Primary Assessment Flashcards
Step 1 - Doorway Assessment
General Impression - How do they look? What is your gut feeling?
Step 2 - AVPU
Alert - Patient is alert. Looking and talking back.
Verbal - Have to speak loud and talk to them for response.
Painful - Have to see if patient response to light safe pain. (Thumb over collar bone with light pressure/Trapezius pinch/Nail bend pressure).
Unresponsive - Has not responded to above methods.
Step 3 - Life Threats - XABC
X - Exsanguinating Hemorrhage - Lots of bleeding out
A - Airway - Make sure airway is open and clear.
B - Breathing - Rate (fast/slow), Rhythm (Regular/Irregular), Quality of breathing (Shallow/Deep).
C - Circulation - Check for good pulse. Radial for awake, Carotid for unresponsive. Rate, Rhythm, Quality. Check skin for irregularities (Pale, Cool, Diaphoretic/Sweating).
Step 4 - Transport Decision
Determine how immediate transport is necessary. “Load and go” or “Stay and play”