Communication and Assessment Across the Life Span Practice Questions

54 multiple-choice questions on Communication and assessment across the life span for paramedic and EMT students, from Chapter 10 (Life Span Development). Read each question, pick your answer, then tap Show answer to check it and read the explanation.

54 practice questions

1. When assessing any pediatric patient, keeping a caregiver present:

   1. A. Interferes with an accurate assessment
   2. B. Is helpful for infants but not older children
   3. C. Usually eases anxiety and aids cooperation
   4. D. Is prohibited during the physical exam
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Usually eases anxiety and aids cooperation

   It also gives you a history source.

2. Vital sign interpretation in children requires:

   1. A. Estimating from appearance
   2. B. Applying standard adult ranges
   3. C. Pulse oximetry alone
   4. D. Age-specific normal ranges
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Age-specific normal ranges

   A heart rate of 140 is alarming in an adult and normal in an infant.

3. Explaining procedures honestly to a child is important because:

   1. A. Trust is lost when it hurts after all
   2. B. It reliably speeds up transport
   3. C. Parents are legally entitled to it
   4. D. Young children rarely remember their medical care
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Trust is lost when it hurts after all

   Offer choices where you genuinely have them.

4. When an older patient answers slowly, the paramedic should:

   1. A. Assume confusion and assess orientation
   2. B. Ask only yes-or-no questions
   3. C. Allow extra time and avoid interrupting
   4. D. Direct questions to the family
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Allow extra time and avoid interrupting

   Processing speed declines without confusion being present.

5. Speaking to an older adult patient in a childlike tone is:

   1. A. Necessary for clarity with hearing loss
   2. B. Reassuring for most older patients
   3. C. Disrespectful and counterproductive
   4. D. Standard practice in geriatric care
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Disrespectful and counterproductive

   Address them as the adult they are, by their preferred name.

6. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle evaluates:

   1. A. Level of consciousness, pupils, and motor response
   2. B. Heart rate, blood pressure, and SpO2
   3. C. Appearance, breathing work, and skin color
   4. D. Airway, breathing, and circulation only
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Appearance, breathing work, and skin color

   Circulation is judged by skin color. It gives a rapid impression from across the room.

7. Assessing an older patient's medications is important because:

   1. A. They rarely take daily medications
   2. B. Drugs may cause or mask the problem
   3. C. Only cardiac drugs affect presentation
   4. D. The hospital will already have the list
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Drugs may cause or mask the problem

   They can also complicate care. Beta blockers, anticoagulants, and diuretics change presentations.

8. Developmental stage affects how patients experience illness because:

   1. A. Young children feel less pain than adults
   2. B. Coping skills are fixed by early childhood
   3. C. Illness affects patients of every age in the same way
   4. D. Understanding, fears, and coping vary by age
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Understanding, fears, and coping vary by age

   Adapting communication to the stage improves both care and cooperation. Young children feel pain as adults do, coping skills keep developing through adolescence, and illness affects patients differently at each age.

9. The most useful general principle when caring for patients across the life span is to:

   1. A. Rely on written protocols alone
   2. B. Adapt assessment and expectations to age
   3. C. Use the same approach for everyone
   4. D. Treat children as small adults
   Show answer

   Answer: B. Adapt assessment and expectations to age

   Anatomy, physiology, and psychology all shift with age. Adjust technique, communication, and expected findings; anatomy, physiology, and psychology shift with age.

10. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle's appearance component includes:

    1. A. Pulse rate, rhythm, and strength
    2. B. Breathing rate, depth, and visible effort
    3. C. Tone, interaction, consolability, look, speech
    4. D. Skin color, mottling, and central cyanosis
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Tone, interaction, consolability, look, speech

    This is the TICLS mnemonic.

11. The work of breathing component includes:

    1. A. Pulse oximetry, capnography, and respiratory rate
    2. B. Abnormal sounds, retractions, and flaring
    3. C. Breath sounds on auscultation only
    4. D. Respiratory rate counted for a minute
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Abnormal sounds, retractions, and flaring

    Visible effort. Positioning is also included; it reflects visible effort.

12. The circulation to skin component includes:

    1. A. Pulse rate, rhythm, and quality
    2. B. Pallor, mottling, and cyanosis
    3. C. Blood pressure measured by cuff
    4. D. Capillary refill alone
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Pallor, mottling, and cyanosis

    It is judged from across the room.

