Primary Assessment

Question 1

Step 1 - Doorway Assessment

Answer 1

General Impression - How do they look? What is your gut feeling?

Question 2

Step 2 - AVPU

Answer 2

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.

Question 3

Step 3 - Life Threats - XABC

Answer 3

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).

Question 4

Step 4 - Transport Decision

Answer 4

Determine how immediate transport is necessary. “Load and go” or “Stay and play”