SHS Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a secondary assessment of an injured worker, which mnemonic is used to evaluate a patient's pain complaint systematically?
- AVPU
- SAMPLE
- OPQRST (Correct answer)
- DCAP-BTLS
Correct answer: OPQRST
OPQRST (Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time) is used to systematically evaluate pain during a secondary assessment.
Question 2: A Safety and Health Specialist arrives at a scene where a worker is unresponsive. After confirming unresponsiveness, what is the next immediate action?
- Begin chest compressions
- Activate emergency medical services (Correct answer)
- Check for a pulse
- Open the airway and check for breathing
Correct answer: Activate emergency medical services
After confirming unresponsiveness, the next step is to activate EMS (call 911) before beginning any resuscitation efforts.
Question 3: Which vital sign finding in a responsive adult worker should be considered an immediate emergency requiring rapid transport?
- Heart rate of 88 bpm
- Blood pressure of 118/76 mmHg
- Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute (Correct answer)
- SpO2 of 97%
Correct answer: Respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute
A respiratory rate of 28 breaths per minute in an adult is significantly elevated (tachypnea) and indicates respiratory distress requiring urgent intervention.
Question 4: When assessing level of consciousness using the AVPU scale, a worker who only responds when you shout their name would be classified as:
- Alert
- Verbal (Correct answer)
- Painful
- Unresponsive
Correct answer: Verbal
On the AVPU scale, a patient who responds only to verbal stimulation is classified as 'Verbal,' not Alert.
Question 5: In a workplace toxicological exposure assessment, pupillary constriction (miosis) is MOST associated with exposure to which substance class?
- Stimulants (e.g., amphetamines)
- Organophosphate pesticides (Correct answer)
- Carbon monoxide
- Alcohols
Correct answer: Organophosphate pesticides
Organophosphate pesticides inhibit acetylcholinesterase, causing cholinergic toxidrome symptoms including pupillary constriction (miosis).
Question 6: A construction worker is found with paradoxical chest wall movement after a fall from height. This finding is MOST consistent with:
- Pneumothorax
- Hemothorax
- Flail chest (Correct answer)
- Cardiac tamponade
Correct answer: Flail chest
Paradoxical (inward) movement of the chest wall during inhalation is the hallmark sign of flail chest, caused by multiple rib fractures in two or more places.
Question 7: Which component of the SAMPLE history specifically addresses whether an injured worker has eaten recently, which is critical before any potential surgical intervention?
- S – Signs and Symptoms
- A – Allergies
- M – Medications
- L – Last oral intake (Correct answer)
Correct answer: L – Last oral intake
The 'L' in SAMPLE stands for Last oral intake, which is clinically important for anesthesia risk assessment if surgery is needed.
SHS Patient Assessment & Clinical Evaluation 2
During a secondary assessment of an injured worker, which mnemonic is used to evaluate a patient's pain complaint systematically?