Course 1: Emergency Department Flow

Question 1

subjective v objective

Answer 1

feeling v fact

Question 2

chief complaint

Answer 2

main reason for the patient’s visit

Question 3

medical decision making

Answer 3

physician’s thought process

Question 4

pain v tenderness

Answer 4

patient’s feeling v physician’s assessment

Question 5

benign

Answer 5

normal

Question 6

distress

Answer 6

doctor’s judgment of discomfort

Question 7

febrile

Answer 7

state of having a fever, concerning for infection

Question 8

acute

Answer 8

new onset, likely concerning

Question 9

chronic

Answer 9

long standing, not of direct concern

Question 10

baseline

Answer 10

individual’s normal state of being

Question 11

auscultation

Answer 11

listening with a stethoscope

Question 12

palpation

Answer 12

pressing on an area (by doctor)

Question 13

inpatient

Answer 13

admitted to hospital overnight

Question 14

outpatient

Answer 14

seen and sent home same day

Question 15

Charge Nurse

Answer 15

manages the ED patient flow

Question 16

mid level provider

Answer 16

nurse practitioner (LNP) or a PA that works under the supervision of a physician to diagnose and treat patients

Question 17

ED Nurse

Answer 17

record medical histories, symptoms, monitors the patient, starts IVs, administers medications, and assists with procedures

Question 18

Respiratory Therapist (RT)

Answer 18

administers breathing treatments and assists with managing a patient’s airway

Question 19

ED Tech

Answer 19

helps the nurse and assists with procedures

Question 20

Unit Secretary

Answer 20

places physician’s orders, answers phone calls, pages other specialists/doctors, and organizes the patient’s paperwork

Question 21

Scribe

Answer 21

documents the patient’s visit on behalf of the physician

Question 22

ED Flow

Answer 22

check in/chief complaint -> physician assessment -> objective orders and results -> medical decision making -> disposition

Question 23

ED Documentation Template

Answer 23

HPI (chief complaint)
ROS (head to toes checklist of other unrelated concerns)
Past Hx (medical, surgical, social, family)
PE (initial objective facts)
ED Course (results, reevaluations, consultations, events)
Diagnosis and Disposition

Question 24

Vital Signs (5)

Answer 24

BP
HR
Respiratory Rate
Temp
O2 Sat

Question 25

True Allergy

Answer 25

causes a rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing. Otherwise, it is an adverse reaction.

Question 26

FHx - age of onset of disease

Question 27

FHx important to know for these diseases
General (3)
Cardiac 
Pulmonary (2)
GI (2)
Neurological (3)
Misc (2)

Answer 27

General : HTN, CA, DM
Cardiac: MI/CAD
Pulmonary: PE, Asthma
GI: Crohn's, IBS
Neuro: CVA, Aneurysm, Seizures
Misc: Sickle cell anemia, DVT

Question 28

Social Hx

Answer 28

tobacco use, alcohol use, illicit drug use, occupation, living circumstances

pediatrics- caretaker, attends school/daycare, has brothers/sisters, second hand smoke exposure, immunizations