Ch. 14

Question 1

A systematic process of collecting relevant patient information in order to determine a patient’s medical condition and establish priorities for treatment and transport would be known as:

A) primary assessment.
B) patient assessment.
C) reassessment.
D) scene size-up.

Answer 1

B) patient assessment.

Page Ref: 327
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 2

Giving oxygen to a patient without having to have a specific diagnosis of the underlying cause of difficulty breathing would be an example of using:

A) assessment-based management.
B) clinical problem solving.
C) field impression.
D) primary assessment.

Answer 2

A) assessment-based management.

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 3

An AEMT engaging in a systematic reasoning process to explain the assessment findings would be exercising:

A) primary assessment.
B) rapid medical exam.
C) clinical problem solving.
D) field impression.

Answer 3

C) clinical problem solving.

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 4

An AEMT provider’s provisional diagnosis of a patient’s medical problem upon which the medical treatment plan is based would be referred to as:

A) mechanism of injury.
B) secondary assessment.
C) nature of illness.
D) field impression.

Answer 4

D) field impression.

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 5

The means by which energy, often mechanical forces, is transmitted to the body, producing the potential for trauma would be defined as the:

A) field impression.
B) mechanism of injury.
C) rapid trauma exam.
D) secondary assessment.

Answer 5

B) mechanism of injury.

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 6

Which of the following questions is NOT a goal of the patient assessment process?

A) “What is the nature of the patient’s problem?”
B) “How sick is the patient?”
C) “What kind of insurance does the patient have?”
D) “Is the patient’s condition stable, improving, or worsening?”

Answer 6

C) “What kind of insurance does the patient have?”

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.2 Describe the purpose and goals of patient assessment.

Question 7

Successful patient assessment requires that you FIRST establish:

A) trust and rapport with the patient.
B) communication with medical dispatch.
C) trust and rapport with your partner.
D) communication with your partner.

Answer 7

A) trust and rapport with the patient.

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 8

Patient assessment consists of four essential components. These components in order from beginning to end of the call would be:

A) reassessment, secondary assessment, primary assessment, and scene size-up.
B) primary assessment, secondary assessment, scene size-up, and reassessment.
C) scene size-up, secondary assessment, primary assessment, and reassessment.
D) scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment, and reassessment.

Answer 8

D) scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment, and reassessment.

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 9

During which essential component of patient assessment does the AEMT monitor the patient’s condition for changes, assess the effects of treatment, and make adjustments in treatment as needed?

A) Primary assessment
B) Reassessment
C) Secondary assessment
D) Scene size-up

Answer 9

B) Reassessment

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 10

During which essential component of patient assessment does the AEMT collect vital signs, obtain a medical history, and look for additional signs of injury and illness?

A) Primary assessment
B) Reassessment
C) Secondary assessment
D) Scene size-up

Answer 10

C) Secondary assessment

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 11

During which essential component of patient assessment does the AEMT determine the safety of the scene and formulate a general impression of the nature of the situation?

A) Primary assessment
B) Reassessment
C) Secondary assessment
D) Scene size-up

Answer 11

D) Scene size-up

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 12

During which essential component of patient assessment does the AEMT look for and manage any immediate threats to the patient’s life and establish priorities for treatment and transport?

A) Primary assessment
B) Reassessment
C) Secondary assessment
D) Scene size-up

Answer 12

A) Primary assessment

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 13

Which of the following is NOT part of the scene size-up phase of the patient assessment?

A) Mechanism of injury
B) Patient vital signs
C) Nature of illness
D) General impression

Answer 13

B) Patient vital signs

Page Ref: 330
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 14

Which of the following mnemonics represent the components of the primary assessment for all patients?

A) SAMPLE
B) OPQRST
C) ABCD
D) AVPU

Answer 14

C) ABCD

Page Ref: 332
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 15

A patient having a decreased level of awareness and ability to respond to stimuli would be correctly referred to as:

A) obtunded.
B) clinical.
C) disheveled.
D) satisficing.

Answer 15

A) obtunded.

Page Ref: 332
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 16

What is the process used to search for underlying causes that explain the collection of findings?

