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    Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam
    Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam
    Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam
    Ebook350 pages4 hours

    Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam

    By Peterson's

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    About this ebook

    Peterson's Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam will prepare you for a career answering calls for help and dedicated to saving lives. You'll learn what it takes to start and maintain a career in the emergency medical services, prepare a proper resume, interview properly, and understand the examination process.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPeterson's
    Release dateJan 1, 2011
    ISBN9780768930719
    Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam

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      Book preview

      Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam - Peterson's

      Table of Contents

      Before You Begin

      HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED

      SPECIAL STUDY FEATURES

      YOU'RE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

      FIND US ON FACEBOOK ® & FOLLOW US ON TWITTER ™

      TOP 10 WAYS TO RAISE YOUR SCORE

      PART I: ALL ABOUT THE EMT

      1 Getting Started

      LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION

      JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE EMT-BASIC

      RESPONDING TO A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL (HAZMAT) EMERGENCY

      RESPONDING TO A TERRORIST ATTACK

      CLINICAL INTEGRATION

      CRITICAL INCIDENT STRESS DEBRIEFING

      PREPARING FOR THE WRITTEN EXAM

      DIRECTED STUDY

      STUDY GUIDES

      THE NIGHT BEFORE

      EXAMINATION DAY

      WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU PASS YOUR EXAM?

      TYPES OF EMS-PROVIDER AGENCIES

      SUMMING IT UP

      PART II: DIAGNOSING STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES

      2 Practice Test 1: Diagnostic

      PREPARING TO TAKE THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST

      BASICS OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL CARE

      AIRWAY

      ASSESSMENT

      MEDICAL

      TRAUMA

      INFANTS AND CHILDREN

      OPERATIONS

      ANSWER KEY AND EXPLANATIONS

      PART III: EMT-BASIC REVIEW

      3 Anatomy and Physiology Review

      MEDICAL TERMINOLOGY

      TOPOGRAPHIC ANATOMY

      ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY BY BODY SYSTEM

      CONTINUE TO EDUCATE YOURSELF

      SUMMING IT UP

      4 EMT-Basic Practical Skills Evaluation

      GUIDELINES FOR TAKING A PRACTICAL SKILLS EXAMINATION

      THE PRACTICAL SKILLS

      PRACTICING SKILLS

      SKILLS EXAMINATION DAY

      EMT-BASIC SKILLS PERFORMANCE SHEETS

      SUMMING IT UP

      PART IV: PRACTICE TEST

      Practice Test 2

      ANSWER KEY AND AND EXPLANATIONS

      APPENDIXES

      A Availability of Training

      B Professional EMS Organizations and Journals

      1

      About Peterson's Publishing

      To succeed on your lifelong educational journey, you will need accurate, dependable, and practical tools and resources. That is why Peterson's is everywhere education happens. Because whenever and however you need education content delivered, you can rely on Peterson's to provide the information, know-how, and guidance to help you reach your goals. Tools to match the right students with the right school. It's here. Personalized resources and expert guidance. It's here. Comprehensive and dependable education content— delivered whenever and however you need it. It's all here.

      For more information, contact Peterson's, 2000 Lenox Drive, Lawrenceville, NJ 08648; 800-338-3282 Ext. 54229; or find us online at www.petersonspublishing.com.

      © 2010 Peterson's, a Nelnet company

      Previously published as EMT-Basic Certification Exam © 2001, 2003; previous edition © 2005

      Facebook® and Facebook logos are registered trademarks of Facebook, Inc. Twitter™ and Twitter logos are registered trademarks of Twitter, Inc. Neither Facebook, Inc., nor Twitter, Inc., were involved in the production of this book and make no endorsement of this product.

      Stephen Clemente, Managing Director, Publishing and Institutional Research; Bernadette Webster, Director of Publishing; Mark D. Snider, Editor; Ray Golaszewski, Publishing Operations Manager; Linda M. Williams, Composition Manager

      ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this work covered by the copyright herein may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping, Web distribution, or information storage and retrieval systems—without the prior written permission of the publisher.

      For permission to use material from this text or product, complete the Permission Request Form at http://www.petersons.com/permissions.

      ISBN-978-0-7689-3071-9

      Petersonspublishing.com/publishingupdates/

      Check out our Web site at www.petersonspublishing.com/publishingupdates to see if there is any new information regarding the test and any revisions or corrections to the content of this book. We've made sure the information in this book is accurate and up-to-date; however, the test format or content may have changed since the time of publication.

