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EMT > Chapter 10: Patient Assessment > Flashcards

Chapter 10: Patient Assessment Flashcards

1
Q

What are the indications for spinal immobilization?

A
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2
Q

What are signs of respiratory distress? Respiratory failure?

table 10-2

A
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3
Q

What is the DCAP-BTLS mnemonic?
When is it used?

table 10-3

A
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4
Q

What types of conditions are examples of high-priority pts that should be transported immediately?

A
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5
Q

Define: accessory muscles

A

the secondary muscles of respiration. They include the neck muscles (sternocleidomastoids), the chest pectoralis major muscles, and the abdominal muscles

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6
Q

Define: altered mental status

A

a change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the CNS or elsewhere in the body

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7
Q

Define: auscultate

A

to listen to sounds within an organ with a stethoscope

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8
Q

Define: AVPU scale

A

a method of assessing the level of consciousness by determining whether the pt is awake and alert, responsive to verbal stimuli or pain, or unresponsive; used principally in the early assessment process

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9
Q

Define: blood pressure

A

the pressure that blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them

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10
Q

Define: bradycardia

A

a slow HR, less than 60 beats/min

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11
Q

Define: breath sounds

A

an indication of air movement in the lungs, usually assessed w a stethoscope

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12
Q

Define: capillary refill

A

a test that evaluates distal circulatory syste function by squeezing (blanching) blood from an area such as a nail bed and watching the speed of its return after releasing pressure

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13
Q

Define: capnography

A

a noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a pt’s ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism; effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over tine

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14
Q

Define: chief complaint

A

the reason a pt called for help; also, the patient’s response to questions such as “what’s wrong?” or “Whats happened?”

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15
Q

Define: conjunctiva

A

the delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eye

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16
Q

Define: crackles

A

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

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17
Q

Define: crepitus

A

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

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18
Q

Define: cyanosis

A

a blue skin discoloration that is caused by a reduced level of O2 in the blood

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19
Q

Define: DCAP-BTLS

A

mnemonic for assessment in which each area of the body is evaluated for:
Deformities
Contusions
Abrasions
Punctures/penetrations
Burns
Tenderness
Lacerations
Swelling

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20
Q

Define: diaphoretic

A

characterized by light or profuse sweating

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21
Q

Define: diastolic pressure

A

the pressure that remains in the arteries during the relaxing phase of the heart’s cycle (diastole) when the left ventricle is at rest

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22
Q

Define: distracting injury

A

any injury that prevents the pt from noticing other injuries he or she may have, even severe injuries; for example, a painful femur or tibia fracture that prevents the pt from noticing back pain associated w a spinal fracture

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23
Q

Define: field impression

A

the conclusion abt the cause of the pt’s condition after considering the situation, history, and examination findings

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24
Q

Define: focused assessment

A

a type of physical assessment typically performed on pts who have sustained nonsignificant MOIs or on responsive medical pts. This type of examination is based on the chief complaint and focuses on 1 body system or part

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25
Q

Define: frosbite

A

damage to tissues that occurs as the result of exposure to cold; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten

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26
Q

Define: general impression

A

the overall initial impression that determines the priority for pt care; based on the pt’s surroundings, the MOI, signs and symptoms, and the chief complaint

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27
Q

Define: Golden hour

A

the time from injury to definitive care, during which treatment of shock and traumatic injuries should occur because survival potential is best; also called the golden period

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28
Q

Define: guarding

A

involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen

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29
Q

Define: history taking

A

a step within the pt assessment process that provides detail abt the pt’s chief complain and an account of the pt’s signs and symptoms

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30
Q

Define: hypertension

A

BP higher than the normal range

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31
Q

Define: hypotensions

A

BP lower than the normal range

32
Q

Define: hypothermia

A

a condition in which the internal body temp falls below 95F (35C)

33
Q

Define: incident command system

A

a system implemented to manage disasters and mass- and multiple-casualty incidents in which section chiefs, including finance, logistics, operations, and planning, report to the incident commander

34
Q

Define: jaundice

A

yellow skin or sclera that is caused by liver disease or dysfunction

35
Q

Define: labored breathing

A

breathing that requires greater than normal effort; may be slower or faster than normal and characterized by grunting, stridor, and use of accessory muscles

36
Q

Define: mean arterial pressure (MAP)

A

the avg pressure in the circulatory system during one cardiac cycle

37
Q

Define: mechanism of injury (MOI)

A

the forces, or energy transmission, applied to the body that cause injury

38
Q

Define: metabolism

A

the biochemical processes that result in the production of energy from nutrients within the cells

39
Q

Define: nasal flaring

A

widening of the nostrils, indicating that there is an airway obstruction

40
Q

Define: nature of illness (NOI)

