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42 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
Define "pathogen."
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Pathogens are the organisms that cause infection, such as viruses and bacteria.
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How can pathogens be spread?
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Pathogens can be spread through the air or by contact with blood and other body fluids.
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Define "airborne pathogens."
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Airborne pathogens are pathogens spread by tiny droplets that spray during coughing, sneezing, or breathing.
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How can airborne pathogens enter the body?
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Airborne pathogens can enter your body through your eyes or when you inhale.
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Define "bloodborne pathogens."
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Bloodborne pathogens are pathogens that can be contracted by exposure to blood or sometimes other body fluids.
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How can bloodborne pathogens enter the body?
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Bloodborne pathogens can enter the body through open wounds, exposed mucous membranes, and even minor breaks in the skin.
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Since it's impossible for an EMT to detect all pathogens just by looking at a patient, all body fluids must be considered ________.
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infectious
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Define "standard precautions."
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Standard precautions are a strict form of infection control that is based on the assumption that all blood and other body fluids are infectious.
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What are some other words for "standard precautions?"
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Body substance isolation (BSI) precautions, or infection control
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What's OSHA?
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OSHA is the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and it issues workplace safety and health guidelines.
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What are some standard precautions should you keep in mind when called to the scene of a motor vehicle collision?
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Disposable gloves to protect you from blood and heavy-duty gloves to protect you from broken glass.
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What are some standard precautions you should keep in mind when called to a nursing home for an interfacility transfer?
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Disposable gloves to protect you from possible contact with body fluids.
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What are some standard precautions you should keep in mind when working with an advanced life support crew treating a patient with chest pain?
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An IV might be administered, so you should wear disposable gloves.
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If you were treating a patient with chest pain who suddenly becomes unresponsive, what additional standard precautions should you think about?
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You should make sure you're wearing disposable gloves and face protection to protect from spatter encountered in airway and suction procedures.
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Define "personal protective equipment," or "PPE."
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Personal protective equipment is equipment that protects the EMS worker from infection and/or exposure to the dangers of rescue operations.
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Any contact such as a needle-stick or exposure to potentially infectious fluid must be _______.
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properly documented according to local policy
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Define "contamination."
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Contamination is the introduction of dangerous chemicals, disease, or infectious materials.
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What must an EMT do with his or her gloves between patients?
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An EMT must change gloves between patients.
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What type of glove must be worn when cleaning the ambulance and soiled equipment?
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Heavy duty gloves must be worn when cleaning the ambulance and soiled equipment due to the likelihood of tears occurring during the work.
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When must an EMT wash his or her hands?
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An EMT must wash his or her hands between each patient contact, whether or not gloves were worn, and when hands are soiled.
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What are the two methods of hand washing?
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1) Thorough scrubbing with soap and water (preferred)
2) Cleaning with alcohol-based hand cleanser |
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What three pieces of personal protective equipment (PPE) must you wear if you reasonably expect contact with splashing, spattering, or spraying fluids?
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1) Protective eyewear
2) Mask 3) Disposable gloves |
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What piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn when tuberculosis is suspected?
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An N-95 or High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) respirator approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
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What is NIOSH?
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NIOSH is the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
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When heavy bleeding or childbirth is expected, what piece of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn?
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A gown should be worn, as well as gloves and eye protection and a mask.
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Why should you always encourage your crewmates to use proper PPE (personal protective equipment)?
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Because as an EMT you have a moral and ethical obligation to do so, and it helps keep your crew in good health.
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If in doubt...
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...take standard precautions.
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Which four communicable diseases are of particular concern to an EMT?
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1) Hepatitis B
2) Hepatitis C 3) Tuberculosis 4) AIDS |
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Hepatitis B and C are extremely hardy viruses. So what assumption can you make about body fluids -- dried or otherwise -- that will keep you safe?
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Assume that body fluid in ANY form is infectious.
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What assumption can you make about any patient with a productive cough that will keep you safer from tuberculosis (TB)?
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Assume that any patient with a productive cough is infected with TB.
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Where can one expect an increased chance of contracting tuberculosis?
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You can expect higher tuberculosis infection rates in nursing homes, correctional facilities, homeless shelters, and anywhere there's a crowd living in a confined space for long periods of time.
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How can AIDS be transmitted to an EMT?
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AIDS can be transmitted by contact with blood via open wounds, needle sticks, or blood transfusions. A patient with a history of intravenous drug use and unprotected sex is more likely to have the disease.
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What must an EMT do after any suspected exposure incident -- including mucous membrane or broken-skin contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials -- that happen on the job?
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An EMT must report it immediately.
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What is the Ryan White CARE act?
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The Ryan White CARE act mandates a procedure by which EMTs, firefighters, police, and first responders can seek to find out if they have been exposed to potentially life-threatening diseases while providing patient care.
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In regards to the Ryan White CARE act, what does every emergency response organization have?
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Every emergency response organization has a designated officer responsible for gathering information regarding possible infection exposure.
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By what process is an EMT informed that he or she was exposed to an airborne disease?
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Once the patient is diagnosed at the hospital, the hospital will let the designated officer know that the patient was infected, and the designated officer will notify the EMT.
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By what process is an EMT informed that he or she was exposed to a bloodborne disease?
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An EMT must request a follow-up from their designated officer after a body-fluid exposure incident. The designated officer will gather the information necessary to determine whether or not the patient was infected.
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If an emergency worker requests it, will a hospital have the power to require that a patient be tested for bloodborne illness?
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Nope.
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What are the common symptoms of tuberculosis?
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Symptoms include productive cough, coughing blood, weight loss, loss of appetite, lethargy, weakness, night sweats, and fever.
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When is an EMT required to wear a NIOSH-approved N-95 or HEPA respirator?
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1) When caring for patients suspected of having TB. High-risk areas include prisons, homeless shelters, nursing homes, and drug treatment centers.
2) When transporting an individual from such a setting in a closed vehicles. If possible, keep the windows of the ambulance open and set the heating of the AC and heat on non-circulating cycle. 3) When performing high-risk procedures such as endotracheal suctioning and intubation. |
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How often is an EMT generally tested for tuberculosis exposure?
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An EMT is tested yearly for tuberculosis exposure.
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What test can detect tuberculosis exposure?
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The tuberculin skin test (TST, formerly called the PPD or purified protein derivative test) can detect tuberculosis exposure.
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