ABCDE Flashcards
How do you assess airway? What do you look for?
Look, listen, feel
If normal speech and no additional sounds then move on
If GCS < 9, wheeze, snoring, drooling, grunting, stridor –> maange
What are some measures to manage ‘A’?
BASIC AIRWAY MEASURES & CALL FOR ANAESTHETIST
Actions:
* chin lift, jaw thrust,
* removal of foreign body,
* oropharyngeal airway,
* suction,
* recovery position,
* intubation,
* treat anaphylaxis
How do you assess breathing? What do you look for?
- O2 sats
- RR
- Auscultate, palpate, percuss
- CXR
- ABG
Warning signs:
* RR< 8 or > 20
* tired
* wheeze
* reduced expansion
* accessory muscle use
* tracheal deviation
* cyanosis
What are some measures to manage ‘B’?
- oxygen
- nebulisers
- CPAP
- NIV
- ventilation
How do you assess circulation? What do you look for?
- BP
- HR
- Temp
- CVS/abdo exam
- Cap refill
- ECG
- bloods
Warning signs:
* cold
* cap refill > 2sec
* periphral cyanosis
* mottled
* systolic < 90
* poor UO
What are some measures to manage ‘C’?
- cannulation
- catheterise
- IV fluid bolus
- IV antibiotics
- ionotropes
- blood transfusion
How do you assess for disability? What do you look for?
- AVPU/GCS
- BM
- Neuro exam
- CT head if indicated
Warning signs:
* low GCS
* confused
* abnormal pupils
* ugoing plantars
What are some measures to manage D?
- glucose
- naloxone
- IV antibiotics/IV aciclovir for CNS infection
What is AVPU?
What are the components of GCS?
What GCS rannges would you expect in mild, moderate and severe head injury?
13-15 mild head injury
9-12 moderate head injury
3-8 severe head injury –> INTUBATE
How do you assess exposure? What do you look for?
Full top to toe examination
By the end of this you should have a diagnosis and commenced life saving treatmen/definitive management
