Chapter 8 – Lifting and Moving Patients

Upon arriving at the scene of a motor vehicle crash, you find a single patient still seated in his car. There are no scene hazards. As you approach the vehicle, you note that the patient is semiconscious and has a large laceration to his forehead. You should:
Select one:
A. direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient’s head.
B. apply a cervical collar and quickly remove the patient with a clothes drag.
C. apply a vest-style extrication device before attempting to move the patient.
D. slide a long backboard under his buttocks and lay him sideways on the board.

A. direct your partner to apply manual in-line support of the patient’s head.

To protect a restrained patient and prevent him from using leverage to break free, the EMT should secure __________.
Select one:
A. both arms above the head
B. both arms at the patient’s sides
C. only the patient’s torso
D. one arm above the head

D. one arm above the head

You have been called to the scene of a high-speed motor vehicle collision involving two compact cars. The first vehicle was a roll-over, ejecting the driver. The second vehicle contained both a driver and a front-seat passenger who cannot be reached because the door is up against a building. For the passenger in the second vehicle, you may need to perform a(n) _____ on the driver in order to reach the patient.
Select one:
A. extremity lift
B. emergency move
C. short backboard
D. You should do nothing different; treat each patient the same.

B. emergency move

When moving a conscious, weak patient down a flight of stairs, you should:
Select one:
A. secure the patient to a scoop stretcher and carry him or her headfirst down the stairs to the awaiting stretcher.
B. place the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs and carry the patient down the stairs with a stair chair.
C. collapse the undercarriage of the wheeled stretcher and carefully carry the patient down the stairs on the stretcher.
D. assist the patient in walking down the stairs and place him or her on the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs.

B. place the wheeled stretcher at the bottom of the stairs and carry the patient down the stairs with a stair chair.

You should use a rigid _____, often called a Stokes litter, to carry a patient across uneven terrain from a remote location that is inaccessible by ambulance or other vehicle.
Select one:
A. basket stretcher
B. scoop stretcher
C. molded backboard
D. flotation device

A. Basket stretcher

Which of the following conditions or situations presents the MOST unique challenge to the EMT when immobilizing an elderly patient on a long backboard?
Select one:
A. Joint flexibility
B. Patient disorientation
C. Naturally deformed bones
D. Abnormal spinal curvature

D. Abnormal spinal curvature

You may injure your back if you lift:
Select one:
A. with your back curved.
B. with your back straight, but bent significantly forward at the hips.
C. with the shoulder girdle anterior to the pelvis.
D. All of these answers are correct.

D. All of these answers are correct.

In lifting with the palm down, the weight is supported by the _____ rather than the palm.
Select one:
A. fingers
B. forearm
C. lower back
D. wrist

A. fingers

You are attending to a 26-year-old female who is 34 weeks pregnant with her first child. Your patient has been having lower abdominal pains and cramping for the past two hours. In placing your patient on the stretcher and preparing for transport, you should place her:
Select one:
A. supine with her legs elevated.
B. in the Fowler position.
C. on her left side.
D. in a position of comfort.

C. on her left side.

When pulling a patient, you should do all of the following, EXCEPT:
Select one:
A. extend your arms no more than about 15 to 20 inches (38 to 50 cm).
B. reposition your feet so that the force of pull will be balanced equally.
C. when you can pull no farther, lean forward another 15 to 20 inches (38 to 50 cm).
D. pull the patient by slowly flexing your arms.

C. when you can pull no farther, lean forward another 15 to 20 inches(38 to 50 cm).

To facilitate a safe and coordinated move, the team leader should:
Select one:
A. be positioned at the feet so the team can hear.
B. use preparatory commands to initiate any moves.
C. speak softly but clearly to avoid startling the patient.
D. never become involved in the move, only direct the move.

B. use preparatory commands to initiate any moves.

As you and your partner are carrying a stable patient down a flight of stairs in a stair chair, you feel a sudden, sharp pain in your lower back. You should:
Select one:
A. reposition your hands and continue to move the patient.
B. stop the move and request additional lifting assistance.
C. guide your partner while moving the chair backwards.
D. stop the move and have the patient walk down the stairs.

