Introduction to Emergency Medicine

Question 1

What does the approach to an Emergency Patient consist of?

Answer 1

1. Primary Survey
2. Secondary Survey
3. Reassessment

Question 2

What does the Primary survey consist of?

Answer 2

Rapid assessment of the ABC’s

1. Airway
2. Breathing
3. Circulation (Palpate for pulse)

*IF VF arrest = EARLY Defibrillation

Question 3

What does the Secondary survey consist of?

Answer 3

Definitive management of ABC’s + Causes

1. Airway (ETT, other airway adjuncts)
2. Breathing (O2, Ventilator support, ABG’s)
3. Circulation (IV Access and Cardiac monitoring)

*Lab studies, Foley, NG tubes

Question 4

What does the Reassessment consist of?

Answer 4

Frequent primary and secondary surveys.

Question 5

What do you assess specifically for the airway?

Answer 5

1. Airway Patency (Look, Listen, and Feel)
2. Airway Protection (Swallow and Gagging)
3. Airway Interventions (Protect cervical spine and prevent aspiration)

Question 6

What are the interventions for Airway?

Answer 6

1. Head tilt / Chin lift (NOT IF Neck Trauma)
2. Jaw thrust (IF Neck Trauma)
3. OPA (IF Obtunded)
   “Oropharyngeal Airway”
4. NPA (IF Conscious/Semi and can’t OPA)4
   “Nasopharyngeal Airway”
5. LMA (IF Can’t intubate, however does not prevent aspiration)