Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a private residence for a 78-year-old female patient who has fallen in the bathroom. The patient’s daughter reports that the patient was attempting to get up from the toilet and slipped, hitting her head on the edge of the sink. The patient is complaining of neck and back pain and has some visible bruising on her left side. The time of the call is 1030. The response time will be 6 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. It is a cool autumn morning with temperatures at 55°F (13°C). The nearest hospital is 10 minutes away. On Scene Phase Scenario: Upon arrival at the residence, the patient is found sitting on the bathroom floor, visibly in pain. She is alert and able to speak but complains of pain in her neck and lower back. There is visible bruising on her left hip and arm. The patient is unable to remember if she lost consciousness after the fall. The patient’s daughter reports that the patient has a history of hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and she takes several medications, including a blood pressure medication and insulin. The vital signs are BP 140/85, P 88, R 16, SpO2 95% on room air, and T 98.6°F (37°C). Post Scene Phase Scenario: The patient has been stabilized and is in the ambulance for transport. She is now complaining of increasing pain in her back, especially when she tries to move. The AEMT has maintained spinal immobilization and initiated intravenous therapy. The vital signs are now BP 135/80, P 96, R 18, SpO2 95% on room air, and T 98.7°F (37.1°C). The patient is still alert and oriented, but she appears anxious. The patient’s pain level is increasing during transport, and the AEMT is concerned that the patient may be at risk for developing a pressure ulcer or complications from immobility. What intervention should the AEMT prioritize to prevent further complications during transport?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a homeless shelter where a 68-year-old male patient, who is found lying on the ground, lethargic and disoriented. The shelter staff reports that the patient has not been eating regularly and had been drinking alcohol heavily the previous night. The time of the call is 1400. The response time will be 8 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 12 minutes away. While enroute to the shelter, the AEMT learns that the patient is disoriented, has a history of chronic alcohol use, and has not been eating. What is the most likely cause of the patient’s current condition?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a homeless shelter where a 68-year-old male patient, who is found lying on the ground, lethargic and disoriented. The shelter staff reports that the patient has not been eating regularly and had been drinking alcohol heavily the previous night. The time of the call is 1400. The response time will be 8 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 12 minutes away. On Scene Phase Scenario: Upon arrival at the shelter, the patient is found lying on the ground, weak, and disoriented but responsive to verbal stimuli. The patient’s skin is clammy, and he appears to be sweating. The shelter staff reports that he has not eaten for several days and was heavily drinking alcohol the night before. The vital signs are BP 110/70, P 92, R 18, SpO2 98% on room air, and T 98.4°F (37°C). The AEMT immediately checks the patient's blood glucose level, which reads 45 mg/dL. The patient is still confused but shows slight improvement in responsiveness after glucose administration. Given the chronic alcohol use and possible withdrawal, what should the AEMT be prepared to do during transport?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a homeless shelter where a 68-year-old male patient, who is found lying on the ground, lethargic and disoriented. The shelter staff reports that the patient has not been eating regularly and had been drinking alcohol heavily the previous night. The time of the call is 1400. The response time will be 8 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 12 minutes away. On Scene Phase Scenario: Upon arrival at the shelter, the patient is found lying on the ground, weak, and disoriented but responsive to verbal stimuli. The patient’s skin is clammy, and he appears to be sweating. The shelter staff reports that he has not eaten for several days and was heavily drinking alcohol the night before. The vital signs are BP 110/70, P 92, R 18, SpO2 98% on room air, and T 98.4°F (37°C). The AEMT immediately checks the patient's blood glucose level, which reads 45 mg/dL. Post Scene Phase Scenario: The patient has been stabilized after glucose administration and is improving, though still confused. The AEMT is transporting the patient to the nearest hospital for further evaluation. The patient is awake, but disoriented and complaining of mild dizziness. The vital signs are BP 115/75, P 88, R 18, SpO2 99% on room air, and T 98.4°F (37°C). During transport, the AEMT observes the patient’s mental status deteriorating again. The AEMT suspects that the patient may be at risk of alcohol withdrawal. What is the most appropriate action to take in response to the patient’s deteriorating mental status?