HealthTrust ENA Patient Assessment Study Guide 2026 | Emergency Nursing
Exam Prep & Review
C
The P portion of the AMPLE mnemonic assesses the past health history, such as hospitalization.
"When did you last take your medication?" provides information on the M (medications) part of
the mnemonic. "When did you last urinate?" gathers information on the L (last meal eaten) part
of the mnemonic. "Have you been traveling recently?" obtains information on the E (events
leading to the illness or injury) part of the mnemonic. - correct answer ✔✔Which interview
question helps obtain information for the P portion of the AMPLE assessment?
A. "When did you last urinate?"
B. "When did you last take your medication?"
C. "Have you ever been hospitalized?"
D. "Have you been traveling recently?"
D
Because pediatric patients have less contractile mass and less compliant ventricles, they cannot
increase contractility (stroke volume or SV). They maintain cardiac output (CO) by increasing
their heart rate (HR) and vasoconstriction. Other patients maintain cardiac output by increasing
stroke volume and heart rate (CO = HR x SV). - correct answer ✔✔Which patients can usually
maintain cardiac output by increasing the heart rate because the heart cannot increase
contractility?
A. Obstetric
B. Geriatric
, C. Bariatric
D. Pediatric
A
A friction rub may be noted when heart sounds are assessed during the secondary assessment.
Paradoxical chest wall motion and an open wound of the chest indicate ineffective breathing
and should be identified during the breathing evaluation in the primary assessment. A weak
thready pulse indicates ineffective circulation and should be identified during the circulation
evaluation in the primary assessment. - correct answer ✔✔Which abnormal finding can be
detected during the secondary assessment?
A. Friction rub
B. Paradoxical chest wall motion
C. Open wound of the chest
D. Weak, thready pulse
A
Compensated respiratory alkalosis and hypocapnia normally appear in obstetric patients. The
respiratory rate normally increases in pregnancy. This increased respiratory rate causes more
carbon dioxide to be exhaled. The resulting decreased carbon dioxide level causes the carbonic
acid level to fall, creating alkalosis. As a compensatory mechanism, the body combines
bicarbonate with hydrogen ions to replace the carbonic acid. In a fully compensated blood gas
abnormality, the body successfully brings the pH back to normal. Geriatric, pediatric, and
middle-aged adult patients have normal ABG levels unless a disease develops. - correct answer
✔✔For which patients do baseline arterial blood gas levels (ABGs) reveal compensated
respiratory alkalosis and hypocapnia?
A. Obstetric
Exam Prep & Review
C
The P portion of the AMPLE mnemonic assesses the past health history, such as hospitalization.
"When did you last take your medication?" provides information on the M (medications) part of
the mnemonic. "When did you last urinate?" gathers information on the L (last meal eaten) part
of the mnemonic. "Have you been traveling recently?" obtains information on the E (events
leading to the illness or injury) part of the mnemonic. - correct answer ✔✔Which interview
question helps obtain information for the P portion of the AMPLE assessment?
A. "When did you last urinate?"
B. "When did you last take your medication?"
C. "Have you ever been hospitalized?"
D. "Have you been traveling recently?"
D
Because pediatric patients have less contractile mass and less compliant ventricles, they cannot
increase contractility (stroke volume or SV). They maintain cardiac output (CO) by increasing
their heart rate (HR) and vasoconstriction. Other patients maintain cardiac output by increasing
stroke volume and heart rate (CO = HR x SV). - correct answer ✔✔Which patients can usually
maintain cardiac output by increasing the heart rate because the heart cannot increase
contractility?
A. Obstetric
B. Geriatric
, C. Bariatric
D. Pediatric
A
A friction rub may be noted when heart sounds are assessed during the secondary assessment.
Paradoxical chest wall motion and an open wound of the chest indicate ineffective breathing
and should be identified during the breathing evaluation in the primary assessment. A weak
thready pulse indicates ineffective circulation and should be identified during the circulation
evaluation in the primary assessment. - correct answer ✔✔Which abnormal finding can be
detected during the secondary assessment?
A. Friction rub
B. Paradoxical chest wall motion
C. Open wound of the chest
D. Weak, thready pulse
A
Compensated respiratory alkalosis and hypocapnia normally appear in obstetric patients. The
respiratory rate normally increases in pregnancy. This increased respiratory rate causes more
carbon dioxide to be exhaled. The resulting decreased carbon dioxide level causes the carbonic
acid level to fall, creating alkalosis. As a compensatory mechanism, the body combines
bicarbonate with hydrogen ions to replace the carbonic acid. In a fully compensated blood gas
abnormality, the body successfully brings the pH back to normal. Geriatric, pediatric, and
middle-aged adult patients have normal ABG levels unless a disease develops. - correct answer
✔✔For which patients do baseline arterial blood gas levels (ABGs) reveal compensated
respiratory alkalosis and hypocapnia?
A. Obstetric
