AEMCA Practice Exam

In emergency medical terminology, what does code 73 refer to?

1. Refusal of service

2. Patient expired

3. Emergency response

4. Transport of a body

The correct answer is: Patient expired

In emergency medical terminology, code 73 specifically refers to a patient who has expired or died. This code is used by emergency medical services (EMS) to communicate the sensitive information regarding the status of the patient efficiently and clearly among team members and other medical personnel. Using standard codes like code 73 helps maintain professionalism and minimizes misunderstanding in high-stress situations. It's fundamental in ensuring that all responders are aware of a patient's status, which can influence how the scene is managed moving forward. The other options, while relevant to emergency scenarios, do not align with the definition of code 73. For instance, refusal of service typically involves a patient choosing not to receive medical care, while emergency response relates to the actions taken during an emergency situation. Transport of a body is a separate concept altogether, focusing on the process of moving a deceased individual, but does not directly denote the status of a patient as expired.