A) Assessment-based management
B) Diagnosis
C) Differential diagnosis
D) Clinical problem solving

Answer 16

D) Clinical problem solving

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 17

Those patients who need or are on the verge of needing emergent interventions are considered:

A) satisficing.
B) critical.
C) clinical.
D) non-critical.

Answer 17

B) critical.

Page Ref: 334
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 18

Which of the following patients is considered to be a noncritical patient?

A) Patient with symptoms of cardiac chest pain
B) Patient with signs and symptoms of stroke
C) Patient with a mental status that is not altered
D) Patient with a significant mechanism of injury

Answer 18

C) Patient with a mental status that is not altered

Page Ref: 334
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 19

With critically injured patients the complete secondary survey is BEST performed:

A) on the scene of the emergency.
B) while the patient is being extricated.
C) at the hospital by the ED staff.
D) during the transport to the hospital.

Answer 19

D) during the transport to the hospital.

Page Ref: 334
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 20

Which of the following is NOT a step of the secondary assessment?

A) Obtaining a medical history from the patient.
B) Determining the patient’s chief complaint.
C) Measuring baseline vital signs.
D) Conducting a physical examination.

Answer 20

B) Determining the patient’s chief complaint.

Page Ref: 335
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 21

A quick physical exam performed on critical medical or trauma patients to identify potentially life-threatening conditions NOT found in the primary would be called a:

A) rapid physical exam.
B) rapid trauma exam.
C) reassessment exam.
D) rapid medical exam.

Answer 21

A) rapid physical exam.

Page Ref: 335
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 22

The link between the primary assessment and secondary assessment can be remembered by the mnemonic:

A) DCAP-BTLS.
B) AVPU.
C) ABCDE.
D) SAMPLE.

Answer 22

C) ABCDE.

Page Ref: 336
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 23

For a critically ill or injured patient, you will reassess at least every:

A) 15 minutes.
B) 10 minutes.
C) 20 minutes.
D) 5 minutes.

Answer 23

D) 5 minutes.

Page Ref: 337
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process; 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 24

Finding the answers to the questions guiding the patient assessment process requires a process of problem solving that is called:

A) assessment-based management.
B) clinical problem solving.
C) field impression management.
D) satisficing problem solving.

Answer 24

B) clinical problem solving.

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 25

Accurate ________ requires an adequate knowledge base of the facts and principles of anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, pharmacology, and other information.

A) field impression
B) mental status
C) problem solving
D) scene size-up

Answer 25

C) problem solving

Page Ref: 337
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter; 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 26

What is the main disadvantage to using the hypothetico-deductive approach to problem solving in the prehospital setting?

A) The hypothetico-deductive approach requires the luxuries of time and information.
B) The hypothetico-deductive approach is a great way to learn critical thinking skills.
C) The hypothetico-deductive approach is structured, formal, and deliberate.
D) The hypothetico-deductive approach is a repetitive process of forming, eliminating, and adding hypothesis.

Answer 26

A) The hypothetico-deductive approach requires the luxuries of time and information.

Page Ref: 338
Objective: 14.5 Explain the importance of both a systematic approach and adaptability in patient assessment.

Question 27

Experts often use a problem solving process in which similarities to previous experiences are considered. This is called:

A) the hypothetico-deductive approach.
B) clinical problem solving.
C) satisficing strategy.
D) pattern recognition.

Answer 27

D) pattern recognition.

Page Ref: 338
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 28

Another approach to clinical problem solving is the use of rules of thumb which are also called:

A) semantics.
B) heuristics.
C) symbiotics.
D) haptics.

Answer 28

B) heuristics.

Page Ref: 339
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 29

A decision making strategy in which the first acceptable, but not necessarily optimal, solution is accepted would be:

A) hypothetico-deductive approach.
B) clinical problem solving.
C) satisficing strategy.
D) pattern recognition.

Answer 29

C) satisficing strategy.

Page Ref: 339
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 30

An error in clinical reasoning that occurs when the AEMT wrongly attributes a person’s behavior to his personality or disposition, rather than to circumstances would be:

A) fundamental attribution error.
B) commission bias error.
C) anchoring error.
D) satisficing error.