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a 74-year-old male patient at home who is exhibiting signs and symptoms of a altered mental status. The patient’s wife reports that the patient suddenly developed slurred speech and weakness on the right side of the body about 20 minutes ago. The patient has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The time of the call is 0800. The response time will be 7 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 10 minutes away, and a stroke center is located 30 minutes away. On Scene Phase Scenario: Upon arrival at the patient’s home, the AEMT finds the patient sitting in a recliner, awake but confused. The patient is unable to speak clearly and has weakness in the right arm and leg. The wife confirms that the symptoms began suddenly 20 minutes ago. The patient’s vital signs are BP 170/90, P 92, R 16, SpO2 97% on room air, and T 98.2°F (37°C). The AEMT performs a quick neurological assessment and observes facial drooping on the right side, slurred speech, and weakness in the right arm and leg. The AEMT is concerned about a possible stroke. During transport, the patient’s blood pressure is still elevated at 170/90, and the AEMT is concerned about the potential for further damage due to uncontrolled hypertension. What is the best approach for managing elevated blood pressure in the acute stroke patient?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a 74-year-old male patient at home who is exhibiting signs and symptoms altered mental status. The patient’s wife reports that the patient suddenly developed slurred speech and weakness on the right side of the body about 20 minutes ago. The patient has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The time of the call is 0800. The response time will be 7 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 10 minutes away, and a stroke center is located 30 minutes away. While enroute to the patient’s home, the AEMT reviews the symptoms of a possible ischemic stroke. Which of the following symptoms most strongly suggests that the patient is having a stroke?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a 72-year-old male patient at a nursing home who is in respiratory failure. The patient has a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is dependent on a mechanical ventilator for respiratory support. The nursing staff reports that the patient’s ventilator has malfunctioned and is not providing adequate ventilation. The patient is struggling to breathe and is showing signs of respiratory distress. The time of the call is 1400. The response time will be 9 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 15 minutes away. While enroute to the nursing home, the AEMT is concerned about the possibility of worsening respiratory failure. Which of the following is the most critical assessment the AEMT should focus on when preparing for the patient’s management?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a private residence for a 78-year-old female patient who has fallen in the bathroom. The patient’s daughter reports that the patient was attempting to get up from the toilet and slipped, hitting her head on the edge of the sink. The patient is complaining of neck and back pain and has some visible bruising on her left side. The time of the call is 1030. The response time will be 6 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. It is a cool autumn morning with temperatures at 55°F (13°C). The nearest hospital is 10 minutes away. On Scene Phase Scenario: Upon arrival at the residence, the patient is found sitting on the bathroom floor, visibly in pain. She is alert and able to speak but complains of pain in her neck and lower back. There is visible bruising on her left hip and arm. The patient is unable to remember if she lost consciousness after the fall. The patient’s daughter reports that the patient has a history of hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis and she takes several medications, including a blood pressure medication and insulin. The vital signs are BP 140/85, P 88, R 16, SpO2 95% on room air, and T 98.6°F (37°C). The patient is complaining of pain in the lower back and left hip. What should the AEMT be most concerned about in relation to the fall?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a 74-year-old male patient at home who is exhibiting signs and symptoms of a altered mental status. The patient’s wife reports that the patient suddenly developed slurred speech and weakness on the right side of the body about 20 minutes ago. The patient has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The time of the call is 0800. The response time will be 7 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 10 minutes away, and a stroke center is located 30 minutes away. The AEMT is concerned about the possibility of ischemic stroke. Given the 20-minute onset of symptoms, what is the most important priority for the AEMT to address upon arrival at the scene?
Enrоute Phаse Scenаriо: The AEMT is dispаtched tо a 74-year-old male patient at home who is exhibiting signs and symptoms of a altered mental status. The patient’s wife reports that the patient suddenly developed slurred speech and weakness on the right side of the body about 20 minutes ago. The patient has a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes. The time of the call is 0800. The response time will be 7 minutes. The AEMT is partnered with an EMT, and a BLS fire department engine crew is dispatched with the ambulance. The nearest hospital is 10 minutes away, and a stroke center is located 30 minutes away. Enroute to the scene, the AEMT receives information that the patient's symptoms started about 20 minutes ago, with no improvement. What is the best course of action to prepare for potential stroke management upon arrival?