Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following is an example of a symptom? (Select all that apply)
Which of the following is an example of a symptom? (Select all that apply)
- Cyanosis
- Headache (correct)
- Tachycardia
- Hypertension
In the case of an unconscious female pedestrian struck by a car, what should you do first?
In the case of an unconscious female pedestrian struck by a car, what should you do first?
- Immediately suction her oropharynx (correct)
- Quickly insert an oropharyngeal airway
- Assess the rate and quality of her pulse
- Assist her breathing with a bag-valve mask
Which of the following pupillary changes would indicate depressed brain function?
Which of the following pupillary changes would indicate depressed brain function?
- Both pupils dilate when a bright light is removed
- Both pupils dilate with the introduction of a bright light (correct)
- Both pupils react briskly to light instead of sluggishly
- Both pupils constrict when a bright light is introduced
What can be concluded if a 6-month-old male's capillary refill time is approximately 4 seconds?
What can be concluded if a 6-month-old male's capillary refill time is approximately 4 seconds?
What is the normal respiratory rate for an adult?
What is the normal respiratory rate for an adult?
What should the EMT determine when gathering medical history for an unconscious patient?
What should the EMT determine when gathering medical history for an unconscious patient?
Which of the following patients does NOT have signs of altered mental status?
Which of the following patients does NOT have signs of altered mental status?
What is the goal of the primary assessment?
What is the goal of the primary assessment?
What is the first concern when entering a scene?
What is the first concern when entering a scene?
How do you rate a semiconscious 25-year-old woman who opens her eyes when spoken to?
How do you rate a semiconscious 25-year-old woman who opens her eyes when spoken to?
Which term describes a patient’s pulse rate of 140 beats/min?
Which term describes a patient’s pulse rate of 140 beats/min?
What is a pertinent negative?
What is a pertinent negative?
What is the purpose of the primary assessment?
What is the purpose of the primary assessment?
At what point in the patient assessment process do you investigate the chief complaint?
At what point in the patient assessment process do you investigate the chief complaint?
When treating a 6-year-old with a brassy crowing sound when she breathes in, what is this indicative of?
When treating a 6-year-old with a brassy crowing sound when she breathes in, what is this indicative of?
In what phase of patient assessment do you determine MOI/NOI?
In what phase of patient assessment do you determine MOI/NOI?
What is the primary purpose of standard precautions?
What is the primary purpose of standard precautions?
Which device measures a patient's ventilation, circulation, and metabolism?
Which device measures a patient's ventilation, circulation, and metabolism?
During the scene size-up, you should routinely determine all of the following, EXCEPT: the mechanism of injury or nature of illness, the ratio of pediatric patients to adult patients, whether or not additional resources are needed, if there are any hazards that will jeopardize safety.
During the scene size-up, you should routinely determine all of the following, EXCEPT: the mechanism of injury or nature of illness, the ratio of pediatric patients to adult patients, whether or not additional resources are needed, if there are any hazards that will jeopardize safety.
What should you do upon finding a patient shot in the head?
What should you do upon finding a patient shot in the head?
Where should findings such as inadequate breathing or an altered level of consciousness be identified?
Where should findings such as inadequate breathing or an altered level of consciousness be identified?
Which of the following would you NOT detect while determining your initial general impression of a patient?
Which of the following would you NOT detect while determining your initial general impression of a patient?
What should you do after protecting the spine and administering oxygen to an elderly woman post-fall?
What should you do after protecting the spine and administering oxygen to an elderly woman post-fall?
How should you describe a semiconscious patient who pushes your hand away when you pinch his earlobe?
How should you describe a semiconscious patient who pushes your hand away when you pinch his earlobe?
Assessment of an unconscious patient's breathing begins by:
Assessment of an unconscious patient's breathing begins by:
What serious breathing problem is indicated if a 12-year-old patient can only speak two to three words without pausing?
What serious breathing problem is indicated if a 12-year-old patient can only speak two to three words without pausing?
How should you determine the pulse in an unresponsive 8-year-old patient?
How should you determine the pulse in an unresponsive 8-year-old patient?
In assessing a patient's pain that started in the chest and spread to the legs, what part of the OPQRST mnemonic is this?
In assessing a patient's pain that started in the chest and spread to the legs, what part of the OPQRST mnemonic is this?
Why is patient assessment an important skill for an EMT?
Why is patient assessment an important skill for an EMT?
What can be obtained by a quick survey of the scene before greeting a patient?
What can be obtained by a quick survey of the scene before greeting a patient?
Can you identify life-threatening problems by simply asking a patient what happened?
Can you identify life-threatening problems by simply asking a patient what happened?
How does a patient's chief complaint guide you in your assessment?
How does a patient's chief complaint guide you in your assessment?
What are important clues to focus on when assessing a patient?
What are important clues to focus on when assessing a patient?
Will a patient's injuries and problems always be clear?
Will a patient's injuries and problems always be clear?
If the cause of a patient's unconsciousness is unclear, what would you do?
If the cause of a patient's unconsciousness is unclear, what would you do?
How would you record a lack of change in a patient's condition and vital signs?
How would you record a lack of change in a patient's condition and vital signs?
How often should you assess vital signs in a patient?
How often should you assess vital signs in a patient?
What additional assessment would you conduct until arrival at a hospital?
