EMS 1021 Actual Exam 1 VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A +
Q1 Lawsuit for Alleged Cervical Collar Omission
Question: A patient states that he has suffered from chronic neck
pain ever since an accident. Further, he states that he is filing a
lawsuit against the EMTs since they failed to put a cervical collar
on him at the time; in his eyes, this is the reason he has daily neck
and back pain. The EMT can remember the incident well and
remembers putting a collar on the patient. As such, his best
defense would be:
A) Presentation of the emergency department chart in court
B) Testimony from the supervisor stating that the EMTs always
place a cervical collar
C) Presentation of the standard of care showing that a cervical
collar is indicated
D) Written documentation of collar placement on the PCR
Correct Answer: D) Written documentation of collar placement
on the PCR
Rationale: In legal disputes, the Patient Care Report
(PCR) serves as the official legal record of the care provided.
Courts rely on written documentation created at the time of the
,incident, not on memory or testimony about standard procedures
weeks or months later. The PCR is considered more credible than
human memory, as memories can fade or become distorted.
Documenting the collar placement immediately after the call
provides the strongest legal defense. Options A, B, and C are less
reliable because emergency department charts (A) might not
document prehospital care, supervisor testimony (B) does not
prove the collar was applied to this specific patient, and standard
of care documentation (C) does not prove the collar was applied
in this instance.
Q2 Communicating with a Deaf Patient
Question: You have been called for a 23-year-old male who is
completely deaf. To best communicate with this patient you
should:
A) Write questions on a notepad
B) Have the emergency department get the needed information
C) Use gestures when asking questions
D) Stand in front of the patient and speak loudly
Correct Answer: A) Write questions on a notepad
Rationale: The most effective and respectful way to communicate
with a deaf patient is to use written communication, either on
paper or on a digital device. This method provides clear,
unambiguous information without relying on potentially
inaccurate sign language interpretation from a bystander or using
gestures that could be misinterpreted. It also respects the
patient's autonomy and ability to provide informed consent.
Relying on gestures (C) is imprecise and can lead to serious
,misunderstandings about health information. Speaking loudly (D)
is ineffective because the patient cannot hear at any volume.
Delaying care until the patient reaches the ED (B) is unethical and
provides substandard prehospital care.
Q3 Stroke Affecting the Brainstem
Question: A patient has experienced a stroke that has
permanently injured his brainstem. Which sign or symptom might
the EMT expect to find as a result of this condition?
A) Abnormal respirations
B) Muscle spasms
C) Blindness
D) Confusion
Correct Answer: A) Abnormal respirations
Rationale: The brainstem contains the respiratory centers
(medullary respiratory center) that control the basic rhythm and
depth of breathing. Damage to this area frequently results in
irregular, abnormal breathing patterns such as Cheyne-Stokes,
central neurogenic hyperventilation, or ataxic breathing. While
confusion (D) is common in strokes affecting the cerebrum, it is
not a hallmark sign of isolated brainstem injury. Muscle spasms
(B) are more typical of seizure disorders or certain metabolic
conditions. Blindness (C) is associated with occipital lobe or optic
pathway damage.
Q4 Purpose of Oral Report to ED Staff
, Question: Why should the EMT provide the physician or nurse
with an oral report when transferring care to the hospital
emergency department?
A) To provide input on additional medical care to be given in the
ED
B) To provide an opportunity for the ED staff to critique the care
provided
C) To summarize the findings of the focused physical exam for the
definitive care provider
D) To help the hospital staff receive the patient with an open
mind
Correct Answer: C) To summarize the findings of the focused
physical exam for the definitive care provider
Rationale: The oral report is designed to provide a concise
summary of the patient's condition, the history of the present
illness, physical exam findings (especially those relevant to
definitive care), and the interventions performed. This ensures
continuity of care and allows hospital staff to prepare
appropriately for the patient's arrival. Option A is incorrect
because EMTs typically do not provide input on additional
medical care—that is the physician's role. Option B is incorrect;
the oral report is not for critiquing prehospital care. Option D is
vague and not the primary purpose; an open mind is a
professional expectation regardless of the report.
