.

Question 10

documentation

Answer 10

The recorded portion of the EMT’s patient interaction, written or electronic, which becomes part of the patient’s permanent medical record.

Question 11

duplex

Answer 11

The ability to transmit and receive simultaneously.

Question 12

emotional intelligence

Answer 12

The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions and appropriately respond to the emotions of others.

Question 13

ethnocentrism

Answer 13

When a person considers his or her own cultural values as more important when interacting with people of a different culture.

Question 14

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Answer 14

The federal agency with jurisdiction over interstate and international telephone, telegraph, and satellite communications, including those involving EMS activity.

Question 15

handover

Answer 15

The transfer of pertinent patient information and responsibility for patient care; often includes physical movement of the patient and equipment; also known as handoff.

Question 16

health information exchange (HIE)

Answer 16

A system that allows EMS providers to access relevant health data such as past medical problems, medications, allergies, and end of life decisions, avoid duplicate data entry, and view patient outcomes.

Question 17

interoperable communications system

Answer 17

A communication system that uses voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) technology to allow multiple agencies to communicate and transmit data.

Question 18

MED channels

Answer 18

VHF and UHF channels designated exclusively for EMS use by the Federal Communications Commission.

Question 19

mental model

Answer 19

The picture an individual has in his or her head of “what’s going on” in a given situation.

Question 20

mission-critical communications

Answer 20

Any communications where disruption will result in the failure of the mission at hand.

Question 21

mobile data terminal (MDT)

Answer 21

A small computer terminal inside the ambulance that directly receives data from the dispatch center.

Question 22

multiplex

Answer 22

The ability to transmit audio and data signals through the use of more than one communications channel.

Question 23

noise

Answer 23

Anything that dampens or obscures the true meaning of a message.

Question 24

open-ended questions

Answer 24

Questions for which the patient must provide detail to give an answer.

Question 25

paging

Answer 25

The use of a radio signal and a voice or digital message that is transmitted to pagers or desktop monitor radios.

Question 26

patient care report (PCR)

Answer 26

The legal document used to record all patient care activities. This report has direct patient care functions but also administrative and quality control functions. PCRs are also known as prehospital care reports.

Question 27

rapport

Answer 27

A trusting relationship that you build with your patient.

Question 28

Repeater

Answer 28

A special base station radio that receives messages and signals on one frequency and then automatically retransmits them on a second frequency.

Question 29

scanner

Answer 29

A radio receiver that searches or scans across several frequencies until the message is completed; the process is then repeated.

Question 30

simplex

Answer 30

Single-frequency radio; transmissions can occur in either direction but not simultaneously; when one party transmits, the other can only receive, and the party that is transmitting is unable to receive.

Question 31

standing orders

Answer 31

Written documents, signed by the EMS system’s medical director, that outline specific directions, permissions, and sometimes prohibitions regarding patient care; also called protocols.

Question 32

telemetry

Answer 32

A process in which electronic signals are converted into coded, audible signals; these signals can then be transmitted be radio or telephone to a receiver with a decoder at the hospital.

Question 33

therapeutic communication

Answer 33

Verbal and nonverbal communication techniques that encourage patients to express their feelings and to achieve a positive relationship.

Question 34

trunking

Answer 34

Telecommunication systems that allow a computer to maximize utilization of a group of frequencies.

Question 35

UHF (ultra-high frequency)

Answer 35

Radio frequencies between 300 and 3,000 MHz.

Question 36

VHF (very high frequency)

Answer 36

Radio frequencies between 30 and 300 MHz; the VHF spectrum is further divided into high and low bands.