Primary Assessment & Vital Signs
This acronym represents airway, breathing, and circulation
What is ABC?
This vital sign is assessed by checking rate, rhythm, and quality—radial for adults and brachial for infants
What is the pulse?
This mnemonic for evaluating pain stands for Onset, Provocation, Quality, Region/Radiation, Severity, and Time
What is OPQRST?
In trauma patients, this exam follows the primary assessment; in medical patients, the exam is more focused
What is the difference between trauma and medical assessments?
Asthma, COPD, pneumonia, pulmonary edema, and anaphylaxis are common causes of this breathing difficulty
What is dyspnea?
This device is used when severe extremity bleeding does not stop with direct pressure
What is a tourniquet?
For accurate results, this blood pressure technique uses a proper cuff, the arm at heart level, and inflation 30 mmHg beyond the palpated systolic
What is proper blood pressure measurement?
This patient history tool uses Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past history, Last oral intake, and Events leading up to the issue
What is SAMPLE?
This rapid, head-to-toe, hands-on exam checks for DCAP-BTLS injuries
What is the rapid trauma survey?
Albuterol via nebulizer or MDI, and CPAP if available, are initial treatments for this respiratory condition
What is asthma?
Pale, cool, moist skin; weak rapid pulse; and AMS suggest this condition
What is shock?
Color, temperature, and moisture—also known as CTC—are the key components of this assessment
What is skin condition?
Tripod position, nasal flaring, retractions, and accessory muscle use are signs of this
What is respiratory distress?
Paradoxical movement, abnormal breath sounds, and crepitus are findings in the assessment of this type of injury
What is chest trauma?
These patients often receive bronchodilators and oxygen titrated to 88–92%
Who are COPD patients?
Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive make up this mental status scale
What is AVPU?
Normal oxygen saturation on room air falls within this percentage range
What is 95–100%?
This mnemonic—AEIOU-TIPS—helps assess this altered patient condition
What is altered mental status?
Distention, bruising, and rigidity are key findings when assessing this area in trauma patients
What is the abdomen?
Crackles, frothy sputum, and jugular vein distention indicate this life-threatening condition
What is pulmonary edema?
This is performed whenever a mechanism of injury suggests a possible neck injury
What is manual spinal stabilization?
This monitoring tool is used to confirm tube placement, evaluate ventilation, and detect return of spontaneous circulation
What is capnography?
Previous MI, angina, stents, and family history are components of this type of medical questioning
What is taking a cardiac history?
Battle’s sign, raccoon eyes, and CSF leakage are classic indicators of this type of trauma
What is a head injury?
This condition involves rapid breathing often triggered by anxiety; treatment includes coaching slow breathing and ruling out medical causes
What is hyperventilation syndrome?