Module 2 Flashcards
What does LOU stand for?
Level of Urgency
How is LOU determined and is it revisited??
It is determined on arrival of the patient and on a on-going basis
What is CTAS
Canadian triage acuity scale
How many score are there for CTAS?
1-5
What is a CTAS 1?
Conditions that are threats to life of limb (or imminent risk of deterioration) requiring immediate aggressive interventions
When should a patient with a CTAS of 1 be assessed and seen by a MD?
IMMEDIATE
What is a CTAS 2??
Conditions that are potential to threat life, limb or function, requiring rapid medical assessment and intervention
When should a patient with a CTAS of 2 be assessed and seen by the MD?
15 mintues
What are some examples of a CTAS 1?
Code/arrest, major trauma, shock states, unconscious, severe respiratory distress
Patients are typically non responsive and vitals are unstable or absent
What are some examples of a CTAS 2?
Altered mental state, head injury, severe trauma, neonates, eye pain (8-10/10), chest pain with sharp sudden pains, previous MI/PE/angina, suspected overdose, abdominal pain, GI bleed, asthma, CVA, dyspnea, patients on chemo, suspected abuse, drug/alcohol withdrawal
What is a CTAS 2?
Urgent: Conditions that could potentiall progress to a serious problem reuqiring emergency intervention.
May be associated with signifiicant discomfor or affecting ability to function at work or activities of daily living?
When should a CTAS 3 be examined by a MD?
30 minutes
What are some examples of a CTAS 3?
Head injury with aa GCS of 15 and pain less than 8/10, moderate trauma, mild-moderate asthma, vaginal bleeding and pregnancy, acute psychosis, acute pain 8-10/10, vomiting or diarrhoea ages 2 and less, patient is on dialysis or transplant patient
What is a CTAS 4?
Semi-urgent: conditions that related to patients age, distress, or potential for deterioration or complications would benefit from intervention or reassurance within 1-2 hours
When should a patient with a CTAS of 4 be seen by the MD?
1 hour
What are some examples of a CTAS 4?
Minor head injury, minor trauma, abdomial pain 4-7/10, ear ache, chest pain that does not include SOB, previous cardiac history, URI symptoms, vomiting and diarrhoea with no signs of dehydration >2 years
What is a CTAS 5?
Non-urgent: Conditions that may be acute but are non-urgent as well as conditions which may be part of a chronic problem with or without evidence of deterioration
What are some examples of a CTAS 5?
Minor trauma (contusions, abrasions, minor lacerations not needing closure), sore throat, non-severe vaginal bleeding with no evidence of pregnancy, vomiting or diarrhoea alone with no signs of dehydration over the age of 2
What does LOU’s determine?
Stable, potentially unstable, and unstable
What does Stable mean?
Patients present with normal clinical findings and a history leading to admission that is not life or limb threatening
What does unstable mean?
Patients present with abnormal clinical findings and a hisotry that is considered life or limb threatening
What does potentially unstable mean?
Patients may present with normal clinical findings but their history leading to admissions warrants concern and ongoing observation
What entails primary survey?
Airway Breathing Circulation Disability, doctor, dextrose, discomfort Expose Full set of vitals and family presence Go back and reasses
What is a subjective assessment?
History of presenting illness
Subjective data arises from, and is concerned with, an individual. It is information a particular patient gives you and it is specific to that person’s experience of symptoms. For example, a patient may complain of shortness of breath. This is a subjective finding.
What is a objective assessment?
Head to toe!
Objective data is the opposite of subjective. It is data that is observable to others. For example, a patient who describes feeling short of breath might have increased work of breathing (WOB) presented as accessory muscle use. This is an objective finding.
What entails the “A” in the primary assessment?
Checking that the patient has a patent airway, observing chest rise and fall indicates the movement of air in and out, notice the position of the patient, listen to the patient and feel there airway
Cervical spine assessment is also indicated, do they have the potential to have a C-spine injury
How to assess for “A” in the primary assessment?
Watch the patient chest rise and fall
Ask the patient to speak- note clarity and rate, horseness ect
Feel the airway for potential swelling or obstruction
What is B in the primary assessment?
Breathing
What entails “B” in primary assessment
The effectivness of breathing by watching for symmetry and extend of chest expansion, adequacy of air entry into the lungs and the presences of any abnormal lung sounds
Work of breathing- how hard does the patient have to work to catch their breath
Looking for sings of inadequate perfusion such as low SPO2, cyanosis, pallor, LOC of the patient
What is the C in the primary assessment
Circulation
What entails “C” in a primary assessment?
ED handshake- Checking pulse rate, rhythm and strength
Regular vs. Irregualr
Skin color and temp
Cap refill (less than or equal to 3 seconds)
Chest pain- gold standard is to obtain a rapid 12 lead ECG in all patients experiencing cardiac related chest pain
What are some interventions for A?
Jaw thrust, oral airway support, change position, prepare for intubation
What are some interventions for B?
Supplemental oxygen, teaching/distraction to help with breathing patter
What are some interventions for C?
12 lead ECG, IV access, cardiac monitoring
What is D in the primary assessment?
Disability, doctor, dextrose, discomfort
What is the primary assessment for Disability
AVPU assessment for neurological function
A-Alert: is the patient alert and responsive
V-Verbal: Does the patient respond to verbal stimuli
P-Painful: Does the patient respond to only painful stimuli
U-Unresponsive: The patient who does not respond to painful stimuli is considered to be unresponsive
GCS and PERRLA are the best tools to use to help monitor subtle changes in a patients LOC