Primary Assessment Flashcards
What is the focus of your primary assessment when treating a patient with significant blood loss?
Identifying and managing life threats
This includes addressing any visible wounds or suspected internal bleeding.
What are important indicators of a patient’s condition in trauma assessment?
Bloodstains on clothing, obvious signs of injury, facial grimace, sex, and age
These indicators help assess the seriousness of the patient’s condition.
What should be addressed first if a patient has life-threatening external bleeding?
Control the bleeding quickly
This should be done even before assessing airway and breathing.
What is a primary intervention if direct pressure is ineffective in controlling massive hemorrhage?
Apply a tourniquet
This may be necessary before opening the airway.
What skin characteristics suggest a perfusion problem?
Cool, moist skin that is pale or gray
Check for pale mucous membranes or slow capillary refill in darker-skinned patients.
How can you assess a patient’s level of consciousness?
Using the AVPU scale
AVPU stands for Alert, Verbal response, Painful response, Unresponsive.
What indicates that a patient’s airway is patent?
The patient is able to speak
If the patient can talk, it suggests an open airway.
What should you do if the patient is unconscious regarding their airway?
Insert an oropharyngeal airway
This helps secure the airway in unconscious patients.
What should be assessed to help establish the potential for internal bleeding and shock?
Pulse rate and quality, skin condition, color, temperature, and capillary refill time
These assessments provide crucial information about the patient’s status.
What interventions are necessary if a patient is treated for shock?
Apply oxygen, improve circulation, and maintain normal body temperature
These measures are vital to stabilize the patient.
What factors help decide whether to manage a patient on scene or transport them immediately?
Initial general impression and assessment of XABCs
XABCs refer to the assessment of airway, breathing, circulation.
What are signs of impending circulatory collapse in a patient with significant bleeding?
Tachycardia, tachypnea, low blood pressure, weak pulse, clammy skin
These signs indicate the need for rapid transport to a medical facility.
