#Sample emt practice test how to#

Marijuana legalization is in a growing number of states, widespread availability of synthetic marijuana is being sold as bath salts, and the opioid epidemic is making drug intoxication a likely cause of altered level of consciousness and behavioral complaints. If you haven't already, this is another chance to ask the patient about recreational or illegal drug use. Frequency, color, smell and consistency may also provide useful information for patients who have a fever, gastrointestinal or genitourinary pain complaint or a recent history of abdominal or pelvic trauma. Cast a wider net and ask 'Have you been eating and drinking normally?' If yes, ask 'What is normal for you?' or if no, ask 'What has kept you from eating normally and for how long?'įor patients with abdominal pain complaints, asking about their last outs – urination and bowel movements – is relevant and appropriate. Many caregivers narrowly ask their patient about last oral intake, with a focus on food eaten at the patient's most recent meal. Use follow-up questions about outcomes of previous illness or injury to gather additional information.

A broken ankle suffered as a child isn't pertinent for a geriatric patient with a fever, confusion and hypotension, but a recent urinary tract infection, though, is very pertinent. Instead of past medical history focus your inquiry on pertinent medical history. Ask 'Do you have any medical conditions or history we should know about?' Pertinent medical historyīecause of the detective work you have already done, you may know from your allergy and medication questions many of the patient's medical conditions. If you want to know more about medications, which you should, don't hesitate to ask the patient what conditions they take those medications for or use a drug guide app on your smartphone. Also ask the patient if they use any over-the-counter medications, supplements or homeopathic formulations.

Ask the patient if they are taking those medications as prescribed. For example, do they have a local or systemic reaction? MedicationsĪsking the patient 'What medications do you take?' is a starting point. Follow-up with, 'Do you have any other allergies we should know about?' Or ask a broader question, 'Do you have any allergies?' or 'Are you allergic to any foods, medications or insects?'Ĭontinue the investigation by asking about the patient's reaction to an allergen. AllergiesĪsking, 'Are you allergic to any medications?' limits the patient's response to just medications. Delve even deeper into the patient's chief complaint to identify the presence of associated signs or absence of pertinent negatives. OPQRST, like SAMPLE, continues the conversation between the investigator and the research subject. Use the patient's answer to ask follow-up questions about their symptoms associated with or relevant to the problem.įor patients with a pain complaint, use the OPQRST mnemonic to learn more. Other times you make need to probe to determine the nature of the patient's complaint. Sometimes the reason for EMS is self-evident, like a deformed extremity, a patient clutching their chest or audible wheezing. If you haven't asked or been told already, ask the patient or their caregiver, 'Why did you call for an ambulance?' Robotically asking a patient, 'What are your signs and symptoms?' will either result in a blank stare or a long narrative of a complex and confusing medical history. Symptoms are the patient's subjective description of their illness or injury. Symptoms are what the patient complains about.

You can auscultate wheezing or see a bruise. Signs are what you can measure, such as heart rate or respiratory rate.

#Sample emt practice test how to#

Here are some tips on how to best approach using SAMPLE history during the secondary assessment. For example, alcohol consumption might have caused a fall and fracture, as well as potentially predicting respiratory depression and airway compromise. The questions can also help diagnose a reason for traumatic injury. The results of SAMPLE can help identify the cause of a medical condition, like anaphylaxis secondary to ingestion of an allergen. Blood pressure reading tips and tricks for EMS