West Coast EMT Block One Exam

Where is the least practical place to store a portable oxygen cylinder?

1. Near the side or rear door

2. On the ambulance stretcher

3. Inside the jump kit

4. In the driver's compartment

The correct answer is: In the driver's compartment

Storing a portable oxygen cylinder in the driver's compartment is least practical primarily because this area is intended for the operation of the ambulance. Keeping medical equipment, such as an oxygen cylinder, in the driver's compartment can create safety hazards, such as blocking visibility or interfering with driving operations. Moreover, in the event of an emergency situation where the driver might need to access the oxygen quickly for a patient, it would be inefficient to retrieve it from the driver's compartment. In contrast, the other locations mentioned—near the side or rear door, on the ambulance stretcher, and inside the jump kit—are more easily accessible and organized for emergency situations. These areas are designed with patient care in mind, facilitating quicker access to oxygen when needed.