Question

​You're driving in your ambulance and your partner is in a heated phone conversation with his wife. Your partner is visibly upset and very emotional. Your ambulance receives a call for an elderly patient requesting transport. What is the appropriate action you should take as an​ EMT?

A.
Respond to the call but have dispatch send another unit to assist just in case your partner is still upset.
B.
Notify dispatch that you will be delayed on this call.
C.
Respond to the call as you have a duty to act.
D.
Notify dispatch that you are​ "out of service and returning to the​ station", and request another unit to respond.

Answer 1

An EMT must prioritize their duty to respond to medical calls. If a partner is emotionally compromised, it's essential to request additional assistance to maintain the quality and safety of care.

Step-by-step explanation:

As an EMT, your duty to act and provide medical care to those in need is of the utmost priority. Seeing that your partner is in an emotional state and not able to perform to the best of their abilities, the appropriate action would be to respond to the call but also notify dispatch to send another unit to assist. Given that EMTs are often faced with split-second decisions, it is crucial to ensure that the care provided is not compromised by personal circumstances, ensuring both the safety of the patient and the EMTs involved.