Patient Assessment
A restrained 19-year-old male was involved in a rollover motor-vehicle crash. With the exception of a small laceration to his forehead, he appears stable. When reconsidering the mechanism of injury, you should: A. treat him for potentially life-threatening injuries. B. perform a focused assessment since he is stable. C. guide your treatment based on his vital signs.
.
A 40-year-old female complains of a sudden onset of chest pressure. When assessing the history of her present illness, which of the following patient responses would identify a palliating factor? A. "The pressure seems to subside when I sit down." B. "The pressure did not subside after three nitroglycerin tablets." C. "I cannot walk too far without experiencing chest pressure." D. "This pressure awakened me from my sleep."
A. "The pressure seems to subside when I sit down."
You are assessing the blood pressure of a 36-year-old male who was assaulted. A normal systolic blood pressure for a patient of this age should be approximately: A. 140 mm Hg. B. 150 mm Hg. C. 120 mm Hg. D. 145 mm Hg.
A. 140 mm Hg
In general, you should assess the blood pressure in all patients who are at least ____ years of age. A. 3 B. 5 C. 8 D. 1
A. 3
During your assessment of a patient with closed head trauma, you note that he opens his eyes in response to pain, groans when you speak to him, and withdraws his shoulder when you pinch his earlobe. You should assign him a Glasgow Coma Scale score of: A. 8 B. 11 C. 10 D. 9
A. 8
On which of the following patients should you perform a rapid trauma assessment (rapid scan)? A. A 38-year-old male who was wearing a helmet while involved in a motorcycle crash. B. A 28-year-old male who fell approximately 10' from the roof of a small shed. C. A 33-year-old female with a penetrating injury to the left lower aspect of her leg. D. A 24-year-old female restrained driver who struck a pedestrian at 20 mph.
A. A 38-year-old male who was wearing a helmet while involved in a motorcycle crash
Which of the following conditions can cause the skin to be abnormally flushed and red? A. High blood pressure B. Poor peripheral circulation C. Hypothermia D. Liver failure
A. High blood pressure
Which of the following patients requires immediate transport following initial stabilization at the scene? A. Severe pain to the left lower quadrant of the abdomen B. Large laceration to the arm with controlled bleeding C. Decreased movement of an extremity following trauma D. Conscious patient involved in a low-speed MVC
A. Severe pain to the left lower quadrant of the abdomen
A 56-year-old female called EMS because of shortness of breath. During your assessment, she tells you that this began four days ago. Which of the following questions would be MOST appropriate to ask her regarding the duration of her chief complaint? A. What prompted you to call EMS today? B. Why didn't you call EMS when this began? C. Why is this suddenly an emergency today? D. Why haven't you called your physician?
A. What prompted you to call EMS today?
The concept of standard precautions assumes that: A. all blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may pose a substantial risk of infection. B. body fluids, such as sputum, urine, and sweat are potentially infectious only if they contain visible blood. C. certain body fluids, such as blood and vaginal secretions, are infectious until proven otherwise. D. gloves, a face shield, and a gown will virtually eliminate the risk of you being exposed to an infectious disease.
A. all blood, body fluids, nonintact skin, and mucous membranes may pose a substantial risk of infection
Severe abdominal distention may be caused by ascites, which is: A. an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal space. B. a collection of blood in the retroperitoneal space. C. inflammation of the bowel due to a blockage.
A. an accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal space
The soft, breezy, and lower pitched sounds found at the midclavicular line are known as _________________ sounds. A. bronchovesicular B. adventitious C. vesicular D. bronchial or tracheal
A. bronchovesicular
Your scene size-up begins: A. by preparing for a specific situation based on the dispatch information. B. as soon as you arrive at the scene, but prior to exiting the ambulance. C. after receiving additional information from other units at the scene. D. as you are donning your PPE and approaching the patient or patients.
A. by preparing for a specific situation based on the dispatch information
In a responsive patient, capnography is used to: A. determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced by aerobic metabolism. B. confirm the presence of shock if the ETCO2 is greater than 45 mm Hg. C. determine the partial pressure of oxygen in the arterial blood. D. assess the percentage of hemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen.
A. determine the amount of carbon dioxide produced by aerobic metabolism
A 23-year-old female called EMS because of a sudden onset of abdominal pain. During your assessment, you ask her to point to the area of her abdomen that is painful. She encircles a large area of her left lower quadrant with her finger. You would describe this patient's pain as being: A. diffuse. B. focal. C. radiating. D. referred.
A. diffuse
During your reassessment of a patient with an illness or injury, it is important to: A. document any changes in his or her condition. B. reassess vital signs only if a change is noted. C. perform a head-to-toe assessment every 15 minutes. D. repeat the secondary assessment every 5 minutes.
