Basic Emergency Care Flashcards
What does DRS ABCDE stand for?
D dangers/ Safety & Cause
R response
S shout for help
A airway control with c-spine protection B breathing and oxygenation C circulation and control of haemorrhage D disability of the CNS E exposure of the whole of the body & prevention
What is the acronym used for level of response?
AVPU
What does AVPU stand for?
A alert
V voice
P pain
U unresponsive
What are the levels of voice response? (4)
- Confused
- Inappropriate words
- Utter Sounds
- No verbal response
Whatare the different levels of pain response? (2)
- Localises Pain
* Responds only
What are the causes of airway restriction? (7)
- Decreased level of consciousness (LOC)
- Body Fluid
- Foreign body
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Trauma
- Spasm
What would you look at on assessing the airway? (3)
- Unresponsive
- Use of accessory muscles
- See-saw respiratory pattern
What would you listen for on assessing the airway? (4)
- Snoring
- gurgling
- wheeze
- stridor
How would you intervene after assessing the airway? (6)
If to conscious and no gag reflex
- Head tilt chin lift
- Jaw thrust
- Suction
- Oral airways
- Nasal airways
- I-gel
Once the airway is opened what oxygen sats would you aim for in patients without COPD and how would you achieve this? (3)
Give 15 litres of oxygen via a non-rebreathing mask, aiming for sats between 94-98%
What would you do to treat COPD patients and what sats are you aiming for?
For COPD patients reassess after ABCDE has been complete & keep sats 88-92%
What are the causes of laboured breathing?
- Decreased LOC
- Resp depressions
- Muscle weakness
- Exhaustion
- Asthma
- COPD
- Infection
- Pulmonary oedema
- Pulmonary embolus
What would you look for on assessment of breathing? (5)
- Rate (<10 or >20)
- Symmetry
- Effort
- SpO2
- Colour (cyanosis)
What would you listen for on assessment of breathing?
- Talking- Sentences, phrases, words
* Auscultation- wheeze, silent chest, added sounds
What would you feel for on assessment of breathing?(2)
- Chest expansion
* Percussion
How would you intervene if breathing is laboured? (3)
•Consider ventilation with bag/valve/mask if resp rate less than 10
•Position upright is struggling to breathe
•Specific Treatment
i.e. β agonist (Salbutamol inhaler for severe asthma)
How would you assess a patents circulation? (5)
- Look at colour
- Feel peripheries
- Pulse
- Capillary refill time
- blood pressure
What are the symptoms of Circulatory shock? (inadequate tissue perfusion) (3)
•Loss of blood volume (hypovolaemia) •Pump failure (cardiac causes) •Vasodilation (sepsis, anaphylaxis)
How would you intervene if your patient has circulatory shock? (8)
- ABC
- Position supine with legs raised (left lateral tilt in pregnancy)
- IV access- 16G (if trained)
- SpO2 monitoring if available
- Keep the patient warm
- Loosen tight clothing
- Reassure
- Help
What are the causes of disability of the CNS? (6)
- Inadequate perfusion of the brain
- Sedative side effects of drugs
- Low Blood sugar
- Toxins and poisons
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
How would you assess a patient who you believe has disability? (5)
• AVPU (or GCS) – Alert, responds to Voice, to Pain, Unresponsive • Pupil size/response • Posture • Blood Sugar Monitoring (BM) • Check drugs you've given
How would you intervene with a disabled patient? (6)
• Optimise airway, breathing & circulation
• Recovery position
• Treat underlying cause
• Treat low BM
– Sugary drinks, oral gel, Glucogon injection
• Control seizures, buccal Midazolam
• 9-999
What would you examine for on exposure? (3+)
- Haemorrhage (inc concealed)
- rashes
- swelling
What would you do while exposing the patient? (3)
- Keep warm
- Maintain dignity
- Monitor Vital signs regularly