13. A child with abnormal appearance and normal breathing and circulation may have:

    1. A. Compensated hypovolemic shock
    2. B. Respiratory distress from airway swelling
    3. C. Respiratory failure
    4. D. A primary brain or metabolic problem
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A primary brain or metabolic problem

    Think CNS or metabolic. Hypoglycemia, seizure, or head injury are examples.

14. A child with normal appearance and abnormal breathing has:

    1. A. Respiratory failure
    2. B. A primary CNS problem
    3. C. Shock
    4. D. Respiratory distress
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Respiratory distress

    The child is still compensating.

15. A child with abnormal appearance and abnormal breathing has:

    1. A. Respiratory failure
    2. B. Compensated shock
    3. C. Respiratory distress
    4. D. A primary CNS problem
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Respiratory failure

    The child is no longer compensating.

16. A child with abnormal appearance and abnormal circulation has:

    1. A. A primary CNS problem
    2. B. Respiratory failure
    3. C. Shock
    4. D. Respiratory distress
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Shock

    This is decompensated shock.

17. Pediatric vital signs trend from infancy to adulthood by:

    1. A. Falling HR and RR with rising BP
    2. B. Staying constant after infancy
    3. C. Falling rates and falling blood pressure
    4. D. Rising heart rate and blood pressure
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Falling HR and RR with rising BP

    Know the ranges.

18. A heart rate of 150 is:

    1. A. Abnormal in an infant, normal in an adult
    2. B. Normal at every age
    3. C. Normal in an infant, abnormal in an adult
    4. D. Abnormal at every age
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Normal in an infant, abnormal in an adult

    Interpret vital signs in age context.

19. A respiratory rate of 40 is:

    1. A. Normal at every age
    2. B. Abnormal at every age
    3. C. Normal in a newborn, concerning in an adult
    4. D. Concerning in a newborn, normal in an adult
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Normal in a newborn, concerning in an adult

    Interpret vital signs in age context.

20. A systolic blood pressure of 80 is:

    1. A. Normal in a toddler, concerning in an adult
    2. B. Concerning in a toddler, normal in an adult
    3. C. Abnormal at every age
    4. D. Normal at every age
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Normal in a toddler, concerning in an adult

    Interpret vital signs in age context.

21. Pediatric blood pressure lower limit can be estimated as:

    1. A. 70 plus 2 times age in years
    2. B. 70 plus 4 times age in years
    3. C. 90 plus 2 times age in years
    4. D. 60 for all ages
    Show answer

    Answer: A. 70 plus 2 times age in years

    This applies to ages 1 to 10.

22. Pediatric weight can be estimated by:

    1. A. Length-based tape or age formula
    2. B. The caregiver's best guess of the child's weight
    3. C. Standard adult weight formulas
    4. D. Visual estimation alone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Length-based tape or age formula

    Accurate weight drives dosing accuracy.

23. Pediatric capillary refill:

    1. A. Is unreliable in all children
    2. B. Is not used in pediatric patients
    3. C. Is normally over 4 seconds
    4. D. Reliable; normal is under 2 seconds
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Reliable; normal is under 2 seconds

    It is a useful perfusion indicator. Check centrally in cold environments.

24. Pediatric compensation for shock:

    1. A. Does not develop until about age 5
    2. B. Is weak, so hypotension comes early
    3. C. Works exactly like an adult's compensatory response
    4. D. Is robust, hiding severity until collapse
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Is robust, hiding severity until collapse

    Tachycardia and vasoconstriction maintain pressure until sudden collapse.

25. Pediatric head size relative to body:

    1. A. Is the same proportion as an adult's
    2. B. Is smaller in proportion to the body than an adult's
    3. C. Has no effect on injury patterns
    4. D. Is larger, affecting airway and injury
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Is larger, affecting airway and injury

    Head injuries are common.

26. Pediatric airway differences include:

    1. A. Longer trachea and posterior larynx
    2. B. Identical to the adult airway
    3. C. Narrower airway and larger tongue
    4. D. Larger airway and smaller tongue
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Narrower airway and larger tongue

    Small swelling, big effect. The larynx is also more anterior; small swelling has a big effect.

27. Pediatric ribs are:

    1. A. Flexible
    2. B. Rigid and highly protective
    3. C. Identical to adult ribs
    4. D. Brittle and quick to fracture
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Flexible

    Flexible ribs allow internal injury, such as pulmonary contusion, without rib fracture.