Answer 30

A) fundamental attribution error.

Page Ref: 339
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 31

An AEMT is faced with treating an unresponsive patient whose respirations are not depressed and the likelihood of narcotic overdose is remote. The AEMT feels helpless and believes that doing anything is better than doing nothing at all, the AEMT then decided to administer naloxone to the patient. The AEMT has fallen prey to an error called:

A) satisficing bias.
B) fundamental attribution bias.
C) anchoring bias.
D) commission bias.

Answer 31

D) commission bias.

Page Ref: 340
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 32

An error made by jumping to conclusions is a pitfall that occurs when a piece of information revealed early in the assessment process is seized upon and made to be more significant than it really is. This error is referred to as:

A) satisficing.
B) anchoring.
C) commission bias.
D) fundamental attribution.

Answer 32

B) anchoring.

Page Ref: 340
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 33

After arriving at an unconscious patient’s side the AEMT MUST:

A) identify threats to life, and treat those first.
B) identify patient’s medical history so as to understand the physical exam findings.
C) identify a detailed understanding of events leading up to the EMS call.
D) identify all injuries before beginning treatment.

Answer 33

A) identify threats to life, and treat those first.

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.2 Describe the purpose and goals of patient assessment.

Question 34

Which of the following is NOT a component of the patient assessment?

A) Scene size-up
B) Primary assessment
C) Secondary assessment
D) Patient follow-up

Answer 34

D) Patient follow-up

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 35

The primary assessment is BEST defined as:

A) identifying and correcting immediate life-threatening conditions.
B) detecting trends and determining changes in your patient’s condition.
C) a careful, thorough process of eliciting the patient’s history and conducting an exam.
D) a problem-oriented assessment based on the patient’s chief complaint.

Answer 35

A) identifying and correcting immediate life-threatening conditions.

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.2 Describe the purpose and goals of patient assessment.

Question 36

The detailed physical exam is BEST defined as:

A) a careful, thorough process of eliciting the patient’s history and conducting an exam.
B) identifying and correcting immediate life-threatening conditions.
C) a problem-oriented assessment based on the patient’s chief complaint.
D) detecting trends and determining changes in your patient’s condition.

Answer 36

A) a careful, thorough process of eliciting the patient’s history and conducting an exam.

Page Ref: 337
Objective: 14.2 Describe the purpose and goals of patient assessment.

Question 37

Continued development of a general impression during the primary assessment allows you to better:

A) determine the nature and seriousness of the patient’s problem.
B) determine the baseline mental state.
C) stabilize the cervical spine.
D) determine what additional resources you will need.

Answer 37

A) determine the nature and seriousness of the patient’s problem.

Page Ref: 331
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process; 14.5 Explain the importance of both a systematic approach and adaptability in patient assessment.

Question 38

The prioritized list of field impressions is referred to as:

A) patient assessment.
B) differential diagnosis.
C) rapid trauma exam.
D) field impression.

Answer 38

B) differential diagnosis.

Page Ref: 328
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 39

You are on the scene of a three-year-old patient who opens her eyes when you speak to her and is able to mumble a response. This patient’s mental status is BEST described as:

A) semi-conscious.
B) responsive to verbal stimuli.
C) lethargic.
D) responsive to tactile stimuli.

Answer 39

B) responsive to verbal stimuli.

Page Ref: 333
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 40

A patient who looks at you when you walk into the scene of an EMS call, but will NOT respond to you when you speak and responds aggressively when you touch them, has an assessed mental status of:

A) V.
B) A.
C) P.
D) U.

Answer 40

B) A.

Page Ref: 333
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 41

A fast, systematic assessment for life-threatening injuries other than those already identified in the primary assessment is known as:

A) rapid trauma exam.
B) detailed physical exam.
C) secondary service.
D) head to toe exam.

Answer 41

A) rapid trauma exam.

Page Ref: 335
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 42

Reassessment of a noncritical patient’s vital signs should be performed at least every ________ minutes.

A) 10
B) 15
C) 5
D) 20

Answer 42

B) 15

Page Ref: 337
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 43

The reassessment involves all of the following EXCEPT determining the:

A) effect of interventions.
B) estimated remaining transport time.
C) patient’s vital signs.
D) transport priority.

