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

The correct answer is A because it describes a situation where an EMT exhibits a PTSD reaction by becoming distracted at a scene that triggers memories of a past traumatic event involving the death of a child. This response is characteristic of PTSD, where an individual may have intense emotional or physical reactions when faced with reminders of a past traumatic experience. In contrast: - Option B discusses emotional exhaustion and depression, which may be indicative of burnout or general stress but not necessarily PTSD. - Option C describes irritability, headaches, and insomnia, which can be symptoms of stress or other conditions, but do not specifically reflect PTSD. - Option D illustrates a physical reaction (nausea and diaphoresis) to a gruesome scene, which may indicate a distressing reaction to the situation, but it does not align directly with PTSD symptoms.