Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Intermediate Practice Exam

While caring for a 40-year-old male with shortness of breath and a history of tuberculosis, the AEMT should place a:

1. Simple face mask on the patient

2. HEPA respirator on himself and a nonrebreathing mask on the patient

3. Bag-valve mask without a filter on the patient

4. Oxygen tank with nasal cannula attached

The correct answer is: HEPA respirator on himself and a nonrebreathing mask on the patient

The correct choice involves placing a HEPA respirator on the provider and a nonrebreathing mask on the patient due to the history of tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis is a contagious respiratory disease that can be transmitted through airborne droplets when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. In order to protect the responder from potential infection, it's crucial for the AEMT to utilize a HEPA respirator, which is specifically designed to filter out bacteria and viruses from the air. At the same time, providing a nonrebreathing mask to the patient allows for high concentrations of oxygen to be delivered effectively while reducing the risk of further airborne transmission of TB to the healthcare provider and others in the vicinity. This approach not only addresses the patient’s immediate need for respiratory support but also emphasizes the importance of safety and infection control in the treatment of potentially infectious patients. The use of a simple face mask would not provide adequate oxygen delivery in this scenario. A bag-valve mask without a filter would expose the AEMT to the risk of inhaling infectious aerosols while potentially delivering insufficient oxygen. Lastly, using an oxygen tank with a nasal cannula is insufficient for a patient experiencing significant shortness of breath as it doesn’t provide the