EMT CH 10 - Patient Assessment

During the scene size-up, you should routinely determine all of the following, EXCEPT:

• the mechanism of injury or nature of illness.

• the ratio of pediatric patients to adult patients.

• whether or not additional resources are needed.

• if there are any hazards that will jeopardize safety.

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:

• immediately assess the patient.

• proceed to the patient with caution.

• quickly assess the scene for a gun.

• retreat to a safe place and wait for law enforcement to arrive.

Findings such as inadequate breathing or an altered level of consciousness should be identified in the:

• primary assessment.

• focused assessment.

• secondary assessment.

• reassessment

Which of the following would you NOT detect while determining your initial general impression of a patient?

• Cyanosis

• Gurgling respirations

• Severe bleeding

• Rapid heart rate

A semiconscious patient pushes your hand away when you pinch his earlobe. You should describe his level of consciousness as:

• alert

• unresponsive

• responsive to painful stimuli.

• responsive to verbal stimuli.

Assessment of an unconscious patient’s breathing begins by:

• inserting an oral airway.

• manually positioning the head.

• assessing respiratory rate and depth.

• clearing the mouth with suction as needed.

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:

• nasal flaring.

• two- to three-word dyspnea.

• labored breathing.

• shallow respirations.

How should you determine the pulse in an unresponsive 8-year-old patient?

• Palpate the radial pulse at the wrist.

• Palpate the brachial pulse inside the upper arm.

• Palpate the radial pulse with your thumb.

• Palpate the carotid pulse in the neck.

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?

• Onset

• Quality

• Region/radiation

• Severity

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:

• reassess your interventions.

• perform a rapid exam.

• transport the patient immediately.

• perform a focused assessment of her head.