OSCE questions

Question 1

What is an ECG

Answer 1

Electrocardiogram. Shows electrical activity through the heart and rate.

Question 2

Why is correct lead placement important?

Answer 2

To avoid diagnostic errors and misinterpretation

Question 3

What are chest lead landmarks

Answer 3

V1 - 4th intercostal right of sternum
V2 - 4th intercostal left of sternum
V3 - Between V2 and V4
V4 - 5th intercostal left mid clavicular line
V5 - Between V4 and V6
V6 - 5th intercostal left mid axillary line

Question 4

When is ECG indicated

Answer 4

Chest pain
Sycope
Unexplained falls

Question 5

What is a normal heart rate

Answer 5

60 - 100 bpm
>60 bradycardia
<100 tachycardia

Question 6

What is blood pressure

Answer 6

Pressure in blood vessels in mmHg

Question 7

What is systolic/ diastolic

Answer 7

Systolic is pressure when heart beats (bigger number)
Diastolic is pressure between beats (smaller number

Question 8

What factors can affect blood pressure

Answer 8

Cardiac output
Volume of blood
Stress
Caffeine
Medication

Question 9

What is normal blood pressure

Answer 9

Systolic 90-120
Borderline hypertensive 120-140

Question 10

What are indications for measuring blood pressure

Answer 10

Chest pain
Unexplained falls
syncope

Question 11

What are contra indications for measuring blood pressure

Answer 11

Patient refusal
IV line in arm
Recent open wounds on arm
Other procedures required as priority

Question 12

Advantages/ disadvantages of automatic blood pressure

Answer 12

Easier
Cuff placement is less important
Less accurate as estimates systolic/ diastolic based on mean arterial pressure

Question 13

Advantages/ disadvantages of manual blood pressure

Answer 13

More accurate
Noise/ movement can interfere
User error

Question 14

When is ECG contra indicated

Answer 14

Allergy to adhesive
Patient refusal
Other procedures needed as priority

Question 15

What does peak flow measure

Answer 15

The amount of air that can be forcefully exhaled measured in L/min

Question 16

What can impact peak flow

Answer 16

Conditions affecting lung capacity e.g. pneumonia/ copd/ asthma
Age
Gender

Question 17

Indications for peak flow

Answer 17

Chronic conditions (asthma) to measure severity of exacerbation and improvement

Question 18

Contra indications for peak flow

Answer 18

Severe exacerbation of breathlessness
Patient refusal
Not indicated

Question 19

What can peak flow identify

Answer 19

Severity of asthma attack
Lung function
If treatment is having an impact

Question 20

What do you do if you get a needle stick injury

Answer 20

Bleed it, wash it, cover it, report it

Question 21

What factors affect needle size selection

Answer 21

SC/IM injection
Fat/muscle
Size / age

Question 22

Complication of injections

Answer 22

Abscess
Anaphylaxis/ allergy
Bleeding/ pain

Question 23

Factors affecting drug absorption

Answer 23

Exercise
Blood flow to area
Temperature

Question 24

Contra indications for site selection

Answer 24

Burns
Inflammation
Oedema

Question 25

Medicine legislation allowing paramedics access and administration of medication

Answer 25

Human medicines regulations schedules 17 and 19 Patient Group Directives

Question 26

Purpose of primary survey

Answer 26

Establish if patient is time critical

Question 27

How long does a primary survey take

Answer 27

60-90 seconds

Question 28

Who requires primary survey

Answer 28

Every patient

Question 29

What to do if there is a concern during primary survey

Answer 29

Correct if possible before moving on

Question 30

What is the purpose of safety netting

Answer 30

Instructions for the patient on if the conditions worstens or impacts their activities of daily living. Management of the condition for exacerbations

Question 31

When should you safety net

Answer 31

Every patient especially if you are leaving them at home

Question 32

How would you alter safety netting in those with cognitive impairment

Answer 32

Simple words Ensure understanding by asking them to reword and repeat Write things down for them to refer to

Question 33

Types of communication we can use for taking history

Answer 33

Verbal Written Body language Signing

Question 34

What are barriers to communication and solutions

Answer 34

Cognitive - writing, simple language Language - translate/ languageline Hearing - writing

Question 35

Why is accurate documentation important

Answer 35

Legal document of the care received Recorded events for continuation of care