Patient Assessment & Evaluation Flashcards
7 cards from real IHSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Patient Assessment & Evaluation flashcards as text
A worker exposed to hydrogen sulfide gas is found confused and tachycardic. Which assessment finding would MOST concern you beyond these initial signs?
Answer: Decreased SpO2 despite high-flow oxygen
H2S causes cellular hypoxia; persistent low SpO2 despite supplemental oxygen indicates severe poisoning with cytochrome oxidase inhibition.
When reassessing a patient who was initially stable, which finding indicates the MOST significant deterioration?
Answer: Pulse rate increasing from 80 to 110 bpm with decreasing blood pressure
A rising heart rate combined with falling blood pressure indicates decompensating shock, a life-threatening change in patient status.
In a multi-casualty incident at a construction site, the START triage system classifies a patient who is breathing at 24 bpm with delayed capillary refill as:
Answer: Red (Immediate)
In START triage, a respiratory rate above 20 bpm or delayed capillary refill (>2 seconds) classifies the patient as Red (Immediate).
An elderly patient at a worksite falls and denies significant pain despite a deformed wrist. The BEST explanation for this discrepancy is:
Answer: Age-related decrease in pain perception and possible dementia
Older adults often have decreased pain sensitivity and cognitive conditions that affect their ability to accurately report injury severity.
During environmental assessment after a heat-related illness call, which factor is MOST important to document for preventing future incidents?
Answer: Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) and work/rest ratio at the time of incident
WBGT combines temperature, humidity, and radiant heat and, paired with work/rest ratios, identifies the environmental conditions that caused the event.
A patient who was assessed as Alert (A on AVPU) 10 minutes ago now responds only to Voice. This change represents:
Answer: A one-level deterioration in neurological status requiring urgent reassessment
Any decline in AVPU level indicates neurological deterioration and must trigger immediate reassessment and expedited transport.
After a worksite chemical splash to the eyes, continuous irrigation has been ongoing for 20 minutes. Which assessment confirms it is safe to stop irrigation?
Answer: pH of the conjunctival sac returns to and holds at 7.0–7.4
Ocular pH must be measured and confirmed within the normal physiological range before ceasing irrigation, as symptoms alone can be unreliable.