EMR Chapter 13: Principles of Patient Assessment

For most patients, an Emergency Medical Responder's assessment begins with performing a scene size-up followed by:

• a secondary assessment.

• a primary assessment.

• obtaining vital signs.

• determining the nature of illness.

After arriving on scene but before making patient contact, you should:

• perform a primary assessment.

• contact medical direction.

• perform a secondary assessment.

• take BSI precautions.

The primary assessment begins with:

• assessing the patient's mental status.

• assessing the patient's airway.

• forming a general impression.

• evaluating the patient's circulation.

The assessment of a patient's level of responsiveness includes using the ________ scale.

• AVPU

• ABC

• SAMPLE

• BP-DOC

In a SAMPLE history, the E represents:

• EKG results.

• evaluation of the neck and spine.

• events leading to the illness or injury.

• evidence of airway obstruction.

When assessing a trauma patient with NO significant mechanism of injury, perform a focused secondary assessment, followed by:

• rapid physical exam.

• SAMPLE history

• rapid trauma assessment.

• vital signs.

When assessing circulation for a responsive adult patient, you should assess the ___________ pulse.

• carotid

• pedal

• radial

• distal

The first and most important general principle of patient assessment states:

• if patient behavior does not seem "right", consider that something is seriously

• do no further harm.

• take vital signs.

• watch for skin color changes.

The steps of a primary assessment include forming a general impression, assessing mental status, assessing ABCs, and:

• controlling bleeding.

• determining priority for transport.

• performing a secondary assessment.

• obtaining vital signs.

You are assessing a patient and discover her respirations to be 6 and shallow. You should:

• alert dispatch.

• provide manual ventilations.

• perform a secondary assessment.

• obtain vital signs.