SECONDARY ASSESSMENT 4 CERTIFICATION
ASSESSMENT 2026 VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Medical vs. Trauma Patient.
Answer: One or more medical diseases or conditions vs. one or more
physical injuries
◉ 3 components of secondary assessment.
Answer: Physical exam
Patient history (history of present condition & prior conditions)
Vital signs
◉ Sign.
Answer: Something regarding the patient's condition that you can
see
◉ Symptom.
Answer: Something the patient tells you
◉ SAMPLE History
(Past medical history).
,Answer: Signs/Symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Pertinent past medical history
Last oral intake
Events
◉ OPQRST
(History of present illness).
Answer: Onset
Provocation
Quality
Region, relief
Severity
Time
◉ 3 techniques used in physical examination.
Answer: Observe, auscultate, palpate
◉ Respiratory History.
Answer: Dyspnea on exertion
Weight gain
, Orthopnea (hard to breathe when lying down)
◉ Respiratory Physical Exam.
Answer: Chest wall motion
Auscultate lung sounds
Pulse oximetry
Observe edema
Fever
◉ Cardiovascular History.
Answer: Existing conditions/meds
Signs/symptoms match previous episodes
Description of chest pain with OPQRST
Determine specifics of pain
◉ Cardiovascular Physical Exam.
Answer: Signs of severity - mental status, skin conditions
Obtain a pulse & BP
Look for jugular vein distension
Palpate chest - tender?
Observe posture/breathing
ASSESSMENT 2026 VERIFIED ANSWERS
GRADED A+
◉ Medical vs. Trauma Patient.
Answer: One or more medical diseases or conditions vs. one or more
physical injuries
◉ 3 components of secondary assessment.
Answer: Physical exam
Patient history (history of present condition & prior conditions)
Vital signs
◉ Sign.
Answer: Something regarding the patient's condition that you can
see
◉ Symptom.
Answer: Something the patient tells you
◉ SAMPLE History
(Past medical history).
,Answer: Signs/Symptoms
Allergies
Medications
Pertinent past medical history
Last oral intake
Events
◉ OPQRST
(History of present illness).
Answer: Onset
Provocation
Quality
Region, relief
Severity
Time
◉ 3 techniques used in physical examination.
Answer: Observe, auscultate, palpate
◉ Respiratory History.
Answer: Dyspnea on exertion
Weight gain
, Orthopnea (hard to breathe when lying down)
◉ Respiratory Physical Exam.
Answer: Chest wall motion
Auscultate lung sounds
Pulse oximetry
Observe edema
Fever
◉ Cardiovascular History.
Answer: Existing conditions/meds
Signs/symptoms match previous episodes
Description of chest pain with OPQRST
Determine specifics of pain
◉ Cardiovascular Physical Exam.
Answer: Signs of severity - mental status, skin conditions
Obtain a pulse & BP
Look for jugular vein distension
Palpate chest - tender?
Observe posture/breathing
