MY EMT- Chapter 10- Patient Assessment
A palpable pulse is created by: Select one: A. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction. B. electrical conduction in the heart producing contraction of the atria. C. the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the veins. D. the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart.
A
A properly sized blood pressure cuff should cover: Select one: A. two thirds the length from the armpit to the crease at the elbow. B. one half the length between the armpit and the crease at the elbow. C. the entire upper arm between the armpit and the crease at the elbow. D. one third the length from the armpit to the crease at the elbow.
A
Findings such as inadequate breathing or an altered level of consciousness should be identified in the: A. primary assessment. B. focused assessment. C. secondary assessment. D. reassessment.
A
In infants and small children, skin color should be assessed on the: Select one: A. palms and soles. B. chest and abdomen. C. underside of the arms. D. forehead.
A
In responsive patients who are older than 1 year of age, you should palpate the pulse at the ________ artery. Select one: A. radial B. carotid C. femoral D. brachial
A
The goal of the systematic head-to-toe exam that is performed during the secondary assessment is to: Select one: A. locate injuries not found in the primary assessment. B. definitively rule out significant internal injuries. C. detect and treat all non-life-threatening injuries. D. assess only the parts of the body that are injured.
A
When performing a rapid exam on a supine patient, what part of the body is typically assessed last? Select one: A. Posterior B. Anterior chest C. Abdomen D. Extremities
A
When you assess capillary refill time in an infant, normal color to the tested area should return within: Select one: A. 2 seconds. B. 3 seconds. C. 4 seconds. D. 1 second.
A
Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to cause an altered level of consciousness? Select one: A. Acute anxiety B. Inadequate perfusion C. Drug overdose D. Poisoning
A
Which of the following findings indicates that your patient has a patent airway? Select one: A. Ability to speak B. Inspiratory stridor C. Unresponsiveness D. Audible breathing
A
Which of the following is the MOST effective method of assessing the quality of air movement in the lungs? Select one: A. Auscultating breath sounds with a stethoscope B. Looking for the presence of accessory muscle use C. Applying a pulse oximeter and monitoring the SpO2 D. Evaluating the patient's chest for cyanosis
A
Which of the following medical history questions would be of LEAST pertinence in an acute situation? Select one: A. "Does your mother have diabetes?" B. "Are there medications that you cannot take?" C. "Has this ever happened to you before?" D. "Does the pain stay in your chest?"
A
Which of the following signs of respiratory distress is usually observed only in pediatric patients? Select one: A. Seesaw breathing B. Accessory muscle use C. Pursed-lip breathing D. Rapid respirations
A
Which of the following statements regarding the blood pressure is correct? Select one: A. Blood pressure is usually not measured in children younger than 3 years of age. B. Blood pressure falls early in patients with hypoperfusion. C. Blood pressure is the most reliable indicator of perfusion. D. The systolic pressure represents ventricular relaxation.
A
A patient with high blood pressure would be expected to have skin that is: Select one: A. pale and moist. B. flushed and red. C. mottled and cool. D. cyanotic and dry.
B
After performing a primary assessment, a rapid exam of the body should be performed to: Select one: A. determine the need for spinal motion restriction precautions. B. identify less-obvious injuries that require immediate treatment. C. find and treat injuries or conditions that do not pose a threat to life. D. look specifically for signs and symptoms of inadequate perfusion.
B
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: Select one: A. obtaining baseline vital signs. B. airway, breathing, and circulation. C. gathering medical history data. D. providing immediate transport.
B
Assessment of an unconscious patient's breathing begins by: A. inserting an oral airway. B. manually positioning the head. C. assessing respiratory rate and depth. D. clearing the mouth with suction as needed.
B
During the scene size-up, you should routinely determine all of the following, EXCEPT: A. the mechanism of injury or nature of illness. B. the ratio of pediatric patients to adult patients. C. whether or not additional resources are needed. D. if there are any hazards that will jeopardize safety.
B
When assessing a 62-year-old female with crushing chest pain, you note that her pulse is rapid and irregular. You should administer supplemental oxygen if needed and then: Select one: A. apply the AED and analyze her cardiac rhythm. B. transport at once and consider requesting a paramedic unit. C. conclude that the irregular pulse is normal based on her age. D. document your findings and perform a detailed assessment.
B
When assessing motor function in a conscious patient's lower extremities, you should expect the patient to: Select one: A. identify different types of stimuli. B. wiggle his or her toes on command. C. feel you touching the extremity. D. note any changes in temperature.
