Question

When checking the lower extremities of a conscious patient for paralysis, the EMS provider should FIRST?

Answer 1

The EMS provider should FIRST perform a sensory examination of the lower extremities to check for paralysis in a conscious patient.

Step-by-step explanation:

When checking the lower extremities of a conscious patient for paralysis, the EMS provider should FIRST perform a sensory examination. This involves testing the patient's ability to feel touch, pain, and temperature. For example, the provider may use a pen to touch the patient's legs, arms, fingers, and face, and ask the patient to indicate when they feel the touch. By assessing the patient's sensory responses, the provider can evaluate if there are any deficits in the sensory systems between the spinal cord and the brain, which could indicate paralysis.