Purpose of Module:
The purpose of this module is to review the basic components of the Medical Patient Assessment.

Time to complete Medical Patient Assessment: 1 hour

Directions for using the Medical Patient Assessment Module:

* You must spend at least 1/2 hour doing hands-on training.
1. Read the training Objectives.
2. Review Brady Emergency Care, Eighth Edition pp. 226-240.
3. Watch the videotape "Mosby’s EMT-BASIC VIDEO SERIES, Lesson 3-1 Through 3-6 Patient Assessment".
4. Use the MED EMT computer based training software and complete Chapter 10 Section 5.
5. Practice Medical Patient Assessment using the patient assessment skills checklist on the adult mannequin.
6. Take the posttest.
7. Give module back to instructor or person in charge.

Training Objectives:

1. Describe the methods for assessing a patient with a chief complaint with no known prior history.
2. Explain the difference in performing a focused history exam for patients with known prior history compared to patients with no know prior history.
3. Describe the needs for assessing an individual who is unresponsive.
4. List the elements of the history of the present illness.
5. Review the components of the detailed physical exam.
6. Demonstrate patient assessment skills on both responsive and unresponsive patients using the adult mannequin.

Activities to Perform:

1. Watch the videotape "Mosby’s EMT-BASIC VIDEO SERIES, Lesson 3-1 Through 3-6 Patient Assessment".
2. Use the MED EMT computer based training software and complete Chapter 10 Section 5.
3. Use the Patient Assessment/Medical/ Checklist to verify your steps for performing a Medical Patient Assessment. Practice using the adult mannequin.
4. Take the posttest to give yourself feedback on this module.

Posttest:

1. If the medical patient is unconscious, the most reliable way for the EMT-B to obtain an accurate history of the present illness is to:
A. talk to family members. C. interview witnesses and bystanders.
B. call the family doctor. D. search for a Medic Alert bracelet.

2. The physical examination of the responsive medical patient is a:
A. detailed head-to-toe exam.
B. specialized exam that is focused on the ABCs.
C. rapid physical examination.
D. focused exam centered on the area of complaint.

3. Which is the best example of the way in which an EMT-B should ask a patient a question about his symptoms?
A. How would you describe your pain?
B. Is the pain dull and crushing?
C. Do you have any pain under your breastbone?
D. Would you say your pain is viselike?

4. The question "Where exactly is the pain going?" best relates to which letter of the OPQRST mnemonic?
A. (P) B. (R) C. (O) D. (Q)

5. Which of the following would you be least likely to obtain with an unresponsive medical patient?
A. chief complaint C. condition of pupils
B. blood pressure D. pulse

ANSWERS: (1) A (2) D (3) A (4) B (5) A