Emergencies

Question 1

When first responding to an emergency how do you prepare for it and what do you do before starting ABCDE?

Answer 1

Look, listen, then feel.

1. Wash hands
2. Apron and gloves
3. Ask patient: “how are you?”
4. Shake them
5. Ask for help - (in hospital call 2222)
6. Any doubts about presence of pulse or unresponsive or occasion gasps - start CPR

Question 2

When doing an ABCDE assessment, what do you do for A?

Remember: conservative, medical, surgical
Start hands off.

Answer 2

Airways:

1. Talking? Responsive? Any added breathing sounds? (e.g. gurgle)
2. Head tilt and chin lift
3. Suction? (Gurgle)
4. Stridor? Give Nebulised adrenaline
5. Simple airway adjunct (oral or nasal)

Question 3

When doing an ABCDE assessment, what do you do for B?

Remember: conservative, medical, surgical
Start hands off.

Answer 3

Breathing:

1. Inspect RR, respiratory effort and oxygen sats
2. Palpate trachea and chest expansion
3. Percuss for dull areas or hyperesonance
4. Auscultate for breath sounds, added sounds, inequality between sides
5. Take ABG or CXR if necessary
6. Sit them up
7. Give Oxygen
8. If drowsy, ventilate

Question 4

When doing an ABCDE assessment, what do you do for C?

Remember: conservative, medical, surgical
Start hands off.

Answer 4

Circulation:

1. Palpate pulse for HR, rhythm and character
2. Peripheries temperature and capillary refill time
3. Blood pressure
4. Signs of haemorrhage
5. Core temperature
6. Take ECG if necessary
7. Auscultation for murmurs
8. IV access
9. Give inotropes or fluids if indicated

Question 5

When doing an ABCDE assessment, what do you do for D?

Remember: conservative, medical, surgical
Start hands off.

Answer 5

Disability:

1. Assess responsiveness; AVPU
2. Has there been a change in alertness or a new-onset confusion?
3. If hypoglycaemic administer glucose
4. CT head
5. Give reversal agent if OD

Question 6

When doing an ABCDE assessment, what do you do for E?

Remember: conservative, medical, surgical
Start hands off.

Answer 6

Exposure:

1. Examine for rashes, swellings and bleeds
2. Take a detailed history
3. Review notes, scans etc