Podcast
Questions and Answers
You are approximately 10 minutes away from the hospital with a 59-year-old female with a possible myocardial infarction when she suddenly loses consciousness. You should:
You are approximately 10 minutes away from the hospital with a 59-year-old female with a possible myocardial infarction when she suddenly loses consciousness. You should:
Unlike the secondary assessment, the ongoing assessment (reassessment) is:
Unlike the secondary assessment, the ongoing assessment (reassessment) is:
Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct?
Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct?
Which of the following conditions can cause the skin to be abnormally flushed and red?
Which of the following conditions can cause the skin to be abnormally flushed and red?
Signup and view all the answers
Trending a critically-injured patient's vital signs will allow you to determine:
Trending a critically-injured patient's vital signs will allow you to determine:
Signup and view all the answers
You are dispatched to a shopping mall for a female patient who is "sick." When you arrive, you find the patient, who appears confused, sitting on a bench in the middle of the mall. There is a small amount of blood in her hair. As you introduce yourself to the patient, you should direct your partner to:
You are dispatched to a shopping mall for a female patient who is "sick." When you arrive, you find the patient, who appears confused, sitting on a bench in the middle of the mall. There is a small amount of blood in her hair. As you introduce yourself to the patient, you should direct your partner to:
Signup and view all the answers
You are dispatched to mile marker 539 for a vehicle that slid off the road and into the median. When you arrive at the scene, you note minimal damage to the vehicle. The patient, who is still inside his vehicle, appears to be unconscious. Which of the following statements regarding this situation is correct?
You are dispatched to mile marker 539 for a vehicle that slid off the road and into the median. When you arrive at the scene, you note minimal damage to the vehicle. The patient, who is still inside his vehicle, appears to be unconscious. Which of the following statements regarding this situation is correct?
Signup and view all the answers
When auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear a high-pitched whistling sound during expiration. This suggests:
When auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear a high-pitched whistling sound during expiration. This suggests:
Signup and view all the answers
When assessing a patient's abdomen, which of the following techniques will provide you with the LEAST amount of information?
When assessing a patient's abdomen, which of the following techniques will provide you with the LEAST amount of information?
Signup and view all the answers
A 40-year-old female complains of a sudden onset of chest pressure. When assessing the history of her present illness, which of the following patient responses would identify a palliating factor?
A 40-year-old female complains of a sudden onset of chest pressure. When assessing the history of her present illness, which of the following patient responses would identify a palliating factor?
Signup and view all the answers
When reassessing a patient during transport, you should:
When reassessing a patient during transport, you should:
Signup and view all the answers
You are extricating a conscious and alert 22-year-old female from her car after she struck the rear end of another car while traveling at 40 mph. She complains only of neck pain and has no visible trauma. Her airbag deployed, but she was not wearing a seatbelt. You should:
You are extricating a conscious and alert 22-year-old female from her car after she struck the rear end of another car while traveling at 40 mph. She complains only of neck pain and has no visible trauma. Her airbag deployed, but she was not wearing a seatbelt. You should:
Signup and view all the answers
You are attempting to obtain medical history information from a 20-year-old female. However, she does not answer your questions, despite the fact that she is conscious and alert and speaks English. You should:
You are attempting to obtain medical history information from a 20-year-old female. However, she does not answer your questions, despite the fact that she is conscious and alert and speaks English. You should:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following injuries or conditions would have the LOWEST treatment priority during the primary assessment?
Which of the following injuries or conditions would have the LOWEST treatment priority during the primary assessment?
