9 Patient Assessment

Question 1

accessory muscles

Answer 1

neck, chest, and abdominal muscles involved in respiration

Question 2

AVPU

Answer 2

alert and oriented x 4
verbal responsiveness
pain responsiveness
unresponsive

Question 3

bradycardia

Answer 3

slow heart rate @ 60 bpm or less

Question 4

capnography

Answer 4

measures concentration of CO2 in expired air over time

Question 5

crackles

Answer 5

crackling, rattling breath sound that signals fluid in air spaces in the lungs

Question 6

crepitus

Answer 6

grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together

Question 7

DCAP-BTLS

Answer 7

deformities 
contusions 
abrasions 
punctures 
burns 
tenderness 
lacerations 
swelling

Question 8

diastolic pressure

Answer 8

pressure that remains in the arteries during relaxing phase when the left ventricle is at rest

Question 9

distracting injury

Answer 9

any injury that prevents patient from noticing other injuries they may have, possibly more severe

Question 10

Golden Hour

Answer 10

time from injury to definitive care, during which Tx of shock and traumatic injuries should occur because survival is best

Question 11

guarding

Answer 11

involuntary muscle contractions of abdominal wall to minimize pain of stomach movement

Question 12

jaundice

Answer 12

yellow skin or sclera of eye s/p liver disease or dysfunction

Question 13

OPQRST

Answer 13

onset
provocation 
quality 
region and radiation 
severity 
timing

Question 14

paradoxical motion

Answer 14

usually from flail chest i.e. chest wall is detached or ribs fractured. The motion is opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing

Question 15

priapism

Answer 15

painful, tender, and persistent erection of penis, usually from spinal cord injury

Question 16

retractions

Answer 16

movement where skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration

Question 17

rhonchi

Answer 17

coarse, low pitched breath sounds heard in patients with mucus in upper airways

Question 18

SAMPLE

Answer 18

signs and symptoms 
allergies 
medications 
pertinent history 
last meal 
events leading to c/c

Question 19

stridor

Answer 19

harsh, high pitched, breath sound generally heard without auscultating caused by partial blockage or narrowing of upper airway

Question 20

subcutaneous emphysema

Answer 20

crackling sensation felt on palpation of skim caused by presence of air in soft tissues

Question 21

tidal volume

Answer 21

amount of air in mL that is moved in or out of the lungs in one breath

Question 22

2 to 3-word dyspnea

Answer 22

severe breathing problem where person can speak only 2-3 words before pausing and taking a breath

Question 23

wheezing

Answer 23

high pitched, whistling breath sound that is prominent on expiration and suggests possible obstruction or narrowing of lower airways e.g. asthma or bronchiolitis