Patient Assessment Flashcards
A 50-year-old male is found unconscious in his car. There were no witnesses to the event. When gathering medical history information for this patient, the EMT should:
Choose one answer.
A. wait for family members to arrive before asking any questions. Incorrect
B. ask law enforcement officials if they are familiar with the patient. Incorrect
C. defer SAMPLE history questions until you arrive at the hospital. Incorrect
D. determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card. Correct
Correct
D. determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card.
Which of the following medical history questions would be of LEAST pertinence in an acute situation?
Choose one answer.
A. “Has this ever happened to you before?” Incorrect
B. “Are there medications that you cannot take?” Incorrect
C. “Does your mother have diabetes?” Correct
D. “Does the pain stay in your chest?” Incorrect
C. “Does your mother have diabetes
A full-body scan should be performed on:
Choose one answer.
A. stable patients who are able to tell you exactly what happened. Incorrect
B. patients with a significant MOI and unresponsive medical patients. Correct
C. all patients with traumatic injuries who will require EMS transport. Incorrect
D. responsive medical patients and patients without a significant MOI. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. patients with a significant MOI and unresponsive medical patients.
Upon arriving at a potentially unsafe scene, you should:
Choose one answer.
A. move the patient to safety. Incorrect
B. remove all bystanders. Incorrect
C. request another ambulance. Incorrect D. ensure that you are safe. Correct
D. ensure that you are safe.
When approaching a 32-year-old male who is complaining of traumatic neck pain, you should:
Choose one answer.
A. ensure that the patient can see you approaching him. Correct
B. approach him from behind and ask him not to move. Incorrect
C. assess his mental status by having him move his head. Incorrect
D. stand behind him and immediately stabilize his head. Incorrect
Correct
Marks for this submission: 1/1.
A. ensure that the patient can see you approaching him.
In infants and small children, skin color should be assessed on the: Choose one answer. A. palms and soles. Correct B. underside of the arms. Incorrect C. chest and abdomen. Incorrect D. forehead. Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. palms and soles.
Which of the following statements regarding stridor is MOST correct?
Choose one answer.
A. It is caused by incorrect airway positioning. Incorrect
B. It suggests the presence of fluid in the lungs. Incorrect
C. It is a whistling sound heard in the lower airway. Incorrect
D. It is a high-pitched, crowing upper airway sound. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. It is a high-pitched, crowing upper airway sound.
An elderly patient has fallen and hit her head. You assess her level of consciousness as unresponsive using the AVPU scale. Your initial care should focus on:
Choose one answer.
A. providing immediate transport. Incorrect
B. gathering medical history data. Incorrect
C. airway, breathing, and circulation. Correct
D. obtaining baseline vital signs. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. airway, breathing, and circulation.
The pulse oximeter is an assessment tool used to evaluate the:
Choose one answer.
A. saturation level of venous blood. Incorrect
B. amount of exhaled carbon dioxide. Incorrect
C. effectiveness of oxygenation. Correct
D. percentage of red blood cells. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. effectiveness of oxygenation. Correct
A crackling sound produced by air bubbles under the skin is called: Choose one answer. A. crepitus Incorrect B. subcutaneous emphysema. Correct C. Korotkoff sounds. Incorrect D. rhonchi. Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. subcutaneous emphysema
When you shine a light into one pupil, the normal reaction of the other pupil should be to: Choose one answer. A. dilate. Incorrect B. not react. Incorrect C. become smaller. Correct D. become larger. Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. become smaller.
A 50-year-old male presents with an altered mental status. His wife tells you that he had a “small stroke” 3 years ago but has otherwise been in good health. The patient is responsive but unable to follow commands. After administering oxygen, you should:
Choose one answer.
A. perform a head-to-toe assessment. Incorrect
B. inquire about his family history. Incorrect
C. repeat the primary assessment. Incorrect
D. prepare for immediate transport. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. prepare for immediate transport.
During the primary assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing:
Choose one answer.
A. pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition. Correct
B. skin quality, blood pressure, and capillary refill. Incorrect
C. external bleeding, skin condition, and capillary refill. Incorrect
D. blood pressure, pulse rate, and external bleeding. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition.
For an adult, the normal resting pulse should be between: Choose one answer. A. 50 and 60 beats/min. Incorrect B. 70 and 110 beats/min. Incorrect C. 50 and 70 beats/min. Incorrect D. 60 and 100 beats/min. Correct Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. 60 and 100 beats/min.
Reassessment is performed to determine all of the following, EXCEPT:
Choose one answer.
A. whether or not the patient is deteriorating. Incorrect
B. the patient’s response to your treatment. Incorrect
C. the nature of any newly identified problems. Incorrect
D. the reason why the patient called EMS. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. the reason why the patient called EMS.
Which of the following is the MOST accurate guide to palpating a pulse?
Choose one answer.
A. Avoid compressing the artery against a bone or solid structure. Incorrect
B. Apply firm pressure to the artery with your ring and little fingers. Incorrect
C. Use your thumb to increase the surface area that you are palpating. Incorrect
D. Place the tips of your index and long fingers over the pulse point. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. Place the tips of your index and long fingers over the pulse point.
In responsive patients that are older than 1 year of age, you should palpate the pulse at the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ artery. Choose one answer. A. femoral Incorrect B. brachial Incorrect C. carotid Incorrect D. radial Correct Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. radial
Which of the following is the MOST effective method of assessing the quality of air movement in the lungs?
Choose one answer.
A. looking for the presence of accessory muscle use Incorrect
B. auscultating breath sounds with a stethoscope Correct
C. evaluating the patient’s chest for cyanosis Incorrect
D. applying a pulse oximeter and monitoring the SaO2 Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. auscultating breath sounds with a stethoscope
End-tidal carbon dioxide (ETCO2) is defined as the:
Choose one answer.
A. amount of CO2 that a person breathes in during a single inhalation. Incorrect
B. maximum amount of CO2 that remains in the lungs at all times. Incorrect
C. maximal concentration of CO2 at the end of an exhaled breath. Correct
D. total amount of CO2 that remains in the lungs between breaths. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. maximal concentration of CO2 at the end of an exhaled breath.
Which of the following actions would NOT be performed during the scene size-up?
Choose one answer.
A. asking a neighbor to secure the patient’s dog Incorrect
B. rapidly assessing a patient’s respiratory status Correct
C. notifying the dispatcher to send fire personnel Incorrect
D. noting the position of a crashed motor vehicle Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. rapidly assessing a patient’s respiratory status
Which of the following statements regarding the mechanism of injury (MOI) is correct?
Choose one answer.
A. A nonsignificant MOI rules out the possibility of serious trauma. Incorrect
B. The exact location of a patient’s injuries can be determined by the MOI. Incorrect
C. The MOI may allow you to predict the severity of a patient’s injuries. Correct
D. A significant MOI always results in patient death or permanent disability. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. The MOI may allow you to predict the severity of a patient’s injuries.
A patient with spontaneous respirations is breathing: Choose one answer. A. with shallow depth. Incorrect B. at a normal rate. Incorrect C. without assistance. Correct D. without difficulty. Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. without assistance.
When performing a full-body scan on a trauma patient, you note the presence of Battle’s sign. This is defined as:
Choose one answer.
A. bruising behind the ear. Correct
B. fluid drainage from the nose. Incorrect
C. swelling to the orbital area. Incorrect
D. unequal pupils. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. bruising behind the ear.
You are dispatched to the county jail for an inmate who is “sick.” When you arrive, you find the patient, a 33-year-old male, unresponsive. His airway is patent and his respirations are rapid and shallow. Your initial action should be to:
Choose one answer.
