IHSA Patient Assessment & Evaluation 3

Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

Pulse rate and quality

Answer

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

Question 2

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

Accepted Answer

Percussion and palpation

Answer

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

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Anisocoria

Answer

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

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

Every 5 minutes

Answer

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

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Rib fracture or subcutaneous emphysema

Answer

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

(IHSA) Infrastructure Health & Safety Association Certified Coach Practice Test