Secondary Assessment: A Comprehensive Guide for Emergency Medical Services Professionals

Question 1

Which of the following is NOT a primary component of a secondary assessment in emergency medical services?

Accepted Answer

Scene safety

Answer

Vital signs

Answer

Patient history

Answer

Physical examination

Question 2

During a head-to-toe assessment, which of these is NOT typically examined?

Accepted Answer

Patient's jewelry

Answer

Skin condition

Answer

Blood pressure

Question 3

What's the main reason for recording secondary assessments?

Accepted Answer

To share details about the patient's condition and treatment plan with future healthcare providers

Answer

To prove why the healthcare provider made certain treatment choices

Answer

To check the quality of healthcare providers' work

Answer

To collect data for research

Question 4

How do a patient's medical history, current medications, and allergies influence the secondary assessment process?

Accepted Answer

They are highly relevant and can significantly impact vital signs, physical exam findings, and appropriate interventions during the secondary assessment.

Answer

They are irrelevant and do not affect the secondary assessment.

Answer

They have a small impact on the secondary assessment, slightly influencing some findings.

Answer

They moderately guide the secondary assessment, providing some direction but not determining all aspects.

Question 5

A patient has a GCS score of 14. Which of the following is consistent with this score?

Accepted Answer

The patient is fully alert and oriented to person, place, and time.

Answer

The patient is unable to follow commands.

Answer

The patient exhibits inappropriate speech.

Question 6

Which of the following is NOT a component of a comprehensive secondary assessment in emergency medical services?

Accepted Answer

Focused history and physical examination

Answer

Patient history

Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Vital signs

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a key component of a secondary assessment?

Accepted Answer

Patient's mother's maiden name

Answer

Vital signs

Answer

Physical examination

Answer

Mechanism of injury

Question 8

Which of the following vital signs is typically the most reliable indicator of shock?

Accepted Answer

Systolic blood pressure

Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Temperature

Question 9

When assessing a patient with a suspected spinal injury, it is imperative to:

Accepted Answer

Immobilize the patient and maintain spinal alignment

Answer

Apply gentle traction to the spine

Answer

Perform a quick neurological exam

Question 10

What is the primary purpose of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS)?

Accepted Answer

To evaluate level of consciousness

Answer

To determine if a patient requires intubation

Answer

To assess physical injuries

Answer

To measure vital signs

Question 11

What is the recommended interval for reassessing a patient after an initial secondary assessment?

Accepted Answer

Every 5-15 minutes until the patient's condition stabilizes

Answer

Every hour, regardless of the patient's condition

Answer

Only when the patient's condition worsens

Question 12

Which of the following components is included in a thorough patient history?

Accepted Answer

Allergies, medications, and past medical history

Answer

Vital signs only

Answer

Treatment plan only

Answer

Physical examination findings only

Question 13

Which vital sign is measured in units of beats per minute?

Accepted Answer

Heart rate

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Temperature

Question 14

Which physical examination technique involves listening to sounds within the body using a stethoscope?

Accepted Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Answer

Inspection

Answer

Percussion

Question 15

Which of the following is a characteristic sign or symptom of hypothermia?

Accepted Answer

Low body temperature

Answer

Rapid heart rate

Answer

Dilated pupils

Answer

Increased respiratory rate

Question 16

Which of the following patient presentations is an indication for immediate transport to a higher level of care?

Accepted Answer

Altered mental status

Answer

Sprained ankle

Answer

Minor laceration

Answer

Mild abdominal pain

Question 17

Which of the following is a primary goal of conducting a secondary assessment?

Accepted Answer

To identify underlying injuries or illnesses

Answer

To provide definitive treatment

Answer

To transport the patient to the hospital

Answer

To discharge the patient from care

Question 18

Which of the following instruments is specifically designed to measure blood pressure?

Accepted Answer

Sphygmomanometer

Answer

Glucometer

Answer

Stethoscope

Answer

Otoscope

Question 19

Which of the following scenarios would generally contraindicate performing a physical examination on a patient?

