CPR Patient Evaluation & Stabilization 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a secondary assessment, you note paradoxical chest wall movement on the left side. This finding is MOST consistent with:
- Tension pneumothorax
- Flail chest (Correct answer)
- Open pneumothorax
- Hemothorax
Correct answer: Flail chest
Paradoxical movement (segment moves inward on inspiration) indicates flail chest from multiple rib fractures.
Question 2: A patient is found unresponsive with a GCS of 6. Which component breakdown is MOST likely?
- E1V2M3 (Correct answer)
- E2V2M3
- E1V1M4
- E2V1M3
Correct answer: E1V2M3
GCS of 6 can be E1+V2+M3, totaling 6, representing no eye opening, incomprehensible sounds, and abnormal flexion.
Question 3: When assessing skin color in a patient with dark pigmentation, which site is MOST reliable for detecting cyanosis?
- Fingertips
- Earlobes
- Oral mucosa and conjunctiva (Correct answer)
- Forehead
Correct answer: Oral mucosa and conjunctiva
The oral mucosa and conjunctiva provide the most reliable cyanosis assessment in patients with darker skin tones.
Question 4: You are treating a patient in hemorrhagic shock. After two large-bore IV lines fail, your NEXT best vascular access option is:
- Central venous catheter
- Intraosseous access (Correct answer)
- Femoral vein cutdown
- Subclavian line
Correct answer: Intraosseous access
Intraosseous (IO) access provides rapid, reliable vascular access when peripheral IV placement fails in critical patients.
Question 5: During patient packaging, a trauma patient with suspected spinal injury should be immobilized in which position?
- Position of comfort
- Neutral anatomical alignment (Correct answer)
- Slight flexion of the cervical spine
- Hyperextension of the neck to open the airway
Correct answer: Neutral anatomical alignment
Neutral anatomical alignment minimizes movement and potential spinal cord compromise during immobilization.
Question 6: Which vital sign change is a late and ominous sign of decompensated shock in adults?
- Tachycardia
- Narrowing pulse pressure
- Hypotension (Correct answer)
- Cool, clammy skin
Correct answer: Hypotension
Hypotension is a late sign because compensatory mechanisms maintain blood pressure until approximately 30% blood volume is lost.
Question 7: A SAMPLE history reveals a patient takes warfarin daily. How does this MOST directly impact your stabilization plan?
- Administer vitamin K immediately
- Anticipate severe bleeding and prepare hemorrhage control measures (Correct answer)
- Avoid IV access to prevent bruising
- Give aspirin to counteract the anticoagulant effect
Correct answer: Anticipate severe bleeding and prepare hemorrhage control measures
Warfarin impairs clotting, so patients are at high risk for uncontrolled hemorrhage requiring aggressive bleeding control.
CPR Patient Evaluation & Stabilization 2
During a secondary assessment, you note paradoxical chest wall movement on the left side.
This finding is MOST consistent with: