Questions and Answers
You are assessing a patient who fell off a ladder. He is conscious and alert and complaining of pain to his right side and shortness of breath. This is known as ________.
chief complaint
When conducting a primary assessment, what should you assess?
LOC and the ABCs
When responding to a 45-year-old man involved in a motorcycle accident who is unresponsive, where should you palpate for a pulse?
Carotid pulse
__________ is used for asking questions about pain.
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What is a high-pitched breath sound, generally heard during inspiration, caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway?
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Counting respirations is most easily done by...
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Inhalation and exhalation times occur in what ratio?
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In an adult patient, a pulse rate that is greater than 100 beats/min is described as ________.
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What is the first concern when entering a scene?
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You respond to a home where a 25-year-old woman is lying in bed. She is semiconscious but opens her eyes when you speak to her and is lethargic. How do you rate her on the AVPU scale?
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What term would be used to describe the patient's pulse rate of 140 beats/min?
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What is the purpose of the primary assessment?
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At what point in the patient assessment process do you investigate the chief complaint?
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When treating a 6-year-old, if you note a brassy crowing sound when she breathes in, what is this?
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In what phase of patient assessment do you determine MOI/NOI?
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What is the primary purpose of standard precautions?
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What devices would you use to measure a patient's ventilation, circulation, and metabolism?
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To auscultate means to...
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You arrive at the scene of an 'injured person.' As you exit the ambulance, you see a man lying on the front porch of his house. He appears to have been shot in the head and is lying in a pool of blood. What should you do?
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Findings such as inadequate breathing or an altered level of consciousness should be identified in the:
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When does the focused assessment take place?
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What would you NOT detect while determining your initial general impression of a patient?
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Your primary assessment of an elderly woman who fell reveals an altered level of consciousness and a large hematoma to her forehead. After protecting her spine and administering oxygen, what should you do?
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A semiconscious patient pushes your hand away when you pinch his earlobe. You should describe his level of consciousness as:
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Assessment of an unconscious patient's breathing begins by...
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Your 12-year-old patient can speak only two or three words without pausing to take a breath. What serious breathing problem is he experiencing?
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How should you determine the pulse in an unresponsive 8-year-old patient?
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When assessing your patient's pain, he says it started in his chest but has spread to his legs. This is an example of what part of the OPQRST mnemonic?
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An injured patient is assigned a total score of 9 on the GCS. He is assigned a score of 2 for eye opening, a score of 3 for verbal response, and a score of 4 for motor response. What clinical findings are consistent with his GCS score?
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An elderly patient has fallen and hit her head. Your initial care should focus on:
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When approaching a 32-year-old male who is complaining of traumatic neck pain, what should you do?
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A 39-year-old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an altercation. As you approach the patient, you note that he is conscious, screaming in pain, and attempting to control the bleeding. What should you do?
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You should suspect that a patient is experiencing respiratory failure if he or she:
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What should secondary assessment focus on?
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The chief complaint is most accurately defined as the:
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Treatment and transport priorities at the scene of a mass-casualty incident should be determined after:
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What conditions would be LEAST likely to cause an altered level of consciousness?
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The rapid exam of a patient that occurs following the primary assessment should take no longer than:
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A mnemonic device used to assess each area of the body is?
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Study Notes
Patient Assessment Overview
- Chief complaint refers to the primary issue a patient is experiencing, e.g., pain or shortness of breath.
- Primary assessment evaluates Level of Consciousness (LOC) and the ABCs (Airway, Breathing, Circulation).
Pulse Measurement
- For unresponsive patients, the carotid pulse is the primary pulse site for palpation.
- Tachycardia is defined as a pulse rate over 100 beats per minute.
Stridor and Breathing Assessment
- Stridor is a high-pitched sound indicating upper airway obstruction, commonly heard during inhalation.
- Normal inhalation and exhalation occur in a 1:3 ratio.
Assessment Techniques
- OPQRST is used to assess pain, focusing on Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Timing.
- Auscultation requires a stethoscope to listen to organ sounds.
Scene Safety and Initial Approach
- Scene safety is the foremost concern upon arrival at an incident.
- In dangerous situations, retreating to safety is necessary until law enforcement arrives.
Levels of Consciousness (AVPU)
- The AVPU scale rates consciousness: A patient who opens eyes when spoken to is responsive to verbal stimuli.
Primary and Secondary Assessment
- Primary assessment identifies immediate life threats, focusing on breathing and consciousness level.
- The secondary assessment occurs later, allowing for focused evaluation based on the chief complaint.
Patient Interaction
- A semiconscious patient who reacts to pain is considered responsive to painful stimuli.
- Distinguishing general impressions does not include detecting rapid heart rates.
Handling Trauma Cases
- Initial assessments should prioritize airway, breathing, and circulation after major injuries, such as head trauma.
- For stab wounds, apply direct pressure to control bleeding.
Respiratory Indicators
- Respiratory failure suspect is indicated by bradycardia and decreased muscle tone.
- Patients exhibiting two-to-three-word dyspnea indicate severe breathing difficulty.
GCS and Neurological Assessment
- The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) assesses unconscious patients, reflecting their eye, verbal, and motor responses.
Mass-Casualty Incidents
- Treatment priorities in mass-casualty situations are established after triaging all patients.
Conditions for Consciousness Alteration
- Acute anxiety is unlikely to cause an altered level of consciousness, in contrast to delirium or hypoxia.
Rapid Examination
- A rapid examination after primary assessment should last no longer than 60-90 seconds.
- DCAP_BLTS is a mnemonic for identifying injuries: Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling.
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Description
Test your knowledge on patient assessment techniques with this quiz based on EMT Chapter 9. Explore key concepts like chief complaints and primary assessment criteria. Perfect for EMT students preparing for exams or reviews.