Accepted Answer

Patient's refusal

Answer

Patient's medical history

Answer

Patient's gender

Answer

Patient's age

Question 20

During the secondary assessment, which of the following is NOT a crucial component of the patient's medical history?

Accepted Answer

Social security number

Answer

Allergies

Answer

Past surgeries

Answer

Medications

Question 21

Which vital sign is most accurately measured during auscultation?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Heart rate

Question 22

A patient presents with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13. Which level of consciousness does this indicate?

Accepted Answer

Mild impairment

Answer

No impairment

Answer

Moderate impairment

Answer

Severe impairment

Question 23

Which of the following findings during a physical exam suggests a possible spinal cord injury?

Accepted Answer

Priapism

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Cyanosis

Answer

Jaundice

Question 24

During the secondary assessment, it is essential to continuously monitor the patient's:

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Respiratory rate

Answer

Level of consciousness

Answer

Blood pressure

Question 25

Which of the following is NOT a step involved in the SAMPLE history?

Accepted Answer

Allergies

Answer

Medications

Answer

Signs and symptoms

Answer

Past medical history

Question 26

The OPQRST mnemonic is primarily used to gather information about:

Accepted Answer

Pain

Answer

Medical history

Answer

Neurological status

Answer

Vital signs

Question 27

Which of the following is a potential complication that can arise during the secondary assessment?

Accepted Answer

Hypothermia

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 28

Documentation of the secondary assessment should include:

Accepted Answer

All of the above

Answer

Patient's vital signs

Answer

Assessment techniques used

Answer

Physical examination findings

Question 29

Which of the following assessment techniques is most appropriate for evaluating a patient's neurological status?

Accepted Answer

Glasgow Coma Scale

Answer

Percussion

Answer

Auscultation

Answer

Palpation

Question 30

A patient presents with a history of chest pain and shortness of breath. Which of the following is the MOST important vital sign to assess initially?

Accepted Answer

Respiratory Rate

Answer

Temperature

Answer

Pulse

Answer

Blood Pressure

Question 31

While assessing a patient's chest, you notice crepitus. This finding is MOST indicative of:

Accepted Answer

Subcutaneous Emphysema

Answer

Pneumothorax

Answer

Rib Fracture

Answer

Pleural Effusion

Question 32

You are performing a neurological assessment on a patient with a suspected head injury. Which of the following findings is MOST indicative of a deteriorating neurological status?

Accepted Answer

Decreased Level of Consciousness

Answer

Weakness in the extremities

Answer

Pupil Dilation

Answer

Headache

Question 33

A patient complains of abdominal pain. Which of the following questions is MOST relevant to elicit information about the pain's location?

Accepted Answer

Can you point to where the pain is?

Answer

Does the pain radiate anywhere?

Answer

When did the pain start?

Answer

What is the severity of the pain?

Question 34

You are assessing a patient with a suspected fracture. What is the MOST important factor to consider when determining the need for immobilization?

Accepted Answer

The presence of pain and tenderness

Answer

The mechanism of injury

Answer

The patient's age

Answer

The severity of the deformity

Question 35

A patient with a history of diabetes presents with altered mental status. Which of the following is the MOST likely explanation?

Accepted Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Seizure

Answer

Stroke

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Question 36

You are assessing a patient with a suspected allergic reaction. Which of the following signs or symptoms is MOST indicative of anaphylaxis?

Accepted Answer

Difficulty breathing

Answer

Swelling of the lips

Answer

Hives

Answer

Itching

Question 37

During a secondary assessment, which of the following findings is MOST concerning for a patient with a history of heart disease?

Accepted Answer

Chest pain radiating to the jaw

Answer

High blood pressure

Answer

Rapid pulse

Answer

Shortness of breath

Question 38

A patient with a history of asthma presents with wheezing and difficulty breathing. What is the MOST important intervention?

Accepted Answer

Administering bronchodilator medication

Answer

Performing a physical exam

Answer

Transporting to the hospital

Answer

Providing oxygen

Question 39

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate way to assess a patient's pupils?

Accepted Answer

Using a penlight to observe the size, shape, and reactivity

Answer

Asking the patient to follow your finger with their eyes

Answer

Checking the patient's visual acuity