New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

In the case of a 10-year-old pedestrian struck by a motor vehicle, what should the EMS provider do first during an ongoing assessment?

1. Recheck vital signs

2. Repeat the primary assessment

3. Check the interventions

4. Perform a rapid assessment

The correct answer is: Repeat the primary assessment

In an ongoing assessment of a patient, especially in the case of a pediatric trauma such as a 10-year-old pedestrian struck by a vehicle, repeating the primary assessment is crucial. The primary assessment focuses on identifying and addressing any life-threatening conditions, such as airway obstruction, breathing difficulties, and severe bleeding. As the child's condition may change rapidly after a traumatic event, it is essential to reevaluate these critical aspects to ensure that the airway is secure, breathing is adequate, and circulation is stable. This step helps the EMS provider catch any deteriorations in the patient’s status and allows for appropriate interventions to be implemented without delay, ultimately prioritizing the child’s immediate safety and needs. In contrast, while rechecking vital signs, checking interventions, or performing a rapid assessment can all be important components of patient care, the priority during an ongoing assessment is to ensure basic life support and critical assessments are current, thus supporting the choice to repeat the primary assessment first.