Questions and Answers
Before asking a patient about any mental health issues, the paramedic should:
ask questions relating to his or her physical health.
More often than not, the paramedic will form his or her general impression of a patient based on:
the initial presentation and chief complaint
When addressing any patient, the paramedic should remember that:
some patients with a traumatic injury could also have an underlying medical component
Which of the following hazards would you LEAST likely encounter at the scene of a motor vehicle crash?
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Upon completing your rapid exam of an unresponsive trauma patient's head and neck, you should next:
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A patient who is absolutely still and resists any movement should be suspected of having:
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Changes in hair growth or loss of hair are LEAST suggestive of:
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Assessment of the female genitalia:
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After determining that the scene is safe, the FIRST step in approaching a patient is to:
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Diffuse pain caused by hollow organ obstruction and stretching of the smooth muscle wall is called:
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The MOST effective way to obtain a medical history from a patient who is crying is to:
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Which of the following is an example of an iatrogenic condition?
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Frank blood or clear, watery fluid draining from the ear canal following head trauma is MOST suggestive of a/an:
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Poor skin turgor in an infant or child is MOST indicative of:
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Documentation of your physical examination should be:
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When assessing a patient who is under the influence of alcohol, it is MOST important to remember that:
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When a patient presents with two seemingly unrelated complaints, it is MOST important for the paramedic to determine:
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Which of the following statements regarding an intoxicated patient is correct?
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The brachioradialis is located:
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Other than overall patient appearance, the patient's __________ is/are the MOST objective data for determining his or her status.
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When your patient is a non-English-speaking person, his or her child is often able to function as an interpreter because:
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Objective patient information:
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EMS providers who read off a list of questions to the patient to fill in all the blanks on the run report:
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The history of present illness defined as:
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The paramedic should address a patient:
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Working to ensure a patient's privacy, confidentiality, and comfort level will:
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Which of the following findings is LEAST indicative of abuse or domestic violence?
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Your patient is able to follow your finger as you move it in an 'H' shape.This indicates functioning of which nerve?
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The presence of rales during auscultation of the chest indicates all of the following conditions, EXCEPT:
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The general type of illness a patient is experiencing is called the:
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A patient with a blood pressure of 210/100 mm Hg would be expected to have ________ skin.
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Swollen lymph nodes in the anterior neck usually indicate:
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Study Notes
Patient Assessment and Communication
- Always start patient assessment with questions about physical health before addressing mental health issues.
- General impressions of patients are formed through initial presentation and chief complaints.
- Introduce yourself to the patient as the first step after ensuring scene safety, fostering rapport.
- Use empathetic communication to create a supportive environment for patients in distress.
Trauma and Medical Emergencies
- For unresponsive trauma patients, rapidly assess head and neck before applying a rigid cervical collar.
- Be aware that patients with traumatic injuries may have underlying medical problems requiring attention.
- Signs of visceral pain include diffused sensations due to hollow organ obstruction.
Documentation and Professionalism
- Document physical examinations factually and without personal bias or judgment.
- Maintain a professional demeanor, especially with intoxicated or emotionally unstable patients.
Identification of Conditions
- A patient showing resistance to movement may indicate peritonitis.
- Clear, watery fluid or frank blood from the ear canal could suggest a basilar skull fracture.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck typically indicate infection.
Vital Signs and Health Indicators
- Vital signs are crucial indicators of a patient's status; a bounding pulse typically correlates with high blood pressure.
- Serial vital signs help track a patient’s condition over time.
- Losing skin turgor in children is a critical sign of dehydration.
Assessment Techniques
- When assessing abdominal pain, start by palpating areas least painful to patients.
- Effective assessments of muscle strength and reflexes are essential; a score of 2+ indicates normal deep tendon reflexes.
- Regularly assess the patient during transport and perform four ongoing assessments for critical patients.
Specific Medical Knowledge
- Korotkoff sounds are the sounds heard during blood pressure measurement.
- The Glasgow Coma Scale helps evaluate a patient's neurological status with scores indicating levels of consciousness.
- A bruit indicates turbulent blood flow, particularly significant in carotid arteries.
Special Considerations
- Patients under the influence of substances may have symptoms obscured by alcohol or drugs.
- Communicating with non-English speakers often involves children acting as interpreters.
- Be observant for signs of abuse or domestic violence, such as a patient's refusal to allow family input.
Emergency Situations
- Be careful in interpreting complaints and prioritize based on the severity of symptoms.
- In trauma, focus assessments should be guided by the chief complaint, identifying immediate life threats.
- In cases of penetrating trauma, unstable vital signs, like a blood pressure of 90/76 mm Hg, are critical and warrant immediate action.
Interpersonal Skills
- Use techniques like reflection and facilitation to enhance patient communication and understanding.
- Ensure professional boundaries are maintained when patients exhibit inappropriate behavior.
Anatomy and Physiology
- Diastolic pressure represents the residual pressure in the circulatory system; normal muscle tone is indicated by a score of 5/5 during strength assessments.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Chapter 11 and 12 of emergency medical services related to mental health assessment. This quiz covers essential concepts that paramedics should consider when dealing with patients. Challenge yourself with these flashcards and prepare for real-life scenarios.
