Patient Assessment Techniques Quiz

Questions and Answers

What should you try saying when your patient, Tom, is angry and ranting?

Tom, let me see if I understand you correctly.

What should you try saying when angry patient Tom quiets down but is still refusing care?

I can see why you might feel that way.

Which of the following is a reason that a patient may be frustrated and angry?

She really doesn't have anything wrong with her.

He feels misunderstood. (correct)

He isn't legally able to refuse care.

She is trying to make things hard for EMS.

What should you consider when transporting a patient handcuffed by police?

Ask for the officer with the handcuff keys to ride along. Signup and view all the answers

What should you do after assessing a patient restrained by police?

Transfer him to the supine position and have the cuffs moved to the front. Signup and view all the answers

Why is a patient talking on a cell phone difficult to assess?

They may not fully understand your questions. Signup and view all the answers

If a conscious patient starts a phone conversation during assessment, what should you do?

Politely ask them to hang up the phone. Signup and view all the answers

What is another method to get the patient to end a cell phone call?

Maintain eye contact while waiting. Signup and view all the answers

When adjusting the heat in the back of the rig, what should be your primary consideration?

The temperature at which the patient will be comfortable. Signup and view all the answers

The GCS is often taught alongside _______ in EMT programs.

Trauma Signup and view all the answers

What action may you need to take to award points in the eye-opening category of GCS?

Apply a noxious stimulus. Signup and view all the answers

What does it demonstrate if a patient tries to grab you with their left hand when you squeeze their right shoulder?

Localizing the pain. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of physical assessment do EMS providers tend to use as they become more experienced?

Focused physical exam Signup and view all the answers

You should perform a ____________________ exam on a child while your partner helps for head and neck stabilization.

Head to toe Signup and view all the answers

When assessing a conscious male patient who fell off his motorcycle and is in pain, what should you do?

Systematically do a head to toe exam Signup and view all the answers

What sound like crackling in the bases of the lungs indicates?

Rales Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to place the stethoscope directly on the patient's skin when listening to lung sounds?

The assessment will be more accurate. Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to use an antimicrobial agent on your stethoscope after using it on a patient?

The stethoscope may have MRSA germs on it. Signup and view all the answers

According to Chris Cebollero, what is the best skill you can have as a paramedic?

Assessment skills Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following should you NOT do?

Accept an operation solely on the original diagnosis Signup and view all the answers

Taking manual vital signs does all of the following EXCEPT:

Provides a tentative diagnosis Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Patient Interaction

Use calm and understanding language when dealing with an angry patient, such as "Tom, let me see if I understand you correctly."
Acknowledge a patient’s feelings to defuse anger, saying, "I can see why you might feel that way."
Recognize feelings of misunderstanding as a common cause of patient frustration.

Custody and Transport Protocols

For a patient in custody, request for the officer with handcuff keys to accompany you during transport.
After assessing a restrained patient, change their position to supine and move handcuffs to the front for safety and monitoring during transit.

Patient Communication

Assessing patients on cell phones can be challenging as they may not fully understand your questions.
Politely ask a patient to hang up their phone if it disrupts your assessment for better communication.
Maintaining eye contact while waiting can help signal to a patient that their call needs to end.

Temperature Management

Adjust ambulance heat primarily for patient comfort rather than general working conditions or external temperatures.

Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

GCS is commonly taught alongside trauma in EMT programs.
Points for eye opening in the GCS may require applying a noxious stimulus if a patient does not respond verbally.

Pain Response Evaluation

If a patient localizes pain, they are demonstrating a significant neurological response, indicating awareness and ability to react.

Assessment Techniques

More experienced EMS providers tend to perform focused physical exams rather than exhaustive assessments.
Conduct a head-to-toe exam on pediatric patients with parental presence for comprehensive evaluation.

Lung Sounds Assessment

Identifying specific lung sounds: crackling sounds in the lungs are referred to as rales.
Accurate assessment of lung sounds requires placing the stethoscope directly on the skin for reliable results.

Hygiene Practices

Using an antimicrobial agent on stethoscopes post-assessment is crucial to prevent transmission of infections like MRSA.

Core Skills in Paramedicine

Strong assessment skills are deemed the most valuable attribute for paramedics, highlighting the importance of thorough evaluations.
Never limit operational decisions based solely on initial diagnoses; always reassess as new information becomes available.

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Description

Test your skills in patient assessment with this interactive quiz designed for EMS professionals. Gain insights on handling difficult patient interactions, particularly with angry patients like Tom. Enhance your communication strategies for effective patient care.