A. document any changes in his or her condition
You arrive at the scene of a motor-vehicle crash where a small car has struck a tree head-on. You see one patient sitting in the driver's seat with the door open. Prior to exiting the ambulance, you should: A. don the appropriate protective equipment. B. document your observations on the run form. C. request a rescue team for vehicle extrication. D. observe the patient's mental status.
A. don the appropriate protective equipment
Clues about the potential seriousness of your patient's injury or injuries are MOST reliably obtained by: A. evaluating the mechanism of injury. B. determining the age of the patient. C. questioning witnesses about the incident. D. forming a general impression.
A. evaluating the mechanism of injury
All of the following conditions would require immediate transport after the primary assessment and treatment phase, EXCEPT: A. headache without mental status change. B. inability to move the extremities following trauma. C. abdominal pain and cool, clammy skin. D. responsiveness but inability to follow commands.
A. headache without mental status change
While treating a critically injured 23-year-old male with a gunshot wound to the chest, the perpetrator who shot the patient returns to the scene. You should: A. leave the scene immediately and request help. B. quickly move the patient to an area of safety. C. attempt to surprise and subdue the perpetrator. D. ask the perpetrator why he shot the patient.
A. leave the scene immediately and request help
A 70-year-old male tells you that he took three of his wife's nitroglycerin tablets for chest pain prior to calling EMS. This information is clinically important to you because it: A. may have an effect on the treatment you provide. B. confirms that the patient is having a heart attack. C. identifies that his wife has a cardiac history. D. is illegal to obtain medication from other people.
A. may have an effect on the treatment you provide
When reassessing a patient during transport, you should: A. monitor treatment interventions and modify them as necessary. B. take the patient's blood pressure at least every 5 minutes. C. begin by repeating the focused history and physical examination. D. complete your patient care form and document all treatment given.
A. monitor treatment interventions and modify them as necessary
Determining the mechanism of injury will contribute to your decision of whether you should: A. perform a rapid assessment or focused exam. B. take body substance isolation precautions. C. perform an initial assessment of the patient. D. summon additional ambulances to the scene.
A. perform a rapid assessment or focused exam
A 21-year-old male complains of acute shortness of breath with sharp chest pain during inspiration. You auscultate his lungs and hear a grating sound over the left lower lobe during inspiration. This patient's clinical presentation is MOST likely caused by: A. pleural inflammation. B. a tear in the pleural lining. C. perforation of the lung. D. excessive pleural fluid.
A. pleural inflammation
When forming a general impression of your patient, you can determine the: A. presence of gross external bleeding. B. nature of the patient's illness. C. patient's age and chief complaint. D. patient's pertinent medical history.
A. presence of gross external bleeding
You are en route to a trauma center with a victim of a gunshot wound. You reassess his blood pressure and note that it has decreased by 10 mm Hg. After ensuring continued airway patency and adequate ventilation, you should: A. reassess for any occult bleeding. B. assess his blood pressure again. C. give additional IV fluid boluses. D. contact medical control for advice.
A. reassess for any occult bleeding
A 60-year-old male complains of right upper quadrant abdominal pain and pain to his right shoulder. He denies pain in between his abdomen and shoulder. The patient's description of his pain describes: A. referred pain. B. radiating pain. C. focal pain.
A. referred pain
You are the first unit to arrive at the scene of a crash involving a minivan and a small passenger car. You see two patients in the minivan, one who appears to be unconscious and the other with severe bleeding from the face. A third patient is sitting on a curb holding his arm. Your initial action should be to: A. request at least one additional ambulance and law enforcement. B. begin immediate treatment of the most critically injured patients. C. triage the patients to assess the extent and severity of their injuries. D. notify the dispatcher and have a helicopter respond to the scene.
A. request at least one additional ambulance and law enforcement
When arriving at the scene of a motor-vehicle crash, you should park your ambulance in an area that is: A. safe but allows rapid access to the patient. B. as far away from the crash scene as possible. C. at least 500 feet from the crashed vehicle. D. immediately in front of the crashed vehicle.
A. safe but allows rapid access to the patient
You will MOST likely be able to determine whether the cause of your patient's problem is medical or trauma in origin after you have: A. surveyed the scene and assessed the patient. B. formed a general impression of the patient. C. asked the dispatcher why EMS was notified. D. questioned bystanders regarding the incident.
A. surveyed the scene and assessed the patient
The nature of a patient's illness is MOST often determined by: A. the patient's chief complaint. B. asking a family member. C. your general impression of the patient. D. repeated calls to the patient's home.
