CPR Patient Evaluation & Stabilization 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: You arrive on scene to find a patient with a stab wound to the neck. Your PRIMARY concern is:
- Controlling venous bleeding
- Airway compromise and vascular injury (Correct answer)
- Cervical spine immobilization only
- Wound irrigation and dressing
Correct answer: Airway compromise and vascular injury
Neck wounds can rapidly compromise the airway from hematoma expansion and may involve major vessels causing life-threatening hemorrhage.
Question 2: The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale assesses which three findings?
- Pupils, speech, grip strength
- Facial droop, arm drift, speech abnormality (Correct answer)
- LOC, gaze deviation, limb weakness
- Headache, vomiting, vision changes
Correct answer: Facial droop, arm drift, speech abnormality
The Cincinnati Prehospital Stroke Scale uses facial droop, arm drift, and abnormal speech to rapidly identify stroke.
Question 3: A patient with suspected tension pneumothorax has an SpO2 of 78% and absent breath sounds on the right. What is your IMMEDIATE intervention?
- Apply a chest seal
- Perform needle thoracostomy (Correct answer)
- Intubate and ventilate
- Apply high-flow oxygen and monitor
Correct answer: Perform needle thoracostomy
Tension pneumothorax with hypoxia and absent breath sounds requires immediate needle thoracostomy to release trapped air.
Question 4: When performing a detailed head-to-toe assessment, you note Battle's sign. This indicates:
- Orbital fracture
- Basilar skull fracture (Correct answer)
- Mandibular fracture
- Epidural hematoma
Correct answer: Basilar skull fracture
Battle's sign (bruising over the mastoid process) is a classic delayed indicator of basilar skull fracture.
Question 5: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the AVPU scale during the primary assessment?
- Determine the cause of altered consciousness
- Rapidly categorize the patient's level of consciousness (Correct answer)
- Replace the GCS in all settings
- Assess cranial nerve function
Correct answer: Rapidly categorize the patient's level of consciousness
The AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive) provides a rapid, simple assessment of consciousness level during the primary survey.
Question 6: You find a patient with signs of anaphylaxis: hives, wheezing, and hypotension. After epinephrine administration, your NEXT priority is:
- Obtain IV access and administer diphenhydramine only
- Aggressive fluid resuscitation and preparation for repeat epinephrine (Correct answer)
- Apply oxygen and monitor without further intervention
- Transport only after complete symptom resolution
Correct answer: Aggressive fluid resuscitation and preparation for repeat epinephrine
After initial epinephrine, IV fluid bolus and readiness for repeat dosing are essential because anaphylactic shock can be biphasic and refractory.
Question 7: Pulsus paradoxus greater than 10 mmHg during your assessment is a classic sign of:
- Aortic stenosis
- Cardiac tamponade (Correct answer)
- Left ventricular failure
- Pulmonary embolism
Correct answer: Cardiac tamponade
An exaggerated drop in systolic BP during inspiration (pulsus paradoxus >10 mmHg) is a hallmark of cardiac tamponade.
CPR Patient Evaluation & Stabilization 3
You arrive on scene to find a patient with a stab wound to the neck.
Your PRIMARY concern is: