Patient Assessment & Evaluation Flashcards

Which vital sign provides the MOST reliable early indicator of internal hemorrhage in an otherwise healthy adult worker?

Answer: Pulse rate and quality

Heart rate increases early as the body compensates for blood loss, often before blood pressure drops significantly.

When performing a head-to-toe secondary assessment, which technique is used to check for internal abdominal injuries?

Answer: Percussion and palpation

Palpation assesses rigidity or guarding and percussion can reveal free fluid, both indicating potential internal injury.

A patient's pupils are unequal in size after a head trauma. This finding is called:

Answer: Anisocoria

Anisocoria refers to unequal pupil sizes, which after head trauma can indicate increased intracranial pressure or brain herniation.

What is the standard reassessment interval for an unstable patient in the field?

Answer: Every 5 minutes

Unstable patients require reassessment every 5 minutes to detect rapid changes in condition.

During a secondary assessment, crepitus felt over the chest wall most likely indicates:

Answer: Rib fracture or subcutaneous emphysema

Crepitus—a crackling sensation under the skin—suggests fractured ribs or air trapped in subcutaneous tissue from a chest injury.

Which method is used to quickly assess neurological status in the secondary survey beyond the AVPU scale?

Answer: Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)

The Glasgow Coma Scale provides a more detailed neurological assessment by scoring eye, verbal, and motor responses.

A patient has paradoxical chest wall movement after blunt trauma. This finding is MOST consistent with:

Answer: Flail chest

Flail chest occurs when multiple rib fractures cause a free-floating segment that moves opposite to the rest of the chest during breathing.