Systematic Approach Flashcards
Primary Survey Steps
D - Danger
R - Response
A - Airway
B - Breathing
C - Circulation
D - Disability
Primary Survey
Danger
- can you see, hear or smell anything
- do not proceed until danger has been cleared
Primary Survey
Response
A - Alert
V - Verbal
P - Pain
U - Unresponsive
Primary Survey
If a patient is unresponsive?
go straight to C (circulation), then A (airway) and B (breathing)
Primary Survey
Airway
- is the airway clear and patent
- TAM/DAM
- consider airway management
Primary Survey
Breathing
- yes or no
- do we need to ventilate
Primary Survey
Circulation
- yes or no
- CPR and defibrillation
Pt unresponsive but has pulse
next steps
- reposition, open airway (DAM, TAM)
- suctioning if required
- airway adjunct (NPA, OPA or iGel
- c-spine if indicated
circulation isnt strong enough
next steps
- resus, CPR, defibrillation (extreme cases)
- haemorrhage control
- fluid resus
Secondary Assessments
- Neurological
- respiratory
- cardiovascular
- head to toe be specific on what you are looking for i.e. trauma, pain, rashes etc.
Neurological Assessment
- GCS
- pupils (equal and reactive)
- motor sensory function (strength and sensation)
Respiratory Assessment
- rate
- rhythm
- effort
- skin
- sounds
- speech
Cardiovascular Assessment
- pulse
- blood pressure
- ECG (12-lead if indicated)
- BSL
- SP02
- temperature
History Acquisition
SAMPLED
S - signs and symptoms the pts feels
A - allergies
M - medications the pt takes and compliance
P - past medical history
L - lists of lasts, food, urine, bowels etc.
E - events prior, what happened just before
D - do they have an advanced directive
History Aquisition
OPQRST - pain
O - onset, what were you doing when it started
P - provocation, what makes it better/worse
Q - quality, describe the pain
R - radiation, does it move from site
S - severity, 1-10 scale
T - timing, when did the pain start
