Chapter 12: The Primary Assessment

EMT's initial sense of pts. condition based on immediate assessment of the pts environment, appearance & chief complaint

Which would most likely give the best information regarding your pts mental status?

What should be done first when it appears a patient is not breathing?

You obtain a respiratory rate during the primary assessment.

A memory aid for classifying a pts. level of responsiveness or mental status.

A patient whose mental status is "painful" is able to do what?

The first element in pt assessment steps taken for discovering & dealing with the pts. problems

What should be done first when a pulse is not present in a patient?

You walk into a room and see a 18 year-old in the tripod position you suspect?

How does a systematic approach to assessment help an EMT?

Which of the follow best describes an EMT's "sixth sense"?

Which of the following would be considered normal during the breathing phase of the primary assessment?

How do you check the responsiveness in an apparently unresponsive infant?

You find an unconscious pt. unresponsive laying on the ground near a ladder what should you do?

What is airway, breathing, and circulation?

What kind of pt. is considered a high priority transport?

When finding a unconscious pt., no trauma, slow wet sounding respiration what do you do first?

How long does an EMT check for a pulse in the primary assessment?

Actions taken to correct or manage a patient's problems.

A weak, thready, slow, or rapid pulse would indicate what?

The decision regarding need for immediate transport vs further assessment & care at the scene

A patient whose mental status is "verbal" is able to do what?

What do you do if the patient's breathing is adequate but there are signs of hypoxia?

When a patient has severe bleeding and is screaming at you to help, what should you do first?

When does the primary assessment begin?

What is the proper position for maintaining the airway in a child with decreased consciousness?

Your pt. was ejected, is not moving, does no have adequate breathing, and has moderate bleeding what do you do first?

Impression of the patient's condition that is formed on first approaching the patient.

What does mental status refer to?

A patient whose mental status is "alert" is able to do what?

General Impression, AVPU, ABCs, and patient priority are the order of which of the following?

How do you provide stabilization of the spine for a pt. with a possible c-spine injury?

In emergency medicine, the reason EMS was called, usually in the patients own words.

A fall from what height is considered significant for an adult?

Level of awareness of his surroundings.