Airway, Breathing & Ventilation
This type of breath sound indicates a partial upper airway obstruction, often from swelling or a foreign body.
What is Stridor?
A patient with sudden right-sided weakness and slurred speech should immediately be assessed using this scale.
What is the Cincinnati Stroke Scale or BE-FAST?
This is the FIRST action when you approach an unresponsive trauma patient found prone.
What is manually stabilize cervical spine before log rolling supine?
This is the most reliable indicator of perfusion in infants and toddlers.
What is skin color/capillary refill?
What is the primary reason aspirin is given during suspected cardiac ischemia?
To inhibit platelet aggregation.
This are your FIRST steps upon arrival at any mass casualty incident.
What are ensure scene safety and establish incident command?
This is your first intervention for an unresponsive patient with gurgling respirations.
What is suction the airway?
This assessment finding differentiates hypoglycemia from hyperglycemia or stroke.
What is altered mental status with diaphoresis?
A wound that produces a “sucking” noise on inhalation requires this type of dressing.
What is an occlusive dressing (sealed on three sides)?
A newborn with pink body, blue extremities, HR 120, flexed limbs, and a strong cry receives this APGAR score.
What is 9?
Cool, pale, clammy skin indicates this perfusion status.
What is hypoperfusion (shock)?
During START triage, a patient who is ambulatory is tagged this.
Name one situation where CPAP should be stopped immediately.
What is Decreased LOC, Vomiting, Hypotension or deterioration?
You should NEVER attempt to visualize the airway in a child with these two symptoms.
What are drooling and inspiratory stridor (suspected epiglottitis)?
Patient presents with Unequal pupils, irregular respirations, and hypertension with bradycardia indicating this dangerous condition.
What is increased intracranial pressure?
A mother at 34 weeks with hypertension, swelling, and visual disturbances is likely experiencing this condition.
What is preeclampsia?
A patient with hypotension, warm skin, bounding pulses, and fever is likely experiencing this form of shock.
What is septic shock?
In START triage, a patient not breathing until airway is repositioned is tagged this category.
What is Immediate (Red) ?
A trauma patient with snoring respirations and unknown MOI should have their airway opened using this technique.
What is the jaw-thrust maneuver?
A patient presents with sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain, anxiety, tachycardia, and risk factors like recent flight or surgery. What condition is most likely?
What is a pulmonary embolism?
A patient with a shortened, externally rotated leg after trauma most likely has this injury.
What is a hip fracture?
A child with high fever, drooling, tripod position, and no cough is most likely suffering from this airway emergency.
What is epiglottitis?
Name the three components of the “classic triad” for cardiac tamponade.
What are JVD, muffled heart tones, hypotension (Beck’s triad)?
Name one situation where an EMT must refuse care or transport until safety is ensured.
What is a violent scene / unsafe environment?
These are the three signs that a patient’s breathing is inadequate despite normal respiratory rate.
What are poor chest rise, altered mental status, and shallow/irregular respirations?
A patient presents with a sudden severe headache, photophobia, neck stiffness, and fever. Their BP is normal, and their mental status is deteriorating. What condition must the EMT strongly consider?
What is meningitis?
List two signs of tension pneumothorax that differentiate it from a simple pneumothorax.
What are JVD, tracheal deviation, severe dyspnea, hypotension?
During delivery, the cord is wrapped tightly around the baby’s neck. Name two appropriate actions.
What are attempt to slip the cord over the head and clamp/cut if too tight?
This is the difference between compensated and decompensated shock.
What is compensated shock = normal BP and able to maintain some perfusion. Decompensated shock = Falling bp and no longer able to maintain perfusion.
Explain the difference between roles in ICS: Command, Operations, and Triage.
Command: overall control
Operations: carries out tasks/assignments
Triage: sorts and prioritizes patients
A 29-year-old female has palpitations, chest discomfort, extreme anxiety, tingling in hands, and carpopedal spasms. Vitals: RR 36, HR 122, BP 128/70. What is the underlying physiological cause of her symptoms?
What is respiratory alkalosis from hyperventilation?
A 48-year-old diabetic with a history of alcoholism is found confused with deep, rapid respirations and fruity breath odor. Blood glucose is 400 mg/dL. What metabolic condition is suspected?
What is diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A 26-year-old unrestrained driver was ejected during a high-speed rollover. He is unresponsive, has irregular respirations, unequal pupils, and a widened pulse pressure. On palpation he withdraws from pain but does not follow commands. No external bleeding is noted, and breath sounds are present bilaterally.
What life-threatening condition is MOST likely causing his presentation, and what is your immediate priority intervention?
What is increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and immediate airway management with spinal precautions?
You are assessing a 3-year-old with 2 days of vomiting and diarrhea. The child is lethargic, has delayed capillary refill (4 seconds), sunken eyes, cool mottled skin, minimal tears when crying, and tenting skin. The mother reports decreased wet diapers. Vital signs: HR 168, RR 32, BP 80/50.
What stage of shock is this child likely in, and which immediate intervention takes priority?
What is decompensated hypovolemic shock and immediate rapid transport with supportive oxygenation?
A 62-year-old male presents with worsening shortness of breath, fatigue, and confusion over 24 hours. Vitals: BP 96/62, HR 128, RR 26, SpO₂ 91% on room air. His skin is warm, flushed, and dry. Lung sounds are clear.
Based on these findings, what is the MOST likely diagnosis?
What is sepsis (distributive shock)?
You arrive first at a structural collapse with multiple victims. Police and fire are en route but not yet on scene. Several bystanders are attempting rescues inside the collapse zone. One patient near the debris pile is unconscious and not breathing. Another ambulatory patient is screaming for help. A third patient is trapped with major bleeding.
According to START/ICS principles, what is your FIRST action, and WHY is it prioritized over patient contact?
What is establish incident command and ensure scene safety because no patient care or triage can begin until hazards are controlled and responder safety is guaranteed?