JBL EMT Practice Exam

Which of the following scenarios most accurately depicts a posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) reaction?

1. An EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed

2. An EMT is emotionally exhausted and depressed after a school bus crash involving critical injuries and the death of several children

3. An EMT with many years of field experience becomes irritable with her coworkers and experiences headaches and insomnia

4. A newly certified EMT becomes extremely nauseated and diaphoretic at the scene of an incident involving grotesque injuries

The correct answer is: An EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed

In the given scenario, the most accurate depiction of a PTSD reaction is option A, where an EMT becomes distracted at the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving the same type of car in which a child was previously killed. This situation aligns with PTSD as it involves a triggering event that leads to a significant emotional response and impacts the ability to perform effectively. Option B depicts emotional exhaustion and depression, which can be signs of cumulative stress or burnout, not necessarily PTSD. Option C describes symptoms of stress and fatigue commonly seen in emergency responders but does not specifically highlight the hallmark signs of PTSD. Lastly, Option D illustrates a physiological reaction of extreme nausea and sweating, which could be a stress response but may not necessarily indicate PTSD without the emotional component associated with the traumatic event.