Patient Reassessment Practice Questions

50 multiple-choice questions on Reassessment for paramedic and EMT students, from Chapter 11 (Patient Assessment). Read each question, pick your answer, then tap Show answer to check it and read the explanation.

50 practice questions

1. Reassessment should be performed on a stable patient every:

   1. A. 60 minutes
   2. B. 30 minutes
   3. C. 15 minutes
   4. D. 5 minutes
   Show answer

   Answer: C. 15 minutes

   Reassess a stable patient at least every 15 minutes and an unstable patient at least every 5 minutes. Waiting 30 or 60 minutes risks missing deterioration, and every 5 minutes is the interval for unstable patients.

2. Reassessment includes:

   1. A. A full head-to-toe exam repeated every time
   2. B. Repeating vital signs only, since they show the trend
   3. C. Taking a complete new history from the patient each time
   4. D. Primary survey, vitals, focused exam, and interventions
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Primary survey, vitals, focused exam, and interventions

   It answers the question: is the patient better, worse, or unchanged? Repeat the primary assessment, vital signs, and focused findings, and check interventions.

3. The main value of repeated vital signs is:

   1. A. Showing the trend over time
   2. B. Supporting documentation for billing
   3. C. Confirming the first set was accurate
   4. D. Meeting the protocol's minimum
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Showing the trend over time

   A rising heart rate with a falling blood pressure tells a story. The trend is more meaningful than any single set.

4. After any intervention, the paramedic should:

   1. A. Reassess to determine its effect
   2. B. Document it and move on to the next task
   3. C. Wait for the hospital to evaluate it
   4. D. Notify medical control of the result
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Reassess to determine its effect

   Effectiveness must be documented.

5. A patient deteriorates during transport. What should you do first?

   1. A. Repeat the primary assessment to find the cause
   2. B. Increase speed to reach the hospital sooner
   3. C. Obtain a more detailed history from family
   4. D. Continue transport as planned and notify the hospital
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Repeat the primary assessment to find the cause

   Deterioration calls for a return to the primary assessment: airway, breathing, and circulation first, then find and correct the cause. Driving faster adds risk without treating the problem, a detailed family history can wait, and notifying the hospital without reassessing leaves the cause untreated.

6. Reassessment of an advanced airway includes:

   1. A. Nothing further once placement was confirmed
   2. B. Pulse oximetry alone, since it reflects ventilation
   3. C. Visual inspection of the tube at the teeth
   4. D. Capnography, breath sounds, chest rise, and depth
   Show answer

   Answer: D. Capnography, breath sounds, chest rise, and depth

   Tubes move during patient transfers. Recheck waveform capnography, breath sounds, chest rise, and tube depth after any movement.

7. A patient whose mental status improves after glucose administration demonstrates:

   1. A. Proof that no transport is needed
   2. B. A response to document in reassessment
   3. C. A sign that treatment should be stopped
   4. D. A sign the glucose reading was wrong
   Show answer

   Answer: B. A response to document in reassessment

   Response to treatment supports your field impression, so document it with times in reassessment. Improvement does not by itself prove transport is unneeded, does not mean treatment should stop, and supports rather than undermines the original glucose reading.

8. Reassessment findings should be:

   1. A. Summarized once at the end of the call
   2. B. Recorded only when they are abnormal
   3. C. Documented with times to show the trend
   4. D. Reported verbally to the nurse only
   Show answer

   Answer: C. Documented with times to show the trend

   Times make the trend interpretable.

9. A stable patient who suddenly becomes anxious and restless may be:

   1. A. Developing hypoxia or shock
   2. B. Reacting to the motion of transport
   3. C. Showing a side effect of oxygen
   4. D. Showing normal emotional variation
   Show answer

   Answer: A. Developing hypoxia or shock

   Restlessness is an early sign of inadequate perfusion. Evaluate immediately. Attributing it to transport, oxygen, or emotion risks missing hypoxia or shock.

