Component 2: Patient Assessment

Question 1

What is the term used when addressing newborns and what is their age grouping?

Answer 1

Newborns are commonly called neonates until they’ve aged to one month.

Question 2

What is the term used when addressing children aging from 1 month to 1 year or 12 months of age?

Answer 2

infant(s)

Question 3

What is the age grouping for toddlers?

Answer 3

1 to 3 years of age

Question 4

What do we call children within the age group of 3 to 6 years?

Answer 4

preschool age

Question 5

The adolescent age group is considered to be from the ages 12 to 18 years. What age group comes before adolescents, and what is the typical age range?

Answer 5

school-age (6 to 12 years old)

Some sources may vary slightly, but EMS and NREMT standards typically define school-age as 6–12 and adolescents as 12–18 years old.

Question 6

What is the term used when identifying with the age group of 41 to 60?

Answer 6

middle adult

Question 7

At what age group do the individual vital signs start to compare to adults?

Answer 7

adolescent(s) (12 to 18 years old)

Question 8

What age group has basic language skills?

Answer 8

3 to 4-year-old

They will be talking and comprehending sentences and structure.

Question 9

True or False:

School-age children are most susceptible to peer pressure.

Answer 9

False

Adolescents are more susceptible, although they may be more susceptible at a younger age depending on the socialization of the child.

Question 10

True or False:

Adolescents will always provide truthful answers when being interviewed with their parents present.

Answer 10

False

Adolescents may withhold honest responses in front of parents, especially about sensitive issues like sex, drugs, or mental health.

Question 11

Differentiate pre-conventional reasoning, conventional reasoning, and post-conventional reasoning in school-age children.

Answer 11

• Pre-conventional reasoning: the school-age child will act to prevent punishment or receive a reward.
• Conventional reasoning: the school-age child will look to approval from their peers and surroundings.
• Post-conventional reasoning: the school-age child will make choices based on their conscience.

Question 12

In which age group does the psychosocial need to “settle down” set in?

Answer 12

early adults (19 to 40 years)

Question 13

In what age group do the effects of menopause begin?

Answer 13

middle adults (41 to 60)

Question 14

How often should vital signs be assessed for the unstable patient?

Answer 14

5 minutes (and document them)

Question 15

What is the term used for the first set of vital signs assessed?

Answer 15

baseline vitals

Question 16

What are we evaluating after taking multiple sets of vital signs?

Answer 16

patient trending

Question 17

When calculating a patient’s respiratory rate, what should be done?

A. Count the respirations for a minute.

B. Count the respirations for 30 seconds and multiple by two. (RR X 2 = RR per minute)

C. Count the respirations for 15 seconds and multiple by four. (RR X 4 = RR per minute)

D. All of the above.

Answer 17

D. All of the above.

Question 18

List six signs we evaluate when assessing breathing.

Answer 18

1. Presence of breathing
2. Respiratory rate
3. Rhythm, regular or irregular
4. Quality (difficulty/effort)
5. Depth of breathing
6. Lung sounds

Question 19

What is bradypnea in adults?

Answer 19

It is a respiratory rate below 12 breaths per minute in adults, often due to neurological issues, medication effects, or metabolic disturbances.

Question 20

What is the average pulse range for adults?

Answer 20

60 to 100 beats per minute

Question 21

What are the pulse points?

Answer 21

• Carotid
• Radial
• Femoral
• Dorsal pedal/posterior tibial
• Popliteal
• Apical
• Brachial

Question 22

List palpating pulse characteristics.

Answer 22

• The presence of a pulse
• Rate (slow, normal, fast)
• Regularity (regular or irregular)
• Quality (strong, weak, thready)

Question 23

Fill in the blank:

Upon auscultating the patient’s lung sounds, you hear a low, course, rattle. This lung sound is known as ___________.

Answer 23

rhonchi

Question 24

Differentiate systolic and diastolic.

