Paramedic Patient Assessment Flashcards

You arrive on scene to a multi-vehicle collision. Your initial scene survey reveals three patients. Which of the following actions is your immediate priority according to the Paramedic Patient Assessment Model?

Answer: Assess the level of consciousness and airway of the patient who appears unresponsive.

The Paramedic Patient Assessment Model, like all triage and primary survey models, prioritizes identifying and managing the most immediate life threats first. An unresponsive patient is at the highest risk for airway compromise, which is the most critical life threat. While bleeding and other injuries are important, they are secondary to ensuring a patent airway and adequate breathing in an unresponsive patient.

When assessing a patient with an altered level of consciousness, the mnemonic AEIOU-TIPS is used to consider potential causes. Which of the following correctly represents the 'I' in this mnemonic?

Answer: Insulin, Infection

The AEIOU-TIPS mnemonic is a tool to remember the common causes of altered mental status. The 'I' specifically stands for Insulin (representing hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) and Infection (such as sepsis or meningitis). While intoxication and ingestion are causes, they are typically covered by 'A' (Alcohol) and 'O' (Overdose/Oxygen) or 'P' (Poisoning/Psychiatric).

A 58-year-old male complains of central chest pain that started 30 minutes ago while resting. After completing your primary survey and obtaining vital signs, what is the most appropriate next step in your focused assessment?

Answer: Use the OPQRST mnemonic to further characterize the pain.

For a patient with a chief complaint of pain, especially suspected cardiac pain, using the OPQRST mnemonic (Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time) is the standard method to gather a detailed history of the presenting illness. This information is critical for forming a differential diagnosis and guiding treatment. A full head-to-toe is not immediately indicated, oxygen is guided by SpO2, and while a 12-lead is crucial, it should be done concurrently with or immediately after the history taking, not before.

During the rapid trauma survey of an unresponsive motor vehicle collision patient, you assess the chest. Which finding would be the highest priority to manage immediately?

Answer: Asymmetrical chest rise with absent breath sounds on one side.

Asymmetrical chest rise with absent breath sounds is a hallmark sign of a life-threatening tension pneumothorax or a massive hemothorax. This represents a critical breathing and circulation problem that must be addressed immediately during the primary survey. Bruising, crepitus, and a clavicle fracture are significant findings but do not pose the same immediate threat to life.

You are forming a general impression of a 2-year-old child from across the room using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT). Which of the following components is part of this initial assessment tool?

Answer: Work of Breathing.

The Pediatric Assessment Triangle (PAT) is a rapid, hands-off visual and auditory assessment tool. Its three components are Appearance, Work of Breathing, and Circulation to the Skin. Work of Breathing is assessed by looking for signs like nasal flaring, retractions, and abnormal positioning. Blood pressure, capillary refill, and lung sounds are all part of the subsequent hands-on primary and secondary surveys, not the initial PAT.

When assessing a patient's neurological status using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), which response corresponds to a motor score of 5?

Answer: Localizes to pain.

The GCS motor response is scored on a 6-point scale. A score of 6 is 'Obeys commands.' A score of 5 is 'Localizes to pain,' where the patient purposefully moves to remove a painful stimulus. 'Withdrawal from pain' is a score of 4, and 'Abnormal flexion' is a score of 3.