AAOS EMT (Chapter 10) Patient Assessment 73 questions and answers verified for accuracy.

Accessory Muscles The secondary muscles of respiration. They include the neck muscles (sternocleidomastoids), the chest pectorals major muscles, and the abdominal muscles. Altered Mental Status A change in the way a person thinks and behaves that may signal disease in the central nervous system or elsewhere in the body. Auscultate To listen to sounds within an organ with a stethoscope. AVPU Scale A method of assessing the level of consciousness by determining whether the patient is awake and alert, responsive to verbal stimuli or pain, or unresponsive; used principally early in the assessment process. Blood Pressure The pressure that the blood exerts against the walls of the arteries as it passes through them. Bradycardia A slow heart rate, less than 60 beats per minute. Breath Sounds An indication of air movement in the lungs, usually assessed with a stethoscope. Capillary Refill A test that evaluates distal circulatory system function by squeezing (blanching) blood from an area such as a nail bed and watching the speed of its return after releasing the pressure. Capnography A noninvasive method to quickly and efficiently provide information on a patient's ventilatory status, circulation, and metabolism; effectively measures the concentration of carbon dioxide in expired air over time. Carbon Dioxide A component of air that typically makes up 0.03% of air at sea level; also a waste product exhaled during expiration by the respiratory system. Chief Complaint The reason a patient called for help; also, the patient's response to questions such as "What's wrong?" or "What happened?" Conjunctiva The delicate membrane that lines the eyelids and covers the exposed surface of the eye. Crackles A crackling, rattling breath sound that signals fluid in the air spaces of the lungs. Crepitus A grating or grinding sensation caused by fractured bone ends or joints rubbing together. Cyanosis A blue skin discoloration that is caused by a reduced level of oxygen in the blood. DCAP-BTLS A mnemonic for assessment in which each area of the body is evaluated for Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures/Penetrations, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, and Swelling. Diaphoretic Characterized by light or profuse sweating. Diastolic Pressure The pressure that remains in the arteries during the relaxing phase of the hearts cycle (diastole) when the left ventricle is at rest. Distracting Injury Any injury that prevents the patient from noticing other injuries he or she may have, even severe injuries; for example, a painful femur or tibia fracture that prevents the patient from noticing back pain associated with a spinal fracture. Field Impression The conclusion about the cause of the patient's condition after considering the situation, history, and examination findings. Focused Assessment A type of physical assessment typically performed on patients who have sustained nonsignificant mechanisms of injury or on responsive medical patients. This type of examination is based on the chief complaint and focuses on one body system or part. Frostbite Damage to tissues as the result of exposure to cold; frozen or partially frozen body parts are frostbitten. General Impression The overall initial impression that determines the priority for patient care; based on the patient's surroundings, the mechanism of injury, signs and symptoms, and the chief complaint. Golden Hour The time from injury to definitive care, during which treatment of shock and traumatic injuries should occur because survival potential is best; also called the Golden Period. Guarding Involuntary muscle contractions (spasm) of the abdominal wall; an effort to protect the inflamed abdomen. History Taking A step within the patient assessment process that provides detail about the patient's chief complaint and an account of the patient's signs and symptoms. Hypertension Blood Pressure that is higher than the normal range. Hypotension Blood pressure that is lower than the normal range. Hypothermia A condition in which the internal body temperature falls below 95°F (35°C). Incident Command System A system implemented to manage disasters and mass- and multiple-casualty incidents in which section chiefs, including finance, logistics, operations, and planning, report to the incident commander. Jaundice Yellow skin or sclera the is caused by liver disease or dysfunction. Labored Breathing Breathing that requires greater than normal effort; may be slower or faster than normal and characterized by grunting, stridor, and use of accessory muscles. Mean Arterial Pressure (MAP) The average pressure in the circulatory system during one cardiac cycle. Mechanism of Injury (MOI) The forces, or energy transmission, applied to the body that cause injury. Metabolism The biochemical processes that result in production of energy from nutrients within the cells. Nasal Flaring Widening of the nostrils, indicating that there is an airway obstruction. Nature of Illness (NOI) The general type of illness a patient is experiencing. OPQRST A mnemonic used in evaluating a patient's pain: Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Timing. Orientation The mental status of a patient as measured by memory of person (name), place (current location), time (current year, month, approximate date), and event (what happened). Palpate To examine by touch. Paradoxical Motion The motion of the portion of the chest wall that is detached in a flail chest; the motion -in during inhalation, out during exhalation- is exactly the opposite of normal chest wall motion during breathing. Perfusion The flow of blood through body tissues and vessels. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Protective equipment that blocks exposure to pathogen or a hazardous material. Pertinent Negatives Negative findings that warrant no care or intervention. Primary Assessment A step within the patient assessment process that identifies and initiates treatment of immediate and potential life threats. Pulse The wave of pressure created as the heart contracts and forces blood out of the left ventricle and into the major arteries. Pulse Oximetry An assessment tool that measures oxygen saturation of hemoglobin in the capillary beds. Reassessment A step within the patient assessment process performed at regular intervals during the assessment process to identify and treat changes in a patient's condition. A patient in unstable condition should be reassessed every 5 minutes, whereas a patient in stable condition should be reassessed every 15 minutes. Responsiveness The way in which a patient responds to external stimuli, including verbal stimuli (sounds), tactile stimuli (touch), and painful stimuli. Retractions Movements in which the skin pulls in around the ribs during inspiration. Rhonchi Coarse, low-pitched breath sounds heard in patients with chronic mucus in the upper airways. SAMPLE History A brief history of a patient's condition to determine signs and symptoms, allergies, medications, pertinent past history, last oral intake, and event leadings to the injury or illness. Scene Size-Up A step within the patient assessment process that involves a quick assessment of the scene and the surroundings to provide information about scene safety and the mechanism of injury or nature of illness before you enter and begin patient care.