10. The reassessment should continue:

    1. A. Until the patient is loaded
    2. B. Until care is transferred
    3. C. Until arrival at the hospital
    4. D. Until the report is written
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Until care is transferred

    Patients deteriorate in the hallway as readily as anywhere else. Continue until care is transferred at the receiving facility.

11. Reassessment is also called:

    1. A. Secondary assessment
    2. B. Ongoing assessment
    3. C. Focused assessment
    4. D. Primary assessment
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Ongoing assessment

    Continuous.

12. During transport, a patient with asthma who received albuterol is now quieter, drowsy, and has fewer wheezes. What does this reassessment most likely show?

    1. A. Improvement, since the wheezes have faded
    2. B. A normal side effect of albuterol
    3. C. Recovery, so oxygen can now be removed
    4. D. Tiring and worsening respiratory failure
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Tiring and worsening respiratory failure

    Reassessment compares the patient with baseline. Fewer wheezes with drowsiness means less air movement and fatigue, a sign of impending respiratory failure (a 'silent chest'), not improvement. Albuterol causes tremor and tachycardia, not drowsiness. Prepare to assist ventilation.

13. Reassessment answers:

    1. A. What the complete history includes
    2. B. What the definitive diagnosis is
    3. C. Which destination is most appropriate for them
    4. D. Whether the patient is better or worse
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Whether the patient is better or worse

    Trajectory. Is the patient better, worse, or the same, and are interventions working?

14. Which patient needs reassessment at least every 5 minutes?

    1. A. A trauma patient with a BP of 84/50
    2. B. An ankle sprain with stable vital signs
    3. C. A minor laceration that has stopped bleeding
    4. D. A stable patient awaiting a routine transfer
    Show answer

    Answer: A. A trauma patient with a BP of 84/50

    Unstable patients, such as those with hypotension, altered mental status, or respiratory distress, need reassessment at least every 5 minutes. Stable patients are reassessed about every 15 minutes. The other patients are stable.

15. After 15 minutes, a stable patient with a wrist fracture suddenly becomes pale and restless. What does this mean for reassessment?

    1. A. Keep reassessing her every 15 minutes as stable
    2. B. Restlessness is expected with any painful wrist fracture
    3. C. She is now unstable; repeat the primary survey
    4. D. Reassess only once the ED is reached
    Show answer

    Answer: C. She is now unstable; repeat the primary survey

    Reassessment intervals depend on current status. A sudden change to pale and restless suggests a new problem such as hypoxia, hidden bleeding, or another injury, so repeat the primary assessment and reassess at least every 5 minutes. The wrist fracture does not explain it, and waiting is not safe.

16. You gave 0.4 mg of sublingual nitroglycerin for chest pain. When and what should you reassess?

    1. A. Pain, BP, and ECG on ED arrival
    2. B. Only the heart rate after 30 minutes
    3. C. Only the pain score, 15 minutes later
    4. D. Pain and BP within about 5 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Pain and BP within about 5 minutes

    After any intervention, reassess within minutes to judge effect and side effects. For nitroglycerin, check pain relief and blood pressure within about 5 minutes, because hypotension is the main risk, and repeat the 12-lead if pain persists. Waiting until arrival or 15 to 30 minutes, or checking a single value, misses hypotension.

17. Reassessment after a medication should include:

    1. A. Effect, side effects, and vitals
    2. B. Repeat vital signs only
    3. C. The desired effect only
    4. D. Side effects and allergic signs only
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Effect, side effects, and vitals

    Document. Check the desired effect, side effects, and vital signs.

18. Reassessment after splinting should include:

    1. A. Distal pulse only
    2. B. Range of motion of the joint
    3. C. Comfort and splint appearance
    4. D. Distal pulse, motor, and sensation
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Distal pulse, motor, and sensation

    Circulation.

19. After intubation, you hear breath sounds only on the right and the ETCO2 waveform is present. What is the most likely problem?

