7. Acutely Ill Patient

Question 1

Identify the RRAPID approach to recognising and responding to an acutely ill patient.

Answer 1

A - airway
B - breathing
C - circulation
D - disability (consciousness level)
E - exposure (everything else)

Question 2

Give 3 potential causes of airway obstruction.

Answer 2

1. Secretion / vomit
2. Trauma
3. Reduced consciousness
4. Foreign object obstruction
5. Swelling of airway tissue

Question 3

What basic airway manoeuvres can be done to open the airway?

Answer 3

Head tilt / Chin lift

Jaw thrust

Question 4

What is the use of a reservoir mask?

Answer 4

Deliver oxygen to a patient who isn’t breathing

Question 5

Shock is a life-threatening condition, what is it a result of?

Answer 5

Not enough blood being delivered to tissues

Question 6

How do you respond to a circulation problem?

Answer 6

1. Ensure airway is clear
2. Give oxygen via a reservoir mask
3. Monitor i.e. ECG, BP, oxygen sat
4. IV access
5. Fluid challenge
6. Treat underlying cause

Question 7

How do you assess consciousness level?

Answer 7

AVPU

Awake
responds to Voice
responds to Pain
Unresponsive

also
examine pupils
check blood glucose

Question 8

What are scoring systems like NEWS used for?

Answer 8

Identifying a patients risk of deterioration