The Acutely Unwell Patient Flashcards
describe the ABCDE assessment?
focussed examination to detect life threatening problems in a sequential fashion. It allows for abnormalities to be addressed before moving on with the assessment. Re-assessment is needed.
why is ABCDE assessment important?
- allows us to identify the deteriorating patient and treat abnormal physiology and perform life threatening interventions whilst buying time for deciding on further investigations and treatment.
- ABCDE should be structured with clear communication with colleagues in stressful situations.
- Decreases cognitive overload with framework to fall back on
when should an ABCDE assessment be carried out?
anyone who looks unwell, has altered conscious level, sudden deterioration or high NEWS score
what are the components of the ABCDE assessment?
Airway Breathing Circulation Disability Exposure
AIRWAY
- what signifies a patent airway?
- what are the consequences of obstructed airway
- patient alert/talking
2. can become fatal if not treated ASAP due to poor perfusion to organs
what are some of the causes of airway obstruction?
- reduced conscious level so loss of soft tissue tone
- foreign body (aspirated food, blood, vomit)
- oedema (swelling and narrowing eg infection, burns, anaphalaxis)
- tumour or abscess.
AIRWAY?
1. what are the signs of partial airway obstruction?
- what are the compensatory features of partial airway obstruction?
- what are the signs of complete airway obstruction?
- – snoring, gurgling (liquid), stridor (inspiration, obstruction at level of pharynx)
- Sitting up, leaning forwards (tripod position), reluctant to speak or cough, Nasal flaring, Accessory muscle use, Pursed lips, Paradoxical chest movements
- silent, ‘see-saw’ movement of chest and abdomen
what are the steps involved in airway support?
- Manoeuvres: Head tilt and chin lift, Suction (if liquid in airway)
- Airway adjuncts – nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal airways
- Anaesthetist for advanced airway
- Apply oxygen
- Re-assess
how can breathing be assessed as part of the ABCDE assessment?
look
feel
listen
BREATHING
1. what would you LOOK for to assess breathing?
- what would you FEEL for to assess breathing?
- what would you LISTEN for to assess breathing?
- colour of patient, resp rate (12-20), oxygen saturations, inspired oxygen
- tracheal deviation, chest wall movement, percuss
- equal air entry, absent breath sounds, added sounds
what are some of the causes of acute shortness of breath?
pneumothorax pneumonia anaphylaxis asthma exacerbation COPD PE acute pulmonary oedema trauma anaemia sepsis metabolic overdose poisoning mental health conditions
what are the steps involved in management of breathing?
- Oxygen 15L/min via mask with reservoir bag
- Target sats 94-98%
- All criticaly ill patients should be given oxygen
- Aim for 88-92% in patients with COPD at risk of hypercarbic respiratory failure
- ABG and CXR if indicated
- Re-assess
what would you look for when assessing circulation as part of a ABCDE assessment?
- Colour and temperature of hands
- Peripheral and central pulse rate, rhythm, quality (weak, difficult to find = hypotension / bounding pulse = sepsis)
- Capillary refill time (<2 seconds)
- BP (systolic >100mmHg)
- JVP
- Heart sounds
- what is the equation for mean arterial pressure?
2. what are the causes of hypotension?
- MAP = CO X SVR
- pump (arrythmias, ACS, acute LVF)
pipes (sepsis, anaphalaxis)
fluid (hypovolaemia eg dehydration, haemorrhage)
what steps would be taking in management of circulation?
- IV action
- Take bloods
- 12 lead ECG
- Measure urine output (0.5ml/kg/h)
- Commonest cause: hypovolaemia: 500ml fluid bolus (caution in cardiac, renal failure)
- Tachy/bradyarrhymias – resus council guidelines
- ACS: follow guidelines
- Acute haemorrhage: stop the bleeding (pressure, contact surgeon), replace like with like – give packed red blood cells
- Re-assess
what are the important things to consider when assessing disability as part of an ABCDE assessment?
conscious level
pupil size and reactivity
glucose
DISABILITY
1. what is the common scale used when assessing consciousness?
- what are the causes of loss of consciousness?
- AVPU - alert, verbal stimulation, pain, unresponsive
- : collapse secondary to CVD, hypoxaemia, shock, diabetic emergencies, endocrine emergencies, hypothermia, hepatic encephalopathy, uraemic encephalopathy, poisoning and overdose, seizures, epilepsy, head injury, acute stroke, cerebral tumour or infection, intracranial bleeds, alcohol or substance misuse, mental health problems
DISABILITY
whilst undertaking an ABCDE a patient has pin point pupils. what does this suggest and what would be the management?
overdose
antidote ie naloxone
DISABILITY
whilst undertaking an ABCDE a patient has unequal pupils. what does this suggest and what would be the next steps?
intracranial event
head CT
DISABILITY
whilst undertaking an ABCDE a patient is found to have glucose of 3mmol/L. what does this suggest and what would be the next steps?
hypoglycaemic (<4mmol/L)
100mL 20% dextrose IV
DISABILITY
what are the possible consequences of reduced conscious level and how can this be prevented?
risk of airway obstruction and aspiration, left lateral position, protect airway if GCS <8)
EXPOSURE
describe assessment of exposure as part of ABCDE assessment?
- Focused examination of rest of patient, screen for other abnormal findings
- Temperature, rash, calf swelling, bleeding, palpation
- Collateral history, full examination
- Re-assess
iSBAR
what is I?
identify self - name, position, location and who you are talking to
identify patient - name, age, sex, location
iSBAR
what is S?
SITUATION
state purpose “the reason I am calling is…”
if urgent say so