Primary Survey

Question 1

What should you first do as you walk to the causality?

Answer 1

Assess their state. General first impression you get.

Question 2

What should you check next?

Answer 2

Catastrophic haemorrhage as bleeding out will cause death so needs to be managed first. Put pressure and elevate bleeding site. Use haemostatic dressing/tourniquet if required.

Question 3

What should you check third?

Answer 3

Check airway and cervical spine consideration. Keep the spine aligned if suspected spinal injury/ cervical injury/ pelvic/ throax. Assess the airway and listen for any noise, use jaw thrust if required, suction or OPA/NPA

Question 4

What should you check fourth?

Answer 4

Check the breathing of the patient. Assess whether it is adequate and if O2 is required. Examine neck for any bruising/swelling/veins/larynx. Look for chest injuries and equal rising and falling on both sides. Assess rate and depth of respiration. Ventilate with BVM if less than 10 bpm or more than 30bpm. Examine back of chest. Decompress tension pneumothorax, apply dressings for open chest wounds

Question 5

What should you check fifth?

Answer 5

Circulation. Assess radial and carotid pulse. Asses rate, rhythm and depth of pulse. Note skin colour, temperature, blood pressure. Look for brushing on abdomen, examine pelvis. Use stretcher if required.

Question 6

What should you check sixth?

Answer 6

Disability. Check the pupil size and blood glucose and AVPU

Question 7

What should you check seventh?

Answer 7

Exposure, identify all injuries, remove clothing if necessary, temperature of environment