Patient Assessment Flashcards
4 Things included in BSI
- Gloves
- Eye protection if necessary
- Gown if necessary
- Mask if necessary
Definition of Scene Safety
An assessment to assure the well being of the EMS providers
3 Considerations for Scene Safety
- Personal Protection
- Protection of the pt
- Protection of bystanders
2 Things to size up at a medical incident
- Nature of illness
2. Total number of pts
Define Nature of Illness
Why EMS was activated
If more pts are present then the responding unit can effectively handle what should occur
Initiate Mass Casualty Plan
2 Things to size up at a trauma incident
- Mechanism of Injury
2. Total number of pts
If the responding crew can handle the trauma incident what should then immediately occur?
Consider spinal precautions and continue care
During START triage Deceased are defined as:
Dead or mortally wounded, no care required
During START triage Immediate are defined as:
Immediate care, life threatening
During START triage Delayed are defined as:
Urgent care, can delay for up to one hour
During START triage Minor are defined as:
Delayed care, can delay up to three hours
7 Considerations for pt movement
- Primary and Secondary assessment before pt movement unless grave threat to pt
- Monitor airway and C-spine carefully while moving
- Roll as a unit
- Splint PRIOR to movement if possible
- Perform smooth and safe transfer to transport device (board or vehicle)
- Use proper body mechanics as rescuer
- Minimize pt movement with modification for environmental hazards
During extrication of a pulseless apneic pt what occurs first? Extrication or CPR?
Extrication
When should a C-collar and spinal immobilization happen during an extrication?
Prior to extrication
When should life threatening problems be address during an extrication?
Prior to extraction
Define general impression of the pt
Formed to determine the priority of care and is based on the EMS provider’s immediate assessment of the environment and the patients chief complaint
What 4 things should be found during the general impression?
- Medical or Trauma etiology
- Age
- Gender
- Presence of a life threatening condition
Define the acronym AVPU
A- Alert
V- Verbal stimulus pt responds to
P- Painful stimuli pt responds to
U- Unresponsive- no gag or cough
If responsive pt is talking or crying what should you do?
Assess for adequacy of breathing
If responsive pt is not talking or crying what should you do?
Open airway
If unresponsive medical pt does not have an open airway what should you do?
Open airway with head tilt chin lift
If airway of the unresponsive medical pt has been opened with the head tilt chin lift but the airway is not clear what should you do?
Clear the airway
If unresponsive trauma pt does not have an open airway what should you do?
Stabilize the C spine and open the airway using the jaw thrust maneuver
If airway of the unresponsive trauma pt has been opened with the jaw thrust maneuver while maintaining control of pt c spine but the airway is not clear what should you do?
Clear the airway
How may you clear an airway?
BLS choking maneuvers or Magill forceps removal if indicated
What level should the pulse ox of an adequately breathing responsive pt be maintained at?
> 94%
What level should the pulse ox of an adequately breathing responsive pt with COPD be maintained at?
92%
How should all responsive pt with respiratory distress or depression be treated?
With oxygen to maintain appropriate pulse ox levels with capnography utilized and nasal airway considered.
How should the unresponsive but breathing pt be treated?
Placement of appropriate airway device, maintain appropriate pulse ox levels while utilizing capnography to guide therapy
How should the pt who is not breathing be treated?
Placement of appropriate airway device, maintain appropriate pulse ox levels while utilizing capnography to guide therapy
Initial assessment of responsive medical pt should include what 4 things?
- OPQRST
- SAMPLE history
- Rapid assessment
- Baseline vital signs
Define the acronym OPQRST
Onset Provocation Quality Radiation Severity Time
Define the acronym SAMPLE
Signs/Symptoms Allergies Medications Pertinent medical history Last oral intake Events leading