Questions and Answers
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of a 29-year-old male with a head injury who opens his eyes when spoken to, is confused as to the time and date, and moves all extremities on command?
13
What will a blood pressure cuff that is too small for a patient's arm give?
Falsely high systolic and diastolic reading
A patient's short-term memory is MOST likely intact if they correctly answer questions regarding what?
Day and event
A properly sized blood pressure cuff should cover how much of the arm?
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After performing a primary assessment, why should a rapid exam of the body be performed?
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As you assess the head of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, what should your partner do?
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Capnography is used to determine what?
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What causes cyanosis of the skin?
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In responsive patients who are older than 1 year of age, you should palpate the pulse at the __________ artery.
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In the adult, bradycardia is defined as a pulse rate less than ____________ beats/min, and tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than __________ beats/min.
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What is the goal of oxygenation for most patients?
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What is the goal of the systematic head-to-toe exam performed during the secondary assessment?
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The systematic head-to-toe assessment should be performed on which patients?
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When should treatment and transport priorities at the scene of a mass-casualty incident be determined?
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When performing a reassessment of your patient, what should you do first?
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When using the palpating method to obtain a blood pressure, what measurement do you obtain?
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Which finding indicates that your patient has a patent airway?
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Which of the following is an example of a symptom?
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Which medical history question would be of LEAST pertinence in an acute situation?
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Which action would the EMT likely NOT perform on a responsive patient with a headache and no apparent life-threatening conditions?
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Study Notes
Glasgow Coma Scale
- A 29-year-old male with a head injury scored 13 on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS).
- His eyes opened in response to verbal stimuli, indicating some level of consciousness.
Blood Pressure Cuff
- A blood pressure cuff that is too small leads to falsely high systolic and diastolic readings.
- Proper sizing is critical for accurate blood pressure measurement.
Short Term Memory
- A patient’s short-term memory is usually intact if they can correctly answer questions about the current day and specific events.
Blood Pressure Cuff Sizing
- A correctly sized blood pressure cuff should cover two-thirds of the distance from the armpit to the elbow crease.
- Proper application impacts the reliability of readings.
Primary Assessment Follow-Up
- After a primary assessment, a rapid body examination is essential to identify less obvious injuries needing immediate care.
Spinal Injury Assessment
- When assessing a patient suspected of having a spinal injury, a partner must stabilize the head to prevent further damage.
Capnography
- Capnography measures the amount of carbon dioxide being exhaled, useful for assessing respiratory function.
Cyanosis
- Cyanosis, or bluish skin discoloration, indicates decreased blood oxygen levels, signifying potential respiratory distress.
Pulse Palpation
- For responsive patients older than one year, the radial artery is the appropriate site for pulse palpation.
Bradycardia and Tachycardia
- In adults, bradycardia is a pulse rate below 60 beats/min, while tachycardia exceeds 100 beats/min.
Oxygenation Goals
- The target oxygen saturation level for most patients is 94%-99%, ensuring adequate oxygen delivery to tissues.
Secondary Assessment
- The systematic head-to-toe assessment's objective is to locate injuries not identified during the primary assessment.
Assessment Scenarios
- The head-to-toe assessment is especially critical for patients with a significant mechanism of injury (MOI) or unresponsive medical patients.
Mass-Casualty Incident Management
- At a mass-casualty scene, treatment and transport priorities must be established only after all patients have been properly triaged.
Reassessment Protocol
- In patient reassessment, the primary assessment should be repeated first to ensure ongoing evaluation of critical conditions.
Blood Pressure Measurement
- Using the palpating method for blood pressure provides a measurement of systolic blood pressure only.
Patent Airway Indicator
- The ability to speak is a strong indicator that a patient has a patent airway, reflecting adequate airflow.
Symptom Example
- A headache serves as an example of a symptom, indicating a patient's subjective experience of a condition.
Medical History Relevance
- Questions about a patient’s family medical history, such as parental diabetes, are less pertinent in acute medical situations.
Assessment Protocols
- An EMT is unlikely to perform a systematic head-to-toe examination on a responsive patient presenting with a headache and no immediate life-threatening conditions.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge with these flashcards from EMT Chapter 10. Each card focuses on essential concepts such as the Glasgow Coma Scale and the impact of equipment size on blood pressure readings. Perfect for EMT students looking to reinforce their understanding before exams.
