EMER 109 Patient Assessment Flashcards
<p>Patient Assessment Order</p>
dispatch
windshield survey (POPP)
general appearance
initial assessment (loc, abc, skin)
chief complaint
focused assessment (sample, opqrst, vitals)
interventions (can be provided as focused assessment is being performed)
decision and transport
reassessment of patient (initial, c/c, injuries, tx)
complete head to toe exam ongoing (if not necessary, must state why and complete a focused exam)
adapt patient care plan to changes in the patients condition
radio patch ER
report given to receiving facility
<p>Dispatch will provide the following</p>
Number of pts (will you require additional EMS response)
Special considerations (identified hazards that require you to stand down)
Additional response (do you require assistance of Police or Fire)
<p>POPP: people</p>
Number of patients
Number and state of bystanders
Mechanism of injury
<p>POPP: odours</p>
Are there any odours that would indicate hazards ?
Are there any odours that would indicate poor living conditions or self care?
<p>POPP: pets</p>
Are there any pets present?
Are they secured?
Are they a threat?
<p>POPP: pathways</p>
Where is the pt located?
Do you have direct access to patient and/or scene?
Do you need additional resources to gain access to the patient?
How big is the area the patient is in located?
Will you have enough room to get yourself, partner and equipment in the room and still be able to care for the patient?
<p>what should you look for besides POPP during scene survey</p>
patient location patient environment hot or cold lifestyle number of pts MOI evaluate need for additional resources
<p>what do you do upon entry to someones home</p>
<p>announce prescenceindoor scene assessment</p>
<p>why is allergy history important</p>
<p>helps determine if problem is an allergic reaction helps you avoid any meds or items such as latex gloves in treatment plan help you determine if it is a true allergy versus a medication side effect</p>
<p>2 types of medication history</p>
<p>Primary medication history the best possible medication history</p>
<p>Primary medication history</p>
<p>Quickly captures a list of medications. Determines the relationship between dosage and frequency of administration with respect to the patient’s complaint. Is created without other reliable sources of information</p>
<p>Complete documentation of a primary medication history includes:</p>
<p>Drug name Dosage Route Frequency</p>
<p>Best Possible Medication History (BPMH)</p>
<p>Is a systematic process of interviewing the patient/family. Is a review of at least one other reliable source of information to obtain and verify all of a patient’s medication use</p>
<p>Medication Reconciliation</p>
<p>a complete list of each patient’s current medications is obtained every time the patient enters the health care organization and is then communicated to subsequent providers in or out of the same health care organization</p>
<p>goal of Medication Reconciliation</p>
<p>prevent adverse drug events that could occur by allergic reactions, omissions, substitutions, and/or duplications</p>
<p>primary goal of the incident history interview</p>
<p>identify the patient’s chief complaint</p>
<p>Questioning the patient during the interview should focus on</p>
<p>specific symptoms or important medical information that will facilitate reaching an accurate diagnosis</p>
<p>O - Onset</p>
<p>“What were you doing, when the symptom/pain began?”"did it start suddenly"</p>
<p>P - Provocation</p>
<p>"Does anything make it better or worse ?”</p>
<p>Q - Quality</p>
<p>“What does the pain feel like?""can you describe what it feels like?"</p>
<p>R - Radiation/Region</p>
<p>“Does the pain move anywhere?""Do you have any other pain with this?”</p>
<p>S - Severity FOR PAIN</p>
<p>“On a scale of 0-10; 0 being no pain or completely pain-free, and 10 being the worst pain ever, how would you rate the pain?”</p>
<p>S - Severity FOR SOB</p>
<p>"would you say your shortness of breath is mild moderate or severe?"</p>
<p>T - Time</p>
<p>“What time did the symptom/pain begin?”</p>
<p>S – Signs and Symptoms</p>
<p>sign: what you seesymptoms: what they feelex: "what's going on?""what are you feeling?""what is hurting?""where does it hurt?"</p>
<p>A – Allergies</p>
<p>" do you have any allergies?""what happens if you come in contact with the allergen?"</p>
<p>M – Medications</p>
<p>prescriptions over the counter herbal remedies vitamins/supplements"are you compliant with your meds"</p>
<p>P – Past Medical History</p>
<p>(“The Big 7”) Respiratory problems Diabetes Seizures Cardiac problems Strokes Syncope Hypertension/Hypotension</p>
<p>L – Last Oral Intake</p>
<p>What was it? Was it normal?</p>
<p>E – Events Leading up to Current Event</p>
<p>"what happened""what caused this""what were you doing""do you remember what you were doing""is that something you often do"</p>
<p>why is last oral intake important</p>
<p>provide great insight into what their life has been like in last the 24 hours Inquire if they’ve had any recent changes in their dietary patterns (diets) In the event that surgery is required, the last oral intake may influence surgical times provide some indication of the patients’ underlying complaintcan be particularly important in the presence of diseases such as diabetes</p>
<p>what is a Primary Assessment</p>
<p>first assessment that you will perform on every patient contact identify life threats It is to be performed quickly on every call upon patient contact</p>
<p>Components of a Medical initial/Primary Assessment</p>
<p>General Impression LOCABCSkin</p>
components of general impression
*Signs of distress (does patient track, accessory muscle use, too sob to speak)
*Pts colour
*Positioning
*deadly bleeds
Body type
Personal hygiene/Body odour Signs of abuse
Speech
Mood
Movement
<p>components of Level of Consciousness (LOC)</p>
AVPU
Alert and Oriented questions
GCS scale
<p>AVPU</p>
<p>alert- do they track you, are they alert and oriented x4Verbal- Do they respond to verbal stimuli? Pain- Do they only respond with painful stimuli? Unresponsive- Are they unresponsive to all stimuli?</p>
<p>Alert and Orientated x4 questions</p>
<p>personplacetimeevent"what is your name""where are you""what month is it""what happened"</p>
airway
Quickly identify airway status
Is airway open and patent?
