The resuscitation council guidelines

Question 1

They advise you to:

Answer 1

stay calm + ensure you + staff are safe
look at the pt generally to see if they look unwell
use ABCDE approach

Question 2

A is for Airway

Answer 2

assess looking for signs of obstruction + breathing problems

Question 3

B is for Breathing

Answer 3

check for paradoxical chest + abdominal movements (see-saw respirations) look at the depth + rhythm of breathing. Adults should be about 12-20 breaths per minute + children 20-30. check the use of accessory muscles of respiration (are neck muscles contracting)

Question 4

C is for Circulation

Answer 4

does the pt appear to have central cyanosis which makes the lips + tongue appear blue?

Question 5

D is for Disability

Answer 5

is the pt conscious? make rapid initial assessment of the pts conscious level

Question 6

using AVPU method

Answer 6

are the alert? do they respond to voice? do they respond to painful stimuli? or are they unresponsive to all stimuli?

Question 7

E is for Exposure

Answer 7

to assess or provide emergency trt adequately, you may need to loosen or remove pt clothes, to see any rashes. the pts dignity should be respected + heat loss minimised