B
When auscultating the blood pressure in a patient's upper extremity, you should place the diaphragm (head) of the stethoscope over the _________ artery. Select one: A. femoral B. brachial C. radial D. apical
B
Which of the following would the EMT likely NOT perform on a responsive patient with a headache and no apparent life-threatening conditions? Select one: A. Assessment of oxygen saturation B. Systematic head-to-toe examination C. Noninvasive blood pressure monitoring D. Focused secondary assessment
B
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: Select one: A. assess his blood pressure. B. assist his ventilations. C. apply a pulse oximeter. D. request a paramedic unit.
B
Your 12-year-old patient can speak only two or three words without pausing to take a breath. He has a serious breathing problem known as: A. nasal flaring. B. two- to three-word dyspnea. C. labored breathing. D. shallow respirations.
B
Your primary assessment of an elderly woman who fell reveals an altered level of consciousness and a large hematoma to her forehead. After protecting her spine and administering oxygen, you should: A. reassess your interventions. B. perform a rapid exam. C. transport the patient immediately. D. perform a focused assessment of her head.
B
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: Select one: A. elevate his legs and keep him warm. B. administer 100% supplemental oxygen. C. apply direct pressure to the wound. D. ensure that his airway is patent.
C
A 40-year-old male presents with pain to the right upper quadrant of his abdomen. He is conscious and alert with stable vital signs. During your assessment, you note that his skin and sclera are jaundiced. You should suspect: Select one: A. acute pancreatitis. B. renal insufficiency. C. liver dysfunction. D. gallbladder disease.
C
A blood pressure cuff that is too small for a patient's arm will give a: Select one: A. falsely low systolic and diastolic reading. B. falsely low systolic but high diastolic reading. C. falsely high systolic and diastolic reading. D. falsely high systolic but low diastolic reading.
C
A patient's short-term memory is MOST likely intact if they correctly answer questions regarding: Select one: A. person and place. B. event and person. C. day and event. D. time and place.
C
A pulse with a consistent pattern is considered to be: Select one: A. strong. B. irregular. C. regular. D. weak.
C
A semiconscious patient pushes your hand away when you pinch his earlobe. You should describe his level of consciousness as: A. alert. B. unresponsive. C. responsive to painful stimuli. D. responsive to verbal stimuli.
C
Cyanosis of the skin is caused by: Select one: A. venous vasoconstriction. B. peripheral vasodilation. C. decreased blood oxygen. D. increased blood oxygen.
C
In the adult, bradycardia is defined as a pulse rate less than _______ beats/min, and tachycardia is defined as a heart rate greater than _______ beats/min. Select one: A. 40, 120 B. 30, 130 C. 60, 100 D. 50, 110
C
Jugular venous distention suggests a problem with blood returning to the heart if the patient is: Select one: A. in a recumbent position. B. in a supine position. C. sitting up at a 45° angle. D. in a prone position.
C
Normal respiratory rates should not exceed _______ breaths per minute in toddlers and _______ breaths per minute in infants. Select one: A. 30, 40 B. 20, 30 C. 40, 60 D. 18, 28
C
The goal of the primary assessment is to: Select one: A. determine the need to perform a head-to-toe assessment. B. determine if the patient's problem is medical or traumatic. C. identify and rapidly treat all life-threatening conditions. D. identify patients that require transport to a trauma center.
C
Treatment and transport priorities at the scene of a mass-casualty incident should be determined after: Select one: A. medical control has been contacted. B. area hospitals have been notified. C. all the patients have been triaged. D. a physician arrives at the scene.
C
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? Select one: A. General impression B. Primary assessment C. History taking D. Secondary assessment
C
When assessing your patient's pain, he says it started in his chest but has spread to his legs. This is an example of what part of the OPQRST mnemonic? A. Onset B. Quality C. Region/radiation D. Severity
C
When performing a reassessment of your patient, you should first: Select one: A. obtain updated vital signs. B. reassess your interventions. C. repeat the primary assessment. D. confirm medical history findings.
C
When should you take standard precautions during an EMS call? Select one: A. After it has been determined that the patient is bleeding. B. Before you load the patient into the ambulance. C. Before exiting the ambulance and before actual patient contact. D. Immediately after completion of your primary assessment.
C
When you inspect a patient's pupils with a penlight, the pupils should normally react to the light by: Select one: A. fluttering. B. dilating. C. constricting. D. enlarging.
C
Which of the following factors would MOST likely cause a patient's pulse rate to be slower than normal? Select one: A. Internal bleeding from trauma B. Anxiety or severe stress C. Beta blocker medications D. Lack of a regular exercise routine
C
Which of the following is an example of a symptom? Select one: A. Tachycardia B. Hypertension C. Headache D. Cyanosis
C
Which of the following patients has signs of an altered mental status? Select one: A. A patient who overdosed and tells you he tried to kill himself B. A patient with an acute allergic reaction and dizziness C. A patient with a head injury who is slow to answer questions D. A diabetic who has nausea and severe lightheadedness
C
Which of the following questions is used to determine a patient's chief complaint? Select one: A. "Are you having trouble breathing?" B. "When did the chest pain begin?" C. "What seems to be the matter?" D. "Do you have a history of diabetes?"
