Environmental

A 23-year-old female has been stung in the right arm by unidentified marine life. Her arm and hand are swollen and red. The primary assessment is unremarkable and she is complaining of pain to the site of injury. You would:A 23-year-old female has been stung in the right arm by unidentified marine life. Her arm and hand are swollen and red. The primary assessment is unremarkable and she is complaining of pain to the site of injury. You would:

• apply cold packs to the affected area.

• place a constricting band to the right wrist.

• hold the right arm above the patient’s head.

• remove rings from the right hand.

The stinger of a wasp is evident in the left thigh of a female who states that she is allergic to bees and has a Epi-pen for such occasions. She states that the sting occurred 2 hours ago and she just now noticed that the stinger remains in place. She did not take her epinephrine and appears asymptomatic for an allergic reaction. At this time, you would:

• administer the epinephrine.

• remove the stinger as taught.

• apply a warm pack to the sting site.

• attempt identification of the wasp.

Medical direction has asked you to remove a tick from behind the left ear of a 5-year-old girl. You would:

• grab the tick close to its head and pull directly outward.

• grasp the tick with tweezers and gently twist it from the skin.

• scrape it from the skin using a credit card or other similar object.

• refuse to remove the tick given its location and age of patient.

A 43-year-old male has removed a tick from his arm, prior to your arrival. He is refusing any and all care at this time. What statement would be most appropriate?

• “Tick bites are often poisonous, not becoming obvious for several days.”

• “All tick bites carry the potential for Rocky Mountain fever and Lyme disease.”

• “If the tick has been embedded for more than an hour, you require emergency treatment.”

• “Tick bites can result in bacterial infections, which can be very serious.”

A patient has been bitten by a nonpoisonous grass snake. Your care would include:

• cleaning and dressing the wound.

• administering epinephrine.

• applying a constricting band.

• emergency transport to the hospital.

Regarding snakebites, the EMT would recognize which statement as true?

• Over half of all snake bites involve intoxicated males.

• The majority of snakebites involve nonpoisonous snakes.

• Over 75% of all poisonous snakebites involve the injection of venom.

• The majority of snakebites result in death of the patient.

A patient is confused and combative after playing football in the open sun on an extremely hot day. On the field, you find his airway open, respirations tachypneic, but adequate, and radial pulse rapid. His skin is hot and dry. After applying oxygen, your next action would be to:

• provide the patient with cold water for rehydration.

• apply cool compresses to his arms and legs.

• move patient to the air-conditioned ambulance.

• ascertain if the patient has any medical problems.

When treating a confused patient who has been exposed to high temperatures, which finding is most concerning?

• SpO₂ 94%

• Bounding radial pulse

• Cramping in arms, legs, and abdomen

• Hot and dry skin

You are reassessing a patient you are treating for heat exhaustion. Which of the following indicates that the patient is improving?

• The skin is now hot and dry.

• The mental status is now alert and oriented.

• The patient now exhibits shivering.

• The core temperature has only increased by 0.5^oF.

What statement would require immediate correction when treating a hypothermic patient with a deep cold injury to his left foot, ankle, and lower leg?

• “Why don’t we rewarm his lower left leg as quickly as possible.”

• “It is important that we keep the left leg elevated.”

• “We will need to gradually rewarm the patient at a rate of 2 to 3 degrees per hour.”

• “Since his SpO₂ is 98%, we may not need to administer any oxygen.”