A. apply a pulse oximeter. Incorrect
B. request a paramedic unit. Incorrect
C. assess his blood pressure. Incorrect
D. provide assisted ventilation. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. provide assisted ventilation.
Normal respiratory rates should not exceed \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ breaths per minute in children and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ breaths per minute in infants. Choose one answer. A. 18, 28 Incorrect B. 30, 50 Correct C. 20, 30 Incorrect D. 24, 45 Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. 30, 50
When assessing a 62-year-old female with crushing chest pain, you note that her pulse is rapid and irregular. In addition to administering oxygen, you should:
Choose one answer.
A. apply a cardiac monitor and observe her cardiac rhythm. Incorrect
B. document your findings and perform a detailed assessment. Incorrect
C. transport at once and consider requesting a paramedic unit. Correct
D. conclude that the irregular pulse is normal based on her age. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. transport at once and consider requesting a paramedic unit.
External bleeding from an extremity can usually be controlled by a combination of:
Choose one answer.
A. elevation and pressure point control. Incorrect
B. direct pressure and a tourniquet. Incorrect
C. direct pressure and elevation. Correct
D. elevation and chemical ice packs. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. direct pressure and elevation.
The “Golden Period” begins when an injury occurs and ends when:
Choose one answer.
A. the patient is admitted to the ICU. Incorrect
B. you arrive at the emergency department. Incorrect
C. the patient receives definitive care. Correct
D. you depart the scene for the hospital. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. the patient receives definitive care
A 40-year-old male crashed his motorcycle into a tree. He is semiconscious, has snoring respirations, and has a laceration to the forearm with minimal bleeding. You should:
Choose one answer.
A. open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver. Correct
B. tilt the patient’s head back and lift up on his chin. Incorrect
C. apply a cervical collar and suction his airway. Incorrect
D. apply a pressure dressing to the patient’s arm. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. open his airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver.
The goal of the primary assessment is to:
Choose one answer.
A. identify patients that require transport to a trauma center. Incorrect
B. determine if the patient’s problem is medical or trauma. Incorrect
C. identify and rapidly treat all life-threatening conditions. Correct
D. determine the need to perform a head-to-toe assessment. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. identify and rapidly treat all life-threatening conditions.
Which of the following pupillary changes would indicate depressed brain function?
Choose one answer.
A. Both pupils react briskly to light instead of sluggishly. Incorrect
B. Both pupils dilate with introduction of a bright light. Correct
C. Both pupils dilate when a bright light is removed. Incorrect
D. Both pupils constrict when a bright light is introduced. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. Both pupils dilate with introduction of a bright light.
Clinical signs of labored breathing include all of the following, EXCEPT:
Choose one answer.
A. supraclavicular retractions. Incorrect
B. gasping attempts to breathe. Incorrect
C. use of accessory muscles. Incorrect
D. shallow chest movement. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. shallow chest movement
During your assessment of a 6-month-old male with vomiting and diarrhea, you note that his capillary refill time is approximately 4 seconds. From this information, you should conclude that his:
Choose one answer.
A. peripheral circulation is decreased. Correct
B. systolic blood pressure is normal. Incorrect
C. skin temperature is abnormally cold. Incorrect
D. respiratory status is adequate. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. peripheral circulation is decreased
When performing a full-body scan on a supine patient, what part of the body is typically assessed last? Choose one answer. A. extremities Incorrect B. abdomen Incorrect C. anterior chest Incorrect D. posterior Correct Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. posterior
A patient with high blood pressure would be expected to have skin that is: Choose one answer. A. flushed and red. Correct B. cyanotic and dry. Incorrect C. pale and moist. Incorrect D. mottled and cool. Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. flushed and red.
Normal skin color, temperature, and condition should be: Choose one answer. A. pale, cool, and moist. Incorrect B. pink, warm, and moist. Incorrect C. pink, warm, and dry. Correct D. flushed, cool, and dry. Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. pink, warm, and dry.
Palpating the carotid pulse is not recommended in infants because:
Choose one answer.
A. the carotid artery is more anterior in infants. Incorrect
B. you may inadvertently compress the trachea. Correct
C. a decrease in cerebral perfusion may occur. Incorrect
D. the pulse rate is usually too fast to count. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. you may inadvertently compress the trachea.
