Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

What is the correct order of the four essential components of patient assessment?

1. primary assessment, secondary assessment, scene size-up, and reassessment

2. scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment, and reassessment

3. reassessment, secondary assessment, primary assessment, and scene size-up

4. scene size-up, secondary assessment, primary assessment, and reassessment

The correct answer is: scene size-up, primary assessment, secondary assessment, and reassessment

The correct sequence begins with the scene size-up, which is crucial for ensuring the safety of both the patient and the responders. During this initial phase, the AEMT evaluates the environment for potential hazards, the mechanism of injury or nature of the illness, and the number of patients involved. Following the scene size-up, the primary assessment is conducted to quickly identify life-threatening conditions. This includes assessing the airway, breathing, and circulation of the patient. The primary assessment is time-sensitive and focuses on immediate interventions that may be necessary to stabilize the patient. The secondary assessment comes next, where a more thorough examination is performed. This includes a detailed physical exam and obtaining the patient's medical history, which can provide insights into ongoing issues or risks. Finally, reassessment is the last component. After interventions have been implemented, ongoing evaluation is needed to monitor the patient's response to treatment and to identify any changes in their condition. This structured approach helps to ensure that all necessary information is gathered in a logical and efficient manner, and prioritizes the patient's immediate needs while allowing for thorough evaluation as time and resources permit.