EMT 2040 - Assessment & Init Assessment

1. Identify the components of the patient assessment process and explain how the different causes and presentations of emergencies will affect how each step is performed by the AEMT.
2. Discuss some of the possible environmental, chemical, and biologic hazards that may be present at an emergency scene, ways to recognize them, and precautions to protect personal safety.
3. Discuss the steps AEMTs should take to survey a scene for signs of violence and protect themselves and bystanders from real or potential danger.
4. Describe how to determine the mechanism of injury (MOI) or nature of illness (NOI) at an emergency and the importance of differentiating trauma patients from medical patients.
5. List the minimum standard precautions that should be followed and personal protective equipment (PPE) that should be worn at an emergency scene, including examples of when additional precautions would be appropriate.
6. Explain why it is important for AEMTs to identify the total number of patients at an emergency scene and how this evaluation relates to determining the need for additional or specialized resources, implementation of the incident command system (ICS), and triage.
7. Describe the principal goals of the primary assessment process: to identify and treat life threats and to determine if immediate transport is required.
8. Explain the process of forming a general impression of a patient as part of primary assessment and the reasons why this step is critical to patient management.
9. Explain the importance of assessing a patient’s level of consciousness (LOC) to determine altered mental status, and give examples of different methods used to assess alertness, responsiveness, and orientation.
10. Describe the assessment of airway status in patients who are both responsive and unresponsive, and give examples of possible signs and causes of airway obstruction in each case as well as the appropriate AEMT response.
11. Describe the assessment of a patient’s breathing status, including the key information the AEMT must obtain during this process and the care required for patients who have both adequate and inadequate breathing.
12. List the signs of respiratory distress and respiratory failure.
13. Describe the assessment of a patient’s circulatory status, including the different methods for obtaining a pulse and appropriate management depending on the patient’s status.
14. Explain the variations required to obtain a pulse in infant and child patients as compared with adult patients.
15. Describe the assessment of a patient’s skin color, temperature, and condition, providing examples of both normal and abnormal findings and the information this provides related to the patient’s status.
16. Discuss the process of assessing for and methods for controlling external bleeding.
17. Discuss the steps used to identify and subsequently treat life-threatening conditions that endanger a patient during an emergency.
18. List the steps the AEMT should follow during the rapid scan of a trauma patient, including examples of abnormal signs and appropriate related actions.
19. Explain the process for determining the priority of patient care and transport at an emergency scene, and give examples of conditions that necessitate immediate transport.
20. Discuss the importance of protecting a trauma patient’s spine and identifying fractured extremities during patient packaging for transport.
21. Discuss the process of taking a focused history, its key components, and its relationship to the primary assessment process.
22. Describe examples of different techniques an AEMT may use to obtain information from patients during the history-taking process.
23. Discuss different challenges an AEMT may face when taking a patient history on sensitive topics and strategies an AEMT may use to facilitate each situation.
24. Explain the purpose of performing a physical examination during secondary assessment, its components, special patient considerations, and methods for determining which aspects of the physical examination will be used.
25. Describe types of lung sounds that may be heard during auscultation.
26. Describe the purpose of a full-body scan, and list the steps used during this process.
27. Explain situations in which patients may receive a focused assessment and then give examples by body system of what each focused assessment should include based on a patient’s chief complaint.
28. List normal blood pressure ranges for adults, children, and infants.
29. Explain the importance of performing a reassessment of the patient and the steps in this process.
30. Explain the elements of basic life support (BLS), how it differs from advanced life support (ALS), and the urgency surrounding its rapid application.
31. Explain the goals of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and when it should be performed on a patient.
32. Explain the system components of CPR, the five links in the American Heart Association chain of survival, and how each one relates to maximizing the survival of a patient.
33. Discuss guidelines for circumstances that require the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) on both adult and pediatric patients experiencing cardiac arrest.
34. Explain three special situations related to the use of automated external defibrillation.
35. Describe the proper way to position an adult patient to receive basic life support.
36. Describe the purpose of external chest compressions.
37. Describe the two techniques an AEMT may use to open an adult patient’s airway and the circumstances that would determine when each technique would be used.
