NSC Clinical Knowledge 5

Question 1

A patient is found with altered mental status, cool clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, and low blood pressure. Which type of shock is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Hypovolemic shock

Answer

Cool clammy skin, tachycardia, and hypotension are hallmarks of hypovolemic shock caused by blood or fluid loss.

Question 2

What is the maximum time an AED should be used to analyze rhythm and deliver a shock before resuming CPR?

Accepted Answer

No more than 10 seconds

Answer

Interruptions to chest compressions should be minimized and limited to no more than 10 seconds for AED analysis and shock delivery.

Question 3

When providing care to a victim with a suspected broken femur, what life-threatening complication should you monitor for?

Accepted Answer

Significant internal hemorrhage

Answer

A femur fracture can cause significant internal hemorrhage with up to 1-2 liters of blood loss into the thigh, leading to hypovolemic shock.

Question 4

Which assessment tool uses mnemonic AVPU to evaluate a patient's level of consciousness?

Accepted Answer

Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive

Answer

AVPU evaluates consciousness as Alert, responsive to Voice, responsive to Pain, or Unresponsive.

Question 5

A patient with suspected carbon monoxide poisoning presents with headache, dizziness, and confusion. What is the priority treatment?

Accepted Answer

Remove from the environment and give high-flow oxygen

Answer

CO poisoning is treated by removing the patient from exposure and administering 100% high-flow oxygen to displace CO from hemoglobin.

NSC Practice Test