      OTHER RECOMMENDED TITLE

      Master the Firefighter Exam

      Before You Begin

      HOW THIS BOOK IS ORGANIZED

      This book provides a step-by-step tutorial for taking the EMT-Basic Certification Exam, including preparation for both the written exam and the practical skills evaluation.

      • Top 10 Ways to Raise Your Score gives you a preview of some of the test-taking strategies you'll learn in this book.

      • Part I provides general information about life as an EMT and how to prepare for the EMT-Basic Certification Exam. You'll learn what it takes to start and maintain a career in emergency medical services, prepare a proper resume, interview properly, and understand the examination process.

      • Part II is a full-length Diagnostic Test. Taking the test can show you where your skills are strong and where they need some extra work.

      • Part III is a coaching program. This section provides a comprehensive review of the important topics you will see on the exam.

      • Part IV contains a full-length practice EMT-Basic Certification Exam, including detailed answer explanations.

      •The Appendixes contain state-by-state contact information for EMS training facilities and provide a listing of professional EMS organizations and journals.

      SPECIAL STUDY FEATURES

      Peterson S Master the EMT-Basic Certification Exam is designed to be user-friendly. To this end, the book includes several features to make your preparation easier.

      Overview

      Each chapter begins with a bulleted overview of the topics covered in the chapter, so you can easily find the topic you need to study.

      Summing It Up

      Each chapter ends with a point-by-point summary that captures the most important points of the chapter. The summaries are a convenient way to review the content of the chapters.

      Also be sure to look in the margins of the book for extra information and advice.

      NOTE

      Notes highlight critical information about life as an EMT.

      TIP

      Tips draw your attention to valuable concepts and advice for tackling the EMT-Basic Certification Exam.

      ALERT!

      Alerts do just what they say—alert you to common pitfalls. This information explores the myths and misconceptions many people have about a career as an EMT and the process for becoming certified.

      By taking full advantage of all the Special Study Features, you will become much more comfortable when preparing for and taking the EMT-Basic Certification Exam.

      YOU'RE WELL ON YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS

      Congratulations on your decision to start a career in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). You have taken the first step in a lifelong career of helping people during their most trying times. As an EMS provider, you will witness and experience things that most of your family and friends will only experience while watching the news. We look forward to helping you raise your scores and improve your chances of becoming a certified EMT. Good luck!

      FIND US ON FACEBOOK® & FOLLOW US ON TWITTER™

      Join the EMT conversation on Facebook® and Twitter™ at www.facebook.com/emtexam and www.twitter.com/emtexam and receive additional test-prep tips and advice. Peterson's resources are available to help you do your best on this important exam—and others in your future.

      Peterson's publishes a full line of books—test prep, education exploration, financial aid, and career preparation. Peterson's publications can be found at high school guidance offices, college libraries and career centers, and your local bookstore and library. Peterson's books are now also available as eBooks.

      We welcome any comments or suggestions you may have about this publication. Your feedback will help us make educational dreams possible for you—and others like you.

      TOP 10 WAYS TO RAISE YOUR SCORE

      1. Get to the test center early. Make sure you give yourself plenty of extra time to get there, park your car, if necessary, and even grab some fruit juice or water before the test.

      2. Listen to the test monitors and follow their instructions carefully.

      3. Read every word of the instructions. Read every word of every question.

      4. Mark your answers by completely darkening the answer space of your choice.

      5. Mark only ONE answer for each question, even if you think that more than one answer is correct. You must choose only one. If you mark more than one answer, the scoring machine will consider you wrong.

      6. If you change your mind, erase completely. Leave no doubt as to which answer you mean.

      7. Check often to be sure that the question number matches the answer space, that you have not skipped a space by mistake.

      8. Stay alert. Be careful not to mark a wrong answer just because you were not concentrating.

      9. Do not panic. If you cannot finish any part before time is up, do not worry. If you are accurate, you can do well even without finishing. At any rate, do not let your performance on any one part affect your performance on any other part.

      10. Check and recheck, time permitting. If you finish any part before time is up, use the remaining time to check that each question is answered in the right space and that there is only one answer for each question. Return to the difficult questions and rethink them.

      0020

      Chapter 1: Getting Started

      OVERVIEW

      • Levels of certification

      • Job description of the EMT-Basic

      • Responding to a hazardous material (HAZMAT) emergency

      • Responding to a terrorist attack

      • Clinical integration

      • Critical incident stress debriefing

      • Preparing for the written exam

      • Directed study

      • Study guides

      • The night before

      • Examination day

      • What happens after you pass your exam?