A. the patient's chief complaint
The focused assessment of a responsive medical patient is guided by: A. the patient's reason for calling EMS. B. information obtained from the dispatcher. C. your general impression of the patient. D. your perception of the patient's problem.
A. the patient's reason for calling EMS.
The amount of force applied to the body during a motor-vehicle crash is directly related to: A. the speed of the vehicle at the time of impact. B. whether or not the patient was restrained. C. the weight and height of the patient. D. the gross weight of the patient's vehicle.
A. the speed of the vehicle at the time of impact
Your rapid assessment (rapid body scan) of an injured patient reveals pelvic deformity and a rigid, distended abdomen. After applying high-flow oxygen and immobilizing the patient's spine, you should: A. transport promptly and initiate IV therapy en route to the hospital. B. obtain vital signs, initiate an IV line, and transport promptly. C. perform a secondary assessment and transport immediately. D. establish an IV line, obtain a SAMPLE history, and transport.
A. transport promptly and initiate IV therapy en route to the hospital
The rapid body scan of a seriously ill or injured patient should take no longer than: A. 30 seconds. B. 60 to 90 seconds. C. 30 to 60 seconds. D. 90 to 120 seconds.
B. 60 to 90 seconds
In adult females and adolescents, systolic blood pressure is considered critically low when it is less _____ mm Hg or less. A. 70 B. 80 C. 90 D. 60
B. 80
You are dispatched to mile marker 539 for a vehicle that slid off the road and into the median. When you arrive at the scene, you note minimal damage to the vehicle. The patient, who is still inside his vehicle, appears to be unconscious. Which of the following statements regarding this situation is correct? A. The patient is probably unconscious due to blunt head trauma. B. An underlying medical condition may have resulted in this incident. C. The patient is most likely unconscious because he had a massive stroke. D. C-spine control is not needed because of the minimal vehicle damage.
B. An underlying medical condition may have resulted in this incident
Which of the following methods of assessing circulation is LEAST reliable in adult patients? A. Condition of the skin B. Capillary refill time C. Temperature of the extremities
B. Capillary refill time
Which of the following questions would allow you to assess the "P" in the SAMPLE history? A. Do you take any prescription medications? B. Has this ever happened to you before? C. What were you doing when this episode began? D. Are there any medications you cannot take?
B. Has this ever happened to you before?
Which of the following injuries or conditions would have the LOWEST treatment priority during the primary assessment? A. Secretions in the upper airway and an irregular pattern of breathing B. Impressive amount of dried blood in the hair but no active bleeding C. Open deformity to the left lower leg with moderate venous bleeding D. Respirations of 26 breaths/min with markedly reduced tidal volume
B. Impressive amount of dried blood in the hair but no active bleeding
Which of the following conditions may slow a person's capillary refill time? A. Increased peripheral perfusion B. Peripheral vasoconstriction C. Stress or severe anxiety D. Exposure to a hot environment
B. Peripheral vasoconstriction
A 63-year-old male is being transported to the hospital for an acute exacerbation of his emphysema. He is on oxygen via nasal cannula at 4 L/min. During your reassessment, you note that his mental status has deteriorated and his respirations have become markedly slow and shallow. You should: A. immediately reassess his vital signs. B. assist his ventilations with a bag-mask device. C. assess his blood glucose level. D. insert an advanced airway device at once.
B. assist his ventilations with a bag-mask device
You are transporting a 66-year-old male to the hospital following a seizure. As you reassess him, you note that his mental status is improving and he is now talking to you. You should: A. administer an IV fluid bolus to maintain perfusion. B. continue oxygenation and further monitoring. C. request a paramedic intercept in case he seizes again. D. reassess his vital signs every 3 minutes during transport.
B. continue oxygenation and further monitoring
Trending a critically-injured patient's vital signs will allow you to determine: A. whether or not transport to a trauma center is necessary. B. if the patient's condition is stabilizing or deteriorating. C. the underlying injuries that are making the patient unstable. D. whether or not a rapid head-to-toe assessment is indicated.
B. if the patient's condition is stabilizing or deteriorating
You are extricating a conscious and alert 22-year-old female from her car after she struck the rear end of another car while traveling at 40 mph. She complains only of neck pain and has no visible trauma. Her airbag deployed, but she was not wearing a seatbelt. You should: A. assume that her head struck the windshield upon impact. B. immobilize her spine and perform a focused exam. C. perform a secondary assessment and then transport. D. lift the airbag and assess for steering wheel deformity.