    1. A. The tube is in the esophagus
    2. B. The tube is in the right mainstem bronchus
    3. C. The patient has a tension pneumothorax on the right
    4. D. The ventilations are being given too slowly
    Show answer

    Answer: B. The tube is in the right mainstem bronchus

    A present waveform confirms the tube is in the airway, while breath sounds on the right only suggest the tube is too deep, in the right mainstem. Check the depth at the teeth and pull back slightly, then reassess. Esophageal placement gives no waveform. A right tension pneumothorax would reduce sounds on the right, and ventilation rate does not cause one-sided sounds.

20. Reassessment of a dressing should include:

    1. A. Removing it to inspect the wound underneath
    2. B. The patient's pain level only
    3. C. Whether it needs to be changed
    4. D. Bleeding control and distal circulation
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Bleeding control and distal circulation

    Blood soaks through. Check that bleeding is controlled and that the dressing is not cutting off distal circulation. If blood soaks through, add pressure and dressings rather than removing the original dressing, which disturbs clots.

21. Reassessment of a tourniquet should include:

    1. A. Confirming hemorrhage control and time
    2. B. Removing it once bleeding stops
    3. C. Loosening it briefly to restore distal perfusion
    4. D. Moving it closer to the wound
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Confirming hemorrhage control and time

    Do not loosen in the field. Confirm bleeding is controlled and document the time.

22. Reassessment of mental status reveals:

    1. A. Mainly the patient's emotional state
    2. B. Early hypoxia, shock, or brain injury
    3. C. Orientation to person, place, and time only
    4. D. Only the patient's level of consciousness
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Early hypoxia, shock, or brain injury

    The brain is sensitive. It can reveal early deterioration.

23. After 10 minutes on a nasal cannula, a patient with pneumonia becomes restless and pulls at the tubing. The SpO2 is 86%. What is the most likely cause?

    1. A. Normal anxiety about the ambulance
    2. B. Pain from the IV catheter
    3. C. A reaction to the nasal cannula
    4. D. Worsening hypoxia
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Worsening hypoxia

    New restlessness or agitation is often an early sign of hypoxia or shock, and an SpO2 of 86% confirms hypoxia. Increase oxygen delivery and reassess. Attributing it to anxiety, IV pain, or the cannula misses a deteriorating patient.

24. A patient who becomes drowsy should be assessed for:

    1. A. Expected sedation from its medications
    2. B. Normal fatigue after a stressful event
    3. C. Post-adrenaline letdown and normal exhaustion
    4. D. Hypoventilation, low glucose, or high ICP
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Hypoventilation, low glucose, or high ICP

    Check capnography and glucose.

25. Ten minutes after receiving IV morphine, a patient's respiratory rate falls from 18 to 8 and he is hard to wake. What should you do first?

    1. A. Support ventilation; consider naloxone
    2. B. Give a second dose of morphine for the pain
    3. C. Document it and recheck in 15 minutes
    4. D. Raise the head and continue transport
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Support ventilation; consider naloxone

    Reassessment after any medication looks for effect and adverse effects. Respiratory depression with sedation after an opioid means you should open the airway, ventilate with a BVM as needed, and give naloxone titrated to breathing. More morphine worsens it, and documenting or repositioning without treatment is unsafe.

26. Improvement during transport should be:

    1. A. Documented and reported
    2. B. A reason to stop monitoring
    3. C. Reported at handoff but not charted
    4. D. Used to cancel the transport
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Documented and reported

    Still transport. It confirms the field impression. Monitoring continues because improvement may not last, and it belongs in the written record as well as the verbal report.

27. Which reassessment entry best documents a trend?

    1. A. 'Patient appeared to be getting a little worse'
    2. B. 'Vitals were taken several times during transport'
    3. C. '0910 BP 92/60, HR 118; 0915 BP 84/52, HR 128'
    4. D. 'BP low, HR high, called it in to the hospital'
    Show answer

    Answer: C. '0910 BP 92/60, HR 118; 0915 BP 84/52, HR 128'

    A trend needs timed, specific values so anyone can see the direction of change: here, falling BP and rising heart rate over 5 minutes, which suggests progressing shock. Vague phrases such as 'getting worse,' 'several times,' or 'BP low' cannot be compared or defended.

