Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

En route to the hospital, if a diabetic patient regains partial consciousness and refuses to go, you should:

1. Respect the patient's wishes completely

2. Assess whether the patient's mental condition is impaired

3. Force the patient into the hospital

4. Contact medical control for advice

The correct answer is: Assess whether the patient's mental condition is impaired

The correct approach in this situation involves assessing whether the patient's mental condition is impaired. This assessment is crucial because diabetes can lead to fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can impact cognitive function and awareness. Even if the patient appears to regain partial consciousness and expresses the desire to refuse transport, it is essential to evaluate their mental status thoroughly. For instance, the patient might be experiencing confusion or altered mental status due to hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. Evaluating their ability to understand the situation, recognize the risk to their health, and make an informed decision is important. If they are not fully competent to make that decision, it may be necessary to proceed with transport despite their refusal, which emphasizes the role of proper assessment in ensuring patient safety. In contrast, simply respecting the patient's wishes without a proper assessment overlooks the potential for a compromised mental state. Forcing the patient into the hospital is not appropriate and goes against patient rights. Although contacting medical control for advice can be helpful, it should ideally come after a thorough assessment to provide necessary information regarding the patient’s condition. This systematic approach ensures that the best care decisions are made based on the patient’s health status.