B. immobilize her spine and perform a focused exam
When performing a rapid trauma assessment (rapid body scan), you will usually assess all of the following, EXCEPT the: A. cervical spinal vertebrae. B. mastoid process. C. external jugular veins. D. position of the trachea.
B. mastoid process
The focused assessment of a patient is based primarily on the: A. nature of the patient's illness. B. patient's chief complaint. C. initial set of vital signs. D. presence of obvious injuries.
B. patient's chief complaint
You are dispatched to an apartment complex, where a tenant was found unconscious by the landlord. There is no evidence of trauma. After completing the primary assessment and addressing immediate life-threats, you should: A. obtain baseline vital signs. B. perform a rapid body scan. C. transport to the closest hospital. D. perform a focused assessment.
B. perform a rapid body scan
When performing the rapid body scan on an unresponsive patient, you should follow the same approach as the: A. secondary assessment. B. rapid trauma assessment. C. general impression. D. primary assessment.
B. rapid trauma assessment
A patient who is in a tripod position is: A. standing and leaning against an object, such as a wall, and has noticeable accessory muscle use B. sitting and leaning forward on outstretched arms with the head and chin thrust slightly forward. C. kneeling and supporting himself with his hands with his head in a hyperextended position D. in a semisitting position, leaning slightly forward, with the chin drawn in toward the chest
B. sitting and leaning forward on outstretched arms with the head and chin thrust slightly forward
A 66-year-old female is found unresponsive in her front yard by a neighbor. You perform a primary assessment and begin the appropriate treatment. There are no bystanders or witnesses to the patient's event. You should: A. attempt to notify the patient's family members. B. transport the patient without delay. C. inspect the patient's home for medications. D. question other neighbors about the patient.
B. transport the patient without delay
Compared to the patient's chief complaint, the primary problem is: A. what is most significant to the patient. B. what is actually wrong with the patient. C. the reason why the patient called EMS. D. directly related to the patient's medical history.
B. what is actually wrong with the patient
Based solely on the mechanism of injury, which of the following adult patients is at greatest risk for serious injuries? A. 6' 1" patient who fell 14' B. 5' 2" patient who fell 12' C. 4' 5" patient who fell 14' D. 6' 8" patient who fell 13'
C. 4' 5" patient who fell 14'
Which of the following situations would MOST likely require additional personnel or resources at the scene? A. 27-year-old male with a large knife impaled in his leg and minor bleeding B. 52-year-old female with chest pressure and a history of cardiovascular disease C. 40-year-old male with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head D. 38-year-old female who fell from a ladder and cannot move below the waist
C. 40-year-old male with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head
You are transporting a critically-injured patient to a trauma center located 45 minutes away from the scene. At a minimum, how many times should you reassess the patient's vital signs during transport? A. 2 B. 4 C. 9 D. 8
C. 9
Which of the following patients would you describe as being disoriented? A. A 52-year-old female who responds verbally when you talk to her. B. A 49-year-old male who is unresponsive to all forms of stimuli. C. A 60-year-old female who cannot recall events preceding her illness. D. A 55-year-old male who moans in pain when you pinch his earlobe.
C. A 60-year-old female who cannot recall events preceding her illness
Which of the following general statements about blood pressure measurement is correct? A. A blood pressure cuff that is too large will likely produce a reading that is falsely high B. A blood pressure cuff that is too small will likely produce a reading that is falsely low C. A normal size cuff should take up two thirds the length from the armpit to the crease at the elbow D. The appearance of Korotkoff sounds when taking a manual blood pressure indicates the diastolic blood pressure
C. A normal size cuff should take up two thirds the length from the armpit to the crease at the elbow
Which of the following injuries would the front seat passenger LEAST likely sustain when the front end of a car strikes a bridge pillar? A. Head B. Extremity C. Chest D. Pelvis
C. Chest
A middle-aged woman presents with crushing chest pain, diaphoresis, tachycardia, and nausea. Which of these findings is/are signs? A. Chest pain and nausea B. Nausea and tachycardia C. Diaphoresis and tachycardia D. Chest pain and diaphoresis
C. Diaphoresis and tachycardia
Which of the following statements regarding a patient with traumatic cardiac arrest is correct? A. You should initiate CPR, apply an AED as soon as possible, and begin rapid IV fluid replacement. B. IV fluid replacement has priority over defibrillation for patients with traumatic cardiac arrest. C. The patient's cardiac rhythm must be assessed, as soon as possible, with a manual cardiac monitor/defibrillator. D. Cardiac monitoring is not necessary since most traumatic cardiac arrest victims do not require defibrillation.
