Primary Survey Flashcards
What is the Primary Survey?
The Initial and rapid assessment of a patient to see if they have any life-threatening injuries. It is Categorised into two parts; danger and response. Danger to yourself or the patient and the responsiveness of the patient
AV in AVPU
A_lert – are they alert/aware of their surroundings?
V_erbal – communicating any way not just speech
PU in AVPU
P_ain/pressure – do they response to pain/pressure put under?
U_nresponsive – if not they are unresponsive
What is ABCDE?
Airway
Breathing
Circulation
Disability
Exposure + Exam
Causes of airway issues? And how do we recognise them?
obstruction, vomit, trauma, inflammation, blood
Recognised by; speech difficulty, choking, shortness of breath
Treatment of airway issues?
open airway, simple manoeuvres, advanced techniques, Igel, tracheal tube, nasal tube
Causes of Breathing issues? And how are they recognised?
toxic chemicals, smoke, trauma, drowning
Recognised by; respiratory rate, sounds, rhythm, chest movement
3 parts to Breathing Assessment
Look- chest movement, cyanosis, chest deformity
Listen – breathing sounds/gurgling
Feel – tracheal position, chest expansion
Treatment of Breathing
O2, positioning, ventilation, treat cause
Things to check for Circulation
colour, pulse, bruising, BP, colour returning to skin, skin responsiveness/elasticity, fluid swelling/loss
Treatment of Circulation Issues
IV/IO access, O2, fluids, tourniquet, treat the cause
What does Disability mean?
Mostly means neurological causes/obstruction to patient not pre-existing disorders i.e. drugs, severe dehydration Refers to response.
Disability Assessment
AVPU or GCS, pupils, blood sugar, temperature
Treatment of Disability
treat cause, fix ABC, glucose control, positioning, check drug chart
What is Expose and Examine
Remove clothes to enable examination if makes sense
Avoid heat loss, maintain dignity
