JIBC Paramedic Patient Assessment 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During the secondary assessment of a trauma patient, which mnemonic is used to evaluate each injury site systematically?
- DCAP-BTLS (Correct answer)
- OPQRST
- SAMPLE
- AVPU
Correct answer: DCAP-BTLS
DCAP-BTLS stands for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling, used in hands-on physical exam.
Question 2: A patient is found unresponsive with snoring respirations. What is the FIRST intervention the paramedic should perform?
- Insert a nasopharyngeal airway
- Open the airway with a head-tilt chin-lift or jaw thrust (Correct answer)
- Begin bag-valve-mask ventilation
- Administer supplemental oxygen via non-rebreather mask
Correct answer: Open the airway with a head-tilt chin-lift or jaw thrust
Airway opening is always the first priority; snoring indicates partial airway obstruction that may resolve with proper positioning.
Question 3: Which finding during auscultation of lung sounds would MOST suggest a tension pneumothorax?
- Bilateral crackles at the bases
- Absent breath sounds on one side with tracheal deviation (Correct answer)
- Expiratory wheezing bilaterally
- Stridor over the trachea
Correct answer: Absent breath sounds on one side with tracheal deviation
Absent unilateral breath sounds combined with tracheal deviation and hemodynamic instability are hallmark signs of tension pneumothorax.
Question 4: When assessing skin perfusion in a patient with suspected shock, which combination of findings is MOST consistent with early compensated shock?
- Flushed, warm, dry skin with bounding pulses
- Pale, cool, diaphoretic skin with tachycardia (Correct answer)
- Cyanotic, mottled skin with bradycardia
- Yellow, jaundiced skin with weak pulses
Correct answer: Pale, cool, diaphoretic skin with tachycardia
Sympathetic compensation causes vasoconstriction and tachycardia, producing pale, cool, diaphoretic skin before blood pressure drops significantly.
Question 5: A 45-year-old male presents with crushing chest pain radiating to the left arm. Using OPQRST, which component addresses the radiation of pain?
- Onset
- Quality
- Radiation (Correct answer)
- Severity
Correct answer: Radiation
The 'R' in OPQRST specifically asks where the pain spreads or radiates beyond the primary site.
Question 6: During a scene size-up, a paramedic notices a patient lying next to an overturned tractor. What is the PRIMARY concern before approaching?
- Determining the number of patients
- Ensuring scene safety for all responders (Correct answer)
- Identifying the mechanism of injury
- Requesting additional resources
Correct answer: Ensuring scene safety for all responders
Scene safety is always assessed first to prevent responders from becoming additional casualties.
Question 7: Which Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score indicates a severe traumatic brain injury?
- 13–15
- 9–12
- 8 or below (Correct answer)
- 6–8
Correct answer: 8 or below
A GCS of 8 or below is the threshold for severe TBI and typically warrants early airway management.
JIBC Paramedic Patient Assessment 2
During the secondary assessment of a trauma patient, which mnemonic is used to evaluate each injury site systematically?