C. The patient's cardiac rhythm must be assessed, as soon as possible, with a manual cardiac monitor/defibrillator
When is it appropriate to palpate a trauma patient's pelvis? A. If he or she presents with signs of shock B. When a spinal injury is not suspected C. When he or she does not report pelvic pain D. Only if there is gross evidence of injury
C. When he or she does not report pelvic pain
Rales, rhonchi, and wheezing are examples of: A. upper airway sounds. B. bronchial breath sounds. C. adventitious breath sounds. D. vesicular breath sounds.
C. adventitious breath sounds
A 30-year-old male was ejected from his car after hitting a tree at a high rate of speed. Your assessment reveals that he is pulseless, apneic, and has multiple systems trauma. Treatment for this patient includes all of the following, EXCEPT: A. chest compressions and advanced airway management. B. large-bore IV lines with normal saline or lactated ringers. C. applying an AED and defibrillating if indicated.
C. applying an AED and defibrillating if indicated
A patient with congenital anisocoria would be expected to have pupils that: A. do not respond to light. B. are constricted and nonreactive. C. are unequal in size. D. dilate when exposed to light.
C. are unequal in size
A 49-year-old male collapsed and is now unresponsive. There is no evidence of trauma. Your primary assessment reveals that he is pulseless and apneic. You should: A. perform rescue breathing for 3 minutes and attach an AED. B. begin ventilations and chest compressions and transport immediately. C. begin CPR and apply the AED as soon as it is available. D. begin CPR and request a paramedic unit to defibrillate the patient.
C. begin CPR and apply the AED as soon as it is available
Your primary assessment of a 32-year-old male reveals that he is semiconscious and is breathing at a slow rate with shallow movement of the chest. You should: A. apply supplemental oxygen. B. assess his pulse rate and quality. C. begin assisting his ventilations. D. look for gross external bleeding.
C. begin assisting his ventilations
While assessing the abdomen of a 37-year-old female who experienced blunt abdominal trauma, you note the presence of bruising over the left flank area. This finding suggests: A. bleeding from a lacerated liver. B. the presence of an aortic aneurysm. C. blood in the retroperitoneal space. D. direct trauma to the anterior abdomen.
C. blood in the retroperitoneal space
Loud, high-pitched and hollow sounds auscultated over the manubrium are called: A. tracheal sounds. B. vesicular sounds. C. bronchial sounds. D. bronchovesicular sounds.
C. bronchial sounds
Law enforcement requests your assistance at a local nightclub for a patient who was assaulted. Upon arrival, an officer escorts you to the patient, a 21-year-old male, who is bleeding severely from a lacerated brachial artery. The patient is conscious and is screaming in pain. You should immediately: A. manually stabilize the patient's head. B. ensure the patient's airway is patent. C. control the bleeding with direct pressure. D. apply 100% supplemental oxygen.
C. control the bleeding with direct pressure
A young male is found to be unconscious. When assessing his pupils, you note that they dilate when exposed to bright light. This clinical finding is MOST suggestive of: A. congenital anisocoria. B. a barbiturate overdose. C. depressed brain function. D. a hemorrhagic stroke.
C. depressed brain function
During your rapid trauma assessment (rapid body scan) of a man who sustained a gunshot wound to the chest, you note the presence of air under the skin. This clinical finding is referred to as subcutaneous: A. infiltration. B. crepitus. C. emphysema. D. embolization.
C. emphysema
A 40-year-old female is unconscious following blunt trauma to the chest. During the rapid trauma assessment (rapid body scan), you auscultate the chest and hear rhonchi. This indicates: A. decreased blood flow to the lungs. B. bronchospasm and decreased air movement. C. fluid in the larger airways in the lungs. D. fluid in the smaller airways in the lungs.
C. fluid in the larger airways in the lungs
Assessment of a patient's pelvis is appropriately performed by: A. using a slight rocking motion. B. pushing inward while lifting the patient. C. gently compressing it inward. D. firmly compressing to elicit crepitus.
C. gently compressing it inward
A 50-year-old male has fallen from a significant height. He is conscious and alert, but is unable to feel or move both of his lower extremities. This is MOST likely the result of: A. local nerve injury. B. traumatic brain injury. C. injury to the spinal cord. D. a response to severe pain.
C. injury to the spinal cord
A 55-year-old male complains of severe pain to the right lower quadrant of his abdomen. During your assessment, you should first palpate the: A. right upper quadrant. B. left lower quadrant. C. left upper quadrant. D. right lower quadrant.
C. left upper quadrant
A 59-year-old male presents with right upper quadrant abdominal pain. Upon assessment, you note that his abdomen has an asymmetrical appearance. As you palpate the area, his jugular veins become slightly distended. These clinical findings are MOST suggestive of: A. a bowel obstruction. B. fluid in the peritoneum. C. liver inflammation.
