Flashcard library · Emergency Medicine
EMT Basics: Vital Signs & Assessment
Master the foundational skills of vital sign assessment and patient evaluation crucial for every EMT. This deck covers essential assessment techniques, normal ranges, and mnemonic devices to help you confidently gather critical patient information. Prepare for your exams and real-world scenarios by solidifying your understanding of these core EMT basics.
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What are the first steps of the scene size-up?
Take standard precautions, make sure the scene is safe, then find the mechanism of injury or nature of illness.
What else does the scene size-up include after safety and mechanism?
Counting patients and calling for any additional resources needed.
What does AVPU stand for?
Alert, Verbal, Painful, Unresponsive — the levels of responsiveness.
What are the steps of the primary assessment?
Form a general impression, check responsiveness (AVPU), then airway, breathing and circulation, and decide transport priority.
What is a normal adult resting pulse?
60–100 beats per minute.
What is a normal adult resting respiratory rate?
12–20 breaths per minute.
What adult blood pressure counts as normal?
Below 120/80 mmHg.
What adult systolic pressure is hypotensive?
Below 90 mmHg.
What three skin findings are assessed?
Color, temperature and condition (moist, dry or clammy).
What does PERRL mean?
Pupils Equal, Round and Reactive to Light.
What is a normal capillary refill time?
Under 2 seconds; it is most reliable in infants and young children.
What does OPQRST stand for?
Onset, Provocation/Palliation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, Time.
What does SAMPLE stand for?
Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last oral intake, Events leading up.
How often are vital signs reassessed in stable and unstable patients?
Every 15 minutes if stable; every 5 minutes if unstable.
Why take baseline vital signs?
They give a starting point to compare later readings and spot trends.
What should be observed when assessing respirations?
Rate, rhythm and quality — depth, effort, abnormal sounds and accessory muscle use.