If not, immediately intervene
Breathing
look, listen feel
Identify quality and effectiveness of breathing
speed: fast/slow
regularity: regular/irregular
volume: shallow/deep
relative rate
effort: laboured/non laboured
- number of words spoken in a sentence
Circulation
speed:fast/slow
strength:strong/weak
regularity:regular/irregular
relative rate
present or not
skin
Colour (normal, pale, grey, ashen, cyanotic or mottled)
Temperature (warm, cool, or hot)
texture (dry, diaphoretic, moist
other findings (rashes, burns)
unstable patient would be:
Altered level of consciousness
Airway compromise
Absent breathing or
inadequate breathing
Pulse that is absent or inadequate
Skin findings that indicate circulation compromise
Head to toe check: head and neck
Jugular vein distention (JVD)
Wounds
Tracheal deviation
Head to toe check: chest
Assess for: Asymmetry Contusions Penetrations Tenderness Instability Crepitus
Listen to:
- The chest in 2 places to assess if equal (if unequal perform percussion)
- Heart tones
Head to toe check: abdomen
look for: Contusions Penetrations Evisceration Distention Tenderness Rigidity
Head to toe check: pelvis
Tenderness
Instability
Crepitus
head to toe check: Upper/lower extremities
Obvious swelling or deformity
Motor and sensation
head to toe check: posterior
Obvious wounds
Tenderness
Deformity
head to toe check: If altered mental status
Brief neurological exam
Pupil size, reactivity, equality
Glasgow coma scale
DCAP BLS TIC
deformities
contusions
abrasions
penetrations
burns
lacerations
swelling
tenderness
instability
crepitus
what is a secondary assessment
After primary assessment and after treated life threats
guided by the patient’s primary complaint
allows you to focus your assessments on a specific illness or injury
patient history and vital signs
Cardiac/ Respiratory Focused Assessment: NECK
Jugular vein distention (JVD)
Accessory muscle use
Tracheal deviation
Cardiac/ Respiratory Focused Assessment: CHEST
Look for: Any visible trauma Pacemakers Medication patches Surgical scars Accessory muscle use Hyperinflation
Listen to:
- The chest in four places to assess if breathing is clear and equal
- Upper lobes (middle clavicular line below collar bones)
- Lower lobes (Fifth intercostal space)
- Have patient take two deep breaths when assessing each area
Palpate:
- Chest to assess if patient has any pain
- If there is pain, does the pain change (increase on palpation/inspiration or no change at all)
Cardiac/ Respiratory Focused Assessment: ANKLES
- Check for pedal edema (swollen)
- Push down and count how long it takes to rebound (ex: edema x 2 secs)
- If edema is present check if pitting edema is present in one or both ankles
Neurological Focuses Assessment: FACE/HEAD
check for facial droop (have patient smile)
trauma
pupillary changes
- constriction/dilation
- unequal\reaction to light
- pearl (pupils equal and reactive to light)
note clarity of speech (slurred speech, inability to speak)
ask if they have a:
- headache
- dizzy/lightheaded
- blurred vision
- double vision
- hard time remembering events
Neurological Focuses Assessment: UPPER EXTREMITIES
do a comparison of both hands assessing movement, sensation, and equality
-grip strength
test arm drift
numbness or tingling in the extremities
Neurological Focuses Assessment: LOWER EXTREMITIES
check movement
sensation
colour
temperature
are pulses present in the lower extremities?