C
Which of the following statements regarding stridor is correct? Select one: A. It is a whistling sound heard in the lower airway. B. It suggests the presence of fluid in the lungs. C. It is a high-pitched, crowing upper airway sound. D. It is caused by incorrect airway positioning.
C
Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct? Select one: A. During the secondary assessment, the EMT's primary focus should be on taking the patient's vital signs and obtaining a SAMPLE history. B. The secondary assessment should be performed en route to the hospital, regardless of the severity of the patient's condition. C. The secondary assessment should focus on a certain area or region of the body as determined by the chief complaint. D. A secondary assessment should always be performed, even if you must continually manage life threats that were identified in the primary assessment.
C
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: Select one: A. defer SAMPLE history questions until you arrive at the hospital. B. wait for family members to arrive before asking any questions. C. ask law enforcement officials if they are familiar with the patient. D. determine if the patient has a medical alert bracelet or wallet card.
D
A patient in unstable condition should be reassessed at least every: Select one: A. 10 minutes. B. 15 minutes. C. 20 minutes. D. 5 minutes.
D
As time progresses following a significant injury: Select one: A. most patients will die secondary to internal bleeding. B. the patient's injuries will most likely be irreparable. C. the patient's blood pressure elevates significantly. D. the body's ability to compensate for shock decreases.
D
As you assess the head of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, your partner should: Select one: A. look in the ears for gross bleeding. B. prepare the immobilization equipment. C. assess the rest of the body for bleeding. D. maintain stabilization of the head.
D
Capnography is used to: Select one: A. trend a patient's blood pressure and assess for shock. B. assess how much oxygen is bound to the hemoglobin. C. assess how much oxygen is reaching the body's tissues. D. determine how much carbon dioxide is being exhaled.
D
How should you determine the pulse in an unresponsive 8-year-old patient? A. Palpate the radial pulse at the wrist. B. Palpate the brachial pulse inside the upper arm. C. Palpate the radial pulse with your thumb. D. Palpate the carotid pulse in the neck.
D
Reassessment is performed to determine all of the following, EXCEPT: Select one: A. whether or not the patient is deteriorating. B. the nature of any newly identified problems. C. the patient's response to your treatment. D. the reason why the patient called EMS.
D
The "Golden Hour" begins when an injury occurs and ends when: Select one: A. you arrive at the emergency department. B. the patient is admitted to the ICU. C. you depart the scene for the hospital. D. the patient receives definitive care.
D
The goal of oxygenation for most patients is an oxygen saturation of: Select one: A. 100% B. 90% to 94% C. 88% to 90% D. 94% to 99%
D
The systematic head-to-toe assessment should be performed on: Select one: A. stable patients who are able to tell you exactly what happened. B. all patients with traumatic injuries who will require EMS transport. C. responsive medical patients and patients without a significant MOI. D. patients with a significant MOI and unresponsive medical patients.
D
When you use the palpation method to obtain a blood pressure, the measurement you obtain is the: Select one: A. pulse pressure. B. diastolic blood pressure. C. cardiac output pressure. D. systolic blood pressure.
D
Which of the following assessments would be the MOST useful in determining the possible cause of a patient's altered mental status? Select one: A. Respiratory rate B. Capillary refill time C. Blood pressure D. Blood glucose level
D
Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct? Select one: A. The purpose of the secondary assessment is to systematically examine every patient from head to toe, regardless of the severity of his or her injury. B. If your general impression of a patient does not reveal any obvious life threats, you should proceed directly to the secondary assessment. C. A focused secondary assessment would be the most appropriate approach for a patient who experienced significant trauma to multiple body systems. D. You may not have time to perform a secondary assessment if you must continually manage life threats that were identified during the primary assessment.
D
Which of the following would you NOT detect while determining your initial general impression of a patient? A. Cyanosis B. Gurgling respirations C. Severe bleeding D. Rapid heart rate
D
You arrive at the scene of an "injured person." As you exit the ambulance, you see a man lying on the front porch of his house. He appears to have been shot in the head and is lying in a pool of blood. You should: A. immediately assess the patient. B. proceed to the patient with caution. C. quickly assess the scene for a gun. D. retreat to a safe place and wait for law enforcement to arrive.
D
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: Select one: A. fully immobilize her spine, load her into the ambulance, and assess her vital signs. B. assess her vital signs, secure her to a backboard, and transport her immediately. C. identify the specific areas of her injuries and focus your assessment on those areas. D. perform a detailed head-to-toe exam and prepare for immediate transport.
D