Answer 43

B) estimated remaining transport time.

Page Ref: 337
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process; 14.5 Explain the importance of both a systematic approach and adaptability in patient assessment.

Question 44

The physical examination begins when the AEMT FIRST:

A) talks to the patient.
B) sees the patient.
C) asks the patient about past history.
D) touches the patient.

Answer 44

B) sees the patient.

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 45

An unresponsive patient should always be considered:

A) unconscious.
B) critical.
C) obtunded.
D) in cardiac arrest.

Answer 45

B) critical.

Page Ref: 336
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 46

In responding to a two-car collision, be prepared to look for:

A) flail chest.
B) severe lower extremity injuries.
C) multiple patients.
D) altered mental status patients.

Answer 46

C) multiple patients.

Page Ref: 330
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 47

By forming a general impression during patient assessment, you are better able to:

A) determine baseline mental status.
B) determine whether the patient is responsive or unresponsive.
C) stabilize the cervical spine.
D) administer proper medications.

Answer 47

B) determine whether the patient is responsive or unresponsive.

Page Ref: 330
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 48

After your primary assessment of a trauma patient, you might conduct a fast, systematic assessment designed to identify other life-threatening injuries. This is known as the:

A) rapid trauma exam.
B) focused physical exam.
C) detailed physical exam.
D) one-minute exam.

Answer 48

A) rapid trauma exam.

Page Ref: 335
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 49

What type of exam is used for medical patients to quickly check the head, neck, torso, and proximal extremities for any life-threatening conditions?

A) Rapid medical exam
B) Ongoing assessment
C) Primary assessment
D) Detailed physical exam

Answer 49

A) Rapid medical exam

Page Ref: 335-336
Objective: 14.1 Define key terms introduced in this chapter.

Question 50

You are evaluating a patient who was in a motor vehicle collision. You determine that the patient is responsive to pain only and has a partially amputated arm at the elbow, a possible pelvic fracture, and a flail chest. You classify this patient’s condition as:

A) expectant.
B) non-life-threatening.
C) non-critical patient.
D) critical patient.

Answer 50

D) critical patient.

Page Ref: 334
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 51

During scene size-up, which one of the following pieces of information MUST the AEMT identify?

A) Patient’s level of consciousness
B) Best route to get to the call
C) Status of the airway and breathing
D) Need for additional personnel

Answer 51

D) Need for additional personnel

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 52

To assess a patient in the field setting, in what order would the AEMT perform this task?

A) Scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment
B) Scene size-up, history, secondary assessment, primary assessment
C) Scene size-up, secondary assessment, primary assessment
D) Primary assessment; reassessment, secondary assessment

Answer 52

A) Scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process.

Question 53

You have been dispatched to a residence for an 89-year-old woman with an unspecified complaint. When assessing this patient, which one of the following will be the AEMT’s first priority to develop a better understanding of the emergency?

A) Gather a medical history including allergy information.
B) Contact medical direction for advisement.
C) Determine if the complaint is medical or trauma related.
D) Obtain the patient’s vital signs and current medications.

Answer 53

C) Determine if the complaint is medical or trauma related.

Page Ref: 334
Objective: 14.2 Describe the purpose and goals of patient assessment; 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 54

You arrive at the scene of a fall, where a 42-year-old woman fell backward off a step ladder while cleaning windows in her kitchen. She is lying on the floor complaining of pain to her ankle. She tells you, “If I had just gone to work today instead of using vacation time, this never would have happened!” Based on information thus far, which one of the following can you conclude?

A) She is alert with an open airway.
B) She does not have any other injuries.
C) She does not require rapid transport.
D) Her pulse rate is within normal limits.

Answer 54

A) She is alert with an open airway.

Page Ref: 331
Objective: 14.5 Explain the importance of both a systematic approach and adaptability in patient assessment.

Question 55

You have been dispatched to an apartment for an elderly man complaining of shortness of breath. When should you start the process of forming a general impression about this patient?

