Question

While teaching an EMT class at a local EMS program, you are discussing the difference between the secondary assessment of a responsive patient and of an unresponsive patient. A student asks you why the history is obtained first when the patient is responsive. How do you respond?

1) The history is always taken first in either the responsive or unresponsive patient to keep the assessment format consistent.
2) Often, the history provides more information that identifies the underlying problem than the physical exam does.
3) It is done that way because the emergency department physician will ask questions about the history before asking about the physical exam.
4) If the EMT completes the physical exam first, the patient may become angry and not provide important medical information.

Answer 1

The history is obtained first when the patient is responsive because it provides important information about the patient's medical history, symptoms, and any potential underlying conditions.

Step-by-step explanation:

The history is obtained first when the patient is responsive because it provides important information about the patient's medical history, symptoms, and any potential underlying conditions. This information can help the healthcare provider determine the possible causes of the patient's current condition and guide the subsequent physical examination and treatment plan.