28. A trend of rising heart rate and falling blood pressure indicates:

    1. A. Stable compensation
    2. B. Anxiety and pain
    3. C. Progressing shock
    4. D. Improving perfusion
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Progressing shock

    Act.

29. A trend of falling heart rate and rising blood pressure in a head-injured patient indicates:

    1. A. Compensated hemorrhagic shock
    2. B. Rising intracranial pressure
    3. C. A stabilizing neurologic condition
    4. D. Improving cerebral blood flow
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Rising intracranial pressure

    Cushing response.

30. A trend of rising end-tidal CO2 during CPR indicates:

    1. A. A dislodged or kinked airway device
    2. B. Possible return of circulation
    3. C. Worsening metabolic acidosis from CPR
    4. D. Hyperventilation by the rescuers
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Possible return of circulation

    Check pulse.

31. A trend of falling oxygen saturation despite oxygen indicates:

    1. A. A need to switch to a nasal cannula
    2. B. Probe malfunction in every case
    3. C. Worsening respiratory failure
    4. D. Oxygen toxicity from high flow
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Worsening respiratory failure

    Escalate. It requires ventilatory support. Check the probe, but do not assume malfunction. Oxygen toxicity takes many hours of high concentrations, and stepping down to a cannula would worsen hypoxia.

32. Reassessment of pain after analgesia should:

    1. A. Rely on facial expression alone
    2. B. Switch to a more detailed scale
    3. C. Be skipped if the patient is calm
    4. D. Use the same scale as baseline
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Use the same scale as baseline

    Compare.

33. Reassessment of a patient who refused care includes:

    1. A. Documenting the signature and leaving
    2. B. Nothing further once the form is signed
    3. C. Having police witness the refusal form
    4. D. Offering reassessment, reconfirming refusal
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Offering reassessment, reconfirming refusal

    Patients change their minds. Offer to reassess and confirm the refusal still stands.

34. Reassessment during a long transport:

    1. A. Is optional if the patient is stable
    2. B. Is done only on arrival
    3. C. Is essential and continuous
    4. D. Is done once at the midpoint
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Is essential and continuous

    Long transports allow deterioration. Use continuous monitoring and periodic full reassessment.

35. Reassessment of a pediatric patient uses:

    1. A. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle, repeated
    2. B. The same adult approach, scaled down for size
    3. C. Caregiver report of changes
    4. D. Repeated vital signs alone
    Show answer

    Answer: A. The Pediatric Assessment Triangle, repeated

    Quick and reliable.

36. Reassessment of a geriatric patient should watch for:

    1. A. Subtle changes from baseline
    2. B. Only dramatic, obvious changes
    3. C. Mental status changes only
    4. D. Vital signs alone, which stay reliable
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Subtle changes from baseline

    Small changes matter. Presentations are often atypical.

37. Continuous monitoring includes:

    1. A. Automatic blood pressure every minute
    2. B. Pulse oximetry alone, as the key vital sign
    3. C. ECG, SpO2, and capnography as indicated
    4. D. ECG alone, for every patient transported
    Show answer

    Answer: C. ECG, SpO2, and capnography as indicated

    Technology assists.

38. Monitor alarms should be:

    1. A. Silenced promptly to reduce stress and noise
    2. B. Investigated by assessing the patient
    3. C. Trusted completely as accurate
    4. D. Ignored if the patient is talking
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Investigated by assessing the patient

    Treat the patient. Assess the patient, not just the monitor.

39. A monitor reading that does not match the patient:

    1. A. Means checking patient and equipment
    2. B. Should be trusted over the exam
    3. C. Is always artifact from motion
    4. D. Should be ignored and not documented
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Means checking patient and equipment

    Artifact is common.

