The Primary Assessment

Question 1

Primary Assessment

Answer 1

the first element in a patient assessment; steps taken for the purpose of discovering and dealing with any life-threatening problems. the six parts of primary assessment are: forming a general impression, assessing mental status, assessing airway, assessing breathing, assessing circulation, and determining the priority of the patient for treatment and transport to the hospital

Question 2

Interventions

Answer 2

actions taken to correct or manage a patient’s problems

Question 3

General impression

Answer 3

impression of the patient’s condition that is formed on first approaching the patient based on the patient’s environment, chief complaint, and appearance

Question 4

Chief Complaint

Answer 4

in emergency medicine, the reason EMS was called, usually in the patient’s own words

Question 5

AVPU

Answer 5

alert, verbal response, painful response, unresponsive

Question 6

ABCs

Answer 6

Airway, breathing, and circulation

Question 7

Priority

Answer 7

the decision regarding the need for immediate transport of the patient versus further assessment and care at the scene