Strength should be assessed by having patients push and pull with their feet
Numbness or tingling in the extremities
Neurological Focuses Assessment: if they have a:
- headache
- dizzy/lightheaded
- blurred vision
- double vision
- hard time remembering events
BGL
Stroke assessment
GCS Scale
Stroke assessment
FAST Facial droop Arm drift Slurred speech -Ask if slur is normal Time
Gastrointestinal/genitourinary focused assessment: ABDOMEN
look for:
- distention
- bruising
- surgical scars
- visible masses
- pulsating masses
palpate:
- start at the opposite side of where the patient has pain
- rigidity
- rebound tenderness
- guarding
- DO NOT palpate any pulsating masses
Gastrointestinal/genitourinary focused assessment: PELVIS
continent or incontinent
Gastrointestinal/genitourinary focused assessment: LOWER EXTREMITIES
check color and temperature
check pulses if suspecting abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)
Gastrointestinal/genitourinary focused assessment: QUESTIONS YOU NEED TO ASK
urinary frequency/complications/changes
bowel movements- any noticeable changes
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat (EENT) Focused Assessment: EYES
inspect the external portions including sclera, cornea and iris
inspect structures around the eyes including eyelids, lashes and tear ducts
test visual acuity at varying distances in each eye separately
test peripheral vision (confrontation test)
test eye movement
-Have patient follow finger as you move it in a figure of z or h pattern
Test pupil size and reaction to light
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat (EENT) Focused Assessment: EARS
Visual inspection for wounds, infection discharge and excessive cerumen
Test hearing with voice test or similar
Palpate external structures if applicable
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat (EENT) Focused Assessment: NOSE
Inspect the nose
- Is there any discharge (color?)
- Look for symmetry, color and structural abnormalities
Palpate if applicable and test nasal patency (sniff test)
Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth and Throat (EENT) Focused Assessment: MOUTH/THROAT
Inspect the mouth including lips, teeth, gums and tongue
Inspect the throat including tonsils, uvula and pharyngeal wall for redness and swelling
Breath odour
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: FACE/HEAD
facial droop
trauma
pupillary changes (constricted or dilated)
equality
reaction to light
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: NECK
jugular vein distension
accessory muscle use
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: CHEST
look for:
- any visible trauma
- pacemakers
- medication patches
- surgical scars
- use of accessory muscles
listen to:
- the chest in four places to assess if the breathing is clear and equal
- have the patient take two deep breaths when assessing each area
palpate:
- the chest to assess if the patient has any pain
- if there is pain, does the patients pain change (increase on palpation/inspiration or no change at all)
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: ABDOMEN
look for:
- distention
- bruising
- surgical scars
- visible masses
- pulsating masses
palpate:
- start the opposite side of where pain is
- rigidity
- rebound tenderness
- guarding
- DO NOT palpate any pulsating masses
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: PELVIS
Look for trauma and evidence of urinary and bowel incontinence
Palpate the pelvis to check stability or crepitus
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: UPPER EXTREMITIES
Asses movement and sensation
Hand grips and do a comparison in both hands for equality of strength
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: LOWER EXTREMITIES
Check movement
Sensation
Colour
Temperature
Prescence of pulse in the
lower extremities
Unconcious/unkown Focused Assessment: BACK
Check for any visible or palpable abnormalities
R’s of Medication
right patient
right medication
expiry date
right dose
right route
right time
right documentation
CTAS (Canadian triage and acuity scale)
method of categorizing patient severity and level of distress pre-hospital is with the use of the Pre-CTAS system
Pre-CTAS level 1 TRANSPORT
patients should be transported to the closest emergency department.
An exception to this would be a designated trauma center, a stroke center, or pediatric hospital.
Pre-CTAS level 2 TRANSPORT
patients should be transported to the nearest appropriate emergency department based on the patient’s chief complaint.
Pre-CTAS level 3, 4, and 5 TRANSPORT
patients are stable, and a destination can be determined based on several criteria including; chief complaint, emergency department busyness, or patient request.
