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Exampromax – Stuvia US 2025/2026
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Exampromax – Stuvia US
ACCS-Patient Assessment Questions and Correct Detailed
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List he four critical life functions
Ans: Ventilation – moving air in and out of the lungs
Oxygen – getting oxygen into the blood
Circulation – moving the blood through the body
Perfusion – getting blood and oxygen into the tissue
Which of the four life function is the FIRST priority?
Ans: Ventilation
HINT: Do not pick STAT ABG on the exam
What assessments would determine how well a patient is ventilating?
Ans: Respiratory Rate, tidal volume, chest movement, breath sounds,
etco2, paco2
HINT: Always choose “turn up the flow” if it’s an option.
How would the ACCS determine if a patient has a problem with
oxygenation?
Ans: Check heart rate, color, sensorium, pao2, sao2
HINT: This is the most common problem
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What information would help the ACCS determine if a patient’s circulation
is adequate?
Ans: Check pulse and heart rate, heart strength, cardiac output
What changes would indicate that a patient may not have adequate
perfusion?
Ans: Check blood pressure, sensorium, temperature, urine output, and
hemodynamics.
Describe the difference between “signs” and “symptoms” and list an
example of each.
Ans: Sings: objective information – things that you can see or/ measure.
Example: Color, pulse, edema, blood pressure
Symptoms: subjective information – those things that the patient must tell
you.
Example: dyspnea, nausea, pain, muscle weakness, etc.
Define an advance directive.
Ans: Set of instructions documenting what treatment a patient would want
if he/she was unable to make medical decisions.
List and describe the four types of advance directives:
DNR
DNI
Living Will
DPO
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Ans: Do Not Resuscitate
Do Not Intubate
Living Will describes treatment plan would want if he becomes terminally
ill (<6 months to live)
Durable power of attorney – makes health care decisions effective when
patient is unable to make decisions.
A properly written order for respiratory care should include what four
factors?
Ans: Type of therapy
Frequency
Medication dosage and dilution
Physician signature
What is the normal value for urine output?
Ans: 40 mL/hr = 1 liter per day
What findings might indicate that the patient‘s fluid intake has exceeded
their urine output?
Ans: Weight gain
Electrolyte imbalance
Increased hemodynamic pressures
Decreased lung compliance
Changes in patient’s CVP reading can indicate hypovolemia.
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Ans: < CVP = hypovolemia
> CVP = hypervolemia
What is normal CVP pressures?
Ans: 2-6 mmhg via Swan Ganz
4-12 cmh20 via central line
*NOTE: PFT labs are not on the exam.
Patient lab reports may include:
– abg
– imaging reports
– basic lab assessments (hematology)
Ans: …
Define semicomatose
Ans: Responds only to painful stimuli
lethargic
somnolent
sleepy
Consider drug overdose
*protect patient’s airway
Define Stuporous/ Confused
Ans: Responds inappropriately, drug overdose, or/ intoxication
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Define obtunded
Ans: Drowsy state, many have decreased cough or/ gag reflex.
Describe the Glasgow Coma Scale score values:
Ans: *Eye – opening response
E Spontaneous opening – 4
Y To verbal Stimuli – 3
E To Pain – 2
S None – 1
*Most appropriate verbal response
M Oriented – 5
O Confused – 4
U Inappropriate words – 3
T Incoherent – 2
H None – 1
*Most integrated motor reponse (arm)
M Obeys commands – 6
O Localizes Pain – 5
V Withdraws from pain – 4
I Flexion to pain – 3
N Extension to pain – 2
G None – 1
“Eight or less”