EMT Questions to Ask
Navigate emergency medical situations with these essential questions that help you gather critical information quickly and effectively when every second counts.
1What happened?
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What happened?
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Why this works
Gets the basic story of the incident to understand the mechanism of injury or nature of the medical emergency.
2Are you having any pain?
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Are you having any pain?
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Why this works
Identifies pain as a primary symptom and helps locate the source of injury or medical issue.
3Where does it hurt?
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Where does it hurt?
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Why this works
Pinpoints the exact location of pain to help determine the nature and severity of the injury or condition.
4On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your pain?
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On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate your pain?
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Why this works
Quantifies pain level to help assess severity and monitor changes in condition over time.
5Are you having trouble breathing?
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Are you having trouble breathing?
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Why this works
Identifies respiratory distress, which is a critical vital sign that requires immediate attention.
6Do you have any allergies?
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Do you have any allergies?
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Why this works
Essential for medication safety and treatment planning to avoid allergic reactions during care.
7Are you taking any medications?
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Are you taking any medications?
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Why this works
Reveals current medications that could affect treatment decisions and potential drug interactions.
8Do you have any medical conditions?
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Do you have any medical conditions?
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Why this works
Identifies pre-existing conditions that could complicate treatment or explain current symptoms.
9When did this start?
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When did this start?
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Why this works
Establishes timeline of the emergency to help determine urgency and potential progression of symptoms.
10Have you been conscious the whole time?
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Have you been conscious the whole time?
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Why this works
Assesses level of consciousness and identifies any periods of unconsciousness that could indicate serious injury.
11Can you move your arms and legs?
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Can you move your arms and legs?
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Why this works
Tests for potential spinal cord injury or neurological deficits that could indicate serious trauma.
12Are you feeling dizzy or lightheaded?
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Are you feeling dizzy or lightheaded?
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Why this works
Identifies potential blood loss, shock, or cardiovascular issues that require immediate attention.
13Do you feel nauseous or have you vomited?
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Do you feel nauseous or have you vomited?
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Why this works
Assesses for potential head injury, internal bleeding, or other serious conditions that can cause nausea.
14Are you bleeding anywhere?
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Are you bleeding anywhere?
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Why this works
Identifies external bleeding that needs immediate control and assesses for potential internal bleeding.
15What's your name and date of birth?
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What's your name and date of birth?
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Why this works
Tests orientation and mental status while gathering essential identification information.
16Do you know where you are right now?
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Do you know where you are right now?
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Why this works
Assesses spatial orientation and mental status, which can indicate head injury or other neurological issues.
17Are you pregnant?
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Are you pregnant?
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Why this works
Critical information for treatment decisions, especially regarding medications and positioning during care.
18When did you last eat or drink?
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When did you last eat or drink?
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Why this works
Important for potential surgery or anesthesia, and can help assess blood sugar levels in diabetic patients.
19Have you had any recent surgeries?
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Have you had any recent surgeries?
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Why this works
Identifies potential complications from recent procedures and helps understand current medical status.
20Is there anyone we should contact?
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Is there anyone we should contact?
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Why this works
Gathers emergency contact information for family notification and medical decision-making if patient becomes unable to communicate.
Best Practices for Emergency Medical Assessment
Expert tips and techniques for getting the most out of these questions.
Best Practices
Maintain Calm and Professional Demeanor
Your calm presence helps reassure the patient and allows them to focus on answering questions clearly and accurately.
Use Simple, Clear Language
Avoid medical jargon and use terms the patient can understand. This ensures accurate information gathering and reduces confusion.
Listen Actively and Validate Concerns
Show that you're listening and take their concerns seriously. This builds trust and encourages honest communication about symptoms.
Question Sequences
The Initial Assessment Sequence
The Medical History Sequence
Common Pitfalls
Don't Rush Critical Questions
While time is important, rushing through essential questions can lead to missing critical information that affects patient care.
Don't Assume Patient Understanding
Always confirm that the patient understands your questions and their answers. Miscommunication can lead to incorrect treatment.
Don't Ignore Non-Verbal Cues
Pay attention to body language, facial expressions, and other non-verbal indicators that might contradict verbal responses.