Using AB-CABS and The Cycle Of Care To Prioritize Primary Care

Question 1

What else can the A stand for in AB CABS?

Answer 1

Assess the scene

Apply barriers - protection

Question 2

What does DRS ABCD stand for?

Answer 2

Dangers 
Responsive
Send for help
Airway
Breathing
CPR
Defibrillator

Question 3

What is ventricular fibrillation?

Answer 3

When the natural electrical impulses of the heart malfunction and the heart begins to beat erratically

Question 4

What do automated external defibrillators (AEDs) do?

Answer 4

They deliver and electric shock disrupting the abnormal twitching. It can allow the hearts normal heartbeat to return

Question 5

How do AEDs work?

Answer 5

It’s a portable machine that automatically delivers a shock to a patient not breathing.

They connect to the patient via two chest pads. The computer analyses the patients need for shock. If the patient needs one, a shock is advised.

Question 6

How much blood does the human body contain?

Answer 6

Six litres/quarts of blood

Question 7

What could happen if you rapidly lose 1 litre?

Answer 7

It’s very dangerous and could lead to death

Question 8

What is Arterial bleeding?

Answer 8

When bright red blood spurts from a wound in rhythm with the heartbeat. It’s the most serious type of bleeding since blood loss occurs very quickly. If a major artery is cut, death could occur within minutes

Question 9

What is Venous bleeding?

Answer 9

Dark red blood steadily flows from the wound. Can be life threatening and must be controlled quickly

Question 10

What is Capillary bleeding?

Answer 10

Blood slowly oozes from the wound. May stop on it’s own or is easy to handle with direct pressure.

Question 11

What should you do if a patient has serious bleeding?

Answer 11

Use barriers, activate EMS, quickly render care to prevent excessive blood loss.

Question 12

What happens during shock?

Answer 12

The body begins to shut down

Question 13

What are the nine indications of shock?

Answer 13

Rapid/weak pulse
Pale or bluish tissue colour
Moist clammy skin with possible shivering
Mental confusion
Altered consciousness 
Nausea and or vomiting
Thirst
Lacklustre eyes / dazed look
Shallow but rapid laboured breathing

Question 14

How can you manage shock?

Answer 14

Keep the patient still
Maintain the patients body temperature
Elevate the patients legs

Question 15

What are vertebrae?

Answer 15

Rings of bones surrounding the spinal cord making up the back bone

Question 16

Which is the worst place to damage the spinal cord?

Answer 16

The higher up the spinal column the injury, the more likely it will cause a serious disability

Question 17

How should you look after someone with a suspected spinal cord injury?

Answer 17

Keep the patient still and support the head to minimise movement.

Question 18

What are the indications of a spinal cord injury?

Answer 18

Change of consciousness-fainting
Difficulty breathing
Vision problems
Inability to move a body part
Headache
Vomiting
Loss of balance
Tingling or numbness in the hands, fingers feet and or toes
Pain in back of neck area

Question 19

When should you suspect a spinal injury?

Answer 19

Traffic/car accident
Being thrown from a motorised vehicle
Falling from a height
Penetration wound like a gunshot
Severe blow to the head neck or back
Swimming pool headfirst dive 
Lightning strike
Serious impact injury
Patient complaining of pain in neck or back

Question 20

What are the situations when you might need to move a patient?

Answer 20

If they are in water
Near a burning object or structure that could explode
Patient is under an unstable structure
Patient is on an unstable slope
Patient is in the middle of a road where you can redirect traffic