Primary Assessment
This must be assessed before determining the airway status in any patient with altered LOC.
What is the LOC? Pulse if unresponsive?
A narrowing pulse pressure and decreasing systolic BP is indicative of this critical condition.
What is decompensated shock?
The EMT’s decision to conduct a rapid secondary exam vs. focused exam depends on this initial finding.
What is stability or consciousness?
The GCS verbal score of 3 corresponds to this type of response.
What is inappropriate words?
This type of patient should be prioritized for transport even if their vital signs appear normal.
What is unresponsive?
These three components of circulation must be evaluated during the primary assessment.
What are pulse, skin condition, and external bleeding?
This is the most accurate location for pulse oximetry in low perfusion states.
What is the earlobe or bridge of the nose?
This is the minimum GCS considered "moderate" traumatic brain injury.
What is 9?
Unequal pupils are concerning only when this is also present.
What is a change in mental status or signs of head trauma?
If a patient begins to deteriorate during reassessment, this should be done immediately.
What is return to primary assessment and initiate transport if not en route?
This action must be taken if a life threat is found during the primary assessment, before continuing.
What is intervene immediately (e.g., control bleeding, open airway)?
A patient with a high CO level may still present a falsely normal reading on this device.
What is the pulse oximeter?
The field impression is formulated during this part of the assessment.
What is after the secondary assessment?
Abnormal respiratory patterns like Cheyne-Stokes may indicate dysfunction in this part of the brain.
What is the brain stem?
The “platinum 10 minutes” refers to this principle in trauma care.
What is the maximum time on scene or make a transport decision for critically injured trauma patients?
In a trauma patient with a GCS ≤8, this airway intervention is most appropriate.
What is endotracheal intubation or advanced airway (depending on scope of practice)?
This is what it is called when a patient regains a pulse after CPR.
What is return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC)?
A trauma patient is alert with a deformed femur and stable vitals. This is the most appropriate initial transport decision.
What is non-emergent transport with full immobilization and monitoring?
The term describing the use of accessory muscles with retractions is this.
What is labored breathing?
In a mass casualty, you must categorize patients based on this rapid assessment tool.
What is START triage (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment)?
The decision to perform a “load and go” vs. “stay and play” is based on these 2 assessment findings.
What are mechanism of injury and primary assessment findings?
A patient with cool, diaphoretic skin and tachycardia but normal blood pressure is likely in this stage of shock.
What is compensated shock?
You find an unresponsive diabetic patient with a blood glucose of 28 mg/dL. You must treat immediately but also consider this as a possible underlying cause.
What is a secondary medical condition such as sepsis, stroke, or overdose or trauma?
A “snoring” sound typically indicates obstruction at this location.
What is the oropharynx or upper airway?
During triage at an MCI, you encounter a patient with a respiratory rate of 8, no radial pulse, and unconscious. This is the triage category.
What is black (expectant)?