Signup and view all the answers
A 20-year-old male twisted his ankle while playing basketball. He is conscious and alert, is breathing adequately, and denies other trauma. After performing the primary assessment, you should:
A 20-year-old male twisted his ankle while playing basketball. He is conscious and alert, is breathing adequately, and denies other trauma. After performing the primary assessment, you should:
Signup and view all the answers
An older man complains of chest pain. He is conscious and alert and denies any other symptoms. Your focused assessment of this patient should include:
An older man complains of chest pain. He is conscious and alert and denies any other symptoms. Your focused assessment of this patient should include:
Signup and view all the answers
Determining the mechanism of injury will contribute to your decision of whether you should:
Determining the mechanism of injury will contribute to your decision of whether you should:
Signup and view all the answers
During transport of a 34-year-old male with a possible femur fracture, you perform a reassessment. This process begins with:
During transport of a 34-year-old male with a possible femur fracture, you perform a reassessment. This process begins with:
Signup and view all the answers
During your secondary assessment of a 70-year-old male with congestive heart failure, you note the presence of 4+ pitting edema to his lower extremities. This means that:
During your secondary assessment of a 70-year-old male with congestive heart failure, you note the presence of 4+ pitting edema to his lower extremities. This means that:
Signup and view all the answers
In general, you should assess the blood pressure in all patients who are at least ____ years of age.
In general, you should assess the blood pressure in all patients who are at least ____ years of age.
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following situations would MOST likely require additional personnel or resources at the scene?
Which of the following situations would MOST likely require additional personnel or resources at the scene?
Signup and view all the answers
The need to perform a detailed physical exam on a patient is based on:
The need to perform a detailed physical exam on a patient is based on:
Signup and view all the answers
You are the first unit to arrive at the scene of a crash involving a minivan and a small passenger car. You see two patients in the minivan, one who appears to be unconscious and the other with severe bleeding from the face. A third patient is sitting on a curb holding his arm. Your initial action should be to:
You are the first unit to arrive at the scene of a crash involving a minivan and a small passenger car. You see two patients in the minivan, one who appears to be unconscious and the other with severe bleeding from the face. A third patient is sitting on a curb holding his arm. Your initial action should be to:
Signup and view all the answers
Loud, high-pitched and hollow sounds auscultated over the manubrium are called:
Loud, high-pitched and hollow sounds auscultated over the manubrium are called:
Signup and view all the answers
Indicators to the patient that you are actively listening to him or her include:
Indicators to the patient that you are actively listening to him or her include:
Signup and view all the answers
A 30-year-old male presents with signs of shock. He is conscious but anxious, and is in no obvious respiratory distress. After applying oxygen, you attach a pulse oximeter, which reads 78%. This low oxygen saturation reading is MOST likely the result of:
A 30-year-old male presents with signs of shock. He is conscious but anxious, and is in no obvious respiratory distress. After applying oxygen, you attach a pulse oximeter, which reads 78%. This low oxygen saturation reading is MOST likely the result of:
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following skin findings suggest liver dysfunction?
Which of the following skin findings suggest liver dysfunction?
Signup and view all the answers
A 56-year-old female called EMS because of shortness of breath. During your assessment, she tells you that this began four days ago. Which of the following questions would be MOST appropriate to ask her regarding the duration of her chief complaint?
A 56-year-old female called EMS because of shortness of breath. During your assessment, she tells you that this began four days ago. Which of the following questions would be MOST appropriate to ask her regarding the duration of her chief complaint?
Signup and view all the answers
When arriving at the scene of a motor-vehicle crash, you should park your ambulance in an area that is:
When arriving at the scene of a motor-vehicle crash, you should park your ambulance in an area that is:
Signup and view all the answers
You are transporting a critically-injured patient to a trauma center located 45 minutes away from the scene. At a minimum, how many times should you reassess the patient's vital signs during transport?
You are transporting a critically-injured patient to a trauma center located 45 minutes away from the scene. At a minimum, how many times should you reassess the patient's vital signs during transport?
Signup and view all the answers
You are assessing the quality of a trauma patient's respirations. Which of the following clinical findings would indicate labored breathing?
You are assessing the quality of a trauma patient's respirations. Which of the following clinical findings would indicate labored breathing?