A

the general type of illness a pt is experiencing

41
Q

Define: OPQRST

A

a mnemonic used in evaluating a pt’s pain: Onset, provocation/palliation, quality, region/radiation, severity, and timing

42
Q

Define: orientation

A

the mental status of a pt as measured by memory of person (name), place (current location), time (current year, month, and appx date), and event (what happened)
PPTE
The 4 Whats

43
Q

Define: palpate

A

to examine by touch

44
Q

Define: paradoxical motion

A

the motion of the portion of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest; the motion–in during inhalation, out during exhalation – is exactly the opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing

45
Q

Define: perfusion

A

the flow of blood through body tissues and vessels

46
Q

Define: PPE

A

protective equipment that blocks exposure to a pathogen or a hazardous material

47
Q

Define: pertinent negatives

A

negative findings that warrant no care or intervention

48
Q

Define: primary assessment

A

a step within pt assessment that identifies and initiates treatment of immediate and potential life threats

49
Q

Define: pulse

A

the wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out the left ventricle and into the major arteries

50
Q

Define: pulse oximetry

A

an assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds

wanna be around 94%

51
Q

Define: reassessment

A

a step within the pt assessment process performed at regular intervals durin gthe assessment process to identify and treat changes in a pts condition. A pt in unstable condition should be reassessed every 5 min, whereas a pt in stable condition should be reassessed every 15min

52
Q

Define: responsiveness

A

the way in which a pt reacts to external stimuli, including verbal stimula (sound), tactile stimnuli (touch), and painful stimuli

53
Q

Define: retractions

A

movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration

54
Q

Define: rhonchi

A

coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in pts w chronic mucus in the upper airways

55
Q

Define: SAMPLE history

A

a brief history of a pts condition to determine:
signs & symptoms
allergies
medications
past pertinent medical history
last oral intake
events leading up to incident

56
Q

Define: scene sizeup

A

a step within the pt assessment process that involves a quick assessment of the scene and the surroundings to provide info abt scene safety and the mechanism of injuury or nature of illness before you enter and begin pt care

57
Q

Define: sclera

A

the tough, fibrous, white portion of the eye that protects the more delicate inner structures

58
Q

Define: secondary assessment

A

a step within pt assessment process in which a systematic physical examination of the pt is performed. The examination may be a systematic exam or an assessment that focuses on a certain area or region of the body, often determined through the chief complaint

59
Q

Define: shallow respirations

A

respirations characterized by little movement of the chest wall (reduced tidal volume) or poor chest excursion

60
Q

Define: sign

A

objective finding that can be seen, heard, felt, smelled, or measured

61
Q

Define: situational awareness

A

knowledge and understanding of one’s surroundings and the ability to recognize potential risks to the safety of the pt or EMS team

62
Q

Define: sniffing positions

A

an upright position in which the pt’s head and chin are thrust slightly forward to keep the airway open

63
Q

Define: spontaneous respirations

A

breathing that occurs without assistance

64
Q

Define: standard precautions

A

protective measures that have traditionally been developed by the CDC for use in dealing w objects, blood, bodily fluids, and other potential exposure risks of communicable disease

65
Q

Define: stridor

A

a harsh, high-pitched, respiratory sound, generally heard during inspiration, that is caused by partial blockage or narrowing of the upper airway, may be audible without a stethoscope

66
Q

Define: subcutaneous emphysema

A

a characteristic crackling sensation felt on palpatation of the skin, caused by presence of air in soft tissues

67
Q

Define: symptom

A

subjective findings that the pt feels but that can be identified only by the pt

68
Q

Define: systolic pressure

A

the increased pressure in an artery with each contraction of the ventricles (systole)

69
Q

Define: tachcardia

A

a rapid HR, more than 100 beats/min

70
Q

Define: tidal volume

A

the amount of air (in mL) that is moved into or out of lungs during one breath

71
Q

Define: triage

A

the process of establishing treatment and transportation priorities according to severity of injury and medical need

72
Q

Define: tripod position

A

an upright position in which the pt leans forward onto 2 arms stretched forward and thrusts the head and chin forward

73
Q

Define: 2 to 3 word dyspnea

A

a severe breathing problem in which a pt can speak only 2-3 words at a time without pausing to take a breath

74
Q

Define: vasoconstriction

A

narrowing of a blood vessel

75
Q

Define: vital signs

A

the key signs used to evaluate the pt’s overall condition, including respirations, pulse, BP, LOC, and skin characteristics

76
Q

Define: wheezing

A

a high-pitched, whistling breath sound that is most prominent on expiration, and which suggest an obstruction or narrowing of the lower airways; occurs in asthma and brochiolitis

77
Q

What does the assessment process begin with?

A

Scene size up!

EMT (12 decks)

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