JIBC Paramedic Patient Assessment 3

Question 1

A conscious adult patient is found clutching their throat and cannot speak, cough, or breathe. What immediate action should the paramedic take?

Accepted Answer

Perform abdominal thrusts (Heimlich maneuver)

Answer

A conscious patient with complete airway obstruction and inability to cough requires immediate abdominal thrusts to dislodge the foreign body.

Question 2

When using the SAMPLE history mnemonic, the 'E' stands for:

Accepted Answer

Events leading up to the current complaint

Answer

In SAMPLE, 'E' represents Events prior to the illness or injury, helping establish context and precipitating factors.

Question 3

A pediatric patient is assessed using the Pediatric Assessment Triangle. Which three components does this tool evaluate?

Accepted Answer

Appearance, Work of Breathing, Circulation to Skin

Answer

The PAT uses Appearance (tone, interactivity, cry), Work of Breathing (sounds, position, retractions), and Circulation to Skin (color, mottling) as a rapid visual assessment.

Question 4

Which pupillary finding is MOST consistent with a herniation syndrome from increased intracranial pressure?

Accepted Answer

Unilateral fixed and dilated pupil

Answer

Uncal herniation compresses cranial nerve III, producing a unilateral fixed and dilated pupil ('blown pupil') on the side of the lesion.

Question 5

During a rapid trauma assessment, the paramedic palpates a 'crunching' sensation over the anterior chest wall. This finding MOST likely indicates:

Accepted Answer

Subcutaneous emphysema

Answer

A 'crunching' or crackling sensation under the skin is subcutaneous emphysema, indicating air has escaped into soft tissue from a pulmonary or airway injury.

JIBC - Justice Institute of British Columbia Practice Test

JIBC - Justice Institute of British Columbia Practice Test

JIBC Paramedic Patient Assessment 3