NREMT Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Cognitive ExamEMS OperationsMedium
An EMT is assisting a patient who is experiencing a severe allergic reaction and has a prescribed epinephrine auto-injector. After determining the patient is conscious, alert, and able to self-administer, the EMT should:
- AAssist the patient in self-administering their prescribed medication.
- BAdvise the patient to wait for paramedics to arrive before administering.
- CContact medical control for permission to administer the medication.
- DAdminister the epinephrine auto-injector to the patient.
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Assist the patient in self-administering their prescribed medication.
EMTs are typically authorized to assist patients in self-administering their prescribed medications, such as an epinephrine auto-injector, once scene safety is established and the patient is deemed capable.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Delaying critical medication administration for a severe allergic reaction is inappropriate and potentially harmful.
- C. For prescribed, commonly assisted medications like epi-pens, direct medical control contact is often not required if within protocol.
- D. EMTs assist, not directly administer, unless specifically authorized by protocol or medical control for certain medications.
Assisting with Medications
EMTs may assist patients in self-administering certain prescribed medications under specific conditions and protocols.
- Medication must be prescribed to the patient.
- Patient must be able to self-administer or be assisted by the EMT.
- Commonly assisted medications include epinephrine auto-injectors, nitroglycerin, and inhalers.
Memory trick: Prescribed Patient Proper Protocol