Assessment Scenarios
You find patient unresponsive in bed. What's your first action?
Assess responsiveness and check ABCs.
What's the danger of a pericardial tamponade?
It prevents the heart from filling properly, reducing cardiac output.
What does A&Ox4 mean?
Alert to person, place, time, and event.
What's a normal pulse for an adult?
60-100 bpm
Which provider can insert an advanced airway?
ALS (Paramedic or AEMT)
Your patient is alert but confused and speaking slowly. What should you suspect?
Possible stroke or altered mental status due to hypoglycemia.
What is the difference between a hemothorax and pneumothorax?
Hemothorax is blood in the pleural space; pneumothorax is air.
Why do you check glucose in a seizure patient?
To rule out hypoglycemia as the cause.
What's a normal systolic BP range?
90-120 mmHg.
Yes, via IN or auto-injector per local protocols.
You arrive on scene to a 2-car MVC. What's your immediate priority?
Scene Safety, BSI, and determine number of patients.
What is Beck's Triad?
JVD, muffled heart sounds, and hypotension - signs of tamponade.
How is sepsis different from regular infection?
When would you use a BVM?
For inadequate or no breathing and to assist ventilation.
What's the difference between assisting and administering medication?
Assisting is helping a patient take their own meds; administering is giving it under EMS authority.
You find an unconscious trauma patient with snoring respirations. What do you do first?
Open the airway using jaw-thrust and prepare for suctioning.
Define neurogenic shock and its classic sign.
Loss of sympathetic tone; signs include warm, dry skin with hypotension and bradycardia.
List 3 causes of altered mental status (AMS).
Stroke, Hypoglycemia, overdose, etc.
What oxygen device is used for 15 L/min?
Non-rebreather mask.
Which level can start IV?
ALS providers only.
Patient has a 2-second cap refill, shallow breathing, and low BP. What type of shock is likely?
Hypovolemic shock.
What type of injury do you suspect with paradoxical chest rise and flail segment?
Multiple rib fractures with impaired ventilation - flail chest.
How do you differentiate TIA from stroke?
TIA resolves on its own within 24hrs; stroke symptoms persist.
What is the Glasgow Coma Scale used for?
To assess and track level of consciousness.
List 3 medications EMTs are allowed to assist/administer.
Oxygen, epinephrine, glucose, aspirin, naloxone (any 3).