Q32 Major Laceration with Spurting Blood
Question: An intoxicated 19-year-old female has fallen through a
large plate glass window. As you approach, you note her to be
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS WITH
RATIONALES GRADED A +
Q1 Lawsuit for Alleged Cervical Collar Omission
Question: A patient states that he has suffered from chronic neck
pain ever since an accident. Further, he states that he is filing a
lawsuit against the EMTs since they failed to put a cervical collar
on him at the time; in his eyes, this is the reason he has daily neck
and back pain. The EMT can remember the incident well and
remembers putting a collar on the patient. As such, his best
defense would be:
A) Presentation of the emergency department chart in court
B) Testimony from the supervisor stating that the EMTs always
place a cervical collar
C) Presentation of the standard of care showing that a cervical
collar is indicated
D) Written documentation of collar placement on the PCR
Correct Answer: D) Written documentation of collar placement
on the PCR
Rationale: In legal disputes, the Patient Care Report
(PCR) serves as the official legal record of the care provided.
Courts rely on written documentation created at the time of the
,incident, not on memory or testimony about standard procedures
weeks or months later. The PCR is considered more credible than
human memory, as memories can fade or become distorted.
Documenting the collar placement immediately after the call
provides the strongest legal defense. Options A, B, and C are less
reliable because emergency department charts (A) might not
document prehospital care, supervisor testimony (B) does not
prove the collar was applied to this specific patient, and standard
of care documentation (C) does not prove the collar was applied
in this instance.
Q2 Communicating with a Deaf Patient
Question: You have been called for a 23-year-old male who is
completely deaf. To best communicate with this patient you
should:
A) Write questions on a notepad
B) Have the emergency department get the needed information
C) Use gestures when asking questions
D) Stand in front of the patient and speak loudly
Correct Answer: A) Write questions on a notepad
Rationale: The most effective and respectful way to communicate
with a deaf patient is to use written communication, either on
paper or on a digital device. This method provides clear,
unambiguous information without relying on potentially
inaccurate sign language interpretation from a bystander or using
gestures that could be misinterpreted. It also respects the
patient's autonomy and ability to provide informed consent.
Relying on gestures (C) is imprecise and can lead to serious
,misunderstandings about health information. Speaking loudly (D)
is ineffective because the patient cannot hear at any volume.
Delaying care until the patient reaches the ED (B) is unethical and
provides substandard prehospital care.
Q3 Stroke Affecting the Brainstem
Question: A patient has experienced a stroke that has
permanently injured his brainstem. Which sign or symptom might
the EMT expect to find as a result of this condition?
A) Abnormal respirations
B) Muscle spasms
C) Blindness
D) Confusion
Correct Answer: A) Abnormal respirations
Rationale: The brainstem contains the respiratory centers
(medullary respiratory center) that control the basic rhythm and
depth of breathing. Damage to this area frequently results in
irregular, abnormal breathing patterns such as Cheyne-Stokes,
central neurogenic hyperventilation, or ataxic breathing. While
confusion (D) is common in strokes affecting the cerebrum, it is
not a hallmark sign of isolated brainstem injury. Muscle spasms
(B) are more typical of seizure disorders or certain metabolic
conditions. Blindness (C) is associated with occipital lobe or optic
pathway damage.
Q4 Purpose of Oral Report to ED Staff
, Question: Why should the EMT provide the physician or nurse
with an oral report when transferring care to the hospital
emergency department?
A) To provide input on additional medical care to be given in the
ED
B) To provide an opportunity for the ED staff to critique the care
provided
C) To summarize the findings of the focused physical exam for the
definitive care provider
D) To help the hospital staff receive the patient with an open
mind
Correct Answer: C) To summarize the findings of the focused
physical exam for the definitive care provider
Rationale: The oral report is designed to provide a concise
summary of the patient's condition, the history of the present
illness, physical exam findings (especially those relevant to
definitive care), and the interventions performed. This ensures
continuity of care and allows hospital staff to prepare
appropriately for the patient's arrival. Option A is incorrect
because EMTs typically do not provide input on additional
medical care—that is the physician's role. Option B is incorrect;
the oral report is not for critiquing prehospital care. Option D is
vague and not the primary purpose; an open mind is a
professional expectation regardless of the report.
Q32 Major Laceration with Spurting Blood
Question: An intoxicated 19-year-old female has fallen through a
large plate glass window. As you approach, you note her to be
