West Coast EMT Block One Exam

During transport, what is the MOST important action for an EMT to take with the patient?

1. Complete the run form before arrival at the hospital.

2. Converse with the patient and provide reassurance.

3. Reassess unstable patients at least every 15 minutes.

4. Reassess the patient only if he or she deteriorates.

The correct answer is: Converse with the patient and provide reassurance.

Focusing on the patient during transport is crucial for both their psychological well-being and overall care. Conversing with the patient and providing reassurance serves several important purposes. It helps to build rapport, which can make the patient feel more secure and less anxious during a potentially frightening situation. It also allows the EMT to gather valuable information about the patient's condition through conversation, as the patient may share symptoms or concerns that haven’t been conveyed yet. Additionally, engagement and reassurance can assist in monitoring the patient's status more effectively. While physical assessments and interventions are critical, the emotional and psychological state of a patient can significantly influence their overall health outcome. Communication fosters an environment where the patient feels cared for and encourages them to voice any changes in how they feel. In contrast, completing paperwork during transport can detract from patient care, as it shifts attention away from the patient. While reassessment is important, focusing specifically on unstable patients within specific time frames, such as every 15 minutes, is more reactive than proactive in ensuring consistent patient engagement. Only reassessing upon deterioration neglects the importance of continuous monitoring and may miss subtle changes that could indicate worsening of the condition. Thus, maintaining a connection with the patient through conversation and reassurance is the most vital task during transport.