Urgent Care Urgent Care Triage and Assessment 3

Question 1

Which assessment tool is commonly used in urgent care to quickly evaluate a patient's level of consciousness?

Accepted Answer

AVPU scale (Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive)

Answer

The AVPU scale provides a rapid, easy-to-apply assessment of consciousness level suitable for urgent care triage.

Question 2

What is the most common reason patients are inappropriately triaged to urgent care instead of the ED?

Accepted Answer

Patients underestimate symptom severity and urgency of their condition

Answer

Patient underestimation of symptom severity (e.g., chest pain dismissed as indigestion) is the leading reason for inappropriate urgent care utilization.

Question 3

A patient in urgent care develops sudden onset shortness of breath, SpO2 drop to 88%, and tracheal deviation. What is the priority action?

Accepted Answer

Initiate immediate transfer to the ED via EMS

Answer

Tracheal deviation with acute hypoxia suggests tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening emergency beyond urgent care scope requiring immediate EMS transfer.

Question 4

What vital sign pattern is most consistent with early sepsis in an adult urgent care patient?

Accepted Answer

HR 105, BP 95/60, RR 22, Temp 38.8°C

Answer

Early sepsis presents with tachycardia, hypotension, tachypnea, and fever (or hypothermia), consistent with a systemic inflammatory response to infection.

Question 5

Which element of the physical exam is most critical for a patient presenting with acute abdominal pain in urgent care?

Accepted Answer

Assessment for peritoneal signs (rebound tenderness, guarding, rigidity)

Answer

Peritoneal signs indicate peritonitis or perforation, requiring emergency surgical evaluation and immediate transfer.

Urgent Care Practice Test

Urgent Care Practice Test

Urgent Care Urgent Care Triage and Assessment 3