EMS Flashcards
What are open-ended questions?
Questions to which a patient can’t give just a yes or no answer.
What are closed questions?
Questions that can be answered yes or no.
What is differential diagnosis?
A list of conditions or diagnoses that could be causing the patient’s condition.
What is confirmation bias?
Looking primarily for evidence that supports your diagnosis you already have in mind.
What is diagnosis?
Process of identifying a disease or condition from its signs and symptoms.
What is a sign?
Something you can see.
What is a symptom?
Something the patient tells you.
What is distention?
Condition of being stretched, inflated, or larger than normal.
What is paradoxical motion?
Movement of part of the chest in the opposite direction from the rest of the chest.
What is crepitation?
The feeling of bone ends rubbing together.
What is included in a neurologic assessment?
Checking the pupils and monitoring mental status changes over time. Use Cincinnati Prehospital stroke scale or other approved scale to evaluate for signs of stroke.
What is auscultation?
Listening for signs of an abnormal condition.
What is assessed in a cardiovascular assessment?
The heart and blood vessels.
What three techniques must an EMT master?
- Thorough and accurate patient assessment
- Effective communication
- Physical fitness and dexterity
What is epinephrine used for at the EMT level?
To help treat severe allergic reactions, known as anaphylaxis. EMT’s can sometimes assist patients in using their auto-injectors or administer it themselves if authorized by medical direction.
What do expert clinicians have in common?
They all begin with the same basic approach: Gather information, consider possibilities, and reach a conclusion.
What are the components of a secondary assessment?
- Physical examination
- Patient history
- Vital signs
Where does the secondary assessment typically occur?
In the ambulance after transport has been initiated.
How is a rapid physical assessment performed?
Rapidly assess the patient’s head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and posterior. Check for med ID devices, check the pupils, obtain baseline vital signs, and consider a request for ALS personnel.
Why do we need baseline vitals?
To determine trends in the patient’s condition.
What should you do if you get an abnormal BP reading from your monitor?
Check it manually to verify. You can also repeat the procedure on the other arm, or wait one minute to repeat the procedure on the same arm. Make sure you are using the BP monitor correctly by reading the manufacturer’s instructions and local medical protocols.
What are the components of a rapid assessment?
- Assessment areas: Head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, and posterior
- Senses used: Sight, touch, hearing, and smell
What is a contusion?
A bruise.
What is a stoma?
A permanent surgical opening in the neck through which the patient breathes.
What is a colostomy?
A surgical opening in the abdominal wall with a bag in place to collect excretions from the digestive system.
What is priapism?
A persistent erection of the penis that can result from a spinal cord injury or certain medical problems.
What does AVPU stand for?
Alert, verbal response, painful response, and unresponsive. A memory aid used to classify a patient’s level of responsiveness or mental status.
What does FAST assess?
Face, Arms, Speech, and Time. Used to quickly assess and identify signs of a stroke.
What does SAMPLE stand for?
Signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past medical history, last oral intake, and events. Used in patient assessment to ensure that all critical components of the patient’s history are addressed.
What does OPQRST assess?
Onset, provocation, quality, region and radiation, severity, and time. Used in patient assessment to gather detailed information about the patient’s chief complaint and the history of the present illness or injury.
What does DCAP-BTLS stand for?
Deformities, contusions, abrasions, punctures and penetrations, burns, tenderness, lacerations, and swelling. Used by EMTs to remember the types of injuries to look for during a patient assessment.
What does PERRL describe?
Pupils are Equal, Round, and Reactive to Light. Used in medical assessments to describe the normal functioning of a patient’s pupils.