C. liver inflammation
You are dispatched to a shopping mall for a female patient who is "sick." When you arrive, you find the patient, who appears confused, sitting on a bench in the middle of the mall. There is a small amount of blood in her hair. As you introduce yourself to the patient, you should direct your partner to: A. obtain vital signs and apply a bandage to her head. B. apply a cervical collar and assess for bleeding. C. manually stabilize her head in a neutral position. D. apply 100% oxygen with a nonrebreathing mask.
C. manually stabilize her head in a neutral position
An electronic blood pressure cuff that measures readings using stepped deflation: A. is less accurate in hypotensive patients than the device that uses linear deflation because linear deflation allows a uniform decline in pressure during deflation. B. provides a more accurate measurement than auscultating a patient's blood pressure using a manual blood pressure cuff. C. may be more accurate in patients who are moving because the pressure in the cuff is released in intervals at variable lengths, allowing the system to better detect oscillations. D. is ineffective in taking accurate measurements if the patient's blood pressure is greater than 200/100 mm Hg or if it detects any kind of patient movement.
C. may be more accurate in patients who are moving because the pressure in the cuff is released in intervals at variable lengths, allowing the system to better detect oscillations
A patient who coughs up thick yellow or green sputum: A. should be treated for congestive heart failure. B. has a closed chest injury until proven otherwise. C. most likely has an advanced respiratory infection. D. should not be given oxygen via the nasal route.
C. most likely has an advanced respiratory infection
A 20-year-old male twisted his ankle while playing basketball. He is conscious and alert, is breathing adequately, and denies other trauma. After performing the primary assessment, you should: A. administer 100% oxygen. B. splint the ankle and transport. C. perform a focused assessment. D. obtain baseline vital signs.
C. perform a focused assessment
A small truck slid off the road and struck a utility pole. The driver, a 40-year-old male, has only minor abrasions from the airbag. His 38-year-old wife was killed in the crash. After performing a primary assessment of the driver, you should: A. obtain baseline vital signs. B. immobilize his spine and transport. C. perform a rapid trauma assessment. D. perform a focused physical exam.
C. perform a rapid trauma assessment
Following the primary assessment, your actions prior to transport of a critically-injured patient should include: A. focused physical exam, spinal immobilization, IV therapy. B. detailed physical examination, spinal immobilization, vital signs. C. rapid trauma assessment, spinal immobilization, vital signs. D. rapid trauma assessment, vital signs, spinal immobilization, IV therapy.
C. rapid trauma assessment, spinal immobilization, vital signs
The general impression of your patient will allow you to obtain all of the following information EXCEPT for the: A. presence of cyanosis or pallor. B. patient's gross mental status. C. rate and regularity of the pulse. D. degree of breathing difficulty.
C. rate and regularity of the pulse
Proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will: A. prevent you from being stuck with a needle. B. negate the need for hazardous material decontamination. C. reduce your risk of an infectious exposure. D. eliminate the possibility of contracting a disease.
C. reduce your risk of an infectious exposure
Upon arriving at the scene of a motor-vehicle crash involving two cars, you see an unconscious patient still in his vehicle, but cannot see the occupant of the other car. Your MOST appropriate initial action should be to: A. notify law enforcement to search for another patient. B. gain access to the unconscious patient. C. request at least one additional ambulance. D. locate all patients before requesting assistance.
C. request at least one additional ambulance
The need to perform a detailed physical exam on a patient is based on: A. whether or not a focused exam was performed. B. your transport distance to the closest hospital. C. the nature of illness or mechanism of injury. D. the patient's response to initial management.
C. the nature of illness or mechanism of injury
When energy impacts a body structure it: A. dissipates locally. B. causes a broad area of injury. C. translates into injury. D. penetrates the skin surface.
C. translates into injury
You are attempting to obtain medical history information from a 20-year-old female. However, she does not answer your questions, despite the fact that she is conscious and alert and speaks English. You should: A. provide any necessary treatment and defer her medical history to the hospital staff. B. decrease the amount of time in between each of the questions that you ask her. C. use close-ended questions and reassess the manner in which you are questioning her. D. advise her that if she does not answer your questions, there is no way you can help.
C. use close-ended questions and reassess the manner in which you are questioning her
All of the following elements are essential to the AEMT's critical-thinking ability, EXCEPT: A. an understanding of how injuries and illnesses affect the human body. B. comparing a patient's complaint to past experiences with similar patients. C. using extraneous data to formulate an appropriate patient care plan.
C. using extraneous data to formulate an appropriate patient care plan
The finer and somewhat fainter breath sounds noted in the lateral wall of the chest are known as: A. bronchovesicular sounds. B. pleural sounds. C. vesicular sounds. D. bronchial sounds.
C. vesicular sounds
During your secondary assessment of a 70-year-old male with congestive heart failure, you note the presence of 4+ pitting edema to his lower extremities. This means that: A. the edema is so significant that it is impairing distal circulation. B. it takes greater than 4 minutes for the skin to recoil after depressing it. C. you are able to make an indentation in the skin of greater than 1". D. the edema extends from the ankle to the area just below the knee.
C. you are able to make an indentation in the skin of greater than 1".
You are assessing a responsive patient who complains of abdominal pain. Which of the following questions would be MOST effective in determining the quality of the patient's pain? A. "Does the pain feel like a stabbing pain?" B. "Is the pain sharp or dull?" C. "Does the pain travel anywhere?" D. "What does the pain feel like?"
D. "What does the pain feel like?"
What three factors should be evaluated when predicting a trauma patient's potential for serious injuries? A. Age of the patient, amount of force applied to the patient, and the patient's activities at the time of the incident. B. Amount of force applied to the body, the patient's past medical history, and the length of time the force was applied. C. Area(s) of the body involved, the patient's activity at the time of the incident, and the age of the patient. D. Amount of force applied to the body, the length of time the force was applied, and the area(s) of the body involved.
D. Amount of force applied to the body, the length of time the force was applied, and the area(s) of the body involved
Which of the following actions would you NOT perform during the scene size-up? A. Determine the number of patients. B. Evaluate exterior damage to a car. C. Request a hazardous materials team. D. Assess a patient's breathing effort.
D. Assess a patient's breathing effort
When assessing a patient's abdomen, which of the following techniques will provide you with the LEAST amount of information? A. Gentle palpation of all quadrants B. Assessing for aortic pulsations C. Visualization for ecchymosis D. Auscultation of bowel sounds
D. Auscultation of bowel sounds
Which of the following skin findings suggest liver dysfunction? A. Ashen and moist B. Flushed and warm C. Jaundice and dry D. Cyanotic and cool
D. Cyanotic and cool
Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct? A. A secondary assessment exam is seldom performed in the prehospital setting. B. The purpose of the secondary assessment is to find and treat immediate life threats. C. The secondary assessment should be performed at the scene for all patients. D. If the patient is unstable, the secondary assessment should be performed en route.
D. If the patient is unstable, the secondary assessment should be performed en route
You are assessing the quality of a trauma patient's respirations. Which of the following clinical findings would indicate labored breathing? A. Shallow chest movement B. Reduced tidal volume C. Gurgling in the upper airway D. Supraclavicular retractions
D. Supraclavicular retractions
A 30-year-old male presents with signs of shock. He is conscious but anxious, and is in no obvious respiratory distress. After applying oxygen, you attach a pulse oximeter, which reads 78%. This low oxygen saturation reading is MOST likely the result of: A. severe hypocarbia. B. a decreased PCO2. C. volume depletion. D. decreased perfusion.
D. decreased perfusion
The formulation of an appropriate treatment plan is ultimately based on the: A. findings in the primary assessment. B. AEMT's differential diagnosis. C. patient's vital signs and medical history. D. field impression of the patient.
D. field impression of the patient
A responsive 40-year-old male complains of chest pain. He is able to speak to you in complete sentences and has no obvious respiratory difficulty. From this information, you can conclude that: A. he is in immediate need of high-flow oxygen. B. low-flow oxygen is all that is necessary for him. C. he is likely having an acute myocardial infarction. D. his airway is patent and his breathing is adequate.
D. his airway is patent and his breathing is adequate
Following the primary assessment, the MOST appropriate order to proceed when treating a responsive medical patient is: A. focused physical exam, history of present illness, baseline vital signs, SAMPLE history. B. SAMPLE history, baseline vital signs, focused physical exam, history of present illness. C. baseline vital signs, focused physical exam, SAMPLE history, history of present illness. D. history of present illness, SAMPLE history, focused physical exam, baseline vital signs.
D. history of present illness, SAMPLE history, focused physical exam, baseline vital signs
When performing the primary assessment of a patient, your goal is to: A. ascertain the severity of the patient's condition by visual inspection. B. open the patient's airway and assess adequacy of respirations. C. determine if the patient's problem is traumatic or medical in origin. D. identify and treat immediate life-threatening injuries or conditions.
