Question

You are a volunteer EMR and have placed your name on the schedule to respond for a 12-hour shift. With 10 minutes left in your shift, you are dispatched for a patient with a possible fractured leg. You should:

A. wait for paramedics to arrive to determine if you are needed.
B. respond only if it is convenient because you are a volunteer.
C. wait until your relief arrives and let him or her respond.
D. proceed to the scene and begin providing care to the patient.

Answer 1

A volunteer EMR scheduled for a shift has a duty to respond to emergencies during that time. With 10 minutes left in the shift and a call for a possible fractured leg, the EMR should proceed to the scene and provide care, adhering to the professional commitment of emergency service providers.

Step-by-step explanation:

You are a volunteer EMR with a duty to respond during your scheduled shift. With only 10 minutes left in your shift, you are dispatched for a patient with a possible fractured leg. The correct action to take is:

D. proceed to the scene and begin providing care to the patient.

Emergency Medical Responders (EMRs) have a responsibility to respond to calls for help during their scheduled shifts, no matter how close to the end of their shift they are. As a volunteer, you have made a commitment to be available for the duration of your shift, and that includes the last few minutes. This commitment to care is aligned with the ethical and professional standards expected of emergency service providers.

It is important to understand that the primary obligation of rescue and emergency personnel, including EMRs, EMTs, and paramedics, is to respond to emergencies and provide aid to those in need. Furthermore, when a call comes in, it becomes the duty of the currently active staff to respond immediately, just as any paid professional would, to ensure that the patient receives timely medical attention.