Casualty Assessment Flashcards
DR ABC DE
D = ?
Danger
assess the scene for risks
DR ABC DE
R = ?
Response
Assess the casualties responsiveness.
“Can you hear me?”
Gentle shake if no risk of spinal injury.
DR ABC DE
A = ?
Airways
Assess the casualty’s airway
DR ABC DE
B = ?
Breathing.
Assess the casualty’s breathing
DR ABC DE
C = ?
Circulation
Assess the casualty’s circulation.
DR ABC DE
D = ?
Dysfunction
Assess the casualty’s level of consciousness.
Use AVPU.
DR ABC DE
E = ?
Examination
Use SAMPLE, if unconscious head to toe examination.
What 3 things do you do to assess the airway?
- Look
- Listen
- Feel
for obstructions, sounds or swelling.
Airway - swelling
Could be caused by …
- burns
- injury
- allergic reaction
Airway - gurgling
Could indicate …
A partial obstruction of the UPPER airway caused by fluid
Airway - snoring
Could indicate …
A partial obstruction of the UPPER airway often caused by the tongue.
Airway - grunting
Could indicate …
A partial obstruction of the lower part of the UPPER airway, commonly caused by swelling or foreign bodies.
Airway - wheezing
Could indicate …
A narrowing of the LOWER airways commonly caused by swelling, inflammation or fluid.
What 3 things do you do to assess breathing?
- LOOK for chest movement
- LISTEN for breath sounds
- FEEL for air on your cheek.
How long do you assess the breathing for?
10 seconds.
If the casualty does not have normal breathing, or is barely breathing or is taking infrequent noisy gasps, what must you do?
Move on to CPR.
Breathing - what 5 things are you observing?
- skin colour
- rate
- depth
- regularity
- chest movement
Breathing
Blueness of the skin indicates …
Poor oxygen levels.
Breathing
What is the normal breathing RATE for adults?
Between 12 and 20 breaths per minute.
Children are variable.
Breathing
How do you measure the depth of breathing?
Watch the movement of the chest, men tend to use abdomen more.
Breathing
What is regularity?
Is the casualty’s breathing regular, or irregular.
Breathing
What should you notice about the chest movement?
- It should be an even movement on both sides.
2. Is there any increased effort needed?
Breathing
What 2 things should you do for a casualty who has flaring nostrils, uses neck or shoulder muscles to breathe or cannot complete a sentence in one breath?
- Give oxygen.
- Consider a divert.
They are in RESPIRATORY DISTRESS.
Circulation
What 5 things do you check for?
- Visible signs of bleeding.
- Pulse, if unconscious use the neck. Check for rate, strength and regularity.
- Skin temperature (warm, cool, clammy)
- Capillary refill. Press base of nail for 5 secs, blood should return within 2 secs.
- Signs of shock
Circulation.
What is a normal resting adult pulse rate?
Between 60 and 100 beats per minute.
Dysfunction - checking for response
What does AVPU stand for?
ALERT - ask a verbal question “Do you hurt anywhere?”
VERBAL - casualty can physically respond to verbal “open your eyes” “Squeeze my hand”
PAIN - pinch neck
UNRESPONSIVE - casualty is unconscious as does not respond.
Dysfunction
4 things DILATED pupils can indicate…
- hypoxia
- drug/alcohol intoxication
- brain injury
- eye medication
Dysfunction
3 things CONSTRICTED pupils can indicate …
- brain injury
- disease
3 narcotic drug use (i.e. heroin/morphine)
Dysfunction
2 things unequal pupils can indicate…
- can be normal
2. brain injury
Dysfunction
2 things mis-shaped pupils can indicate …
- brain injury
2. eye injury
How often should you repeat AVPU?
Every 10 minutes.
Examination
Skull and scalp … 4 things
Bleeding
Swelling
soft areas
indentation
Examination
Face … 3 things
Colour
temperature
state of face
Examination
Eyes … 4 things
pupil size
pupil reaction
bleeding
bruising
Examination
Nose … 1 thing
blood/fluid
Examination
Mouth … 3 things
bleeding
loose or broken teeth
smell breath
Examination
Lips … 1 thing
discolouration, especially blueness
Examination
Ears … 1 thing
blood/fluid
Examination
Neck … 5 things
bruising abnormalities gently loosen tight clothing stoma (tube in windpipe) medical medallion
Examination
Collar bone … 3 things
tenderness
unusual movement
grating bones
Examination
Abdomen … 6 things
wounds bruising clothing imprints rigidity tenderness distension/swelling
Examination
Pelvis … 2 things
fracture
damp clothing
(feel both sides of pelvic bone)
Examination
Arms … 8 things
observe movement colour of finger nails wounds bruising swelling deformity needle marks warning bracelet
Examination
Legs … 4 things
wounds
bruising
swelling
deformity
SAMPLE
S = ?
Signs and symptoms
Look, listen, feel, ask
SAMPLE
A = ?
Allergies
SAMPLE
M = ?
Medication
SAMPLE
P = ?
Past Medical History
Include diagnosed or not.
SAMPLE
L = ?
Last food and drink
- it may be the cause of the problem
- they may need surgery
- may be diabetic
SAMPLE
E = ?
Extras
Any other information
Passenger Medical Report Form
How many copies and which goes where?
2 copies.
The white copy stays with the passenger or goes to hospital with them.
The pink copy goes to the Cabin Manager who adds it to the CSR.
Pulse
What does a weak pulse indicate?
Low blood pressure.
Pulse.
What does a bounding pulse indicate?
High blood pressure.
(A bounding pulse is a pulse that feels as though your heart is pounding or racing. Your pulse will probably feel strong and powerful if you have a bounding pulse.)
