Patient Assessment Focus Qs And Mnemonics Flashcards
What is AVPU?
Alert (Oriented to person, place, day)
Verbal (Responds to verbal stimuli)
Pain (Responds to painful stimuli)
Unresponsive
What is the OPQRST pain assessment?
Onset (When and how did the pain start?)
Provocation (What makes the pain better or worse?)
Quality (What does the pain feel like?)
Region (Where do you feel the pain? Does it Radiate?)
Severity (Rate the pain from 1-10)
Time (How many days? Does it come and go?)
What is DCAP-BTLS
Types of Injury
Deformities Burns
Contusions Tenderness
Abrasions Lacerations
Punctures Swelling
What’s included in the AEIOU-TIPS assessment?
Alcohol, Acidosis, Ammonia
Endocrine, Electrolytes, Encephalopathy Trauma, Temp., Thiamine
Infection Insulin
Oxygen, Opiates, Overdose Poisoning, Psychiatric
Uremia Stroke, Seizure, Syncope
What are the 4 levels of EYE response for GCS?
4 Spontaneous eye opening
3 Opens eyes to verbal commands
2 Opens eyes in response to pain
1 No response
What are the 5 levels of VERBAL response for GCS?
5 Oriented to time, person, place
4 Disoriented
3 Nonsensical/ Inappropriate words
2 Unintelligible speech
1 No response
What are the 6 levels of MOTOR response for GCS?
6 Follows Commands
5 Localizes pain
4 Withdraws from pain
3 Abnormal flexion
2 Abnormal extension
1 No response
What is the SAMPLE mnemonic?
Signs/ Symptoms (symptoms of chief complaint and and other injuries)
Allergies
Medications (Do you take any? Have you taken them? How often do you take them?)
Past Medical History (Have you felt this pain before? Any recent hospitalizations?)
Last Oral Intake
Events Leading to the Problem
What is the CAGE alcohol assessment mnemonic?
Cut Down (Have you ever felt you should cut down your drinking?)
Annoyed (Have people annoyed you by criticizing your drinking?)
Guilty (Have you ever felt guilty about your drinking?)
Ever (Have you ever had a drink first thing in the morning?)
What is assessed with the CWCMS Trauma mnemonic?
(Best for extremities)
Colour
Warmth
Circulation
Movement
Sensation
Give 5 examples of Focused CNS Question
Do you have any Paralysis or Tingling?
Do you have blurry or double vision? (Pupil size/ PEARL?)
Do you feel and dizziness or trouble with balance?
Can you please squeeze my fingers equally? (Check strength symmetry)
Are you experiencing Tinnitus?
Give 5 examples of Focused CVS Questions
Have you made any recent changes in your diet or exercise habits?
Are you experiencing and swelling in your arms or legs? (Edema)
Have you taken any substances or medications?
Do you have a history or family history of heart problems?
Have you experienced any fainting? (Syncope)
Give 5 examples of Focused RESP Questions?
Are you a smoker? How often?
Do you have a family history of respiratory problems?
Have you recently been experiencing severe anxiety?
Have you been coughing? Has it been a productive cough?
Have you made any significant changes in physical activity?
Give 5 examples of Focused GI Questions
Do you have very dark or bloody stool? (Dark = Upper GI bleed, Bloody = Lower GI bleed)
Have you had any recent surgeries?
When was your last bowel movement? Was it loose or solid?
Do you have any recent dietary changes?
Does it hurt when you go to the bathroom?
Give 5 examples of Focused GU Questions?
Is a change in the cloud or smell of your urine?
Is the urine clear or cloudy? Does it have any blood in it?
Is there a noticeable change in your urination frequency?
Are you getting complete relief when you urinate?
Approximately how much fluids have you drank in the last 24 hours?
Give 5 examples of Focused GYN Questions?
Are you on any contraceptives?
Have you taken any ED medications?
Have you suffered any genital trauma?
Is it possible that you are pregnant? Have you ever been pregnant before?
When was your last sexual encounter? Have you ever been diagnosed with an STD?
What does the COASTMAP nervous system assessment include?
Consciousness
Orientation
Activity
Speech
Thought
Memory
Affect
Perception
What is the SBAR technique for reporting patient information?
Situation (Identify yourself, identify patient, identify chief complaint)
Background (Past medical history, medications, allergies)
Assessment (clinical impressions, vital signs, physical exams, treatments)
Recommendations (recommended immediate actions when applicable)
What is the dispatchers tasks when taking a call?
Answer the phone promptly
Identify themself and the agency
Speak directly into the mouthpiece
Observe phone courtesy
Take charge of the conversation
What are 4 common errors in history taking?
Overconfidence in a diagnosis
Anchoring bias when a specific diagnosis becomes a focus
Ascertainment bias is seeing only what you expect to see
Confirmation bias is when the paramedic seeks information to confirm the working diagnosis
What are the 2 most important pieces of a patient history?
Patient’s name
Chief complaint
Why is reflection an important communication technique?
Repeating a word or phrase back to a patient may help a patient stay focused, may encourage more detail, and confirms that you heard them properly.
What are the 5 steps of clinical thinking?
Concept formation
Data interpretation
Application of principles
Reflection in action
Reflection on action
What is a symptom that should always prompt you to check blood glucose?
A patient with an altered mental status