Signup and view all the answers
Assessment of a patient's pelvis is appropriately performed by:
Assessment of a patient's pelvis is appropriately performed by:
Signup and view all the answers
Based solely on the mechanism of injury, which of the following adult patients is at greatest risk for serious injuries?
Based solely on the mechanism of injury, which of the following adult patients is at greatest risk for serious injuries?
Signup and view all the answers
A responsive 40-year-old male complains of chest pain. He is able to speak to you in complete sentences and has no obvious respiratory difficulty. From this information, you can conclude that:
A responsive 40-year-old male complains of chest pain. He is able to speak to you in complete sentences and has no obvious respiratory difficulty. From this information, you can conclude that:
Signup and view all the answers
A 59-year-old male presents with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Upon assessment, you note that his abdomen has an asymmetrical appearance. As you palpate the area, his jugular veins become slightly distended. These clinical findings are MOST suggestive of:
A 59-year-old male presents with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Upon assessment, you note that his abdomen has an asymmetrical appearance. As you palpate the area, his jugular veins become slightly distended. These clinical findings are MOST suggestive of:
Signup and view all the answers
A young male is found to be unconscious. When assessing his pupils, you note that they dilate when exposed to bright light. This clinical finding is MOST suggestive of:
A young male is found to be unconscious. When assessing his pupils, you note that they dilate when exposed to bright light. This clinical finding is MOST suggestive of:
Signup and view all the answers
The formulation of an appropriate treatment plan is ultimately based on the:
The formulation of an appropriate treatment plan is ultimately based on the:
Signup and view all the answers
Compared to the patient's chief complaint, the primary problem is:
Compared to the patient's chief complaint, the primary problem is:
Signup and view all the answers
Your rapid assessment (rapid body scan) of an injured patient reveals pelvic deformity and a rigid, distended abdomen. After applying high-flow oxygen and immobilizing the patient's spine, you should:
Your rapid assessment (rapid body scan) of an injured patient reveals pelvic deformity and a rigid, distended abdomen. After applying high-flow oxygen and immobilizing the patient's spine, you should:
Signup and view all the answers
The finer and somewhat fainter breath sounds noted in the lateral wall of the chest are known as:
The finer and somewhat fainter breath sounds noted in the lateral wall of the chest are known as:
Signup and view all the answers
You are dispatched to an apartment complex, where a tenant was found unconscious by the landlord. There is no evidence of trauma. After completing the primary assessment and addressing immediate life-threats, you should:
You are dispatched to an apartment complex, where a tenant was found unconscious by the landlord. There is no evidence of trauma. After completing the primary assessment and addressing immediate life-threats, you should:
Signup and view all the answers
During your reassessment of a patient with an illness or injury, it is important to:
During your reassessment of a patient with an illness or injury, it is important to:
Signup and view all the answers
Following the primary assessment, the MOST appropriate order to proceed when treating a responsive medical patient is:
Following the primary assessment, the MOST appropriate order to proceed when treating a responsive medical patient is:
Signup and view all the answers
A restrained 19-year-old male was involved in a rollover motor-vehicle crash. With the exception of a small laceration to his forehead, he appears stable. When reconsidering the mechanism of injury, you should:
A restrained 19-year-old male was involved in a rollover motor-vehicle crash. With the exception of a small laceration to his forehead, he appears stable. When reconsidering the mechanism of injury, you should:
Signup and view all the answers
The general impression of your patient will allow you to obtain all of the following information EXCEPT for the:
The general impression of your patient will allow you to obtain all of the following information EXCEPT for the:
Signup and view all the answers
Law enforcement requests your assistance at a local nightclub for a patient who was assaulted. Upon arrival, an officer escorts you to the patient, a 21-year-old male, who is bleeding severely from a lacerated brachial artery. The patient is conscious and is screaming in pain. You should immediately:
Law enforcement requests your assistance at a local nightclub for a patient who was assaulted. Upon arrival, an officer escorts you to the patient, a 21-year-old male, who is bleeding severely from a lacerated brachial artery. The patient is conscious and is screaming in pain. You should immediately:
Signup and view all the answers
When energy impacts a body structure it:
When energy impacts a body structure it:
Signup and view all the answers
When is it appropriate to palpate a trauma patient's pelvis?
