communications

Question 1

What is the purpose of EMS System Communication?

Answer 1

• Call for resources
• Transfer care of the patient
• Interact within the team structure
• Communicate with other health care professionals

Effective communication is crucial for team dynamics and patient care.

Question 2

Define Communication in the context of EMS.

Answer 2

The transmission of information to another person

It includes both verbal and nonverbal forms.

Question 3

What are the two types of communication mentioned?

Answer 3

• Verbal
• Nonverbal

Verbal communication skills are essential for gathering critical information.

Question 4

What does nonverbal communication include?

Answer 4

• Body language
• Facial expressions
• Eye contact

These elements provide powerful communication tools.

Question 5

True or false: Body language provides less information than words alone.

Answer 5

FALSE

Body language can convey more information than verbal communication.

Question 6

What are the interviewing techniques to avoid?

Answer 6

• Providing false assurance
• Giving unsolicited advice
• Asking leading questions
• Talking too much
• Interrupting
• Using ‘why’ questions
• Using authoritative language
• Speaking in professional jargon

These techniques can hinder effective communication.

Question 7

What are the Golden Rules of communication in EMS?

Answer 7

• Make and keep eye contact
• Provide your name and use the patient’s name
• Tell the patient the truth
• Use understandable language
• Be aware of your body language

These rules enhance patient interaction.

Question 8

What is emotional intelligence?

Answer 8

Ability to understand and manage your emotions and respond to others’ emotions

It aids in defusing conflict and building rapport.

Question 9

What are the attributes of emotional intelligence?

Answer 9

• Self-awareness
• Self-regulation
• Motivation
• Empathy
• Social skills

These attributes are crucial for effective communication.

Question 10

What should you do when communicating with older patients?

Answer 10

• Identify yourself
• Present as competent and caring
• Approach slowly and calmly
• Allow time for responses

Patience and compassion are essential.

Question 11

What are the key considerations when communicating with children?

Answer 11

• Let them keep a favorite toy
• Be honest
• Respect their modesty
• Maintain eye contact

Children may be frightened and need reassurance.

Question 12

What steps should be taken when communicating with hearing-impaired patients?

Answer 12

• Position yourself for lip reading
• Have paper and pen available
• Listen carefully and ask short questions

Effective communication requires adapting to the patient’s needs.

Question 13

What is the purpose of a Patient Care Report (PCR)?

Answer 13

• Legal document
• Records all care from dispatch to hospital arrival

It serves multiple functions including continuity of care and legal documentation.

Question 14

What are the types of standardized narrative formats for documentation?

Answer 14

• CHART method
• SOAP

These formats help structure patient information effectively.

Question 15

What does the SBAR stand for in patient hand-over communication?

Answer 15

• Situation
• Background
• Assessment
• Recommendation

This structured communication improves clarity during hand-overs.

Question 16

What are the narrative sections that should contain information about patient care?

Answer 16

• Time of events
• Assessment findings
• Emergency medical care provided
• Changes in the patient after treatment
• Observations at the scene
• Final patient disposition
• Refusal of care
• Staff person who continued care

These sections ensure comprehensive documentation of patient interactions.

Question 17

What does Health Information Exchanges (HIEs) improve?

Answer 17

• Sharing of data between EMS and other health care providers
• Access to relevant health data
• Unnecessary duplication of effort in data entry
• Access to patient outcomes related to hospital care
• Contribution and access to electronic health information regularly and during disasters

Most HIEs follow the SAFR framework.

Question 18

What does the SAFR framework stand for in HIEs?

Answer 18

• Search
• Alert
• File
• Reconcile

This framework outlines the process of managing health information exchanges.

Question 19

True or false: Falsification of patient records can lead to poor patient care and legal action.

Answer 19

TRUE

Falsification can result in serious consequences for healthcare providers.

Question 20

What is the proper way to correct a mistake on a handwritten report?

Answer 20

• Draw a single horizontal line through the error
• Initial it
• Write the correct information next to it

This method ensures clarity and accountability in documentation.

Question 21

What should be documented when a patient refuses care?

Answer 21

• Assessment findings
• Emergency medical care given
• Patient’s signature on refusal form
• Witness signature (family member, police officer, or bystander)
• Complete the PCR

Thorough documentation is crucial to protect against lawsuits.