      • Types of EMS-provider agencies

      • Summing it up

      In every city and state, Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) stand by to answer calls for help. Like you, these people are dedicated to saving lives. Your daily contribution to the preservation of life and, more important, the quality of life is appreciated. The patient whose life you touch will remember you long after you've forgotten about the call. While saving the life of a child can bring you a great sense of accomplishment, nothing is worse than arriving on the scene of an emergency and, despite your own best efforts, losing a patient to an illness or injury. Sometimes training and best efforts are not enough. Fortunately, you do not have to deal with these crises alone.

      The life of an Emergency Medical Service (EMS) provider is exciting, exhilarating, and heartbreaking—all at the same time. EMS students must understand that completing an EMS program is just the beginning. A commitment to lifelong learning is a necessity. Passing your exam does not make you an EMT or a paramedic. The real test is not on paper or in a classroom. The real test comes after you pass the course and examinations and are at work in the field. Once you are an EMT, your dedication is tested every day on every call. In the face of disaster, EMS providers must remain calm, retain critical-thinking skills, and rely on their education.

      EMS providers meet new challenges daily, so they must constantly seek out opportunities to learn. The world of emergency medicine is constantly changing. EMS providers must stay on the cutting edge of technology. At the same time, EMS providers must be advocates of patient care and stand up for their patients' rights. Remember that patients entrust their lives to EMS providers. EMS providers reciprocate by maintaining the highest standard of skills and knowledge while remaining compassionate and sensitive to patients' needs.

      _________________________________________________

      NOTE

      You're already on your way! Every hour you spend reviewing the information in this book will better prepare you for a career as an EMT.

      _________________________________________________

      LEVELS OF CERTIFICATION

      EMS providers are certified at several different standard levels, though some states have established variations and additional levels of certification. The most common levels are defined in the following section.

      Lay Rescuer

      A lay rescuer is usually the first person who comes into contact with a patient. The lay rescuer could be a professional, a family member, or a bystander who is trained in CPR or basic first aid. The actions of this person may be crucial to the patient's survival. Several organizations, such as the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, and some local groups, provide training for lay rescuers. Those who wish to become trained as a lay rescuer should contact a local emergency or first-aid squad for information.

      Certified First Responder

      Some cities and states offer first-responder programs for certain regions. The New York City Fire Department, for example, trains its engine-company personnel at the first-responder level. Firstresponder units respond to emergency calls with personnel who are trained in the administration of oxygen, as well as in basic airway and other lifesaving procedures. First responders may also be trained in defibrillation. Using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), they may defibrillate patients in cardiac arrest within minutes of the emergency. First responders save hundreds of lives each year.

      Emergency Medical Technician-Basic

      The Emergency Medical Technician-Basic (EMT-Basic) must complete a course based on National Highway Traffic Safety Administration-Department of Transportation (NHTSA-DOT) guidelines. EMT-Basics are trained in the recognition of and intervention in medical and trauma emergencies. This training encompasses airway management, scene assessment, medical emergencies, including the use of the AED and trauma emergencies, as well as pediatric and obstetric/gynecological emergencies. The EMT-Basic is also trained in assisted-medication administration, which requires a basic knowledge of pharmacology. The EMT-Basic training may also encompass advanced airway management. This level of training may be enhanced on a state-by-state basis.

      Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate

      The training of the Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate (EMT-Intermediate) encompasses all the training of the EMT-Basic but includes several additional areas of study. The EMT-Intermediate (based on approval by the certifying state) can be trained in advanced airway management, intravenous (IV) fluid administration, and medication administration (including medications for diabetic as well as cardiovascular emergencies). Several states offer variations in this level of training based on regional needs.

      Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic

      The Emergency Medical Technician-Paramedic (EMT-Paramedic) is the highest level of training offered for field EMS providers. The EMT-Paramedic completes an NHTSA-DOT-approved training program that includes a comprehensive knowledge in anatomy and physiology, pharmacology, cardiology, and trauma management and detailed training in pediatrics. EMT-Paramedics are required to complete hundreds of hours of clinical training (usually 1,400 hours or more) as well as a field internship. Some EMT-Paramedics specialize in areas such as critical-care transport, pediatric transport, and air-medical transport.

      The EMT-Paramedic usually operates in a well-equipped Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU), which can serve as a one-bed emergency room. EMT-Paramedics administer a full spectrum of cardiac medications as well as medications for other emergencies. These professionals are also trained in advanced airway management, emergency surgical procedures, advanced diagnostic interpretation, and advanced emergency pharmacology.