When is it appropriate to palpate a trauma patient's pelvis?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Patient Assessment Flashcards - Study Notes
-
Primary Assessment: Focuses on identifying and treating immediate life-threatening conditions. Aims to open the airway, assess breathing, and check circulation.
-
Secondary Assessment: Performed after immediate threats are addressed, especially for stable patients. A deeper evaluation focusing on specific problems.
-
Ongoing Assessment (Reassessment): Continuous monitoring of the patient during transport; critical for identifying and responding to changes in condition.
-
Focused History & Physical Assessment: Guided by chief complaint; collects specific information about the patient's problem, and examines relevant body systems/areas .
-
SAMPLE History: Used in prehospital settings and includes: Signs and Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last Oral Intake, Events leading to the incident.
-
General Impression: A quick assessment based on the patient's overall appearance, mental status, and signs of injury or distress. This helps quickly assess need for additional resources, or if a particular area warrants closer inspection or treatment.
-
Scene Size-Up: A pre-patient approach to assess the scene; crucial for determining the hazards and needs of the situation before entering and addressing patient needs and safety. Key factors evaluated include patient count, access, hazards, and resources needed.
-
Mechanism of Injury (MOI): Understanding how the injury occurred often helps predict the severity and potential injuries. This factors in evaluating the forces, surfaces impacted, and duration of impact.
-
Vital Signs (VS): Crucial to monitoring patient conditions. Includes monitoring the pulse, blood pressure, respiration, and other pertinent details. Note the timing of VS checks, as frequency is based on patient status (critical patients get more frequent checks).
-
Skin Assessment: Can offer clues to the patient's condition, including possible causes of flushing, cyanosis, or jaundice.
-
Pain Assessment: Details on pain intensity, location, provocation, quality, radiation, and timing are key aspects of evaluation.
-
Pupil Assessment (PERRLA): Evaluation of pupil size, shape, and reaction to light; important for assessing neurological function.
-
Clinical Decision Making: Must be based on complete information. Gathering, evaluating, and acting on the patient's needs from the entire scene and assessment of the situation are key aspects of this process.
-
Treatment Prioritization: Addresses the concept of addressing life-threatening conditions first followed by other urgent needs.
-
Abnormal Breath Sounds: Identifying sounds like rhonchi, rales, or wheezes can indicate specific respiratory conditions.
-
Neurologic Assessment: Evaluating responsiveness, using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) is key to assessing neurological status and tracking progress.
-
Abdominal Assessment: Palpation, observation and careful listening are part of determining the presence of specific or widespread pain, or the presence of organs outside the abdomen.
-
Shock: Characterized by particular signs like cool, clammy skin, rapid pulse, low blood pressure, and tachycardia.
-
Determining Appropriate Transport: Decisions are based on patient status and need for specific hospital resources.
-
Transporting Patients with Problems: Reassessment is critical in transport to assess response to treatment.
Specific Examples of Conditions & Findings
- Flushing: Possible sign of high blood pressure.
- Cool, clammy skin: Possible sign of shock or hypoperfusion.
- Jaundice: Possible sign of liver dysfunction.
- Subcutaneous Emphysema: Air under the skin, often associated with chest trauma.
- Referred Pain: Pain felt as though it is in a different location than the actual problem.
- Diffuse pain: Pain that covers a larger area.
- Focal pain: Pain concentrated in one small area.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Explore essential patient assessment techniques with this quiz, focusing on primary, secondary, and ongoing assessments. Test your understanding of the SAMPLE history and the importance of general impressions in patient evaluation. Perfect for students and professionals in healthcare fields.
