Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Practice Test

Which one of the following pieces of equipment would the EMT need to obtain a​ patient's vital​ signs?

1. Automated defibrillator

2. Oxygen

3. Sphygmomanometer

4. Glucometer

The correct answer is: Sphygmomanometer

The sphygmomanometer is essential for measuring a patient's blood pressure, which is a key component of obtaining vital signs. Vital signs typically include heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. The sphygmomanometer provides the necessary functionality to assess blood pressure accurately, which is crucial for understanding a patient's hemodynamic status. While the other equipment listed may be relevant in certain scenarios, they do not fulfill the comprehensive role of assessing vital signs. The automated defibrillator is used primarily for cardiac emergencies to deliver shocks but does not measure vital signs. Oxygen is vital for treatment in cases of respiratory distress but doesn't provide any specific measurements of vital signs. The glucometer is used to measure blood glucose levels, which is important for diabetic assessments but is not a general vital sign measurement tool. Therefore, when assessing and obtaining vital signs, the sphygmomanometer is the appropriate choice.