Chapter 8 - Patient Assessment

Question 1

A blood pressure cuff that is too small for a patient’s arm will give a:
Select one:
A. falsely high systolic and diastolic reading.
B. falsely low systolic but high diastolic reading.
C. falsely high systolic but low diastolic reading.
D. falsely low systolic and diastolic reading.

Answer 1

C. falsely high systolic but low diastolic reading.

Question 2

A patient in unstable condition should be reassessed at least every:
Select one:
A. 10 minutes. 
B. 5 minutes.
C. 15 minutes.
D. 20 minutes.

Answer 2

B. 5 minutes.

Question 3

A patient with spontaneous respirations is breathing:
Select one:
A. without difficulty.
B. without assistance.
C. at a normal rate.
D. with shallow depth.

Answer 3

B. without assistance.

Question 4

During the primary assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing:
Select one:
A. blood pressure, pulse rate, and external bleeding.
B. external bleeding, skin condition, and capillary refill.
C. skin quality, blood pressure, and capillary refill.
D. pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition.

Answer 4

D. pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition.

Question 5

End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is defined as the:
Select one:
A. total amount of CO2 that remains in the lungs between breaths.
B. maximum amount of CO2 that remains in the lungs at all times.
C. maximal concentration of CO2 at the end of an exhaled breath.
D. amount of CO2 that a person breathes in during a single inhalation.

Answer 5

C. maximal concentration of CO2 at the end of an exhaled breath.

Question 6

For an adult, the normal resting pulse should be between:
Select one:
A. 70 and 110 beats/min.
B. 50 and 60 beats/min.
C. 50 and 70 beats/min.
D. 60 and 100 beats/min.

Answer 6

D. 60 and 100 beats/min.

Question 7

The full-body scan of a patient that occurs following the primary assessment should take no longer than:
Select one:
A. 90 to 120 seconds.
B. 60 to 90 seconds.
C. 120 to 180 seconds.
D. 30 seconds.

Answer 7

B. 60 to 90 seconds.

Question 8

The goal of the primary assessment is to:
Select one:
A. determine if the patient’s problem is medical or trauma.
B. determine the need to perform a head-to-toe assessment.
C. identify and rapidly treat all life-threatening conditions.
D. identify patients who require transport to a trauma center.

Answer 8

C. identify and rapidly treat all life-threatening conditions.

Question 9

When palpating a patient’s pulse, you note that it is grossly irregular. You should:
Select one:
A. count the pulse rate for at least 30 seconds to ensure accuracy.
B. count the pulse rate for a full minute to obtain an accurate reading.
C. count the number of pulsations in 15 seconds and multiply by four.
D. count the number of pulsations in 30 seconds and multiply by two.

Answer 9

B. count the pulse rate for a full minute to obtain an accurate reading.

Question 10

Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct?
Select one:
A. The secondary assessment should focus on a certain area or region of the body as determined by the chief complaint.
B. A secondary assessment should be performed, even if you must continually manage life threats that were identified in the primary assessment.
C. During the secondary assessment, the EMT’s primary focus should be on taking the patient’s vital signs and obtaining a SAMPLE history.
D. The secondary assessment should be performed en route to the hospital, regardless of the severity of the patient’s condition.

Answer 10

A. The secondary assessment should focus on a certain area or region of the body as determined by the chief complaint.

Question 11

Which of the following would the EMT most likely NOT perform on a responsive patient with a headache and no apparent life-threatening conditions?
Select one:
A. systemic head-to-toe examination
B. focused secondary assessment
C. noninvasive blood pressure monitoring
D. assessment of oxygen saturation

Answer 11

A. systemic head-to-toe examination