New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

In an emergency situation, which is a key factor for determining the mechanism of injury?

1. Patient age

2. Location of incident

3. Type of vehicle involved

4. Type of impact

The correct answer is: Type of impact

Determining the mechanism of injury is crucial in understanding how a patient was harmed, which influences assessment and treatment decisions. The type of impact refers to how the force was applied to the body and can provide insight into potential injuries. For example, in a vehicle collision, whether it was a frontal crash, lateral impact, or rear-end collision will significantly affect the forces transmitted to the occupants, thus affecting the types of injuries they may sustain. By analyzing the type of impact, EMTs can predict patterns of injury, such as whiplash from a rear-end collision or head injuries from a frontal crash, allowing for a targeted approach in both assessment and subsequent care. This information is vital not only for immediate treatment but also for necessary follow-up care, such as imaging or surgical interventions. While patient age, location of the incident, and type of vehicle involved might provide additional context, they are not as directly informative regarding the specific physical forces and injuries that will result from an impact. Understanding the type of impact allows for a deeper understanding of the patient's potential injuries and helps guide effective pre-hospital management.