Which of the following findings indicates that your patient has a patent airway? Choose one answer. A. forceful coughing Correct B. inspiratory stridor Incorrect C. audible breathing Incorrect D. unresponsiveness Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. forceful coughing
A patient's short-term memory is MOST likely intact if he or she correctly answers questions regarding: Choose one answer. A. time and place. Incorrect B. event and person. Incorrect C. person and place. Incorrect D. date and event. Correct Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. date and event
Upon arriving at the scene of a patient with difficulty breathing, you determine that the scene is safe. You enter the residence and find the patient sitting in a chair in obvious distress. Your first action should be to:
Choose one answer.
A. ask the patient what’s wrong. Incorrect
B. assess the patient’s airway status. Incorrect
C. introduce yourself to the patient. Correct
D. obtain a set of baseline vital signs. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. introduce yourself to the patient.
You respond to the scene of a motor vehicle collision. Upon arrival, you find the driver, a young female, sitting on the curb. She is confused, is in obvious respiratory distress, and has pale, moist skin. As your partner manually stabilizes her head, you perform a primary assessment. After performing any immediate livesaving treatment, you should:
Choose one answer.
A. identify the specific areas of her injuries and focus your assessment on those areas. Incorrect
B. assess her vital signs, secure her to a backboard, and transport her immediately. Incorrect
C. perform a rapid scan of her entire body and prepare for immediate transport. Correct
D. fully immobilize her spine, load her into the ambulance, and assess her vital signs. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. perform a rapid scan of her entire body and prepare for immediate transport.
As you assess the head of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, your partner should:
Choose one answer.
A. prepare the immobilization equipment. Incorrect
B. assess the rest of the body for bleeding. Incorrect
C. look in the ears for gross bleeding. Incorrect
D. maintain stabilization of the head. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. maintain stabilization of the head.
Typical methods of assessing a patient’s breathing include all of the following, EXCEPT:
Choose one answer.
A. listening to breath sounds with a stethoscope. Incorrect
B. observing the chest for adequate rise and fall. Incorrect
C. feeling for air movement at the nose and mouth. Incorrect
D. observing for nasal flaring during inhalation. Correct
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
D. observing for nasal flaring during inhalation.
Which of the following questions is used to determine a patient’s chief complaint?
Choose one answer.
A. “Do you have a history of diabetes?” Incorrect
B. “When did the chest pain begin?” Incorrect
C. “What seems to be the matter?” Correct
D. “Are you having trouble breathing?” Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. “What seems to be the matter?”
You should gently palpate a patient’s pelvis only if:
Choose one answer.
A. the patient does not complain of pelvic pain. Correct
B. the possibility of a pelvic fracture has been ruled out. Incorrect
C. you note gross deformity to the pelvic area. Incorrect
D. the MOI suggests pelvic trauma. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. the patient does not complain of pelvic pain.
The normal respiratory rate for an adult should range from:
Choose one answer.
A. 18 to 24 breaths per minute. Incorrect
B. 12 to 20 breaths per minute. Correct
C. 24 to 28 breaths per minute. Incorrect
D. 10 to 15 breaths per minute. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. 12 to 20 breaths per minute.
The diastolic pressure represents the:
Choose one answer.
A. minimum amount of pressure that is always present in the arteries. Correct
B. average pressure against the arterial walls during a cardiac cycle. Incorrect
C. increased arterial pressure that occurs during ventricular contraction. Incorrect
D. difference in pressure between ventricular contraction and relaxation. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. minimum amount of pressure that is always present in the arteries.
After performing a head tilt–chin lift maneuver to open the airway of an unresponsive patient, you should:
Choose one answer.
A. provide positive-pressure ventilatory assistance. Incorrect
B. suction as needed and insert an airway adjunct. Correct
C. assess respiratory rate, depth, and regularity. Incorrect
D. place him or her in the recovery position. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. suction as needed and insert an airway adjunct.