38. Describe the recovery position and circumstances that would warrant its use as well as situations in which it would be contraindicated.
39. Describe the process of providing artificial ventilations to an adult patient using a barrier device, ways to avoid gastric distention, and modifications required for a patient with a stoma.
40. Explain the steps in providing one-rescuer adult CPR.
41. Explain the steps in providing two-rescuer adult CPR, including the method for switching positions during the process.
42. Describe the different mechanical devices that are available to assist emergency responders in delivering improved circulatory efforts during CPR.
43. Describe the different possible causes of cardiopulmonary arrest in children.
44. Explain the four steps of pediatric BLS procedures and how they differ from procedures used in an adult patient
45. Describe the ethical issues related to patient resuscitation, providing examples of when not to start CPR on a patient.
46. Explain the various factors involved in the decision to stop CPR once it has been started on a patient.
47. Explain common causes of foreign body airway obstruction in both children and adults and how to distinguish mild or partial airway obstruction from complete airway obstruction.
48. Describe the different methods for removing a foreign body airway obstruction in an infant, child, and adult, including the procedure for a patient with an obstruction who becomes unresponsive.
49. Describe the nine phases of an ambulance call and provide examples of key tasks the AEMT performs during each phase.
50. Describe the medical equipment carried on an ambulance and provide examples of supplies that are included in each main category of the ambulance equipment checklist.
51. Provide examples of the safety and operations equipment carried on an ambulance, and explain how each item might be used in an emergency by AEMTs.
52. Discuss the importance of performing regular vehicle inspections and list the specific parts of an ambulance that should be inspected daily.
53. Describe the minimum dispatch information required by EMS to respond to an emergency call.
54. Provide examples of some high-risk situations and hazards that may affect the safety of the ambulance and its passengers during both pretransport and transport.
55. Discuss specific considerations that are required for ensuring scene safety, including personal safety, patient safety, and traffic control.
56. Describe the key elements related to patient information that must be included in the written patient report upon patient delivery to the hospital.
57. Summarize the tasks that must be completed by EMS at the completion of an ambulance call.
58. Define the terms cleaning, disinfection, high-level disinfection, and sterilization and explain how they differ.
59. Discuss the guidelines for driving an ambulance safely and defensively and identify key steps EMS personnel can take to improve safety while en route to the scene, the hospital, and the station.
60. Describe the elements that dictate the use of lights and siren to the scene and to the hospital and the factors required to perform a risk-benefit analysis regarding their use.
61. Give examples of the specific, limited privileges that are provided to emergency vehicle drivers by most state laws and regulations.
62. Explain why using police escorts and crossing intersections pose additional risks to EMS personnel during transport and discuss special considerations related to each.
63. Describe the capabilities, protocols, and methods for accessing air ambulances.
64. Describe key scene safety considerations when preparing for a helicopter medivac, including establishing a landing zone, securing loose objects, mitigating onsite hazards, and approaching the aircraft.
65. Describe the National Incident Management System (NIMS) and its major components.
66. Describe the purpose of the incident command system (ICS) and its organizational structure, and explain the role of EMS response within it.
67. Describe how the ICS assists the EMS in ensuring both personal safety and the safety of bystanders, health care professionals, and patients during an emergency.
68. Describe the role of the AEMT in establishing command under the ICS.
69. Explain the purpose of medical incident command within the incident management system, and describe its organizational structure within ICS.
70. Describe the specific conditions that would define a situation as a mass-casualty incident (MCI), and give some examples.
71. Describe what occurs during primary and secondary triage, how the four triage categories are assigned to patients on the scene, and how destination decisions regarding triaged patients are made.
72. Describe how the START and JumpSTART triage methods are performed.
73. Explain how a disaster differs from a mass-casualty incident and describe the role of the AEMT during a disaster operation.
74. Recognize the entry-level training or experience requirements identified by the HAZWOPER regulation for an AEMT to respond to a HazMat incident.
75. Define the term hazardous material, including the classification system used by the NFPA, and discuss the specific types of information and resources an AEMT can use to recognize a HazMat incident.