Answer 24

• Systolic: the pressure exerted against the vasculature during contraction.
• Diastolic: the pressure exerted against the vasculature during relaxation.

Question 25

# Define: blood pressure

Answer 25

It is the presence of **pressure exerted against the vasculature** during cardiac cycles.

Question 26

What is the name for a **blood pressure cuff**?

Answer 26

sphygmomanometer

Question 27

# True or False: An inappropriate-sized, or inaccurately placed blood pressure cuff will cause an inaccurate blood pressure reading.

Answer 27

True ## Footnote A cuff that is too small can give falsely high readings; too large can give falsely low readings.

Question 28

What **decisions** should be made **after you have evaluated** the patient's level of consciousness, airway, breathing, circulation, and vital signs?

Answer 28

Stating a **field impression** of the patient and **transport decision**.

Question 29

When providing care for a patient suffering from **multiple systems trauma**, what **type of history** should we attempt to obtain?

Answer 29

**SAMPLE** history

Question 30

What does the acronym **SAMPLE** mean?

Answer 30

**S**igns/symptoms **A**llergies **M**edications **P**ast pertinent medical history **L**ast oral intakeWhen appropriate **E**vents leading up to the current situation/complaint ## Footnote If applicable (e.g., abdominal pain in females), include last menstrual period (LMP) under “Last oral intake.”

Question 31

When performing a **physical assessment**, what does the mnemonic **DCAP - BTLS** mean?

Answer 31

**D**eformity **C**ontusions **A**brasion(s) **P**uncture(s)/penetrations **B**urns **T**enderness **L**acerations **S**welling

Question 32

When assessing a **patient's pupils**, what does the mnemonic **PEARRL** mean?

Answer 32

**P**upils **E**qual **A**nd **R**ound **R**egular in size React to **L**ight

Question 33

# Define: Anisocoria

Answer 33

It means **unequal pupils**.

Question 34

**Differentiate** sign(s) and symptom(s).

Answer 34

* **Signs** are something seen (diaphoresis, angulated fractures, etc...) * **Symptoms** are patient complaints ("I have chest pain." "My belly hurts." etc...)

Question 35

What does the mnemonic **AVPU** stand for and when is it used?

Answer 35

**A**lert: patient is awake and responsive **V**erbal: responds to verbal stimuli **P**ain: responds only to painful stimuli **U**nresponsive: no response to any stimulus ## Footnote Used for rapid assessment of consciousness in the primary assessment.

Question 36

List **five** steps included in the **scene size-up**?

Answer 36

1. Determines scene/situation is safe. 2. Determines the mechanism of injury/nature of illness. 3. Determines the number of patients. 4. Requests additional EMS assistance if necessary. 5. Considers stabilization of the cervical spine.

Question 37

What does the letter **"R"** stand for in the **OPQRST** mnemonic?

Answer 37

radiation ## Footnote "Does your pain/discomfort move or go anywhere?"

Question 38

What **question** is frequently asked when assessing the patient's **severity of pain** or **discomfort**?

Answer 38

"On a *scale of 1 to 10*, one being no or very little pain and ten being the worst pain or discomfort you have ever experienced, what number would you **rate** your **pain** at?" | (OPQRST)

Question 39

# True or False: After providing medication or treatment for your patient, it is imperative to reassess.

Answer 39

True ## Footnote Reassessment verifies the effectiveness of interventions and identifies changes in the patient’s condition.

Question 40

# Fill in the blank. According to the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), a score of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_ or less suggests severe neurologic compromise and may indicate the need for airway management.

Answer 40

8

Question 41

List the **four** common assessments for assessing a patient's **neurovascular system**.

Answer 41

* distal pulse * capillary refill * sensation * motor function

Question 42

# Describe: Subcutaneous Emphysema

Answer 42

It is when **air leaks underneath the skin and upon palpation**, feels like "rice crispies" crackling.

Question 43

# True or False: The patient is complaining of abdominal pain. Upon palpation of the abdomen, we should start over the quadrant that the patient's complaint is in.