CTAS Level 1
resuscitation
Conditions that are a threat to life, limb or imminent risk of deterioration and require immediate intervention
Obvious signs of distress and unstable or abnormal vital signs
Immediate risk of significant deterioration or death
Examples:
- Cardiac arrest
- Active seizure
- Respiratory arrest
- Majour trauma with sings of shock
- Severe respiratory distress
- Alters LOC with GCS 9 or less
CTAS Level 2
emergent
Conditions that are potential threat to life or limb and require rapid intervention
Vital signs are abnormal
Examples:
- Moderate respiratory distress altered LOC with GCS of 10-13\severe abdominal pain with a rating of 8-10/10
- Fever with temp greater than 38 or signs of sepsis
- Chest pain with cardiac features
- Chest pain with non-cardiac features
- Hypertension with systolic greater than 220 and diastolic greater than 130 with symptoms
- Hypothermia with a core temp of 32 degrees or les
- Headache that is sudden and severe
CTAS level 3
urgent
Conditions that could potentially progress to a serious problem that require rapid intervention
Vitals are typically in the normal range
Examples:
- Mild respiratory distress
- Moderate abdominal pain with a rating of 4-7/10
- Post seizure with normal level of alertness
- Diarrhea
- Hypertension with systolic greater than 220 and diastolic greater than 130 with no symptoms
- Headache with moderate pain rated as 4-7/10
- Upper extremity with obvious deformity
CTAS Level 4
less urgent
Conditions that relate to patient age, distress or potential for the deterioration that would benefit from intervention
Typically have normal vitals
Examples:
- UTI complaints and symptoms
- Constipation with mild pain rated as less than 4/10
- Chronic confusion
- Laceration or puncture that requires sutures
CTAS Level 5
non urgent
Conditions that are acute but non urgent
May be part of chronic problem with no signs of deterioration
Intervention or investigation can be delayed or referred
Examples:
- Mild diarrhea with. No dehydration
- Minor bites
- Dressing change with normal vitals
- Medication request
- Laceration or puncture with no sutures required
Pulse Locations
Carotid Femoral Brachial Radial Posterior tibial Dorsalis pedis pulse
Pulse Rate Assessment
rate, rhythm, and quality
factors that can affect Radial pulse
Medications
Medical history
Age
Exercise
Normal Pulse Rates
Infant
100-160 bpm
Toddler
90-150 bpm
Preschool-aged child
80-140 bpm
School-age child
70-120 bpm
Adolescent
60-100 bpm
Adult
60-100 bpm
Factors that influence pulse quality
low blood pressure, shock and underlying medical conditions
Normal findings for a skin assessment
pink, warm, and dry
or
good color, warm and dry
possible causes: RED SKIN
Fever
Hypertension
Allergic Reaction
Carbon monoxide poisoning
possible causes: PALLOR SKIN
Excessive blood loss
Fear
Shock
possible causes: CYANOSIS SKIN
Hypoxemia
possible causes: MOTTLED SKIN
Cardiovascular compromise
possible causes: HOT, DRY SKIN
Excessive body heat
possible causes: COOL, DRY SKIN
Reaction to increased internal or external temperature
possible causes: COOL, WET SKIN
Expose to cold
possible causes: TENTING SKIN
Dehydration
most reliable site for assessing for changes of skin colour
areas of least pigment, such as under the tongue, the buccal mucosa, the palpebral conjunctiva, and the sclera
what can assessment of skin give insight to
the function of the cardiovascular system, respiratory system and overall physiological well-being
what can assessment of pupils give insight to
the status of cerebral perfusion, oxygenation, and overall condition
parasympathetic nerve fibers
make pupils constrict (miosis)
sympathetic nerves
make pupils dilate (myotises)
look for the following when assessing pupils
Are the pupils constricted or dilated?
What size are they in millimetres?
Are the pupils equal or unequal to each other?
Do the pupils respond to light?
At what speed do they respond to light? Are they brisk or sluggish?
Pupil Responses: midbrain dysfunction
midposition and fixed
Pupil Responses: Pontine dysfunction
pinpoint
Pupil Responses: Dysfunction of the tectum (roof) of the midbrain
large “fixed” hippus
Pupil Responses: metabolic imbalance
small, reactive and regular
Pupil Responses: Diencephalic dysfunction
small and reactive
pupil responses: Dysfunction of third cranial nerve
sluggish, dilated and fixed
GSC Scale Tips:
ESPN
Our Country WIN
Can’t Live Without FANs
Eye response Mnemonic ESPN -eye opening spontaneously -to sound -to pain -no response
verbal response mnemonic Our Country WIN -our- oriented -country- confused -W- words (inappropriate) -I- incomprehensible sound -N- No response
Motor Response Mnemonic Can’t Live Without FANs -Can’t- obeys Commands -Live- localizes to pain -Without- withdraws to pain -F- flexion (decorticate) -A- abnormal extension (decerebrate) -N- no response
factors that can affect respirations
Meds
Anxiety
Exercise
Assessing respiration
Regular resp count for 30 seconds
Irregular count for full 60 secs
Note depth: Shallow, normal or deep
Rhythm: should be regular and uninterrupted
Patterns of Respiration: NORMAL
regular and comfortable
12 to 20 per minute
Patterns of Respiration: ATAXIC
significant disorganization with irregular and varying depths of respiration
Patterns of Respiration: BRADYPNEA
slower than 12 per min
Sleep
OD
Head trauma
Strokes
Patterns of Respiration:
HYPERPNEA
faster than 20 per min
** deep breathing
Patterns of Respiration: SIGHING
frequently interspersed deeper breaths
Patterns of Respiration: AIR TAPPING
increasing difficulty in getting breath out