Patient Assessment / Pharmacology

Question 1

When should the EMT begin performing the scene size-up?

Answer 1

As soon as they receive a call

Question 2

When a medication is referred to as an agonist, what does this mean?

Answer 2

It activates cell receptors, and mimics the actions of natural chemical responses within the body.

eg. Albuterol (beta2 agonist)

Question 3

The primary assessment has a single, critical, all-important goal, what is it?

Answer 3

Assess and treat the patient for all immediate life-threatening conditions

Question 4

List two devices that can be used to assess a patient’s vital signs.

Answer 4

Blood Pressure Cuff
Stethoscope
Pulse Oximeter

Question 5

You are on the scene of a motor vehicle accident with a critically injured passenger. What is the optimal timeframe to assess and treat the patient prior to transporting him to the hospital. What is the time frame called? To which type of hospital should this patient be delivered.

Answer 5

Platinum 10 minutes

Trauma center

Question 5

Which routes of administration would an EMT choose if he/she wanted a rapid rate of absorption?

Answer 5

Sublingual

Inhalation

Intranasal

Question 6

How do you assess responsiveness in an unconscious patient?

Answer 6

AVPU

(Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive)

Question 7

How is Naloxone administered? (be very specific, not the IM route)

Answer 7

Intranasally with a mucosal atomizer device (MAD)
(2mg: 1mg/nostril)

Question 8

When assessing a patient for possible appendicitis, where should you palpate?

Answer 8

Right lower quadrant

Question 9

Briefly explain the importance of SVR and what it stands for.

Answer 9

Systemic vascular resistance (SVR)

Key indicator of circulatory health, provides vital information for patient assessment and treatment.

Question 10

You are assessing a 28-year-old who is lying supine on the floor. As you approach the patient and call out to them there is no response. What should be your next action?

Answer 10

Follow the AVPU scale and attempt to get a typical response by tapping them on the shoulder and using verbal. If no response go for pain response via sternum rub.

Check carotid pulse

Question 11

A 17-year old fell off a skateboard and is complaining of left knee pain. Which assessment mnemonic should be used to evaluate the chief complaint?

Answer 11

OPQRST

(Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time)

Question 11

You are treating a 49-year-old patient who is complaining of ABD pain. Your assessment reveals normal LOC, tenderness of the LRQ, a HR of 100, BP of 148/92 and a RR of 24. During the history taking part of your assessment, you find that the patient has a history of heart complications and hypertension but denies any chest pain. This finding is an example of:

Answer 11

Pertinent negative

Question 12

Nitroglycerin is administered through what route?

Answer 12

Sublingual

Question 13

List two reasons why you would need to reassess your patient.

Answer 13

A change in status

After each intervention

Question 14

A patient exhibiting signs of tachycardia, ALOC and pale, cool, clammy skin. They should be reassessed how often?

Answer 14

Every 5 minutes

Question 15

List two contraindications for the administration of Nitroglycerin.

Answer 15

Use of Viagra with the previous 24hours (Erectile Dysfunction Medication)

Hypotension

Head Injury

Question 16

What is the most common test used to assess a patient’s mental status?

Answer 16

Glasgow Coma Scale

Question 17

What is the route of administration for epinephrine.

Answer 17

Intramuscular