Scene Size-up & Safety makes up about 19–23% of the NREMT EMR exam. Here are 8 to work
through. When you open an answer, you'll see why it's right and why the other options aren't.
Question 1
A hazardous release outdoors makes the surrounding air unsafe. Occupants of nearby buildings are told to shelter in place rather than evacuate because
Aevacuation is slower than sheltering in every release of this kind
Bthe building envelope filters the contaminated air completely
Cmoving people through the plume exposes them more than staying
Dan outdoor release disperses within a few minutes in every case
Show the answer
Correct answer: C. moving people through the plume exposes them more than staying
A closed building with the ventilation off holds usable air for a good while. Walk people out through the plume and every one of them gets exposed. So which is more dangerous right now, the air outside or the air inside? That's the whole decision.
A. Speed isn't what decides it. Exposure is.
B. Buildings cut down infiltration, but they don't filter the air.
C. Sheltering keeps people out of the plume they'd otherwise have to walk through.
D. Dispersal time varies enormously, and you can't assume it.
Question 2
Industrial machinery must be made safe before a trapped worker is freed. The procedure that isolates the energy source and prevents anyone restoring it is known as
Aconfined space permitting
Bhot work authorization
Cisolation and grounding
Dlockout and tagout
Show the answer
Correct answer: D. lockout and tagout
The energy source is physically locked in the off position and tagged with who applied it, so only that person can restore it. That's what stops a well-meaning coworker from restarting the machine while a rescuer's hands are inside it.
A. Confined space permits govern entry into enclosed spaces, not machine energy.
B. Hot work authorization covers welding and cutting.
C. Grounding deals with electrical charge. It doesn't prevent a restart.
D. Lockout and tagout physically prevents anyone restoring the energy while rescuers are working.
Question 3
A large dog is loose in the room where your patient is lying. You should
Aproceed quickly and hope the dog stays calm throughout
Brequest law enforcement for any animal found on scene
Cuse the stretcher and bags to keep the dog at a distance
Dask the family to secure the animal in another room
Show the answer
Correct answer: D. ask the family to secure the animal in another room
Even a well-behaved dog can turn protective when strangers start handling its owner, and one bite takes a crew member out of service. Asking the family to secure it costs seconds and removes the hazard completely.
A. Hoping the dog stays calm around its injured owner isn't a plan.
B. Calling law enforcement for every animal is out of proportion and delays care.
C. Fending a dog off with your gear raises the risk instead of removing it.
D. Having the family secure the dog removes the hazard fast, without a confrontation.
Question 4
SCENE — Called to a residence for a fall. On entry you notice the patient flinches when her husband moves closer, and the injuries do not match the account given.
The most appropriate action is
Aseparate her from him for assessment and record what you observe
Baccept the account and transport without further comment
Cask her directly in his presence whether she has been harmed
Dconfront the husband about the inconsistency in the account
Show the answer
Correct answer: A. separate her from him for assessment and record what you observe
She won't disclose in front of the person she's afraid of, and asking her directly in his presence can put her in danger after you leave. Separating her creates what may be her only opportunity, and your objective documentation carries what she can't say.
A. Separating her creates the only safe chance to disclose, and your observations preserve what goes unsaid.
B. Accepting an account that doesn't fit and saying nothing leaves her unprotected.
C. Asking in front of him can endanger her once you've left.
D. Confronting him raises the risk to her and doesn't help.
Question 5
SCENE — A patient is threatening self-harm and holding an object. They are between you and the exit. They have not made any threat toward you.
Your immediate priority is
Areposition so you have an unobstructed exit while continuing to talk
Bremain still so as not to provoke a change in their behavior
Capproach and attempt to take the object from them
Dleave the room entirely and wait outside for law enforcement
Show the answer
Correct answer: A. reposition so you have an unobstructed exit while continuing to talk
Being cut off from the exit is the specific thing that turns a manageable situation into a dangerous one, and you can usually fix it by moving without breaking off the conversation. Walking out of the room ends the only contact they have.
A. Getting your exit back deals with the specific hazard without ending contact.
B. Staying cut off from the exit leaves you no option if things change.
C. Trying to disarm someone is outside your scope and escalates the risk.
D. Leaving entirely abandons a patient in crisis.
Question 6
SCENE — You are called to a construction site where a worker has fallen into a trench about eight feet deep.
The correct action is
Astay out and request a technical rescue team
Blower equipment down and direct care from above
Cclimb down to begin assessment immediately
Dhave coworkers lift the patient out quickly
Show the answer
Correct answer: A. stay out and request a technical rescue team
A trench that has collapsed once can collapse again, and it can bury you just like it buried the patient. Trench rescue takes shoring and trained crews. Go in without them and you're likely to become the second patient.
A. The hazard is another collapse, and going in without shoring puts you at risk.
B. Directing care from above still means someone had to go in.
C. Climbing in exposes you to the same collapse that trapped the patient.
D. Untrained lifting puts both the patient's spine and the coworkers at risk.
Question 7
Additional resources should be requested
Aafter completing the primary assessment on all patients
Bas soon as you recognize you will need them
Cafter arriving at the hospital
Donly once you have confirmed the exact number of patients
Show the answer
Correct answer: B. as soon as you recognize you will need them
Resources take time to arrive, and you can't get that time back later. Request early on your best estimate, and if you guessed high, stand units down. That costs far less than discovering you needed them twenty minutes ago.
A. Finishing assessments first delays help that takes minutes to arrive.
B. Asking early accounts for travel time you can't get back later.
C. Asking after you reach the hospital is far too late to help.
D. Waiting for an exact count delays a request you can always cancel.
Question 8
An envelope has released an unidentified white powder in an office. You should
Ahave everyone leave the building through the main entrance
Bisolate the room and its occupants and notify authorities
Cbag a sample of the powder for laboratory identification
Dwash the powder away with water and dispose of the envelope
Show the answer
Correct answer: B. isolate the room and its occupants and notify authorities
Contain the powder and the people it reached, and you stop the spread while specialists figure out what it is. March everyone out through common areas and any contamination goes with them. Wash it away and you've destroyed what investigators need.
A. Moving everyone through the building spreads contamination all along the route.
B. Isolating the room and the exposed people limits spread while specialists respond.
C. Sampling an unknown material isn't an EMS job, and it risks exposure.
D. Water may aerosolize the powder, and it destroys evidence.
There are 79 EMR Scene Size-up & Safety questions in EMS Registry Ready. Try 15
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