NREMT (EMT-B) questions

[Khaleesi]

For children older than 1, what is the body surface area percentage for the head (for burns)? My textbook and study guide book both say 12% for children and 18% for infants. But everywhere else I look it says 18% for children. Which one is correct (12% or 18%) for NREMT purposes?

I know for larger burns you should not try to cool them because of the risk for hypothermia, but what about for smaller ones. My textbook says to stop the burning process by poring saline on it and then add a dry sterile dressing afterwards. Is this true for the NREMT?

At what point during the assessment do you take vitals signs? On my skill sheet it is listed after the secondary assessment, but youre supposed to take some vitals during the primary (for ABCs). I know this will vary in in real life depending on what the pt has but how would I answer this on the NREMT? Would I just say following the secondary assessment?

My test is this Tuesday so I'd really appreciate the clarifications.

 

[Clare]

You always want to give a burn at least some cooling. Cool the burn, not the patient so if the patient becomes clinically significantly hypothermic then stop. Running saline over a burn is pointless unless there is absolutely no other source of water available. For small burns you can use a tap or if the burn is larger and one is available, use a shower or hose. They are great for cooling and we use them extensively. From what I have seen most people do not cool burns long enough, 20 minutes unless you need to stop sooner because of hypothermia, or there is a life-threatening problem that requires transport prior such as airway burns. I don't know about dry dressings, that sounds awful, glad wrap is amazing stuff, use that instead.

Vital signs should be taken after you take history. History is the most important, as the diagnosis often comes from eliciting a good history. Primary survey is not the time to take vital signs. You want to open the airway, look listen and feel for breathing and palpate a pulse. That's it.

 

[Khaleesi]

You always want to give a burn at least some cooling. Cool the burn, not the patient so if the patient becomes clinically significantly hypothermic then stop. Running saline over a burn is pointless unless there is absolutely no other source of water available. For small burns you can use a tap or if the burn is larger and one is available, use a shower or hose. They are great for cooling and we use them extensively. From what I have seen most people do not cool burns long enough, 20 minutes unless you need to stop sooner because of hypothermia, or there is a life-threatening problem that requires transport prior such as airway burns. I don't know about dry dressings, that sounds awful, glad wrap is amazing stuff, use that instead.

Vital signs should be taken after you take history. History is the most important, as the diagnosis often comes from eliciting a good history. Primary survey is not the time to take vital signs. You want to open the airway, look listen and feel for breathing and palpate a pulse. That's it.

Is this how I would answer the question for the NREMT? I took a practice on jb learning and it advised not to cool the burn (it was a full thickness burn covering the back). I know things may be different for real life treatment but right now I would like to know how best to answer a test question on this.

 

[NomadicMedic]

You'll want to use your UP TO DATE text book and test prep material. What individuals do, or don't do, in the real world may be significantly different from NREMT test questions.

Also, Clare is not in the U.S., so her practice guidelines may be different. (Glad wrap on burns). Just a word to the wise.

 

[Khaleesi]

You'll want to use your UP TO DATE text book and test prep material. What individuals do, or don't do, in the real world may be significantly different from NREMT test questions.

Also, Clare is not in the U.S., so her practice guidelines may be different. (Glad wrap on burns). Just a word to the wise.

I am using the 10th edition of the AAOS Orange book (published in 2011) which I bought for the emt course that I took last summer. How would I know if this has the most up to date information?

For my study material, I am using JB navigate prep 2, which is up to date but it has only answered ONE of my questions above (the question about whether or not to apply moisture on bones). This is the reason I posted here, to see if anyone who had taken the test recently would know the answers.