      The information provided in this section is a general overview of the training levels of EMS providers. For more comprehensive information, contact your state EMS office.

      JOB DESCRIPTION OF THE EMT-BASIC

      The following job description is based on the NHTSA-DOT EMT-Basic Curriculum.

      Career Requirements

      • Responds to emergency calls to provide efficient and immediate care to the critically ill and injured and transports patients to medical facilities

      • Drives an ambulance to the address or location given, using the most expeditious route, depending on traffic and weather conditions

      • Observes traffic ordinances and regulations concerning emergency vehicle operation

      • Upon arrival at the scene of a crash or illness, parks the ambulance in a safe location to avoid additional injury

      • Prior to initiating patient care, sizes up the scene to determine that the scene is safe, the mechanism of injury or nature of illness, the total number of patients, and to request additional help if necessary

      • In the absence of law enforcement, creates a safe traffic environment, such as the placement of road flares, removal of debris, and direction of traffic for the protection of the injured and those assisting in the care of injured patients

      • Determines the nature and extent of illness or injury and establishes priority for required emergency care

      • Based on assessment findings, renders emergency medical care to adults, infants, and children and to medical and trauma patients. (Duties include, but are not limited to, opening and maintaining an airway, ventilating patients, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation, including use of automated external defibrillators.)

      • Provides prehospital emergency medical care of simple and multiple system trauma, such as controlling hemorrhage; treating shock (hypoperfusion); bandaging wounds; immobilizing painful, swollen, and deformed extremities; assisting patients with prescribed medications, including sublingual nitroglycerin, epinephrine auto-injectors, and handheld aerosol inhalers; administering oxygen, oral glucose, and activated charcoal

      • Reassures patients and bystanders by working confidently and efficiently

      • When a patient must be extricated from entrapment, assesses the extent of injury and gives all possible emergency care and protection to the trapped patient and uses the prescribed techniques and appliances for safely removing the patient, radios the dispatcher for additional help or special rescue and/or utility services, provides simple rescue service if the ambulance has not been accompanied by a specialized unit, and provides additional care in triaging the injured in accordance with standard emergency procedures

      • Complies with regulations on the handling of the deceased, notifies authorities, and arranges for protection of property and evidence at scene

      • Places stretcher in ambulance and ensures that the patient and stretcher are secured while continuing emergency medical care

      • Determines the most appropriate facility to which the patient will be transported, unless otherwise directed by medical direction; reports directly to the emergency department or communications center the nature and extent of injuries, the number being transported, and the destination to assure prompt medical care upon arrival

      • Identifies assessment findings that may require special professional services and ensures that assistance be immediately available upon arrival at the medical facility

      • Constantly assesses the patient during trip to the emergency facility and administers additional care as needed or directed

      • Assists in lifting and carrying the patient out of the ambulance and into the receiving facility

      • Reports verbally and in writing about the emergency medical care performed on the patient at the emergency scene and in transit to the receiving facility staff for purposes of records and diagnostics

      • Restocks and replaces used linens, blankets, and other supplies; cleans all equipment following appropriate disinfecting procedures; checks all equipment so that the ambulance is ready for the next run; keeps ambulance in efficient operating condition; ensures that the ambulance is cleaned and washed and kept neat and orderly

      • In accordance with local, state, or federal regulations, decontaminates the interior of the vehicle after patient transport with contagious infection or hazardous materials exposure

      • Determines that the vehicle is in proper mechanical condition by checking items required by service management and maintains familiarity with specialized equipment used by the service

      • Attends continuing education and refresher training programs as required by employers, medical direction, licensing, or certifying agencies

      • Meets qualifications within the functional job analysis

      RESPONDING TO A HAZARDOUS MATERIAL (HAZMAT) EMERGENCY

      First responders must be alert for hazardous materials when responding to every call. The dispatcher may provide information such as unusual signs and symptoms (e.g., pungent odor, eye irritation), or the address might suggest that the call involves a chemical release. The presence of hazardous materials may be obvious, as in the case of noxious fumes, gasoline, or corrosive liquid spills. In other situations, the hazardous nature of the chemical(s) may not be immediately apparent, as with odorless but poisonous and/or flammable vapors and liquids or radioactive materials. If a diamond-shaped placard or an orange-numbered panel appears on the side or rear of the vehicle, you should assume that the cargo

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