ATI RN
Basics of Patient Care Questions
Question 1 of 5
Which of the following patients would most likely benefit from a needle decompression?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: A 30-year-old male with hypotension, JVD, and tracheal deviation after chest trauma. This patient most likely has tension pneumothorax, a life-threatening condition where air accumulates in the pleural space causing mediastinal shift, JVD, and hypotension. Needle decompression is the initial treatment to relieve pressure and restore lung function. A: A chest wall contusion with absent breath sounds suggests a potential rib fracture but not a tension pneumothorax. B: Bilateral wheezing and difficulty breathing are more indicative of an asthma exacerbation or COPD exacerbation, not tension pneumothorax. D: Chest pain and productive cough are more commonly associated with conditions like pneumonia or bronchitis, not tension pneumothorax. In summary, the key features of tension pneumothorax are hypotension, JVD, and tracheal deviation after chest trauma, necessitating needle
Question 2 of 5
You arrive on-scene of a seizure call to find a 22-year-old patient actively seizing. Family on scene reports the patient has an epileptic seizure disorder that sometimes causes seizures that last a minute or two. Today, the seizure has lasted for longer than fifteen minutes prior to your arrival without a break in the tonic-clonic phase. Your attempts to gain IV access are restricted due to the ongoing seizure activity. Which of the following is the drug of choice for intramuscular injection to control the prolonged seizure in this situation?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Lorazepam. Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that acts quickly to terminate seizures. In this scenario, where the seizure has lasted longer than fifteen minutes without stopping, it is considered status epilepticus and requires immediate treatment. Lorazepam can be given intramuscularly when IV access is not readily available. Thiamine (A) is used for alcohol-related seizures, not prolonged seizures. 50 percent dextrose (B) is for hypoglycemia-related seizures. Etomidate (D) is a general anesthetic, not used for seizure termination.
Question 3 of 5
The CHARTE method and SOAP method are two methods utilized by paramedics to complete the narrative portion of the patient care report. Which of the following is not a component of the CHARTE method?
Correct Answer: E
Rationale: The correct answer is E: Transport. In the CHARTE method, the components are Chief complaint, History, Assessment, Rx/Treatment, Transport, and Evaluation. Transport is not a component but rather a step in the patient care process. Chief complaint is the reason for the call, History is the patient's background, Assessment is the evaluation of the patient, Rx/Treatment is the actions taken, and Evaluation is the outcome. The other choices are incorrect because they are all integral components of the CHARTE method.
Question 4 of 5
After intubating your apneic patient, what tube placement confirmation means should be assessed first?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Attach capnography to determine the presence of ventilatory waveform. Capnography provides immediate feedback on the effectiveness of ventilation, crucial in assessing tube placement. First, confirm if CO2 waveform is present, indicating proper tube placement in the trachea. If waveform absent, reposition tube. Auscultation (Choice A) may not accurately confirm tracheal intubation. End-tidal CO2 detector (Choice C) is efficient but not the first step. Auscultating over the epigastric region (Choice D) is inappropriate for confirming tube placement.
Question 5 of 5
A young man sustains a rifle wound to the mid-abdomen. The next, most appropriate step is to perform:
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: a laparotomy. In trauma cases like this, immediate exploration of the abdomen via laparotomy is crucial to assess and control internal bleeding and injuries. It allows for direct visualization and repair of damaged structures, which is essential in life-threatening situations. Abdominal CT-scan (B) may provide detailed imaging but can delay necessary surgical intervention. Diagnostic laparoscopy (C) may not be suitable for unstable patients with significant trauma. Abdominal ultrasonography (D) may not provide sufficient information in cases of penetrating abdominal trauma.