Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

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Prepare for the EMT Trauma Test. Study through flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Ace your exam with our extensive preparation resources!

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A high-school student was splashed in the eyes with a strong acid chemical during a lab experiment. He is in severe pain and is unable to open his eyes. You should:

continuously flush his eyes with saline for at least 20 minutes.
cover both of his eyes with sterile gauze and transport at once.
force his eyes open and assess for the presence of severe burns.
flush both eyes with sterile water for no more than 5 minutes.

The correct answer is: continuously flush his eyes with saline for at least 20 minutes.

When a chemical splashes into the eyes, it is important to continuously flush the eyes with saline for at least 20 minutes. Option B is incorrect because covering the eyes can trap the chemical and further damage the eyes. Option C is incorrect because trying to force the eyes open could cause more damage and increase the pain for the student. Option D is incorrect because sterile water is not as effective as saline in flushing out chemicals from the eyes, and 5 minutes may not be enough to thoroughly remove the chemical.