EMS Jurisprudence Practice Exam

What is the minimum staffing requirement for a Basic Life Support (BLS) with Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) capability ambulance?

1. One paramedic and one EMT

2. Two Emergency Care Attendants

3. One EMT Intermediate and one EMT Basic

4. Three Emergency Care Attendants

The correct answer is: Two Emergency Care Attendants

The minimum staffing requirement for a Basic Life Support (BLS) ambulance with Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) capability is one paramedic and one EMT. This is because MICU capabilities necessitate a higher level of medical training and expertise, which is provided by the paramedic. The paramedic is qualified to perform advanced medical procedures and interventions required for critical patient care, while the EMT assists with basic care and support. When considering staffing arrangements for emergency medical services, it is essential to ensure that the team includes personnel who are adequately trained to handle the specific medical needs presented in a pre-hospital environment. Hence, a combination of at least one EMT and one advanced provider like a paramedic is necessary to meet the operational demands of BLS vehicles with enhanced capabilities such as those intended for Mobile Intensive Care. The other options reflect various levels of training and cannot fulfill the requirements to effectively handle patients needing BLS with MICU capabilities. Specifically, relying solely on Emergency Care Attendants or various combinations of EMT levels may not provide the full spectrum of emergency medical care capabilities that a MICU intervention might require.