Answer 43

False ## Footnote Always begin palpation in a non-painful quadrant and move toward the painful area last to avoid guarding or missing key findings.

Question 44

What do the following abbreviations stand for? * LUQ * RUQ * LLQ * RLQ

Answer 44

* LUQ - Left Upper Quadrant * RUQ - Right Upper Quadrant * LLQ - Left Lower Quadrant * RLQ - Right Lower Quadrant

Question 45

List **signs** of dyspnea/difficulty breathing.

Answer 45

* Cyanosis * Tripod position * Accessory muscle use/retractions * Altered mentation * Diaphoresis * Altered respiratory patterns/rate * Decrease tidal volume

Question 46

At what **angle** should the patient be seated when assessing for **jugular venous distention**? | (JVD)

Answer 46

45⁰ (Semi-Fowlers)

Question 47

What is the **term** for the position this body is in?

Answer 47

prone

Question 48

What is the **term** for the position the image of the body is in?

Answer 48

**Left lateral recumbent**, also called the recovery position.

Question 49

What gaseous waste or bi-product is **exhaled** during **expiration**?

Answer 49

carbon dioxide | (CO₂)

Question 50

# Define: cyanosis

Answer 50

It is the **bluish-gray skin discoloration** that results from too little oxygen (O₂) circulating in the blood. It can be seen on nail beds, around the mouth (perioral area), and the conjunctiva.

Question 51

# Describe: diaphoresis

Answer 51

It is when the patient presents with **excessive sweating**.

Question 52

What is an **injury** called that **prevents a patient from feeling or noticing** any other injuries, possibly ones that are more critical?

Answer 52

distracting injury

Question 53

What is being assessed when we are performing a **focused assessment**?

Answer 53

It is when we focus our attention on the **patient's chief complaint**, single body part, or system.

Question 54

**Differentiate** hypothermia and hyperthermia.

Answer 54

* **Hypothermia** occurs when the body is exposed to cold and you **lose more heat than the body can produce**. *Typically a core body temperature below 95⁰ F. (35⁰ C*). * **Hyperthermia** occurs when the body is exposed to heat and starts to **lose its cooling mechanisms**. *Typically a core* *body temperature above 104⁰F (40⁰C).*

Question 55

# Describe: **Jaundice** and what is the cause?

Answer 55

It is yellow skin and/or **sclera discoloration** caused by **decreased or damaged liver function**.

Question 56

During your **General Impression** of the patient, you note that they are seated in a tripod position and using accessory muscles. What information can you take away from this **patient presentation**?

Answer 56

The patient is having difficulty and/or labored breathing.

Question 57

# Define: palpate

Answer 57

It is to perform a physical **assessment by touch** (hands-on).

Question 58

What do the acronyms **MOI** and **NOI** stand for?

Answer 58

* MOI: **Mechanism of Injury** * NOI: **Nature of Illness**

Question 59

What are **negative findings** that require no interventions or treatment called?

Answer 59

pertinent negatives ## Footnote Example: Asking a patient complaining of chest pain if they are nauseous.

Question 60

What is an **assessment tool** we use to measure the **oxygen (O₂) of hemoglobin called**?

Answer 60

pulse oximetry

Question 61

What action is to be done **before** performing a **scene size-up**?

Answer 61

Don the appropriate **Personal Protective Equipment** precautions. | (PPE)

Question 62

# True or False: Performing a physical or secondary assessment on a patient before accessing their airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC's Primary Assessment) is medically acceptable.

Answer 62

False ## Footnote The primary assessment (ABCs) must always be performed first to identify and manage life threats before continuing with a physical exam.

Question 63

# True or False: Every trauma patient is a medical patient, and every medical patient is a trauma patient until determined otherwise.

Answer 63

True ## Footnote This saying encourages EMTs to remain alert to overlapping medical and trauma issues until a full assessment rules one out.