Trauma Assessment for VVC Paramedic Academy

Question 1

What are the indications and contraindication for a trauma assessment?

Answer 1

Indications: unconscious or unknown MOI/NOI.
Contraindications: unrelieved airway obstruction, or CPR.

Question 2

What are the Load and Go criteria?

Answer 2

ALOC, Uncontrolled Hemorrhage, Compromised ABC’s, Abnormal Chest, Tender Abdomen, Unstable Pelvis, Bilateral Femur Fractures

Question 3

General Impression

Answer 3

Approach from feet
Assess for major bleeding / delegate bleeding control
Delegate manual cervical spine stabilization

Question 4

Check Mental Status

Answer 4

GCS/ Alert and Oriented Status.

Question 5

Airway

Answer 5

Open/ Clear / Maintanable / Suction if indicated / Initiates appropriate airway control and adjuncts.

Question 6

Breathing

Answer 6

Rate/ Depth/ Ease/ Breath Sounds Present/ Administer O2 as indicated.

Question 7

Circulation

Answer 7

Carotid and Peripheral Pulse Rhythm/ Rate/ Quality/ Skin Color/Temp/Moisture/ Cap Refill/ Cut and expose to assess for life-threatening bleeding/ control bleeding

Question 8

Primary Transport Decision

Answer 8

Determine Pt priority and 1st transport destination decision/ delegate full set of vital signs including PERRL/ Obtain SAMPLE Hx/ Prepare backboard/

Question 9

Rapid Trauma Assessment Head/Neck

Answer 9

Blood on Gloves/ Depressed Skull/ Stoma/ Medical Alert Tags/ JVD/ Tracheal Deviation/ Subcutaneous emphysema/ Step Off/ Point Tenderness / Delegate Size and Placement of C-Collar

Question 10

RTA Chest/

Answer 10

Palpate Lateral to Medial, Anterior to Posterior/ Flail Segment/ Paradoxical Movement/ Sucking Chest Wound/ Lung Sounds(mid-axillary)

Question 11

Abdomen

Answer 11

Assess or Palpate for Tenderness, Rigidity, Evisceration, Distention, Guarding, Hot Belly, Pulsating Mass.

Question 12

Pelvis

Answer 12

Palpate Anterior to Posterior, Lateral to Medial / Priapism/ Vaginal Discharge/ Incontinence

Question 13

Upper Thighs

Answer 13

Palpate using offset pressure

Question 14

2nd Transport Decision

Answer 14

Verbalize any additional load and go criteria

Question 15

Extremities

Answer 15

Offset Pressure/ CMS

Question 16

Backboard/Log Roll

Answer 16

Assess for Flail Chest/ Paradoxical Movement/ Sucking Chest Wound/ Spinal alignment/ Step Off/ Point Tenderness/ Wallet / Secure /Z track as necessary

Question 17

Ongoing Assessment

Answer 17

Reassess Mental Status/ ABC’s/ Vital Signs/ Interventions.

Question 18

Detailed Head To Toe

Answer 18

Head/Eyes/Ears for CSF/ Nares/ Mouth/ Facial Bones/ Treat secondary Injuries.