Vital Signs & Assessment
A normal adult heart rate
What is 60 to 100 beats per minute?
A cadet presents with HR 110, dry mucous membranes, and delayed cap refill after morning formation; skin is warm and dry
What is early dehydration?
This vital organ system is affected first when the body’s perfusion drops
What is the brain?
The correct EMR intervention for mild dehydration in an alert cadet
What is oral rehydration with water or electrolyte fluids?
During a low-intensity drill, a cadet reports lightheadedness when standing quickly. HR 118 standing, BP 98/60, skin pale, improves when sitting
What is orthostatic hypotension from mild dehydration?
This vital sign is usually the first to change in most illness or shock states
What is heart rate?
A cadet collapses during a hot-weather run with heavy sweating, HR 130, SpO₂ 96%, and normal mental status
What is heat exhaustion?
These two vital signs usually change first when the body is compensating for shock
What are heart rate and respiratory rate?
The best first step for a cadet with mild hypoglycemia who is alert and oriented
What is give 15 grams of oral glucose or a carbohydrate snack?
A cadet reports burning throat and shortness of breath after lunch. Skin flushed, HR 128, wheezing present, speaking in full sentences
What is a mild allergic reaction with bronchospasm?
A heart rate of 120 and respirations of 28 with normal BP indicate this stage of shock
What is compensated shock?
A cadet who’s been working in the shade develops uncontrollable shivering, but the outside air temperature is 60°F with wind and rain
What is mild hypothermia?
This early stage of shock is identified when HR and RR are elevated but BP is still normal
What is compensated shock?
This is the first-line EMT intervention for a patient with audible wheezing and difficulty exhaling
What is assist with prescribed albuterol inhaler?
During the obstacle course, a cadet rolls their ankle stepping off a log. There’s swelling and bruising over the lateral malleolus, pain increases with weight-bearing, and they can’t take more than two steps
What is a suspected ankle fracture?
A drop of 20 mmHg systolic when standing defines this condition
What is orthostatic hypotension?
A cadet drinking only water since morning now has HR 48, nausea, confusion, and no thirst
What is hyponatremia (water intoxication)?
This form of shock results from loss of vessel tone, causing low BP and slow HR instead of fast HR
What is neurogenic shock?
For a cadet with fever, cough, and SpO₂ <94%, this oxygen delivery method is appropriate
What is a nonrebreather mask at 15 L/min?
A cadet has a productive cough, fever of 102.4°F, RR 28, SpO₂ 90%, and unilateral crackles on auscultation
What is pneumonia?
The two most reliable vital sign trends to detect shock before BP drops
What are heart rate and respiratory rate?
A cadet reports dark-colored urine, severe muscle pain, and fatigue after repeated high-intensity training sessions
What is rhabdomyolysis?
These two types of shock both involve widespread vasodilation that causes low blood pressure and warm skin early
What are anaphylactic and septic shock?
A cadet experiencing wheezing and retractions becomes unable to speak; the next immediate step at the EMT level is this
What is assist ventilations with a BVM and prepare for ALS intercept?
A cadet complains of chest pain, RR 30, SpO₂ 89%, and unilateral absent breath sounds after a fall. HR 128, BP 84/64, JVD present
What is obstructive shock from a tension pneumothorax?