28. Pediatric abdominal organs:

    1. A. Are too small to be injured easily
    2. B. Are identical in size and position to an adult's
    3. C. Are less protected, raising injury risk
    4. D. Are well protected by the rib cage
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Are less protected, raising injury risk

    Liver and spleen injuries. Ribs and muscle protect them less; liver and spleen injuries occur.

29. Pediatric bones:

    1. A. Are identical to adult bones
    2. B. Are brittle and tend to shatter on impact
    3. C. Flexible, with growth plates
    4. D. Are denser than adult bones
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Flexible, with growth plates

    Greenstick and growth plate fractures. They produce unique fractures such as greenstick and growth plate injuries.

30. Pediatric surface area relative to mass:

    1. A. Is the same as an adult's ratio
    2. B. Protects them against heat loss
    3. C. Is smaller than an adult's ratio
    4. D. Is larger, raising heat and fluid loss
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Is larger, raising heat and fluid loss

    Hypothermia and dehydration are risks.

31. Pediatric drug dosing is based on:

    1. A. Weight in kilograms
    2. B. Height in centimeters
    3. C. Age in years
    4. D. Body surface appearance
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Weight in kilograms

    Doses are given in mg/kg.

32. Pediatric communication should be:

    1. A. Kept to a bare minimum
    2. B. Pitched at an adult level
    3. C. Directed only to caregivers
    4. D. Honest and age-appropriate
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Honest and age-appropriate

    Different at each stage. Include the caregiver; approach differs at each stage.

33. Caregiver involvement in pediatric care:

    1. A. Is optional and up to the crew
    2. B. Usually interferes with care
    3. C. Should be kept to a minimum
    4. D. Is essential
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Is essential

    The caregiver knows the child. Caregivers also provide consent and know the child.

34. A caregiver's concern that something is wrong:

    1. A. Should be taken seriously
    2. B. Is unreliable without findings
    3. C. Is usually an overreaction
    4. D. Can wait if vitals are normal
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Should be taken seriously

    Caregivers know their children. Take it seriously even without obvious findings; caregivers know their children.

35. Pediatric pain assessment uses:

    1. A. Adult numeric scales only
    2. B. Observation of crying only
    3. C. Age-based tools such as FLACC
    4. D. No formal tools, only vital sign changes
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Age-based tools such as FLACC

    Treat pediatric pain. Faces and numeric scales are also used; treat pediatric pain.

36. Adult assessment relies more on:

    1. A. Vital signs alone
    2. B. Reports from caregivers
    3. C. Observation from across the room
    4. D. History and the patient's report
    Show answer

    Answer: D. History and the patient's report

    Adults can tell you.

37. Adult communication should:

    1. A. Be simple and directive
    2. B. Go through family members
    3. C. Respect autonomy and involve them
    4. D. Be kept to a minimum
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Respect autonomy and involve them

    Shared decision-making. Explain care; this is shared decision-making.

38. Pregnancy affects assessment through:

    1. A. Altered vitals, anatomy, two patients
    2. B. No meaningful change in assessment
    3. C. Changes in vital signs only
    4. D. Changes in anatomy only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Altered vitals, anatomy, two patients

    There are two patients to consider. Left lateral positioning matters.

39. Geriatric assessment differs from adult assessment by:

    1. A. Relying on caregivers instead of the patient
    2. B. Stressing baseline, meds, and atypical signs
    3. C. Being simpler and faster overall
    4. D. Being the same in every respect
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Stressing baseline, meds, and atypical signs

    More complex, not less. Sensory needs also matter; it is more complex, not less.

40. Geriatric vital signs may be:

    1. A. Falsely reassuring
    2. B. Usually abnormal
    3. C. Not worth taking
    4. D. Fully reliable
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Falsely reassuring

    Blunted responses and medications can make them look normal; look at the whole picture.

41. Geriatric communication should:

    1. A. Face them and check sensory aids
    2. B. Be loud, slow, and simplified
    3. C. Go through family members only
    4. D. Be fast and efficient
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Face them and check sensory aids

    Allow time and confirm understanding. Respect matters.

42. Caregiver involvement in geriatric care:

    1. A. Replaces the patient's own input and consent
    2. B. Adds baseline and medication history
    3. C. Is unnecessary for most calls
    4. D. Should be kept to a minimum
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Adds baseline and medication history

    Ask the patient first when able. Respect patient autonomy; ask the patient first when able.