A 39-year-old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an altercation at a bar. As you approach the patient, you note that he is conscious, is screaming in pain, and is attempting to control the bleeding, which is bright red and spurting from his groin area. You should:
Choose one answer.
A. elevate his legs and keep him warm. Incorrect
B. apply direct pressure to the wound. Correct
C. ensure that his airway is patent. Incorrect
D. administer 100% supplemental oxygen. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. apply direct pressure to the wound.
When you assess capillary refill time (CRT) in an infant, normal color to the tested area should return within: Choose one answer. A. 1 second. Incorrect B. 3 seconds. Incorrect C. 2 seconds. Correct D. 4 seconds. Incorrect Correct
C. 2 seconds
The “Golden Period” begins when an injury occurs and ends when:
Choose one answer.
A. you depart the scene for the hospital.
B. you arrive at the emergency department.
C. the patient receives definitive care.
D. the patient is admitted to the ICU.
C. the patient receives definitive care.
When assessing a 62-year-old female with crushing chest pain, you note that her pulse is rapid and irregular. In addition to administering oxygen, you should:
Choose one answer.
A. transport at once and consider requesting a paramedic unit.
B. document your findings and perform a detailed assessment.
C. conclude that the irregular pulse is normal based on her age.
D. apply a cardiac monitor and observe her cardiac rhythm.
A. transport at once and consider requesting a paramedic unit.
You are assessing a 72-year-old man with abdominal pain. The patient is sitting in a chair; he is conscious, alert, and calm. As you are talking to the patient, your partner discreetly directs your attention to a handgun, which is located on a nearby table. You should:
Choose one answer.
A. position yourself in between the patient and the gun and ask your partner to request law enforcement assistance.
B. direct your partner to move the gun to a safe area and then advise the patient that his weapon has been secured.
C. document the presence of the weapon, including its specific location, and continue your assessment of the patient.
D. immediately cease all patient care, carefully back out of the residence, and request law enforcement assistance.
D. immediately cease all patient care, carefully back out of the residence, and request law enforcement assistance.
During a 30-minute transport of a stable patient, you should reassess him or her at least \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ times. Choose one answer. A. 6 Incorrect B. 4 Incorrect C. 3 Incorrect D. 2 Correct Incorrect
D. 2 Correct
Which of the following signs of respiratory distress is seen MOST commonly in pediatric patients? Choose one answer. A. pursed-lip breathing Incorrect B. accessory muscle use Incorrect C. seesaw breathing Correct D. rapid respirations Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
C. seesaw breathing
A palpable pulse is created by:
Choose one answer.
A. electrical conduction in the heart producing ventricular contraction. Incorrect
B. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction. Correct
C. the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries. Incorrect
D. the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction
After performing a primary assessment, a rapid scan of the body should be performed in order to:
Choose one answer.
A. identify less obvious injuries that require immediate transport. Correct
B. determine the need for spinal motion restriction precautions. Incorrect
C. find and treat injuries or conditions that do not pose a threat to life. Incorrect
D. look specifically for signs and symptoms of inadequate perfusion. Incorrect
Incorrect
Marks for this submission: 0/1.
A. identify less obvious injuries that require immediate transport.
When auscultating the blood pressure in a patient's upper extremity, you should place the diaphragm (head) of the stethoscope over the \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ artery. Choose one answer. A. radial Incorrect B. brachial Correct C. apical Incorrect D. femoral Incorrect Incorrect Marks for this submission: 0/1.
B. brachial
A low ETCO2 reading, as measured by capnography, would MOST likely be observed if:
Choose one answer.
A. an endotracheal (ET) tube is correctly placed in the trachea. Incorrect
B. the cells produce large amounts of CO2 and return it to the lungs. Incorrect
C. a patient in cardiac arrest is receiving high-quality CPR. Incorrect
D. there is an absence or decrease in the level of CO2 in the lungs. Correct
Correct
Marks for this submission: 1/1.
D. there is an absence or decrease in the level of CO2 in the lungs.