A) As you and your partner approach him
B) After completing the primary assessment
C) Following the completion of vital signs
D) As soon as you obtain his chief complaint

Answer 55

A) As you and your partner approach him

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.3 Describe the components of the patient assessment process; 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 56

The AEMT shows she understands the importance and reason for forming a general impression of the patient when she makes which one of the following statements?

A) “Forming a general impression provides me with a rough idea of the patient’s overall status.”
B) “Forming a general impression allows me to fully assess the emergency situation.”
C) “The general impression enables me to rule out any life-threatening conditions.”
D) “The general impression permits a rapid diagnosis of the patient’s problem.”

Answer 56

A) “Forming a general impression provides me with a rough idea of the patient’s overall status.”

Page Ref: 330
Objective: 14.5 Explain the importance of both a systematic approach and adaptability in patient assessment.

Question 57

Which one of the following patients should be classified as unresponsive?

A) 70-year-old woman who has suffered a stroke
B) 52-year-old who cannot answer your questions
C) 39-year-old woman who is confused
D) 46-year-old man who does not respond when his fingers are pinched

Answer 57

D) 46-year-old man who does not respond when his fingers are pinched

Page Ref: 333
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 58

An AEMT is assessing a nine-month-old infant who is “not acting right” per his mother. Assessment reveals him to be extremely irritable, crying weakly, and shows he does not want to be touched by the EMT. Which one of the following BEST describes this infant’s mental status?

A) Verbal
B) Alert
C) Crying
D) Lethargic

Answer 58

B) Alert

Page Ref: 333
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 59

You are by the side of a patient who is complaining of shortness of breath and has a history of heart failure. When assessing the airway, which one of the following observations BEST indicates a clear airway?

A) She is sitting in an upright position because she cannot lie flat.
B) She can only speak in short sentences due to rapid breathing.
C) She easily tells you that she is having chest pain.
D) She is lethargic and confused to person, place, and time.

Answer 59

C) She easily tells you that she is having chest pain.

Page Ref: 333
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 60

You have determined that your patient is unresponsive. Which one of the following should you do next?

A) Open the airway.
B) Immediate transport.
C) Check quickly a carotid pulse.
D) Determine the past medical history.

Answer 60

C) Check quickly a carotid pulse.

Page Ref: 331
Objective: 14.5 Explain the importance of both a systematic approach and adaptability in patient assessment.

Question 61

A construction worker has fallen 10 feet from scaffolding and is responsive but very confused. His airway is open and his breathing is adequate. Coworkers state that he was unresponsive for a period of two minutes following the fall and is on medications for depression and heart problems. Based on this information, the AEMT should classify him as what kind of patient?

A) Medical and trauma
B) Trauma and behavioral
C) Medical only
D) Trauma only

Answer 61

D) Trauma only

Page Ref: 334
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 62

You and your partner are first on the scene of a bleacher collapse at a local stadium. As you exit the ambulance, you note several patients seated around debris from the seats. In this situation, which one of the following actions would you perform FIRST?

A) Wait for a supervisor to arrive.
B) Determine the number of patients.
C) Determine the severity of injuries.
D) Notify the local hospitals of a mass-casualty incident.

Answer 62

B) Determine the number of patients.

Page Ref: 329
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 63

The term level of responsiveness in reference to a patient’s mental status refers to the ability to respond to:

A) a crisis.
B) the environment.
C) a medication.
D) a treatment.

Answer 63

B) the environment.

Page Ref: 333
Objective: 14.6 Explain the importance of various decision-making and problem-solving approaches in the patient assessment and patient care processes.

Question 64

In an emergency situation, which one of the following steps should be done first?

A) Manage problems with circulation.
B) Initiate transport.
C) Start an IV.
D) Obtain a medical history.

Answer 64

A) Manage problems with circulation.

Page Ref: 333
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.

Question 65

Pattern recognition can be prone to what is called ________ where inadequate consideration is given to other possibilities.

A) rules of thumb
B) pitfalls in clinical reasoning
C) premature diagnostic closure
D) psych-out error

Answer 65

C) premature diagnostic closure

Page Ref: 338
Objective: 14.4 Discuss the decisions that must be made during the patient assessment process.