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

Which of the following measures is NOT part of the Primary Assessment of an accident victim?

1. Assessing the pulse quality

2. Manual stabilization of the cervical spine

3. Suctioning of the airway

4. Taking patient history

The correct answer is: Taking patient history

The process of primary assessment is crucial in emergency medical care as it allows EMTs to quickly identify life-threatening conditions. The primary assessment usually includes steps such as ensuring the safety of the scene, determining responsiveness, assessing airway, breathing, and circulation, and addressing any immediate threats to life. Taking patient history is not considered part of the primary assessment. Instead, it is typically conducted after the primary assessment has been completed and any life-threatening conditions have been addressed. The primary assessment focuses on quickly identifying and managing critical issues, such as airway obstruction or severe hemorrhage, rather than gathering information about the patient's medical history. Assessing the pulse quality is essential for determining circulation status, manual stabilization of the cervical spine is crucial in suspected spinal injuries, and suctioning of the airway is necessary if there is a risk of airway obstruction. All these actions are integral to ensuring the patient's immediate safety and stability, highlighting the urgency of the primary assessment.