What additional assessment would you conduct until arrival at a hospital?
What is the first concern when entering a motel room for a patient?
What is the first concern when entering a motel room for a patient?
What is this patient responsive to?
What is this patient responsive to?
What is this patient's chief complaint?
What is this patient's chief complaint?
Which of the following terms describes the patient's pulse rate of 140 beats/min?
Which of the following terms describes the patient's pulse rate of 140 beats/min?
What is a relevant finding for a primary assessment?
What is a relevant finding for a primary assessment?
What defines a primary assessment?
What defines a primary assessment?
How would you proceed if you found an unsafe condition on the scene?
How would you proceed if you found an unsafe condition on the scene?
Describe an objective finding for the patient.
Describe an objective finding for the patient.
Describe a subjective finding for the patient.
Describe a subjective finding for the patient.
How does the mnemonic SAMPLE assist in assessing the patient?
How does the mnemonic SAMPLE assist in assessing the patient?
What should you confirm while en route to the scene of a shooting?
What should you confirm while en route to the scene of a shooting?
In infants and small children, skin color should be assessed on the?
In infants and small children, skin color should be assessed on the?
When performing a reassessment of your patient, you should first?
When performing a reassessment of your patient, you should first?
During the primary assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing?
During the primary assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing?
A patient in unstable condition should be reassessed at least every?
A patient in unstable condition should be reassessed at least every?
The pulse oximeter is an assessment tool used to evaluate the?
The pulse oximeter is an assessment tool used to evaluate the?
When evaluating a patient with multiple complaints, the EMT's responsibility is to?
When evaluating a patient with multiple complaints, the EMT's responsibility is to?
The goal of oxygenation for most patients is an oxygen saturation of?
The goal of oxygenation for most patients is an oxygen saturation of?
The MOST effective way to determine whether your patient's problem is medical or traumatic in origin is to?
The MOST effective way to determine whether your patient's problem is medical or traumatic in origin is to?
When is it MOST appropriate to consider requesting additional ambulances at an accident scene?
When is it MOST appropriate to consider requesting additional ambulances at an accident scene?
For which of the following patients is spinal immobilization clearly indicated?
For which of the following patients is spinal immobilization clearly indicated?
Which of the following statements about the secondary assessment is correct?
Which of the following statements about the secondary assessment is correct?
Study Notes
Patient Assessment Key Concepts
- First Concern on Scene: Scene safety must be ensured before any assessment.
- AVPU Scale: A semiconscious patient opening eyes to verbal stimuli is rated as "responsive to verbal stimuli."
- Pulse Rate Descriptors: A pulse of 140 beats/min is classified as tachycardia, indicating a rapid heart rate.
- Pertinent Negatives: A negative finding that does not require further care or intervention is termed a pertinent negative.
- Primary Assessment Purpose: The primary assessment aims to identify and treat immediate life threats.
- MOI/NOI Assessment: Mechanism of Injury (MOI) or Nature of Illness (NOI) is determined during the scene size-up.
- Respiratory Sounds: Stridor is characterized by a brassy crowing sound during inhalation, indicating airway obstruction.
- Standard Precautions: Aimed at infection prevention, standard precautions are crucial in patient care.
Assessment of Consciousness and Vital Signs
- Signs of Consciousness: An unresponsive patient should be assessed for both verbal and painful stimuli responsiveness.
- Breathing Assessment: In an unconscious patient, respiratory assessment starts with manually positioning the head.
- Identifying Dyspnea: Two- to three-word dyspnea indicates significant breathing difficulty.
- Pulse Assessment: In unresponsive children, the carotid pulse should be palpated for assessment.
Pain and Patient History
- OPQRST Mnemonic: Used to assess pain; "region/radiation" refers to the area where pain spreads.
- Importance of Patient Assessment: Helps identify causes and severity of conditions, guiding prehospital treatment.
Scene Safety and Objective Findings
- Scene Survey Importance: Initial observations can indicate potential trauma or environmental hazards.
- Subjective vs Objective Findings: Objective findings include measurable data like vital signs, while subjective findings relate to reported symptoms like fever and chills.
Assessment Frequency and Documentation
- Vital Signs Monitoring: Should be repeated every 15 minutes, increasing to every 5 minutes if signs deteriorate.
- Reassessment Process: First step in reassessment is to repeat the primary assessment for changes in condition.
Emergency Situations
- Handling Unsafe Conditions: If a scene is unsafe, make it safe if possible, or retreat and call for help.
- Managing Multiple Patients: Determine the need for additional ambulances when multiple patients are present.
Special Considerations
- Spinal Immobilization: Indicated for patients with altered mental status and potential spinal injuries.
- Secondary Assessment Process: Conducted if no immediate life threats are present, it involves additional detailed examination.
- Signs of Altered Mental Status: Can include changes in pupil reaction indicating changes in brain function or consciousness levels.
Conclusion
- Continual assessment and vigilant monitoring of a patient's condition are essential in delivering effective emergency medical care. Employing proven assessment techniques and tools like the SAMPLE and OPQRST mnemonics help ensure comprehensive evaluation and appropriate response to medical emergencies.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key concepts in patient assessment with these flashcards from Chapter 10. Learn about scene safety, the AVPU scale, and important considerations when entering a medical scene. Perfect for students and professionals in the healthcare field.
