Chapter 7: Patient Assement Flashcards
Allergy
exaggerated immune response to a substance that does not normally cause a reaction in others.
AVPU
Awake/Alert
Verbal Stimuli
Painful Stimuli
Unresponsive
Blood Pressure
Pressure on the interior wall of the arteries.
Breath sounds
An indication of air movement in the lungs, usually assessed with a stethoscope.
Chief Complaint
Symptoms of which the patient is concerned
DCAP-BTLS
Deformities
Contusions
Abrasions/Avulsions
Punctures/Penetrations
Bruises, Bleeding, Burns
Tenderness
Lacerations
Swelling
Decerebrate Posturing
Abnormal extension of the arms or legs, downward pointing of the toes, and arching of the head due to an injury to the brain near the brainstem
Decorticate Posturing
Abnormal flexing of the arms, clenching of the fists, and extending of the legs. Due to an injury along the nerve pathway between the brain and spinal cord
General Imporession
Initial findings based on the patient’s chief complaint, scene size-up, MOI, NOI, and the patient’s initial appearance
LoR
Level of Responsiveness
Degree of cognitive function and arousal of the brain.
AVPU is the scale used
MOI
Mechanism of Injury
The type of force that acts on the body to cause injury.
The method of trauma causing an injury.
NOI
Nature of Illness
The type of medical illness present.
OPQRST
Onset
Provocation
Quality of pain (sharp, dull, throbing…)
Radiating
Severity (1-10)
Time since injury
Used in the assessment of a patient’s chief complaint.
Palpation
Touching a patient during an examination to feel for any abnormality.
Paraesthesia
Sensation of tingling, pricking, or numbness of the skin.
Feeling “pins and needles” or having a limb “fall asleep”
Patient Assessment
The procedure performed to determine a patient’s condition, especially any immediate life-threatening injuries or conditions.
Forms the basis for decision about emergency medical care and transport.
PERRL
Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light.
Used in assessment of eyes.
Primary Patient Assessment
Identifies and initiates treatment of immediate and potential life threats
Pulse
Rhythmic throbbing of the artery caused by the movement of blood
Pulse Oximeter
medical device that measure oxygen saturation levels in the blood
SAMPLE
Signs/Symptoms
Allergies
Medications taken
Past medical history
Last ins/outs
Events leading up to incident
Scene Safety
The process of identifying any hazards or possible hazards that could harm you or others and mitigating them prior to attending to the patient
Scene size-up
General overview of the incident and its surrounding
Secondary Patient Assessment
Thorough, systemic physical examination that follows primary patient assessment
Sign
Objective finding during exam. e.g. blood pressure
Symptom
Subjective finding.
A departure from normal funtion or feeling that is noticed by the patient.
Vital Signs
Pulse rate, respiratory rate, blood pressure, temperature, LoR
