EMR EMR Medical Emergencies and Special Populations 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a behavioral emergency, which approach is most effective when communicating with an agitated patient?
- Speak loudly and assertively to establish control
- Use calm, non-threatening language and maintain a safe distance (Correct answer)
- Physically restrain the patient immediately
- Ignore the patient until law enforcement arrives
Correct answer: Use calm, non-threatening language and maintain a safe distance
Calm, quiet communication and maintaining a safe, non-threatening posture helps de-escalate a behavioral emergency.
Question 2: What is the pediatric assessment triangle (PAT) used to evaluate?
- Blood glucose, pulse oximetry, and temperature
- Appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin (Correct answer)
- Airway, breathing, and circulation only
- Glasgow Coma Scale, pupils, and motor response
Correct answer: Appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to skin
The PAT rapidly assesses a child's appearance (tone, interactivity), work of breathing (retractions, sounds), and skin circulation (color, mottling).
Question 3: A patient experiencing a stroke shows right-sided facial droop and arm weakness. In which hemisphere is the stroke most likely located?
- Right hemisphere
- Left hemisphere (Correct answer)
- Cerebellum
- Brain stem
Correct answer: Left hemisphere
Motor deficits are contralateral — right-sided weakness indicates a stroke in the left cerebral hemisphere.
Question 4: Which finding during the SAMPLE history best indicates a patient may be experiencing an acute myocardial infarction?
- Gradual onset pain worsened by palpation
- Sharp, pleuritic chest pain relieved by leaning forward
- Squeezing chest pain radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis (Correct answer)
- Burning epigastric pain after eating
Correct answer: Squeezing chest pain radiating to the left arm with diaphoresis
Classic AMI symptoms include squeezing or pressure chest pain, radiation to the left arm or jaw, and accompanying diaphoresis.
Question 5: A mother reports her 2-year-old ingested an unknown household chemical. What is the EMR's first action?
- Induce vomiting immediately
- Give milk to neutralize the substance
- Contact Poison Control and gather information about the substance (Correct answer)
- Administer activated charcoal
Correct answer: Contact Poison Control and gather information about the substance
The first step is contacting Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) to get expert guidance based on the specific substance ingested.
Question 6: When managing a geriatric patient, which consideration is most important regarding medication history?
- Elderly patients rarely take medications
- Polypharmacy is common and can complicate or mimic emergencies (Correct answer)
- Only prescription medications are relevant
- Supplements never interact with emergency conditions
Correct answer: Polypharmacy is common and can complicate or mimic emergencies
Polypharmacy in elderly patients can cause drug interactions, alter vital signs, or mimic medical emergencies, making a full medication review critical.
EMR EMR Medical Emergencies and Special Populations 2
During a behavioral emergency, which approach is most effective when communicating with an agitated patient?