Emergency care of acutely ill & trauma patients

Question 1

ABCDE

Answer 1

Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
Exposure

Question 2

Airway

Answer 2

• look for obstruction
• give oxygen

Question 3

Breathing

Answer 3

• look and listen to breathing
• count respiratory rate
• check Sp02
• percuss the chest
• auscultate the chest
• use ventilation

Question 4

Circulation

Answer 4

• look at colour of hands
• feel limb temperature
• measure capillary refill time
• count pulse rate
• measure blood pressure
• auscultate the heart
• look for external wounds that could indicate haemorrhage
• fluid replacement
• ECG

Question 5

Disability

Answer 5

• check drug chart
• examine pupils
• use AVPU (alert, verbal, pain, unresponsive) or Glasgow coma scale for consciousness
• measure blood glucose

Question 6

Exposure

Answer 6

• thorough examination of patient