Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Trauma Practice Test

During your rapid assessment of a critically-injured patient, you should assess the chest for:

1. crepitus and distention

2. distention and guarding

3. rigidity and guarding

4. symmetry and pain

The correct answer is: symmetry and pain

During rapid assessment of a critically-injured patient, it is crucial to assess the chest for symmetry and pain. This assessment helps in identifying any obvious deformities, injuries, or signs of trauma that may affect the patient's breathing or indicate internal injuries. Checking for symmetry ensures that there are no obvious abnormalities or differences between the left and right sides of the chest, which can be indicative of injuries such as rib fractures or a pneumothorax. Assessing for pain helps determine if the patient may have tender areas or localized pain that could indicate specific injuries or internal damage. This evaluation is essential in deciding the appropriate treatment and managing the patient's trauma effectively. Options A, B, and C are incorrect as they mention other signs such as crepitus, distention, rigidity, and guarding, which are important but not the primary assessments when quickly evaluating a critically-injured patient's chest. While these signs are valuable in a more detailed assessment, during the initial rapid assessment, focusing on chest symmetry and pain is key to identifying immediate life-threatening injuries and ensuring timely intervention.