JIBC Paramedic Patient Assessment 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient with a known peanut allergy develops stridor, urticaria, and hypotension after eating. Which assessment finding BEST confirms anaphylaxis over a simple allergic reaction?
- Presence of urticaria and pruritis
- Two or more organ systems are involved, including cardiovascular compromise (Correct answer)
- A history of prior anaphylaxis
- Elevated heart rate above 100 bpm
Correct answer: Two or more organ systems are involved, including cardiovascular compromise
Anaphylaxis is characterized by involvement of two or more organ systems (skin, respiratory, cardiovascular, GI) following allergen exposure.
Question 2: During assessment of an unconscious patient, the paramedic applies a sternal rub and the patient withdraws all four extremities. What GCS motor score does this represent?
- 2 – Extension (decerebrate posturing)
- 3 – Abnormal flexion (decorticate)
- 4 – Withdrawal (Correct answer)
- 5 – Localizes pain
Correct answer: 4 – Withdrawal
Withdrawal from painful stimulus — moving away from the source without localizing — scores a 4 on the GCS motor scale.
Question 3: Which of the following BEST describes the purpose of the focused history and physical exam in a medical patient?
- To identify all traumatic injuries before transport
- To direct assessment toward the chief complaint and relevant body systems (Correct answer)
- To replace the primary assessment if the patient is stable
- To establish a definitive diagnosis before hospital arrival
Correct answer: To direct assessment toward the chief complaint and relevant body systems
The focused exam targets the chief complaint and associated systems, making assessment efficient and clinically relevant for medical patients.
Question 4: A 72-year-old male is confused, febrile, and tachycardic with a suspected urinary tract infection. Which condition should the paramedic consider that makes this presentation potentially life-threatening?
- Hypertensive urgency
- Sepsis (Correct answer)
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Pulmonary embolism
Correct answer: Sepsis
Infection plus systemic signs of organ dysfunction (altered mental status, tachycardia, fever) meet criteria for sepsis, which carries significant mortality if untreated.
Question 5: When assessing pain using a numeric pain rating scale, what instruction should the paramedic give the patient?
- Rate your pain where 0 is mild and 10 is moderate
- Rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable (Correct answer)
- Choose a number between 1 and 5 based on your pain level
- Describe your pain as mild, moderate, or severe
Correct answer: Rate your pain on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 is no pain and 10 is the worst pain imaginable
The standard 0–10 NRS anchors 0 as no pain and 10 as the worst imaginable pain, providing consistent and reproducible measurements.
Question 6: A patient presents with an open femur fracture and uncontrolled hemorrhage. After ensuring scene safety, what is the paramedic's FIRST priority?
- Splint the fracture to prevent further injury
- Control hemorrhage with direct pressure or tourniquet (Correct answer)
- Establish IV access for fluid resuscitation
- Perform a secondary assessment head to toe
Correct answer: Control hemorrhage with direct pressure or tourniquet
Uncontrolled external hemorrhage is an immediate life threat that must be controlled before other interventions to prevent exsanguination.
Question 7: Which of the following best describes the purpose of auscultating bowel sounds during a medical patient assessment?
- To confirm gastrointestinal bleeding
- To detect presence or absence of bowel activity when abdominal complaints are present (Correct answer)
- To identify internal hemorrhage
- To determine if a patient requires a nasogastric tube
Correct answer: To detect presence or absence of bowel activity when abdominal complaints are present
Auscultating bowel sounds provides information about GI motility and, when absent or hyperactive, can help guide clinical suspicion in abdominal complaints.
JIBC Paramedic Patient Assessment 5
A patient with a known peanut allergy develops stridor, urticaria, and hypotension after eating.
Which assessment finding BEST confirms anaphylaxis over a simple allergic reaction?