Triage

Question 1

define triage

Answer 1

to sort

method of sorting patients based on order in which they should be seen that assumes limited resources

Question 2

what 3 major body systems should you assess in a triage exam?

Answer 2

cardiovascular
pulmonary
brain

Question 3

a triage exam should be < __

Answer 3

< 1 minute!

Question 4

when doing a neuro triage exam you’re mainly assessing what?

Answer 4

mentation!

dull: responds but with less vigor
stuporous: only responds to noxious stimuli
comatose: doesn’t respond at all
dead
demented: responds inappropriately to stimuli

Question 5

describe what to look for in a triage respiratory assessment

Answer 5

rate and effort such as labored, open mouth or distressed

Question 6

dyspnea

Answer 6

sensation of breathlessness (panic of not being able to breath)

Question 7

describe what to look for in a triage cardiovascular exam

Answer 7

heart rate, CRT, mucous membranes color, mentation, quick read temperature, and pulse quality

Question 8

T/F: bradycardia is generally more concerning than tachycardia

Answer 8

F, tachycardia is more concerning (except for cats)

Question 9

is hypothermia or hyperthermia more concerning?

Answer 9

hypothermia

Question 10

a normal dog heart rate is __ and __ is more concerning when assessing HR

Answer 10

a normal dog heart rate is 60-120 and tachycardia is more concerning when assessing HR

Question 11

a normal cat heart rate is __ and __ is more concerning when assessing HR

Answer 11

a normal cat heart rate is 180-240 and bradycardia is more concerning when assessing HR

cats become bradycardic in shock

Question 12

CO = __x__

Answer 12

CO=HR x SV

Question 13

BP = __ x __

Answer 13

BP = CO x SVR

Question 14

you press the gums of a dog and it takes more than two seconds for the capillary refill time, what does this mean?

Answer 14

the capillaries are vasoconstricted making the red blood cells squeeze through them to refill which takes longer than normal

Question 15

you press the gums of a dog and the CRT is barely 1 second, what does this mean?

Answer 15

the capillaries are vasodilated and more than one red blood cell can move through it at once making refill faster

Question 16

A dog comes in dull but has no other neurologic abnormalities. He does have a prolonged CRT > 2 seconds, what should you do?

Answer 16

The mentation change may be caused by poor perfusion so you should treat the perfusion first and then reassess the neuro state

Question 17

what happens when your body vasoconstricts?

Answer 17

blood is shunted away from the periphery to maintain blood flow to the core (brain and heart)