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WorksheetsCh. 17
Total questions: 30
Worksheet time: 15mins
Which statement best distinguishes a base station from a mobile radio in an EMS system?
Base stations are fixed high-power sites; mobile radios are vehicle-mounted units
Base stations are handheld units; mobile radios are dispatch-only devices
Base stations use cell networks; mobile radios use wired telephone lines
Base stations transmit only; mobile radios receive only
Match each EMS radio component to its primary function.
Base station
Fixed site hub with higher output power
Mobile radio
Vehicle-mounted two-way unit for field use
Repeater
Retransmits low-power signals at higher power over distance
Telemetry
Wireless transfer of patient data like ECGs
Which practice best maintains FCC compliance and professional tone during EMS radio use?
Use plain English and avoid codes
Use slang to sound conversational
Identify patients by full legal names
Transmit long narratives without pauses
Match each radio practice to its purpose.
Wait one second after pressing PTT
Prevents first words from being cut off
Speak 2–3 inches from mic
Improves clarity and volume control
Avoid patient names on air
Protects privacy and professionalism
Keep transmissions brief
Reduces channel congestion
You are Ambulance 6 staged at Magnolia and Third for an assault. Police radio that the scene is secure. What should your next transmission be?
Acknowledge and respond to the scene
Request patient’s name from dispatch
Ask for a different hospital destination
Report hospital ETA from staging
Which sequence correctly lists the first four elements of a structured radio medical report?
Unit identification, ETA, patient age/sex, chief complaint
Chief complaint, ETA, unit identification, mental status
Patient age/sex, unit identification, baseline vitals, chief complaint
ETA, unit identification, pertinent history, mental status
Match each radio report element to its purpose.
Estimated time of arrival
Tells hospital when to expect patient
Baseline vital signs
Provides objective initial physiologic data
Pertinent history of present illness
Explains onset, severity, associated symptoms
Response to emergency care
States change after treatments en route
During radio contact for medical direction, which practice best prevents miscommunication when you receive an order?
Acknowledge briefly and carry it out immediately
Paraphrase the order using simpler language
Repeat the order word for word back to the physician
Delay confirmation until after the next set of vitals
Which action best demonstrates therapeutic communication when first making contact with an anxious adult patient?
Stand above to show authority and speak quickly
Maintain eye contact and speak clearly at calm pace
Use complex medical terms to build credibility
Avoid explaining procedures to reduce questions
Match each communication guideline with its primary purpose.
Use eye contact
Shows interest and attentiveness
Position at or below eye level
Reduces intimidation and builds rapport
Use simple, clear language
Prevents confusion and lowers anxiety
Be honest about procedures
Preserves trust even when pain may occur
You arrive to find a school-age child frightened and clinging to a caregiver. Which plan is most appropriate to gain cooperation while preparing for transport?
Direct orders with rapid movements and minimal talk
Discuss adult details using clinical terminology
Speak softly at eye level and explain steps briefly
Avoid eye contact to reduce perceived pressure
An older adult introduces herself as “Dr. Rivera” but later says, “You can call me Ana.” What is the most appropriate EMS response?
Immediately use first name without confirming
Continue using formal title to show respect
Use nicknames to build quick rapport
Alternate between first and last names randomly
Ask which name she prefers to be called
Which statement best describes a core function of the prehospital care report (PCR)?
It provides a record of care and patient status changes
It is used only for agency billing and inventory
It documents dispatch times but not patient findings
It replaces verbal reports to hospital staff entirely
Match each PCR format or tool to its primary feature or use.
Electronic PCR systems
Allow direct data entry and hospital data transfer
Paper PCR forms
Serve as handwritten or printed backup documentation
Drop (transfer) report
Abbreviated report used when full PCR cannot be finished
Which item is part of the NHTSA minimum data set for patient information collected at first contact?
Chief complaint and AVPU mental status
Crew member certification levels
Hospital bed assignment details
Insurance carrier and policy number
An EMT documents: adult patient alert to person and place, pulse 96 regular, respirations 20 unlabored, skin warm and dry, capillary refill under 2 seconds, denies shortness of breath and chest pain. What part of this entry best illustrates pertinent negatives?
