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Concise EMT Crash Course > *(Chapter 9) Patient Assessment > Flashcards

*(Chapter 9) Patient Assessment Flashcards

1
Q

What are baseline vitals?

A

The first set of vitals.

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2
Q

What is flail chest?

A

Two or more contiguous rib fractures with two or more breaks per rib.

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3
Q

What is the mechanism of injury (MOI)?

A

The type of injury that occurred.

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4
Q

What is the nature of illness (NOI)?

A

The nature of the medical complaint.

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5
Q

What is a sucking chest wound?

A

A penetrating thoracic wound that allows air into the pleural space.

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6
Q

What are the five components of patient assessment for EMTs?

A
  1. Scene size-up
  2. Primary assessment
  3. Patient history
  4. Secondary assessment
  5. Reassessment
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7
Q

When does scene size-up begin and end?

A

Begins as soon as the call is received and ends when the call is over.

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8
Q

What is the first priority in scene safety?

A

Your safety.

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9
Q

What should rescuers wear at accident scenes near traffic?

A

Approved high-visibility safety vests.

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10
Q

Why should you carry a flashlight at all times?

A

For portability, impact resistance, and high intensity.

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11
Q

Where should an ambulance not be positioned at the scene?

A

In the path of oncoming traffic.

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12
Q

What are standard precautions for EMTs?

A
  1. Take standard precautions and utilize appropriate PPE.
  2. The level of PPE required depends on the nature of the call.
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13
Q

How should the number of patients and additional resources be assessed?

A
  1. Determine the number of patients.
  2. Request additional resources as needed (e.g., ambulances, advanced life support, law enforcement).
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14
Q

Who can provide the best information about the mechanism of injury or nature of illness?

A

The patient; family members or bystanders may also help if needed.

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15
Q

What is the purpose of understanding the mechanism of injury (MOI)?

A

To help predict injury patterns, influence treatment decisions, and determine the hospital destination.

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16
Q

How is the nature of illness (NOI) related to the chief complaint?

A

NOI relates to the chief complaint but is not the same thing.

For example, chest pain could result from a respiratory issue or a traumatic injury.

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17
Q

What should be considered for spinal precautions?

A
  1. Determine the need based on the information obtained.
  2. Follow local protocols.
  3. Use ‘spinal motion restriction’ instead of ‘spinal immobilization’ per updated guidelines.
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18
Q

When does the primary assessment begin?

A

As soon as you reach the patient.

19
Q

What is the purpose of the primary assessment?

A

To identify and manage life-threatening conditions.

20
Q

What is a general impression in patient assessment?

A

It is based on information gathered immediately upon arrival at the patient, including approximate age, gender, level of distress, and overall appearance.

21
Q

What is the AVPU scale for assessing responsiveness?

A

A: Awake (e.g., patient’s eyes are open and tracking).
V: Responsive to voice (e.g., ‘Are you okay?’).
P: Responsive to pain.
U: Unconscious/unresponsive.

22
Q

What does ‘A&Ox4’ mean?

A

The patient is oriented to person, place, time, and event.

23
Q

How do you assess unresponsive patients using the CAB approach?

A
  1. Circulation: Check pulse and manage bleeding.
  2. Airway: Ensure it is open and clear.
  3. Breathing: Check for adequate breathing and provide ventilations if necessary.
24
Q

What should you assume about a patient’s airway if their LOC is decreased?

A

Do not assume they can adequately protect their own airway.

25
Q

What are the three key steps for airway management?

A
  1. Manual airway maneuvers (head-tilt, chin-lift, or jaw thrust).
  2. Suction the airway if needed.
  3. Use mechanical airway adjuncts (OPA or NPA) if appropriate.
26
Q

What is the role of BVM ventilation in breathing management?

A

To provide ventilation for patients with inadequate breathing or respiratory failure.

27
Q

How do you manage life-threatening bleeding?

A

Stop bleeding immediately and initiate CPR if needed.

28
Q

What is a rapid scan?

A

A head-to-toe assessment to identify life-threatening conditions, including internal bleeding, fractures, or brain injuries.

29
Q

How long should a rapid scan take?

A

No longer than 90 seconds.

30
Q

What is the difference between high and low transport priority?

A
  1. High priority: Patients with unstable conditions, including decreased LOC, shock, or severe pain, requiring immediate transport.
  2. Low priority: Stable patients who can continue care on the scene before transport.
31
Q

What is the SAMPLE history?

A

A method for gathering patient history:
- S: Signs and symptoms
- A: Allergies
- M: Medications
- P: Past medical history
- L: Last oral intake
- E: Events leading to the illness/injury

32
Q

What is the purpose of the secondary assessment?

A

To identify any remaining signs, symptoms, conditions, or injuries not previously discovered and managed.

33
Q

Should the secondary assessment delay the transport of a high-priority patient?

A

No, it should not delay transport.

34
Q

What are the two types of secondary assessments?

A
  1. Detailed head-to-toe assessment
  2. Focused exam for relevant areas
35
Q

When is a detailed secondary assessment indicated?

A

For unresponsive patients or multi-system trauma patients.

36
Q

What is assessed in a detailed head-to-toe exam?

A

Head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and posterior using DCAP-BTLS (Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Penetrating wounds, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling).

37
Q

What does PMS stand for in extremity checks?

A

Pulse, Motor response, Sensation.

38
Q

How often should baseline vitals be reassessed for stable and unstable patients?

A
  1. Stable patients: Every 15 minutes.
  2. Unstable patients: Every 5 minutes.
39
Q

What is the purpose of the reassessment phase?

A

To continuously monitor the patient’s condition for signs of deterioration or improvement.

40
Q

What should always be reassessed during the reassessment phase?

A
  1. Primary assessment for any changes.
  2. The patient’s chief complaint.
  3. Interventions performed.
  4. Vitals (every 5-15 minutes depending on condition).
41
Q

What considerations are there for pediatric patients?

A
  1. Perform a toe-to-head assessment to reduce anxiety.
  2. Communicate carefully to avoid misunderstanding terms (e.g., ‘take your blood’ could scare a child).
42
Q

What considerations are there for elderly patients?

A
  1. Assessments may take more time.
  2. Use honorifics unless directed otherwise.
43
Q

What is the SAMPLE history in patient assessment?

A
  1. S: Signs and symptoms
  2. A: Allergies
  3. M: Medications
  4. P: Past medical history
  5. L: Last oral intake
  6. E: Events leading to the illness or injury
44
Q

What are the main steps of a patient assessment?

A
  1. Scene size-up: Scene safety, BSI precautions, MOI/NOI, number of patients, additional resources, spinal precautions.
  2. Primary assessment: General impression, LOC, ABC/CAB, rapid scan, transport priority.
  3. Secondary assessment: Detailed head-to-toe or focused exam, baseline vitals.
  4. Patient history: SAMPLE history.
  5. Reassessment: Reassess ABCs, chief complaint, interventions, and vitals.

Concise EMT Crash Course (8 decks)

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