EMS Patient Assessment & Documentation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a secondary assessment, you note that a patient's trachea is deviated to the left. What does this finding most likely indicate?
- Tension pneumothorax on the right side (Correct answer)
- Normal anatomical variation
- Tension pneumothorax on the left side
- Hemothorax on the left side
Correct answer: Tension pneumothorax on the right side
Tracheal deviation occurs away from a tension pneumothorax as pressure buildup shifts mediastinal structures to the opposite side.
Question 2: When assessing a patient's mental status using the AVPU scale, which response is recorded if the patient only reacts to a sternal rub?
- Alert
- Verbal
- Pain (Correct answer)
- Unresponsive
Correct answer: Pain
A sternal rub is a painful stimulus, so a patient who responds only to this is classified as 'P' (Pain) on the AVPU scale.
Question 3: A PCR (Patient Care Report) must be completed within what standard timeframe in most EMS systems?
- 24 hours of the call
- End of the current shift
- Before leaving the receiving facility (Correct answer)
- 72 hours of the call
Correct answer: Before leaving the receiving facility
Best practice requires the PCR to be completed before leaving the receiving facility to ensure accurate, contemporaneous documentation.
Question 4: Which component of the SAMPLE history asks about medications, allergies, and recent illnesses?
- S — Signs and Symptoms
- A — Allergies and M — Medications only
- A, M, and P components together (Correct answer)
- E — Events leading up
Correct answer: A, M, and P components together
SAMPLE stands for Signs/symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Pertinent medical history, Last oral intake, and Events — allergies, medications, and past history are separate components.
Question 5: During a scene size-up of a motor vehicle collision, you observe downed power lines across the vehicle. What is your first action?
- Approach cautiously and assess the patient through the window
- Stage at a safe distance and contact the power company (Correct answer)
- Don rubber gloves and approach
- Request law enforcement to hold the lines aside
Correct answer: Stage at a safe distance and contact the power company
Energized downed power lines create a lethal scene hazard; EMS must stage safely and await utility personnel before approaching.
Question 6: When documenting a patient's blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg, which value represents the diastolic pressure?
- 118 mmHg
- 76 mmHg (Correct answer)
- The mean of both values
- 194 mmHg (the sum)
Correct answer: 76 mmHg
Blood pressure is recorded as systolic over diastolic; the lower number (76 mmHg) is the diastolic pressure reflecting ventricular relaxation.
Question 7: A conscious 60-year-old male complains of crushing chest pain radiating to his jaw. His skin is pale and diaphoretic. Which assessment finding best supports a cardiac emergency?
- SpO2 of 97%
- Blood pressure of 130/84 mmHg
- 12-lead ECG showing ST-segment elevation (Correct answer)
- Respiratory rate of 18 breaths/min
Correct answer: 12-lead ECG showing ST-segment elevation
ST-segment elevation on a 12-lead ECG is the hallmark finding of an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), confirming a cardiac emergency.
EMS Patient Assessment & Documentation 2
During a secondary assessment, you note that a patient's trachea is deviated to the left.
What does this finding most likely indicate?