Chapter 9: Patient Assessment

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. approach him from behind and ask him not to move C. stand behind him and immediately stabilize his head D. assess his mental status by having him move his head

A. ensure that the patient can see you approaching him

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

A. most serious thing the patient is concerned about

Which of the following statements regarding the mechanism of injury is correct? A. the exact location of a patient's injuries can be determined by the MOI B. The MOI may allow you to predict the severity of a patient's injury C. A significant MOI always results in a patient death or permanent disability D. A nonsignificant MOI rules out the possibility of serious trauma

B. The MOI may allow you to predict the severity of a patient's injury

An elderly patient has fallen and hit her head. Your initial care should focus on: A. obtaining baseline vital sings B. airway, breathing, and circulation C. providing immediate transport D. gathering medical history data

B. airway, breathing, and circulation

When you shine a light into one pupil, the normal reaction of the other pupil should be to: A. not react B. become smaller C. dilate D. become larger

B. become smaller

In patients with deeply pigmented skin, changes in color may be apparent only in certain areas, such as the: A. back of the neck B. lips or oral mucosa C. dorsum of the hand D. forehead and face

B. lips or oral mucosa

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: A. direct your partner to move the gun to a safe area and then advise the patient that his weapon has been secured B. position yourself in between the patient and the gun and ask your partner to request law enforcement assistance C. immediately cease all patient care, carefully back out fo the residence, and request law enforcement assistance D. document the presence of the weapon, including its specific location, and continue your assessment of the patient

B. position yourself in between the patient and the gun and ask your partner to request law enforcement assistance

During assessment, circulation is evaluated by assessing: A. blood pressure, pulse rate, and external bleeding B. skin quality, blood pressure, and capillary refill C. external bleeding, skin condition, and capillary refill D. pulse quality, external bleeding, and skin condition

B. skin quality, blood pressure, and capillary refill

The rapid exam of a patient that occurs following the primary assessment should take no longer than: A. 120 to 180 seconds B. 60 to 90 seconds C. 90 to 120 seconds D. 30 seconds

C. 90 to 120 seconds

Which of the following scenarios does NOT involve the presence of any symptoms? A. A 44 year old male with abdominal pain and severe dizziness B. A 55 year old male with a severe headache and 2 days of nausea 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

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

What maneuver should be used to open the airway of an unresponsive patient with suspected trauma? A. Head tilt-neck lift B. Tongue-jaw lift C. Jaw-thrust maneuver D. Head tilt-chin lift

C. Jaw-thrust maneuver

Which of the following conditions would be LEAST likely to cause an altered level of consciousness? A. poisoning B. inadequate perfusion C. acute anxiety D. drug overdose

C. acute anxiety

A 39 year old male sustained a stab wound to the groin during an altercation at a bar. As you approach the patient, you not that he is conscious. He is screaming in pain and is attempting to control the bleeding, which is bright red and spurting from his groin area. You should: A. administer 100% supplemental oxygen B. ensure that his airway is patent C. apply direct pressure to the wound D. elevate his legs and keep him warm

C. apply direct pressure to the wound

A 16-year-old female complains of vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping that began several hours ago. During your assessment interview, you should: A. obtain the majority of your information for one of her parents B. avoid asking questions that she will feel uncomfortable asking C. inquire about the possibility of pregnancy in private, if possible D. recall that patients in this age group prefer not to be treated as adults

C. inquire about the possibility of pregnancy in private, if possible

An injured patient is assigned a total score of 9 on the GCS. He is assigned a score of 2 for eye opening, a score of 3 for verbal response, and a score of 4 for motor response. Which of the following clinical findings is consistent with his GCS score? A. opens eyes in response to voice, makes incomprehensible sounds, localizes pain B. Eyes remain closed, makes incomprehensible sounds, exhibits abnormal pain C. opens eyes in response to pain, uses inappropriate words, withdraws from pain D. opens eyes spontaneously, is confused when spoken to, exhibits abnormal flexion

C. opens eyes in response to pain, uses inappropriate words, withdraws from pain

A palpable pulse is created by: A. electrical conduction in the heart producing ventricular contraction B. the pressure of circulating blood against the walls of the arteries C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction D. the pressure that is caused when venous blood returns to the heart

C. pressure waves through the arteries caused by cardiac contraction

Reassessment is performed to determine all of the following, EXCEPT: A. the nature of any newly identified problems B. whether or not the patient is deteriorating C. the reason why the patient called EMS D. the patient's response to your treatment

C. the reason why the patient called EMS

Which of the following statements regarding the secondary assessment is correct? A. the secondary assessment should be performed en route to the hospital, regardless of the severity of the patient's condition B. A secondary assessment should always be performed, even if you must continually manage life threats that were identified in the primary assessment C. the secondary assessment should focus on a certain area or region of the body as determined by the chief complaint D. During the secondary assessment, the EMT's primary focus should be on taking the patient's vital signs and obtaining a SAMPLE history

C. the secondary assessment should focus on a certain area or region of the body as determined by the chief complaint

Which of the following actions would NOT be performed during the scene size up? A. noting the position of a crashed motor vehicle B. Notifying the dispatcher to send fire personnel C. Asking a neighbor to secure the patient's dog D. Rapidly assessing a patient's respiratory status

D. Rapidly assessing a patient's respiratory status

Treatment and transport priorities at the scene of a mass-casualty incident should be determined after: A. area hospitals have been notified B. the number of patients is known C. a physician arrives on the scene D. all the patients have been triaged

D. all the patients have been triaged

During an EMS call, you should take standard precautions: A. before you load the patient into the ambulance B. immediately after completion of your primary assessment C. after is has been determined that the patient is bleeding D. before exiting the ambulance and before actual patient contact

D. before exiting the ambulance and before actual patient contact

You should suspect that a patient is experiencing respiratory failure if he or she: A. is anxious, tachycardic, and leaning forward B. is restless and is working hard to breathe C. has an increased heart rate and retractions D. has bradycardia and diminished muscle tone

D. has bradycardia and diminished muscle tone