Patient Assessment Flashcards
What is the first priority when assessing a patient?
Look for and treat any life-threatening conditions
This includes performing a rapid exam and assessing airway, breathing, and circulation.
What should be assessed to determine if a patient is bleeding?
The patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation
These assessments are crucial for understanding the patient’s condition.
What initial information should be gathered from the scene?
Determine if the situation is medical or trauma related and note the patient’s body position and level of consciousness
This helps set the pace of the call and assess severity.
What does a patient lying on the ground in an unnatural position indicate?
A potentially life-threatening condition
This is more critical than a patient sitting up in bed.
What is status epilepticus?
A potentially life-threatening condition where a seizure is still occurring
Most seizures will be over by the time of arrival unless the arrival time is 1 minute or less.
What scale is used to assess a patient’s level of consciousness?
The AVPU scale
AVPU stands for Alert, Verbal response, Painful response, Unresponsive.
What should be prioritized upon arrival at the scene?
The patient’s airway and breathing
This is critical in assessing and managing the patient’s condition.
What risk is associated with stroke patients regarding swallowing?
Difficulty swallowing and risk of choking on saliva
Careful evaluation of the airway is essential.
What should be done if a patient cannot protect their airway?
Place the patient in the recovery position
This helps prevent secretions from entering the airway.
What should be checked for in a patient who has had a seizure?
Foreign body obstruction
Bystanders may have attempted to prevent tongue swallowing, which is not possible.
What can opioid overdose cause in relation to breathing?
Alterations in breathing and airway management
This can lead to altered mental status.
What happens to oxygen usage during seizures?
Patients use oxygen quickly, resulting in hypoxia
This is critical to manage in postictal states.
What is the recommended ventilation rate for a patient with inadequate breathing?
10 to 12 breaths per minute
Each breath should be delivered over about 1 second.
What are the risks of hyperventilating a patient?
Overinflation of lungs, decreased blood return to the right atrium, decreased blood pressure, and increased risks of regurgitation and aspiration
Hyperventilation can also cause cerebral vasoconstriction.
What should be done if no pulse is found in an unresponsive patient?
Immediately begin CPR and attach an AED
This is critical for patient survival.
What should be done if a pulse is present but abnormal?
Determine if the pulse is fast or slow, weak or strong
This helps in assessing the patient’s circulation.
What is the importance of oxygen administration in a patient with hypoperfusion?
It limits the effects of hypoperfusion of the brain
Critical in managing altered mental status.
How should care priorities be established?
Based on the assessment of the patient’s level of consciousness and the XABCs
XABCs refer to eXposure, Airway, Breathing, Circulation.
What action should be taken if a stroke is suspected?
Provide rapid transport to an appropriate facility
Prompt treatment minimizes disability from an ischemic stroke.
