40) You have responded to a call about a “psychiatric patient” to find a 24-year-old woman
talking to herself in her home. She is rocking back and forth and you can see from a distance that
she is perspiring profusely. You also see an empty medication bottle on the floor. She does not
acknowledge your presence. When you attempt to speak to her, she continues to talk to herself as
if you were not there. Which of the following should be included in your actions at the scene?
A) Distract her so your partner can look around the house.
B) Look through the house with your partner to try to find some clues to the patient’s problem.
C) Ensure that law enforcement is responding and wait for their arrival.
D) Shake the patient’s shoulder to check for responsiveness to physical stimuli.
Objective: 23.8
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41) You are called to the scene of an attempted suicide. You arrive to find a 25-year-old man
sitting on the sofa who apparently cut his wrists. Family members have bandaged them, and
there does not appear to be any bleeding risk at this time. The scene is secure. Which action
would you NOT take in treating this patient?
A) As soon as possible, perform a history and physical exam and provide emergency care on the
wrist, if necessary.
B) Perform a detailed physical exam only if it is safe and you suspect the patient may have an
injury.
C) Contact the receiving hospital and report on current mental status and other essential
information.
D) Make sure you take charge of the situation. Let the patient know that what he has done is
wrong. Tell him he is coming with you whether he likes it or not. Do not worry about gaining the
patient’s confidence. Take charge. The patient must know that you are the boss.
Objective: 23.8
42) Which of the following statements concerning people who have made prior suicide attempts
is true?
A) They are at an increased risk for a subsequent successful suicide.
B) They do not require psychological counseling like a person who is truly depressed.
C) They should be allowed to sign a release if their injuries are not serious.
D) They are usually just making a cry for help but do not want to die.
Objective: 23.8
22
43) You are on the scene where a 23-year-old female has attempted suicide by cutting her
forearms with a razor. She is sitting in the front yard and has lost a large amount of blood. She is
conscious and holding a small razor blade, and tells you to get away from her. Which of the
following should NOT be done?
A) Use Body Substance Isolation (BSI).
B) Keep bystanders away from the patient.
C) Call law enforcement for assistance.
D) Take the razor blade away from her by force.
Objective: 23.8
44) You are dispatched to a suicide attempt. You arrive to find a 16-year-old, who is extremely
agitated and pacing up and down in the living room of his house. Apparently, he had threatened
to go out, get a gun, and shoot himself. The parents called it in as an attempted suicide. The
scene is safe and there are apparently no weapons accessible to the patient. Which of the
following would NOT be appropriate in caring for this patient?
A) Do not take any action that may be considered threatening by the patient. To do so may bring
about hostile behavior directed against you or others.
B) Always be on the watch for weapons.
C) Do not isolate yourself from your partner or other sources of help.
D) Make certain the patient gets between you and the door. The patient should always feel he has
an escape route.
Objective: 23.8
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45) Which of the following does NOT indicate that a patient may be about to become violent?
A) Tense body posture or clenched fists
B) Crying
C) Profane language
D) Loud voice and rapid pacing
Objective: 23.9
46) Your patient is a 37-year-old male sitting on the kitchen floor. His wife is attempting to talk
with him, but he does not look at her or answer. He is fidgeting and has apparently thrown some
dishes against the wall. What should be your first consideration?
A) Ask the wife to step outside with you so you can get information from her.
B) Ask the wife to step into the other room so you can speak with the patient alone.
C) Quickly check the patient’s carotid pulse.
D) Stay a safe distance away.
Objective: 23.9
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47) You respond to the scene of a private residence for a patient who is a known insulin-
dependant diabetic patient. The patient is combative and cursing as you approach. Should this
patient be restrained?
A) Yes, he likely has a medical condition that requires treatment.
B) No, this patient is not likely experiencing a behavioral emergency.
C) Yes, he is combative and all combative patients can be restrained.
D) There is not enough information to answer this question.
Objective: 23.10
48) Which of the following statements concerning forcible restraint of patients is true?
A) It is easily accomplished by two EMTs with a good plan.
B) This is necessary only with mentally ill individuals.
C) It causes irreparable emotional harm to most patients.
D) This is normally considered to be within the jurisdiction of law enforcement.
Objective: 23.10
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49) Concerning behavioral emergencies, which of the following statements is true?
A) Only a licensed psychiatrist can apply crisis management techniques with a patient having a
behavioral emergency.
B) A diabetic problem never mimics signs of a behavioral emergency.
C) It is relatively easy to determine if the underlying cause of a behavioral emergency is related
to drug abuse.
D) A patient who does not respond to crisis management techniques may be restrained for
transport to a psychiatric facility.
Objective: 23.10
50) When restraining a patient, which of the following is NOT a consideration?
A) Number of people available to carry out the required actions
B) Patient’s size and strength
C) Patient’s informed consent
D) How to position the patient
Objective: 23.10
26
51) It is important that, as an EMS provider, you avoid creating a situation where positional
asphyxia could occur. Which of the following is positional asphyxia?
A) Positional asphyxia is the position the person is seated in when you approach him.
B) Positional asphyxia is a birth defect that causes psychiatric issues and is initiated because of
the way the fetus was positioned in the uterus.
C) Positional asphyxia is inadequate breathing or respiratory arrest caused by a body position
that restricts breathing.
D) Positional asphyxia is the name for the position someone assumes after she has been hit with
a taser.
Objective: 23.10
52) Which of the following is NOT an acceptable method or adjunct in restraining a patient?
A) Hog-tying the patient
B) Placing a surgical mask over the patient’s face to prevent spitting
C) Restraining the patient face-up
D) Securing all four limbs with leather restraints
Objective: 23.10
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53) Which of the following situations generally allows the EMT to transport a patient with a
behavioral emergency against his or her wishes?
A) The patient’s personal physician gives you permission.
B) A family member gives consent and is willing to accompany the patient.
C) The patient is a threat to himself or others.
D) The patient’s insurance company agrees to pay, even though the patient has not given consent.
Objective: 23.11
54) Your patient is a 24-year-old male who is severely depressed. He tells you that he can’t
“handle the pressure” anymore and that he wants to die. He is refusing transport. Which of the
following is the most appropriate decision regarding this patient‘s care?
A) Transport the patient against his will with the assistance of law enforcement.
B) Contact the patient’s family to find out what their wishes are.
C) Leave the scene and allow law enforcement to handle the situation.
D) Respect the patient’s wishes; he is alert, oriented, and capable of giving consent.
Objective: 23.11
28
55) Your patient is a 22-year-old male who has ingested a large amount of alcohol and is
vomiting. He is conscious but uncooperative. He allows you to examine him but refuses transport
to the hospital. You have sought assistance from law enforcement on scene. Which of the
following is the BEST action?
A) Contact medical control for further advice.
B) Stay with the patient until he has stopped vomiting.
C) Find a relative or neighbor to come over and stay with the patient.
D) Obtain a witnessed refusal.
Objective: 23.11
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