OSCE A-E Flashcards
What is Step 1?
Greet the Patient, introduce yourself, Explain the interaction, and gain consent.
Close the curtain or acknowledge the closed door for patient privacy and dignity.
Introduction
Wash your hands - say you have.
Are you comfortable with eye contact?
Do you need anything before we start? (toilet, to make a phone call etc.)
If you need me to repeat myself or say something in a different way, please tell me.
What is Step 2?
Confirm the Patient’s identity. (Name, DOB, Hospital Number,) Check wristband!
check date admitted
Preferred Name?
What is Step 3?
Insert the correct date and time into the observation chart.
What is Step 4?
AIRWAY
AIRWAY
Check the airway is clear (Speaking clearly).
What to do if the patient wasn’t speaking clear?
If a patient weren’t speaking clearly, I would check for obstruction.
Airway obstruction causes paradoxical chest and abdominal movements (‘see-saw’ respirations) and the use of the accessory muscles of respiration.
Checking for sounds, like rattles, snoring, a stridor, or a wheeze.
If present, I would do a head tilt and a chin lift (if unconscious).
What to if conscious, treat as if chocking (Stridor or quiet).
What is Step 5?
Breathing
Take Respiratory rate (By chest movement) for 1 minute.
What is Step 6?
Breathing
Observe rhythm, rate and depth of breathing.
Breathing effort should be easy (nonlabored) and in a regular rhythm.
Observe the depth of respiration and note if the respiration is shallow or deep.
What is Step 7?
Breathing
Take saturation (SpO2) with an oxygen sat probe.
Note:
- If the patient had nail polish/paint on, cold fingers (use acetone to clear).
- Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. This will give falsely high readings because the sensing probe cannot distinguish between oxyhemoglobin and carboxyhemoglobin.
- Cold fingers/ Hypothermia will lower blood circulation to the peripherals by maintaining the core with oxygen.
- Skin colour
What are normal respiratory rates?
12-20
What are normal O2 saturations?
96%<
What is Step 8?
Circulation
Take the radial (wrist) pulse.
What is Step 9?
Circulation
Observe regularity, strength and rate of pulse.
What is Step 10?
Circulation
Use a blood pressuring machine or manual.
- Preferred Arm?
- Fold it in half, and check that the patient’s arm fills it.
- Identify brachial pulse.
- Any Brachial Fistulas?
Portsmouth sign =
Situation in which the systolic blood pressure (SBP) reading (measured in mmHg) falls below that of the heart rate (HR) (measured in beats per minute).
What is Step 11?
Circulation
Assess peripheral capillary refill time.
Place hand next to heart, and pinch finger for 5 seconds, blood should return after 2 seconds.
What is Step 12?
Circulation
When did the patient last passed urine
PU/
Ask for urine colour.