43. Cognitive impairment in geriatric assessment:

    1. A. Should be assumed in all older adults
    2. B. Is universal after age 80
    3. C. Is irrelevant to assessment
    4. D. Should be assessed, not assumed
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Should be assessed, not assumed

    Many older adults are sharp. Get the baseline from caregivers; many older adults are sharp.

44. A 5-year-old, a 15-year-old, and a 75-year-old each have the same broken arm. Which statement best reflects developmental differences?

    1. A. All three should be approached in exactly the same way
    2. B. Only the 75-year-old's age really matters for the care
    3. C. Understanding, fears, consent, and physiology vary by age
    4. D. Age changes the physiology but not how you should communicate
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Understanding, fears, consent, and physiology vary by age

    Developmental stage shapes how patients understand illness, what they fear, who consents, and how their bodies respond. For example, a preschooler fears pain and separation, a teen worries about privacy and image, and an older adult may have osteoporosis and take anticoagulants. A one-size approach misses these differences, and age shapes communication and consent as well as physiology.

45. Normal findings vary by age for:

    1. A. No clinical parameters at all
    2. B. Vital signs, reflexes, and milestones
    3. C. Vital signs only, nothing else
    4. D. Reflexes only, nothing else
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Vital signs, reflexes, and milestones

    Lab values also vary by age. Know the ranges.

46. The best source of baseline information for any patient is:

    1. A. Observation alone
    2. B. A single set of vital signs
    3. C. Old medical records from the last visit
    4. D. The patient or people close to them
    Show answer

    Answer: D. The patient or people close to them

    Ask.

47. Change from baseline is:

    1. A. The key finding at any age
    2. B. Important only in the elderly
    3. C. Irrelevant to assessment
    4. D. Important only in children
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The key finding at any age

    Ask: normal for whom?

48. Which assessment approach applies to a patient of any age?

    1. A. Use adult vital sign ranges for every patient
    2. B. Rely only on blood pressure to judge for shock
    3. C. Compare findings with age norms and baseline
    4. D. Assume older adults are confused at baseline
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Compare findings with age norms and baseline

    Across the life span, interpret findings against age-specific normal values and the patient's own baseline, and adapt communication to the developmental stage. Adult ranges misclassify children. Blood pressure is a late sign of shock in children and is unreliable in older adults. Confusion must be compared with the patient's baseline, not assumed.

49. Life span development knowledge helps the paramedic:

    1. A. Diagnose disease precisely in the field
    2. B. Choose receiving hospitals
    3. C. Replace written protocols
    4. D. Anticipate needs at every age
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Anticipate needs at every age

    Foundation for everything. It helps recognize problems too; it is a foundation.

50. Which error is most common in pediatric assessment?

    1. A. Overestimating how sick they are
    2. B. Involving caregivers in the history
    3. C. Missing shock when BP is normal
    4. D. Using pediatric vital sign ranges
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Missing shock when BP is normal

    Compensated shock can hide behind a normal blood pressure. Children crash suddenly.

51. Which error is most common in geriatric assessment?

    1. A. Using adult ranges
    2. B. Overestimating severity
    3. C. Involving caregivers
    4. D. Blaming it on aging
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Blaming it on aging

    Confusion is not normal aging. Serious disease is missed; confusion is not normal aging.

52. Which error is most common in adolescent assessment?

    1. A. Involving parents in the history
    2. B. Not asking sensitive questions privately
    3. C. Being honest about procedures
    4. D. Using adult vital sign ranges
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Not asking sensitive questions privately

    Privacy unlocks history.

53. Which error is most common in adult assessment?

    1. A. Overtriaging minor complaints
    2. B. Relying on family for the history
    3. C. Assuming youth means low risk
    4. D. Using adult reference ranges
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Assuming youth means low risk

    Young does not mean safe. The most common adult error is assuming youth means low risk, so conditions such as MI, PE, or ectopic pregnancy get missed. Overtriage of minor complaints is the safer and less common error, most adults give their own history, and adult reference ranges are correct for adults.

54. The thread connecting all life stages in assessment is:

    1. A. Strict adherence to written protocols
    2. B. Advanced equipment and monitoring
    3. C. Speed and short scene times
    4. D. Respectful, individualized evaluation
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Respectful, individualized evaluation

    It should also be systematic. Every patient, every time.