Initial Assessment and Positioning for Care Ch. 4

Question 1

What is the initial assessment sequence?

Answer 1

1. Assess for responsiveness, including rapid assessment of normal breathing and evidence of circulation
2. Activate EMS
3. Adjust the individual’s position for ongoing care, as appropriate

Question 2

What is the AVPU acronym?

Answer 2

evaluation for level of consciousness

A: person is alert

V: not alert, responds to verbal stimuli

P: not alert, responds to painful stimuli

U: unresponsive to all stimuli

Question 3

How much time should you allow for checking a pulse?

Answer 3

at least 5 seconds but no more than 10

Question 4

How do you establish responsiveness in infants?

Answer 4

rub or tap soles of the feet tap shoulder or chest
DO NOT SHAKE

Question 5

Where do you check for a pulse in infants?

Answer 5

brachial artery in the upper arm, high on the underside by armpit

Question 6

How do you position a responsive, breathing, injured diver?

Answer 6

position of comfort: seated, supine, or recovery

Question 7

How do you position an unresponsive, breathing diver and why?

Answer 7

recovery position - minimizes the risk of airway obstruction by tongue or fluids

Question 8

How do you perform the log-roll?

Answer 8

• kneel at their side
• carefully straighten arms and legs, place nearest arm above head, other against torso
• support head/neck with one hand
• with other hand on opposite arm, gently pull into their side
• roll individual toward you, avoid twisting head, neck, back
• keep twisting to a minimum

Question 9

How do you place someone in the recovery position?

Answer 9

• Kneel beside the individual, and make sure that both of their legs are straight.
• Place the individual’s arm nearest to you at a right angle to their body, with elbow bent and palm facing upward.
• Bring the far arm across the individual’s chest, and hold their hand against the cheek nearest to you.
• Place your other hand under the leg farthest from you just above the knee, or grab the pant leg of their clothing, and pull the knee up, keeping the foot on the ground.
• Holding the individual’s hand against their cheek, pull the far leg to roll them toward you and onto their side.
• Adjust the top leg to form 90-degree angles at both the hip and knee.
• Tilt the head to ensure the airway remains open.
• Adjust their hand under their cheek, if necessary, to keep the head tilted.
• Assess breathing and circulation regularly.