Emergency Assessment Flashcards

A 55-year-old diabetic patient presents with diaphoresis, nausea, and jaw pain but denies chest pain. What should be your HIGHEST suspicion?

Answer: Acute myocardial infarction

Diabetic patients frequently present with atypical MI symptoms such as jaw pain, nausea, and diaphoresis without classic chest pain due to autonomic neuropathy.

When assessing capillary refill time in an adult, what duration is considered abnormal?

Answer: Greater than 2 seconds

A capillary refill time greater than 2 seconds in adults indicates impaired peripheral perfusion and possible shock.

A patient with acute pulmonary edema is sitting upright, using accessory muscles, and has pink frothy sputum. After oxygen, which drug should be given FIRST?

Answer: Nitroglycerin sublingual or IV

Nitroglycerin is the fastest-acting preload and afterload reducer in acute pulmonary edema, providing immediate symptom relief before diuresis begins.

In the SBAR communication tool used during emergency handoffs, what does the 'R' stand for?

Answer: Recommendation

SBAR stands for Situation, Background, Assessment, and Recommendation — with R being the clinician's specific request or recommendation.

A patient who was submerged in cold water is found pulseless. Which statement BEST guides resuscitation?

Answer: Continue full resuscitation because the cold may be protective; 'not dead until warm and dead'

Hypothermia is protective against anoxic brain injury, and the principle 'not dead until warm and dead' guides full resuscitation until core temperature is restored.

Which finding on a FAST (Focused Assessment with Sonography in Trauma) examination would indicate free fluid in the abdomen?

Answer: Anechoic (black) area in the hepatorenal space (Morrison's pouch)

Free fluid (blood) appears anechoic (black) on ultrasound; its presence in Morrison's pouch between the liver and kidney indicates hemoperitoneum.

A patient presents after a high-voltage electrical injury. Beyond the entry and exit wounds, what is the MOST critical hidden injury to assess for?

Answer: Rhabdomyolysis and cardiac arrhythmias

High-voltage electrical injury causes deep tissue destruction along the current path, leading to rhabdomyolysis and potentially fatal cardiac arrhythmias that must be monitored.