ATI RN
Basic Care of Patient Questions
Question 1 of 5
When conducting a 12-lead electrocardiogram on a patient, which lead is located on the right side of the body and does not view a specific area of the heart?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: aVR. Lead aVR is located on the right side of the body and does not view a specific area of the heart. In a 12-lead ECG, aVR is a unipolar lead that looks towards the right shoulder and does not provide a specific view of any particular area of the heart. This lead is mainly used as a reference point to help interpret the overall electrical activity of the heart. Leads V4, I, and aVL are all standard leads that view specific areas of the heart and are important for diagnosing cardiac conditions. Lead V4 views the anterior wall of the heart, Lead I views the lateral wall, and Lead aVL views the high lateral wall.
Question 2 of 5
You are treating and transporting a 26-year-old female involved in an MVA. She has multiple injuries, but all associated hemorrhage is controlled. The patient is exhibiting signs and symptoms of hypovolemic shock. During treatment and transport, you infuse one liter of lactated Ringer's solution, and the patient remains hypotensive. Once at the hospital, which of the following is most likely to be administered immediately upon arrival?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: O-negative packed red blood cells. Packed red blood cells are the most appropriate choice for a patient in hypovolemic shock as they help increase the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. In this scenario, the patient's hemorrhage is controlled, indicating a need for red blood cells rather than whole blood. O-negative blood is universally compatible, reducing the risk of transfusion reactions. Plasma-containing products like whole blood (choice A) may not be necessary if there is no active bleeding or coagulopathy present. O-positive packed red blood cells (choice C) may not be compatible with the patient's blood type, risking transfusion reactions. O-positive whole blood without plasma (choice D) may not provide adequate oxygen-carrying capacity needed in hypovolemic shock.
Question 3 of 5
For EMS professionals to determine death in the pre-hospital environment, which of the following criteria must be met by the paramedic?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A. To determine death in the pre-hospital environment, EMS professionals must confirm the absence of electrical activity in the heart. Asystole on an EKG tracing indicates no heartbeat, which is a critical criterion for declaring death. Other choices are incorrect because they do not definitively confirm death. Choice B, apnea with a gag reflex, does not necessarily indicate death as the gag reflex can persist after cessation of breathing. Choice C, lividity and cold/clammy skin, are signs of postmortem changes but do not conclusively establish death. Choice D, pinpoint pupils and decreased muscle tone, are indicators of neurological dysfunction but not definitive signs of death.
Question 4 of 5
Which of the following physical findings suggest a cause of hypotension other than spinal cord injury?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Presence of deep tendon reflexes. In hypotension due to spinal cord injury, deep tendon reflexes are typically absent below the level of injury. This is known as spinal shock. The presence of deep tendon reflexes suggests intact spinal cord function and points towards a cause of hypotension other than spinal cord injury. Prispism (A) is not a physical finding associated with hypotension or spinal cord injury. Bradycardia (B) can be a common finding in spinal cord injury due to autonomic dysregulation. Diaphragmatic breathing (C) is also not directly related to hypotension or spinal cord injury.
Question 5 of 5
A 22-year-old man is brought to the hospital after crashing his motorcycle into a telephone pole. He is unconscious and in profound shock. He has no open wounds or obvious fractures. The cause of his shock is MOST LIKELY caused by:
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Hemorrhage into the chest or abdomen. In this scenario, the man has no open wounds or obvious fractures, ruling out subdural and epidural hematomas. A transected spinal cord would result in neurological deficits rather than shock. Hemorrhage into the chest or abdomen can lead to significant blood loss causing shock, especially in trauma patients. This is supported by the mechanism of injury (motorcycle crash) and the absence of external bleeding.