Patient Assessment Exam Review 2025

Which of the following is an example of a symptom?

• Cyanosis

• Headache

• Tachycardia

• Hypertension

Treatment and transport priorities at the scene of a mass-casualty incident should be determined after:

• a physician arrives at the scene.

• medical control has been contacted.

• all the patients have been triaged.

• area hospitals have been notified.

Which of the following findings indicates that your patient has a patent airway?

• Audible breathing

• Ability to speak

• Inspiratory stridor

• Unresponsiveness

The goal of oxygenation for most patients is an oxygen saturation of:

• 100%

• 94% to 99%

• 90% to 94%

• 88% to 90%

In responsive patients who are older than 1 year of age, you should palpate the pulse at the ________ artery.

• radial

• carotid

• brachial

• femoral

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.

• 60 , 100

• 50, 110

• 40, 120

• 30, 130

Cyanosis of the skin is caused by:

• increased blood oxygen.

• peripheral vasodilation.

• venous vasoconstriction.

• decreased blood oxygen.

After performing a primary assessment, a rapid exam of the body should be performed to:

• determine the need for spinal motion restriction precautions.

• identify less-obvious injuries that require immediate treatment.

• look specifically for signs and symptoms of inadequate perfusion.

• find and treat injuries or conditions that do not pose a threat to life. 

As you assess the head of a patient with a suspected spinal injury, your partner should:

• maintain stabilization of the head.

• look in the ears for gross bleeding.

• prepare the immobilization equipment.

• assess the rest of the body for bleeding.

Which of the following medical history questions would be of LEAST pertinence in an acute situation?

• “Does the pain stay in your chest?”

• “Does your mother have diabetes?”

• “Has this ever happened to you before?”

• “Are there medications that you cannot take?”