Question 22

What are examples of special reporting situations in EMS?

Answer 22

• Gunshot wounds
• Dog bites
• Some infectious diseases
• Suspected physical or sexual abuse
• Multiple-casualty incident (MCI)

Local requirements may dictate specific reporting protocols.

Question 23

What is the function of base station radios?

Answer 23

• Contains a transmitter and a receiver in a fixed place
• Two-way communication

Base station radios are essential for coordinating EMS operations.

Question 24

What is the difference between mobile radios and portable radios?

Answer 24

• Mobile radios: Installed in a vehicle
• Portable radios: Hand-held devices

Both types are crucial for communication in EMS settings.

Question 25

What is a **repeater** in radio communications?

Answer 25

A special base station radio that receives messages on one frequency and retransmits them on a second frequency ## Footnote This allows communication between units that cannot reach each other directly.

Question 26

What does **telemetry** allow in EMS?

Answer 26

* Converts electronic signals into coded, audible signals * Transmits data via radio or telephone to a receiver at the hospital ## Footnote Telemetry is vital for real-time patient monitoring.

Question 27

What is the role of **medical control** in EMS?

Answer 27

* Provides permission for treatments * Determines transport destination * Advises on special situations ## Footnote Medical control can be off-line (indirect) or online (direct).

Question 28

When giving a **patient report**, what are the essential elements to include?

Answer 28

* Unit identification and level of services * Special alerts indicated by the patient’s condition * Receiving hospital and ETA * Patient’s age and gender * Chief complaint * Brief history of the problem * Physical findings * Summary of care given * Patient’s response to treatment * Questions or orders from the receiving facility ## Footnote This ensures comprehensive communication with receiving medical staff.

Question 29

Which piece of patient information is of **least pertinence** when giving a verbal report?

Answer 29

The patient’s family medical history ## Footnote Essential information includes the patient's name, age, vital signs, and treatment response.

Question 30

True or false: The **patient care report (PCR)** is not a legal document.

Answer 30

FALSE ## Footnote The PCR serves as a legal document reflecting the care provided by the EMT.

Question 31

What is a **duplex** in radio communications?

Answer 31

The ability to transmit and receive messages simultaneously ## Footnote This enhances communication efficiency.

Question 32

When treating a potentially **hostile patient**, how should you approach the situation?

Answer 32

Speak calmly, confidently, and slowly ## Footnote This helps to diffuse tension and establish trust.

Question 33

What is the **definition** of duplex?

Answer 33

The ability to transmit and receive messages simultaneously ## Footnote Duplex communication allows for two-way interaction without waiting for one party to finish.

Question 34

What is a **scanner**?

Answer 34

A device that searches or scans across several frequencies until a message is completed ## Footnote Scanners are commonly used in emergency services to monitor communications.

Question 35

What is a **receiver**?

Answer 35

A device that only receives and does not transmit ## Footnote Receivers are essential in communication systems for listening to signals.

Question 36

When treating a potentially hostile patient, you should try to diffuse the situation by _______.

Answer 36

speaking calmly, confidently, and slowly ## Footnote This approach helps to establish trust and reduce tension.

Question 37

True or false: You should assume an **aggressive posture** when treating a potentially hostile patient.

Answer 37

FALSE ## Footnote An aggressive posture can escalate the situation; openness is preferred.

Question 38

What should you do when receiving an order from medical control over the radio?

Answer 38

Repeat the order to the physician word for word ## Footnote This ensures clarity and confirms understanding of the order.

Question 39

All of the following are functions of the **emergency medical dispatcher**, EXCEPT:

Answer 39

providing medical direction to the EMT in the field ## Footnote Dispatchers coordinate responses but do not provide direct medical direction.

Question 40

When requesting medical direction for a patient involved in a major car accident, the EMT should avoid _______.

Answer 40

using radio codes to describe the situation ## Footnote Plain language is more effective for clear communication.

Question 41

What is the role of the **emergency medical dispatcher**?

Answer 41

* Alerting the appropriate EMS response unit * Screening a call and assigning it a priority * Providing emergency medical instructions to the caller ## Footnote Dispatchers play a crucial role in managing emergency responses.