B. stop the move and request additional lifting assistance.

You should perform an urgent move in all of the following situations, EXCEPT:
Select one:
A. if a patient has an altered level of consciousness.
B. if the patient is complaining of neck pain.
C. in extreme weather conditions.
D. if a patient has inadequate ventilation or shock.

B. if the patient is complaining of neck pain.

Which of the following statements regarding patient weight distribution is correct?
Select one:
A. The majority of a horizontal patient’s weight is in the torso.
B. Most of the patient’s weight rests on the foot end of the stretcher.
C. A semi-sitting patient’s weight is equally distributed on both ends.
D. The EMT at the patient’s head will bear the least amount of weight.

A. The majority of a horizontal patient’s weight is in the torso.

You are attending to a 34-year-old male patient who requires transport to the hospital for assessment of his chronic back pain. The patient weighs over 750 pounds. Your bariatric stretcher has a wider surface area to allow for:
Select one:
A. increased lifting capacity and patient weight load.
B. increased patient comfort and dignity.
C. increased stability and leverage when lifting with more than two providers.
D. better stability when moving the patient on uneven ground.

B. increased patient comfort and dignity.

The _________ is both the mechanical weight-bearing base of the spinal column and the fused central posterior section of the pelvic girdle.
Select one:
A. coccyx
B. sacrum
C. thorax
D. ischium

B. sacrum

To minimize the risk of injuring yourself when lifting or moving a patient, you should:
Select one:
A. flex at the waist instead of the hips.
B. avoid the use of log rolls or body drags.
C. use a direct carry whenever possible.
D. keep the weight as close to your body as possible.

D. keep the weight as close to your body as possible.

It is essential that you ____________ your equipment to prevent the spread of disease.
Select one:
A. throw out
B. decontaminate
C. incinerate
D. properly store

B. decontaminate

In contrast to typical wheeled ambulance stretchers, features of a bariatric stretcher include:
Select one:
A. a collapsible undercarriage.
B. weight capacity of up to 650 lb.
C. increased stability from a wider wheelbase.
D. two safety rails on both sides of the stretcher.

C. increased stability from a wider wheelbase.

The proper technique for using the power grip is to:
Select one:
A. lift with your palms up.
B. rotate your palms down.
C. hold the handle with your fingers.
D. position your hands about 6² apart.

A. lift with your palms up.

Which of the following statements regarding an emergency patient move is correct?
Select one:
A. The spine must be fully immobilized prior to performing an emergency move.
B. An emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment.
C. The patient is dragged against the body’s long axis during an emergency move.
D. It is not possible to perform an emergency move without injuring the patient.

B. An emergency move is performed before the primary assessment and treatment.

The MOST serious consequence of a poorly planned or rushed patient move is:
Select one:
A. unnecessarily wasting time.
B. injury to you or your patient.
C. causing patient anxiety or fear.
D. confusion among team members.

B. injury to you or your patient.

An EMT may injure his or her back, even if it is straight, if the:
Select one:
A. back is bent forward at the hips.
B. hands are held close to the legs.
C. shoulder is aligned over the pelvis.
D. force is exerted straight down the spine.

A. back is bent forward at the hips.

You are attending to a 22-year-old female patient who has overdosed. The patient is unresponsive in an upstairs bedroom. The most appropriate way to bring the patient downstairs is:
Select one:
A. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the head end.
B. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the foot end.
C. secured to a stair chair with the strongest provider at the head end.
D. secured to a stair chair with the strongest provider at the foot end.

A. secured to a fracture board with the strongest provider at the head end.

When pulling a patient, you should extend your arms no more than ________ in front of your torso.
Select one:
A. 5 to 10 inches
B. 10 to 15 inches
C. 15 to 20 inches
D. 20 to 30 inches

C. 15 to 20 inches

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate device to use when immobilizing a patient with a suspected spinal injury?
Select one:
A. Long backboard
B. Scoop stretcher
C. Portable stretcher
D. Wheeled stretcher

A. Long backboard