EMTB9e: Assessment in Action: All Chapters

Link: AAOS

Link: Jones and Bartlett Publishers

Interactivities: Assessment in Action: All Chapters

Interactive Ready for Review

Interactive Skill Drills

Assessment in Action

Ambulance Calls

9-1-1 Scenarios

Videos: Skills in Action

Cover

Read the scenario and ask yourself, What would I do?

Scenario:

You are dispatched to an elderly woman who has fallen. On arrival, you find a 77-year-old female sitting propped against a street vendor's espresso stand. She appears awake and focuses on you as you approach. Her friend tells you that they were walking by the vendor when your patient seemed to stumble. She was caught by a passerby and eased to the ground. There is no trauma involved.

The patient attempts to answer your questions but her speech is garbled. As you observe her, you note that the left side of her face appears to droop. Her skin is pale, cool, and dry. As you continue with your assessment your partner determines that her vital signs include a pulse of 88 beats/min and irregular, respirations of 16 breaths/min, and a blood pressure of 156/96 mm Hg.

1: The first step in caring for this patient should be to:
	A: ask the patient to try and stand on her own.
	B: obtain a history of her medications.
	C: contact a family member to obtain permission to treat.
	D: ensure that her airway is open and clear.

2: What potentially life-threatening problem is associated with the patient's facial droop?
	A: Serious depression
	B: Impending heart attack
	C: Possible airway compromise
	D: Increasing hyperventilation

3: For any patient with a neurologic problem, specific neurologic assessment should include assessing:
	A: breath sounds, chest rise, and skin color.
	B: speech, facial movement, and arm movement.
	C: skin color, blood pressure, and capillary return.
	D: skin moisture and degree of dehydration.

4: Which of the following is vitally important to determine with this patient?
	A: A history of physical activity prior to the incident
	B: A history of diabetes, seizures, or a head injury
	C: A family history of cardiovascular disease
	D: When she last saw her physician

5: Transport considerations for this patient include which of the following?
	A: Protecting the paralyzed extremities
	B: Elevating her feet and keeping her warm
	C: Placing her in the recovery position
	D: Placing her in a head down position

6: On the way to the hospital her speech becomes clear and distinct and she moves all her extremities to command. At the emergency department she has no complaints and wants to go home. A return of function in this patient suggests that:
	A: she has suffered a very short stroke.
	B: what happened was not a neurologic event.
	C: the patient was faking her signs and symptoms.
	D: she most likely had a transient ischemic attack.

7: This patient has signs and symptoms that suggest a stroke. Stroke patients are also at risk for developing which of the following?
	A: Vomiting
	B: Allergic reactions
	C: Seizures
	D: Diabetic reactions

All Learning Resources for Chapter 13

Assessment in Action for All Chapters