West Coast EMT Block 4 Study Guide Latest
Update 2024-2025 Actual Exam 100 Questions
and 100% Verified Correct Answers Verified by
Professor
Arteries - CORRECT ANSWER: A blood vessel, consisting of three layers of tissue and
smooth muscle, that carries blood away from the heart.
Arterioles - CORRECT ANSWER: The smallest branch of arteries leading to the vast
network of capillaries.
Bruising to the liver would be indicative of what? - CORRECT ANSWER: Blunt trauma,
closed injury.
Capillaries - CORRECT ANSWER: The smallest blood vessels that connect arterioles
and venules;
various substances pass through capillary walls, into and out of the interstitial fluid, and
then on to the cells.
Cerebral Concussion - CORRECT ANSWER: Mild traumatic brain injury. A closed injury
with temporary loss or alteration of part or all of the brain's abilities to function without
demonstrable physical damage to the brain.
Coup-contrecoup injury - CORRECT ANSWER: Rapid deceleration results in
compression injury to the anterior of the brain along with stretching and tearing in the
posterior of the brain. As the body moves forward, the brain strikes the front of the skull
and begins its motion back; as the head hits the headrest the brain strikes the back of
the skull.
How can the body better sustain hypoperfusion (*hint it has to do with body
temperature) - CORRECT ANSWER: An organ or tissue that is kept at a considerably
lower temperature may be better able to resist damage from hypoperfusion.
,How can you get the most accurate reading of a patient's core body temperature? -
CORRECT ANSWER: Insert the thermometer in the rectum.
How can you reduce heat loss? (*hint why do we wear beanies in the winter?) -
CORRECT ANSWER: Layers of clothing that provide good insulation, such as wool and
synthetic fabrics. Protective clothing traps perspiratio and prevents evaporation. Keep
head, hands, and feet covered.
How do we assess a patient's general body temperature? (*besides using a
thermometer) - CORRECT ANSWER: Place the back of your hand on the patient's skin
at the abdomen. If the skin feels cool, he/she is likely experiencing a cold emergency.
How do we control external bleeds? - CORRECT ANSWER: Direct even pressure
Pressure dressing and/or splint
Tourniquets
How do you splint the wrist? - CORRECT ANSWER: Step 1: Support the injured limb
and move the hand into the position of function. Place a soft roller bandage in the palm.
Step 2: Apply a padded board splint on the palmar side with fingers exposed.
Step 3: Secure the splint with a roller bandage.
How does early bruising present? - CORRECT ANSWER: Red areas are early signs of
bruising.
How does the body eliminate heat? What's the most efficient? - CORRECT ANSWER:
The most efficient way is sweating (evaporation) and dilating skin blood vessels to
increase the rate of heat radiation.
Conduction: The transfer of heat from a part of the body to a colder object or substance
by direct contact. Ex: Touching a cold object
, Convection: When heat is transferred to circulating air, such as when cool air moves
across the body surface. Ex: Standing in windy weather
Evaporation: Conversion of any liquid to gas, a process that requires energy or heat.
Natural mechanism by which sweating cools the body.
Radiation: Transfer of heat by radiant energy. Ex: when a person stands in a cold room.
Respiratory: Causes body heat loss as warm air in the lung is exhaled into the
atmosphere and cooler air is inhaled.
How should a seatbelt be worn? - CORRECT ANSWER: Seat belt should lie below the
anterior superior iliac spines of the pelvis and against the hip joints.
How successful a person is able to compensate for blood loss is related to what in
particular? - CORRECT ANSWER: It is related to how rapidly the blood loss occurs. The
age and pre-existing health of the patient should also be considered.
Movement, removal of bandages, external environment, or body temperature may also
affect the blood's clotting factors in cases of external bleeding.
How to treat injuries to the eye: Burns - CORRECT ANSWER: Chemical burns: Flush
with water or sterile saline irrigation solution. After, apply a clean, dry dressing to cover
the eye, and transport.
Thermal burns: Cover both eyes with sterile dressing moistened with sterile saline.
Transport promptly.
Light burns: Cover each eye with a sterile, moist pad and an eye shield. Have patients
lie down and transport.
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