Skin warm and dry to touch
Denies shortness of breath and chest pain
Alert to person and place only
Pulse 96 regular and strong
Which statement best defines a pertinent negative in a prehospital narrative?
An opinion about the patient’s demeanor or attitude
A positive sign that confirms a differential diagnosis
Any unrelated symptom omitted from the assessment
A finding expected but absent and documented clearly
Match each documentation guideline to its correct application.
Use quotation marks
Record the chief complaint in the patient’s own words
Avoid nonstandard abbreviations
Prevent confusion that can lead to patient care errors
Include objective data
Document measurable findings like vital signs
If it’s not written down, you didn’t do it
Ensure all interventions appear as performed
You assessed a patient with chest pain who denied shortness of breath and had BP 110/80. Which narrative entry is most appropriate?
Patient probably having a heart attack; pressure 110/80 noted
Patient chest discomfort; vitals seem fine according to partner
Patient states chest pain, denies dyspnea; BP 110/80 measured
Patient says chest pain; no breathing issues mentioned by bystanders
Under HIPAA, which practice best protects patient confidentiality during transport and handoff?
Placing the completed report in a locked box until transfer
Discussing the case with other crews at the station break room
Texting the receiving nurse a photo of the monitor strip
Leaving the only report copy with the ambulance billing office
Which action is REQUIRED when a competent patient refuses EMS care or transport?
Document risks explained and patient understanding
Leave immediately without further assessment
Avoid consulting any medical direction protocols
Offer no further care or advice to the patient
Match each refusal documentation element to its purpose.
Patient signature
Confirms informed refusal by patient
Witness signature
Verifies the refusal was observed
Narrative description
Details assessment, risks discussed, and instructions
Refusal information sheet copy
Provides written aftercare and contact guidance
You assess an alert adult with minor complaints who declines transport. Vitals are stable. The patient refuses to sign the form. What is the BEST next step to reduce liability and ensure patient safety?
Discard the unsigned form and clear the call
Transport the patient against will using restraints
Have a neutral witness sign and document counseling
Stop documentation to avoid creating legal risk
Which action correctly corrects a handwritten error on a paper prehospital care report (PCR)?
Erase the mistake and rewrite the correct statement neatly
Black out the wrong text so it cannot be read later
Draw a single line, initial it, and add the correct note
Tear off the page and transcribe the entire report again
Match each documentation issue with the best EMS documentation response.
Later-discovered error after report sent
Create dated addendum with initials and correction
Omission of vital signs during transport
Document why only one set was obtained
Incorrect medication administered
Record event, notify medical direction promptly
Patient moved among hospitals in an MCI
Use triage tag to track care across facilities
An EMT realizes a coworker deliberately altered a PCR to hide a missed oxygen administration. What is the most appropriate next step?
Ignore it because patient received other treatments
Quietly fix the wording to protect the team
Wait until the next shift to discuss casually
Report the falsification through proper channels
Which situation most clearly requires completing a special situation report in addition to the PCR?
Minor equipment malfunction with no impact
Routine single-patient fall with no injuries
Exposure to a patient’s bloodborne pathogen
Transport delay due to heavy city traffic
Which item must be included when completing a prehospital care report (PCR)?
Unit fuel level and weather notes
Mechanism of injury and billing details
Ambulance mileage and tire wear
Hospital staffing and bed counts
Match each EMS radio term to its best description.
Base station
Fixed-site two-way at hospital/dispatch
Repeater
Retransmits low-power signals at higher power
Portable radio
Handheld two-way unit
Telemetry
Wireless sending and receiving of data
You arrive to find bystanders gave the patient aspirin before EMS arrival. During your medical radio report to the hospital, how should you integrate this information to support patient care and legal documentation?
Include it with treatment history and note effects
Omit it to keep the report brief
Mention only if asked by medical control
Record later and exclude from radio traffic
