Q Chapter 10: Patient Assessment

Question 1

When palpating a patient’s pulse, you note that it is grossly irregular. You should:
A. count the number of pulsations in 15 seconds and multiply by four.
B. count the number of pulsations in 30 seconds and multiply by two.
C. count the pulse rate for a full minute to obtain an accurate reading.
D. count the pulse rate for at least 30 seconds to ensure accuracy.

Answer 1

C. count the pulse rate for a full minute to obtain an accurate reading.

Question 2

A patient with spontaneous respirations is breathing:
A. without assistance.
B. without difficulty.
C. at a normal rate.
D. with shallow depth.

Answer 2

A. without assistance.

Question 3

Poor peripheral circulation will cause the skin to appear:
A. flushed.
B. cyanotic.
C. pink.
D. ashen.

Answer 3

D. ashen.

Question 4

When you inspect a patient’s pupils with a penlight, the pupils should normally react to the light by:
A.
constricting.
B.
fluttering.
C.
enlarging.
D.
dilating.

Answer 4

A.
constricting.

Question 5

You should avoid palpating a patient’s pelvis if:
A. the pelvis does not appear deformed.
B. the MOI suggests trauma to the pelvis.
C. the patient complains of pelvic pain.
D. the patient is older than 50 years of age.

Answer 5

C. the patient complains of pelvic pain.

Question 6

The goal of oxygenation for most patients is an oxygen saturation of:
A. 90% to 94%
B. 94% to 99%
C. 100%
D. 88% to 90%

Answer 6

B. 94% to 99%

Question 7

You receive a call to a daycare center for an unresponsive 8-month-old infant. Upon arrival, you perform an assessment and determine that the infant is not breathing. Your next action should be to:
A. assess for a brachial pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.
B. begin chest compressions and request backup.
C. open the airway and give two rescue breaths.
D. immediately transport the child to the hospital.

Answer 7

A. assess for a brachial pulse for 5 to 10 seconds.

Question 8

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 life-saving treatment, you should:
A. identify the specific areas of her injuries and focus your assessment on those areas.
B. perform a detailed head-to-toe exam and prepare for immediate transport.
C. assess her vital signs, secure her to a backboard, and transport her immediately.
D. fully immobilize her spine, load her into the ambulance, and assess her vital signs.

Answer 8

B. perform a detailed head-to-toe exam and prepare for immediate transport.

Question 9

Palliating factors regarding a patient’s pain involve those that:
A. alleviate the pain.
B. worsen the pain.
C. initiate the pain.
D. change the pain.

Answer 9

A. alleviate the pain.

Question 10

The chief complaint is MOST accurately defined as the:
A. condition that exacerbates an underlying problem.
B. most serious thing the patient is concerned about.
C. gross physical signs that you detect on assessment.
D. most life-threatening condition that you discover.

Answer 10

B. most serious thing the patient is concerned about.

Question 11

When approaching a 32-year-old male who is complaining of traumatic neck pain, you should:
A. ensure that the patient can see you approaching him.
B. stand behind him and immediately stabilize his head.
C. approach him from behind and ask him not to move.
D. assess his mental status by having him move his head.

Answer 11

A. ensure that the patient can see you approaching him.

Question 12

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:
A. wait for family members to arrive before asking any questions.
B. ask law enforcement officials if they are familiar with the patient.
C. determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card.
D. defer SAMPLE history questions until you arrive at the hospital.

Answer 12

C. determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card.

Question 13

The goal of the systematic head-to-toe exam that is performed during the secondary assessment is to:
A. definitively rule out significant internal injuries.
B. assess only the parts of the body that are injured.
C. locate injuries not found in the primary assessment.
D. detect and treat all non–life-threatening injuries.

Answer 13

C. locate injuries not found in the primary assessment.

Question 14

Capnography is used to:
A.
assess how much oxygen is bound to the hemoglobin.
B.
assess how much oxygen is reaching the body’s tissues.
C.
trend a patient’s blood pressure and assess for shock.
D.
determine how much carbon dioxide is being exhaled.

Answer 14

D. determine how much carbon dioxide is being exhaled.

Question 15

Which of the following scenarios does NOT involve the presence of any symptoms?
A.
A 55-year-old male with a severe headache and 2 days of nausea
B.
A 44-year-old male with abdominal pain and severe dizziness
C.
A 61-year-old female who is unconscious with facial cyanosis
D.
A 49-year-old female with blurred vision and ringing in the ears

Answer 15

C.
A 61-year-old female who is unconscious with facial cyanosis

Question 16

Supplemental oxygen without assisted ventilation would MOST likely be administered to patients:
A. who have accessory muscle use and slow breathing.
B. with rapid respirations and a reduced tidal volume.
C. with difficulty breathing and adequate tidal volume.
D. who are semiconscious with shallow respirations.

Answer 16

C. with difficulty breathing and adequate tidal volume.

Question 17

Pain that moves from its point of origin to another body location is said to be:
A. radiating.
B. referred.
C. provoking.
D. palliating.

Answer 17

A. radiating.

Question 18

What part of the patient assessment process focuses on obtaining additional information about the patient’s chief complaint and any medical problems he or she may have?
A. General impression
B. Secondary assessment
C. Primary assessment
D. History taking

Answer 18

D. History taking

Question 19

You respond to a call for a female pedestrian who has been struck by a car. As your partner maintains manual stabilization of her head, you perform a primary assessment. She is unconscious, has ineffective breathing, and has bloody secretions in her mouth. You should:
A. immediately suction her oropharynx.
B. assess the rate and quality of her pulse.
C. assist her breathing with a bag-valve mask.
D. quickly insert an oropharyngeal airway.

Answer 19

A. immediately suction her oropharynx.