76. List the different reference materials that may assist personnel who respond to a HazMat incident.
77. Explain the role of the AEMT during a hazardous materials incident both before and after the HazMat team arrives, including precautions required to ensure the safety of civilians and public service personnel.
78. Explain how the three control zones are established at a HazMat incident and discuss the characteristics of each zone, including the personnel who work within each one.
79. Describe patient care at a HazMat incident and explain special requirements that are necessary for those patients who require immediate treatment and transport prior to full decontamination.
80. Describe the four levels of personal protective equipment (PPE) that may be required at a HazMat incident to protect personnel from injury by or contamination from a particular substance.
81. Describe the major structures of the respiratory system.
82. Discuss the physiology of breathing.
83. Discuss the four forms of acid/base imbalance: respiratory acidosis, respiratory alkalosis, metabolic acidosis, and metabolic alkalosis.
84. Give the signs of adequate breathing.
85. Give the signs of inadequate breathing.
86. Describe the assessment and care of a patient with apnea.
87. Understand how to assess for adequate and inadequate respiration, including the use of pulse oximetry.
88. Understand how to assess for a patent airway.
89. Describe how to perform the head tilt-chin lift maneuver.
90. Describe how to perform the jaw-thrust maneuver.
91. Explain how to measure and insert an oropharyngeal (oral) airway.
92. Describe how to measure and insert a nasopharyngeal (nasal) airway.
93. Understand the importance and techniques of suctioning.
94. Explain the AEMT’s role in performing tracheobronchial suctioning.
95. Explain the use of the recovery position to maintain a clear airway.
96. Describe the importance of giving supplemental oxygen to patients who are hypoxic.
97. Understand the basics of how oxygen is stored and the various hazards associated with its use.
98. Describe the use of a nonrebreathing mask, and state the oxygen flow requirements for its use.
99. Understand the indications for using a nasal cannula rather than a nonrebreathing face mask.
100. Describe the indications for use of a humidifier during supplemental oxygen therapy.
101. Explain the steps to take to perform mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-mask ventilation.
102. Describe the use of a one-, two-, or three-person bag-mask device and a manually triggered ventilation (MTV) device.
103. Describe the signs associated with adequate and inadequate artificial ventilation.
104. Describe the indications, contradictions, and complications of use of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP).
105. Discuss blind insertion airway devices, including how they work, their indications, contraindications, and complications, and the procedure for inserting them.
106. Understand how to recognize and care for a foreign body airway obstruction.
107. Demonstrate use of pulse oximetry.
108. Demonstrate how to position the unresponsive patient.
109. Demonstrate the steps in performing the head tilt-chin lift maneuver.
110. Demonstrate the steps in performing the jaw-thrust maneuver.
111. Demonstrate the steps in performing the tongue-jaw lift maneuver.
112. Demonstrate how to place a patient in the recovery position.
113. Demonstrate the insertion of an oral airway.
114. Demonstrate the insertion of an oral airway with a 90° rotation.
115. Demonstrate the insertion of a nasal airway.
116. Demonstrate how to operate a suction unit.
117. Demonstrate how to suction a patient’s airway.
118. Demonstrate how to perform tracheobronchial suctioning.
119. Demonstrate how to place an oxygen cylinder into service.
120. Demonstrate the use of a partial rebreathing mask in providing supplemental oxygen therapy to patients.
121. Demonstrate the use of a Venturi mask in providing supplemental oxygen therapy to patients.
122. Demonstrate the use of a humidifier in providing supplemental oxygen therapy to patients.
123. Demonstrate how to assist a patient with ventilations using the bag-mask device for one and two rescuers.
124. Demonstrate mouth-to-mask ventilation.
125. Demonstrate the use of a manually triggered ventilation device to assist in delivering artificial ventilation to the patient.
126. Demonstrate the use of an automatic transport ventilator to assist in delivering artificial ventilation to the patient.
