AEMCA Patient Assessment and Triage 5

Question 1

A patient is found unresponsive after a suspected overdose. During the primary assessment, which finding takes highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Absent or inadequate respirations requiring ventilatory support

Answer

Absent or inadequate breathing is a life threat that must be corrected immediately by opening the airway and providing ventilation.

Question 2

The pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) evaluates a child's condition using which three components?

Accepted Answer

Appearance, Work of breathing, Circulation to skin

Answer

The PAT rapidly evaluates a child by observing Appearance (tone, interactivity, consolability, gaze, speech), Work of Breathing, and Circulation to skin before physical contact.

Question 3

When triaging multiple patients at an MCI, which patient should be tagged Minor (Green) in the START system?

Accepted Answer

A patient who is ambulatory, breathing normally, and can follow commands

Answer

Ambulatory patients who can walk to a designated area are immediately classified as Minor (Green) in the START triage system.

Question 4

During secondary assessment, the AEMCA notes a patient has jugular venous distension (JVD) and absent breath sounds on the left with hypotension. This triad most suggests:

Accepted Answer

Tension pneumothorax

Answer

JVD + absent unilateral breath sounds + hypotension is the classic triad of tension pneumothorax, requiring immediate needle decompression.

Question 5

A patient's blood pressure is 88/60 mmHg and heart rate is 130 bpm after a stab wound to the abdomen. The AEMCA should prioritize:

Accepted Answer

Rapid transport to a trauma center with IV access en route

Answer

A hemodynamically unstable penetrating trauma patient requires rapid transport ('scoop and run') to a trauma center, with interventions performed en route.

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA - Advanced Emergency Medical Care Assistant Practice Test

AEMCA Patient Assessment and Triage 5