Primary Patient Assessment Flashcards
6 cards from real EMR practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Primary Patient Assessment flashcards as text
During the primary assessment of an unresponsive patient, what is the FIRST action an EMR should take after ensuring scene safety?
Answer: Form a general impression and determine the patient's level of responsiveness
The primary assessment begins with forming a general impression and determining level of responsiveness (LOC) using AVPU — Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive — before proceeding to airway, breathing, and circulation.
When assessing the airway of a conscious adult patient, which method is preferred to open the airway?
Answer: Head-tilt chin-lift maneuver
The head-tilt chin-lift is the preferred technique for opening the airway in a conscious patient with no suspected spinal injury. The jaw-thrust is reserved for patients with suspected cervical spine trauma.
During circulation assessment in the primary survey, an EMR identifies major external bleeding. What is the immediate priority?
Answer: Control bleeding with direct pressure before continuing the assessment
Major external bleeding identified during the primary assessment must be controlled immediately with direct pressure. Life-threatening hemorrhage takes priority over completing the remainder of the assessment.
Which of the following best describes the purpose of the primary assessment in EMS care?
Answer: To identify and correct immediately life-threatening conditions
The primary assessment is designed to rapidly identify and correct immediately life-threatening conditions affecting airway, breathing, and circulation. It is not focused on history-taking or documentation.
An EMR arrives to find a 55-year-old male who is unresponsive and not breathing normally. He has no pulse. What is the correct sequence of actions?
Answer: Begin 30 chest compressions, open airway, give 2 rescue breaths, attach AED as soon as available
Current CPR guidelines (C-A-B) direct rescuers to begin chest compressions first (30 compressions), then open the airway and give 2 rescue breaths. The AED should be used as soon as it is available.
When performing the primary assessment, what does the 'E' in the AVPU scale stand for?
Answer: AVPU does not contain the letter E
The AVPU scale consists of Alert, Verbal, Pain, and Unresponsive — there is no 'E' in the AVPU mnemonic.