127. Demonstrate the use of CPAP.
128. Demonstrate insertion of the Combitube.
129. Demonstrate insertion of the King LT airway.
130. Demonstrate insertion of the laryngeal mask airway.
131. Demonstrate insertion of the Cobra perilaryngeal airway.
132. Demonstrate how to use the AVPU scale to test for patient responsiveness.
133. Demonstrate how to evaluate a patient’s orientation and document his or her status correctly.
134. Demonstrate how to test pupil reaction in response to light in a patient and how to document his or her status correctly.
135. Demonstrate the techniques for assessing a patient’s airway, and correctly obtain information related to respiratory rate, rhythm, quality/character of breathing, and depth of breathing.
136. Demonstrate how to assess a radial pulse in a responsive patient and an unresponsive patient.
137. Demonstrate how to assess a carotid pulse in an unresponsive patient.
138. Demonstrate how to palpate a brachial pulse in a child who is younger than 1 year (or a manikin).
139. Demonstrate how to obtain a pulse rate in a patient.
140. Demonstrate how to assess capillary refill in an adult or child older than 6 years.
141. Demonstrate how to assess capillary refill in an infant or child younger than 6 years; explain variations that would be required when assessing a newborn.
142. Demonstrate how to perform a rapid scan of a patient.
143. Demonstrate the technique for auscultating lung sounds.
144. Demonstrate the use of a pulse oximetry device to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygenation in the patient.
145. Demonstrate the use of electronic devices to assist in determining the patient’s blood pressure in the field.
146. Demonstrate the use of an end-tidal carbon dioxide monitoring device to assist in determining the patient’s concentration of expired carbon dioxide in the field.
147. Demonstrate the use of a blood glucose monitoring device to determine a patient’s blood glucose level.
148. Demonstrate how to perform a full-body scan.
149. Demonstrate how to measure blood pressure by auscultation.
150. Demonstrate how to measure blood pressure by palpation.
151. Demonstrate how to reposition an unresponsive adult.
152. Demonstrate how to perform external chest compressions in an adult.
153. Demonstrate how to perform a head tilt-chin lift maneuver on an adult patient.
154. Demonstrate how to perform a jaw-thrust maneuver on an adult patient.
155. Demonstrate how to assess for signs of breathing on a patient.
156. Demonstrate how to place a patient in the recovery position.
157. Demonstrate how to perform rescue breathing in an adult with a simple barrier device.
158. Demonstrate how to check for a pulse at the carotid artery in an unresponsive patient.
159. Demonstrate how to perform one-rescuer adult CPR.
160. Demonstrate how to perform two-rescuer adult CPR.
161. Demonstrate the use of mechanical devices that assist emergency responders in delivering improved circulatory efforts during CPR.
162. Demonstrate how to perform a head tilt-chin lift maneuver on a pediatric patient.
163. Demonstrate how to perform a jaw-thrust maneuver on a pediatric patient.
164. Demonstrate how to perform rescue breathing on a child.
165. Demonstrate how to perform external chest compressions on an infant.
166. Demonstrate how to perform rescue breathing on an infant.
167. Demonstrate how to perform CPR in a child who is between 1 year of age and the onset of puberty.
168. Demonstrate how to remove a foreign body airway obstruction in a responsive adult patient using abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)
169. Demonstrate how to remove a foreign body airway obstruction in a responsive pregnant or obese patient using chest thrusts.
170. Demonstrate how to remove a foreign body airway obstruction in a responsive child older than 1 year using abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver).
171. Demonstrate how to remove a foreign body airway obstruction in an unresponsive child.
172. Demonstrate how to remove a foreign body airway obstruction in an infant.
173. Demonstrate how to perform a daily inspection of an ambulance.
174. Demonstrate how to present a verbal report that would be given to arrival personnel at the hospital upon patient transfer.
175. Demonstrate how to write a written report that includes all pertinent patient information following patient transfer to the hospital.
176. Demonstrate how to clean and disinfect the ambulance and equipment during the postrun phase.
177. Demonstrate how to perform triage based on a fictitious scenario that involves a mass-casualty incident.
178. Correctly identify DOT labels, placards, and markings that are used to designate hazardous materials.
179. Demonstrate the ability to use a variety of reference materials to identify a hazardous material.