40. Hand-off reassessment means:

    1. A. The verbal report given to the nurse
    2. B. A last set of vital signs only
    3. C. The receiving nurse's first assessment
    4. D. A final assessment just before transfer
    Show answer

    Answer: D. A final assessment just before transfer

    Baseline for the hospital. It documents condition at hand-off.

41. Your patient is stable and you are 2 minutes from the hospital after a 40-minute transport. What should you do about reassessment?

    1. A. Continue it until care is transferred
    2. B. Stop, since the ED will redo everything
    3. C. Stop after the last set of vital signs
    4. D. Stop once the radio report is given
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Continue it until care is transferred

    Reassessment continues in a loop until care is formally transferred. Patients can deteriorate at any time, including in the last minutes, and a final set of findings supports a good hand-off. Stopping early because of the ED or the radio report creates a gap in care.

42. The most common reassessment failure is:

    1. A. Being too thorough on scene
    2. B. Not reassessing after interventions
    3. C. Reassessing too often, which delays care
    4. D. Documenting excessive detail in the report
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Not reassessing after interventions

    Gaps in the record. Reassessment is also often missed during transport.

43. Reassessment of a patient with chest pain after nitroglycerin includes:

    1. A. Headache and skin flushing
    2. B. Pain, blood pressure, and ECG
    3. C. Blood pressure only, for hypotension
    4. D. Pain level only, using the same scale
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Pain, blood pressure, and ECG

    Hypotension.

44. Reassessment of a patient with dyspnea after albuterol includes:

    1. A. Peak flow and nothing else
    2. B. Oxygen saturation only, rechecked every minute
    3. C. Lung sounds, effort, SpO2, and heart rate
    4. D. Breath sounds only, for wheezing
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Lung sounds, effort, SpO2, and heart rate

    Tachycardia is expected. Check breath sounds, work of breathing, saturation, and heart rate.

45. Reassessment of a patient with hypoglycemia after dextrose includes:

    1. A. Mental status improvement alone
    2. B. Glucose and the IV site, nothing more
    3. C. Blood glucose only, rechecked in an hour or so
    4. D. Mental status, glucose, and ability to eat
    Show answer

    Answer: D. Mental status, glucose, and ability to eat

    Recurrence risk.

46. Reassessment of a patient with seizure after a benzodiazepine includes:

    1. A. Seizure activity, breathing, and mental status
    2. B. Blood pressure and pupils only
    3. C. Breathing rate alone after the dose
    4. D. Whether seizure activity has stopped completely
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Seizure activity, breathing, and mental status

    Respiratory depression.

47. Reassessment of a patient with opioid overdose after naloxone includes:

    1. A. Level of consciousness alone
    2. B. Pupil size as the main sign of response
    3. C. Breathing, consciousness, withdrawal
    4. D. Withdrawal symptoms alone
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Breathing, consciousness, withdrawal

    Duration of naloxone is short. Naloxone can wear off before the opioid, so breathing must be watched.

48. Reassessment of a patient with anaphylaxis after epinephrine includes:

    1. A. Breath sounds alone after the dose
    2. B. ABCs and skin findings
    3. C. Heart rate alone, for tachycardia
    4. D. Hives and skin findings only
    Show answer

    Answer: B. ABCs and skin findings

    Biphasic reactions. Reassess airway, breathing, circulation, and skin.

49. Reassessment of a patient in cardiac arrest includes:

    1. A. Rhythm, pulse, ETCO2, and CPR quality
    2. B. Pulse checks only, every minute
    3. C. Blood pressure after each shock
    4. D. Rhythm only, every 5 minutes
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Rhythm, pulse, ETCO2, and CPR quality

    Minimize interruptions. Check every 2 minutes.

50. Reassessment reveals:

    1. A. Nothing beyond the first exam
    2. B. Only signs of deterioration
    3. C. Effects of time and treatment
    4. D. Only vital sign values
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Effects of time and treatment

    The fourth dimension of assessment. Single assessments cannot show change over time.