Self-Assessment Questions

1. System of care

• 1. List five components of a good history.

  Show Answer

  Correct answer:

  • Presenting complaint
  • Symptoms and progress of symptoms
  • Past history
  • Drug history, smoking and alcohol
  • Allergies

  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 2. State the elements of a good pain history.

  Show Answer

  Correct answer:
  S, site
  O, onset
  C, character
  R, radiation
  A, associated symptoms
  T, time course
  E, exacerbating/relieving factors
  S, severity/pain score
  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 3. List the vital signs.

  Show Answer

  Correct answer:

  • Pulse
  • Blood pressure
  • Respiratory rate
  • Oxygen saturation
  • Glasgow coma score
  • (Pain score)

  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 4. Does a test with high specificity rule a diagnosis IN or OUT?

  Show Answer

  Correct answer: IN
  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 5. Give an example of a test with high specificity.

  Show Answer

  Correct answer: Fracture tibia on X-ray
  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 6. Does a test with high sensitivity rule a diagnosis IN or OUT?

  Show Answer

  Correct answer: OUT
  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 7. Give an example of a test with high sensitivity:

  Show Answer

  Correct answer: Highly sensitive troponin
  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 8. State four examples of common errors in the use of tests.

  Show Answer

  Correct answer:

  • Misinterpretation (not spotting abnormality)
  • Placing too much emphasis on an equivocal test (e.g. urinalysis in abdominal pain)
  • Placing too much emphasis on a normal test with low sensitivity (e.g. normal ECG in chest pain)
  • Ignoring an abnormal result

  See Chapters 1 and 2.

• 9. State the main elements of management.

  Show Answer

  Correct answer:

  • Diagnosis
  • Advice
  • Treatment
  • Communication
  • Safety net

  See Chapters 1 and 2.