D. identify and treat immediate life-threatening injuries or conditions
When assessing a patient with a small-caliber gunshot wound, it is important to remember that: A. small-caliber bullets frequently ricochet off hollow organs and nerves. B. a gun fired at point-blank range is considered to be a low-velocity injury. C. the bullet's path can be predicted by noting the location of the exit wound. D. internal injury severity is often unrelated to the entrance and exit wounds.
D. internal injury severity is often unrelated to the entrance and exit wounds
A patient who remains flaccid without moving or making a sound with no indication of hearing you: A. likely requires defibrillation. B. needs advanced airway care. C. requires assisted ventilation. D. is considered unresponsive.
D. is considered unresponsive
When auscultating the breath sounds of a patient with respiratory distress, you hear a high-pitched whistling sound during expiration. This suggests: A. mild laryngeal swelling. B. upper respiratory infection. C. fluid in the smaller airways. D. lower airway obstruction.
D. lower airway obstruction
During your assessment of a 33-year-old female with an altered mental status, you note a fruity odor on her breath. You should: A. treat her for cyanide poisoning. B. ask her if she has been drinking. C. administer a tube of oral glucose. D. obtain a blood glucose reading.
D. obtain a blood glucose reading
You are approximately 10 minutes away from the hospital with a 59-year-old female with a possible myocardial infarction when she suddenly loses consciousness. You should: A. assist her ventilations with a bag-mask device. B. attach an AED and analyze her cardiac rhythm. C. insert a nasal airway and place her on her side. D. open her airway and assess her breathing status.
D. open her airway and assess her breathing status
When a section of the ribs has been fractured, the injured section falls during inspiration and bulges during expiration. This is called: A. apical chest movement. B. symmetrical chest movement. C. asymmetrical chest movement. D. paradoxical chest movement.
D. paradoxical chest movement
Unlike the secondary assessment, the ongoing assessment (reassessment) is: A. a more in-depth and systematic assessment. B. designed to focus on a specific problem C. only performed on patients in critical condition. D. performed on all patients during transport.
D. performed on all patients during transport
Indicators to the patient that you are actively listening to him or her include: A. basing your initial questions on the patient's medical history. B. asking the patient if he or she has any questions for you. C. taking detailed notes throughout the assessment process. D. periodically repeating back important points to the patient.
D. periodically repeating back important points to the patient
You are assessing the pupils of a patient who was struck in the back of the head. You note that his pupils differ in size by slightly less than 1 mm. The patient is conscious, alert, and oriented to person, place, time, and event. You should suspect: A. injury to the pons or medulla. B. increased intracranial pressure. C. that he ingested an opiate drug. D. physiologic anisocoria.
D. physiologic anisocoria
When performing your assessment of a 22-year-old male with hypoglycemia, you note that his mental status has improved and he is now verbally responsive. You should: A. give an IV fluid bolus. B. discontinue the oxygen. C. administer oral glucose. D. reassess his vital signs.
D. reassess his vital signs
During transport of a 34-year-old male with a possible femur fracture, you perform a reassessment. This process begins with: A. assessing his splinted extremity. B. conducting a head-to-toe assessment. C. reassessing his pulse, BP, and respirations. D. repeating the primary assessment.
D. repeating the primary assessment
You are called to a grocery store where a clerk has found an unresponsive female in one of the aisles. There were no witnesses to the event. You should immediately: A. assess the rate and regularity of the patient's respiratory effort. B. assist ventilations with a bag-mask device attached to 100% oxygen. C. open her airway with a head-tilt chin lift maneuver and apply oxygen. D. stabilize her head and open her airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver.
D. stabilize her head and open her airway with the jaw-thrust maneuver
An older man complains of chest pain. He is conscious and alert and denies any other symptoms. Your focused assessment of this patient should include: A. evaluation of his hydration status, vital signs, determining if he is experiencing unilateral neurologic deficits, asking him to smile to determine if he has a facial droop. B. neurologic function in all extremities, vital signs, auscultation of heart sounds, inquiring about his family history, and assessing his pupils for equality and reactivity. C. palpation of the upper abdominal quadrants, vital signs, auscultation of breath and epigastric sounds, and assessment of his blood glucose level. D. vital signs, looking at the chest for obvious trauma, auscultation of breath sounds, assessing the external jugular veins, and assessing for edema to the extremities.
D. vital signs, looking at the chest for obvious trauma, auscultation of breath sounds, assessing the external jugular veins, and assessing for edema to the extremities
When obtaining medical history information on a patient who has been serious injured, it is important to remember that: A. transport has a higher priority, so medical history gathering should be deferred. B. bystanders or family members are more reliable historians than the patient. C. patient care tasks will likely prevent you from gathering any medical history. D. you should gather as much information as possible without delaying transport.
D. you should gather as much information as possible without delaying transport