Primary Survey
The first priority upon arriving at any incident scene.
What is scene assessment and ensuring scene safety?
The "A" in SAMPLE history.
What are Allergies?
The preferred method of controlling severe external bleeding.
What is direct pressure?
The FAST acronym stands for this.
What is Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time?
Before moving a patient, attendants should consider this.
What is the patient's condition and mechanism of injury?
The acronym used during the primary survey.
What is ABC's (Airway, Breathing, Circulation)?
The normal adult respiratory rate range.
What is 12–20 breaths per minute?
A fracture where bone protrudes through the skin.
What is an open fracture?
A diabetic patient who is pale, sweaty, and confused is likely experiencing:
What is hypoglycemia?
The device used to immobilize a patient with a suspected spinal injury.
What is a spine board?
An unconscious patient with no suspected spinal injury should be placed in this position.
What is the recovery position?
The purpose of a head-to-toe assessment.
What is identifying injuries or conditions not found in the primary survey?
A worker falls and lands on their outstretched hand. Their shoulder appears flattened and they cannot move the arm without severe pain. What injury should you suspect?
What is a shoulder dislocation?
The medication carried by many patients for severe allergic reactions.
What is epinephrine?
This heart rhythm disturbance is most commonly associated with sudden cardiac arrest in adults.
What is ventricular fibrillation?
During the primary survey, this life-threatening condition must be controlled before moving on.
What is severe external bleeding?
A patient's first set of vital signs is normal. Fifteen minutes later, their pulse has increased from 84 to 112, respirations from 16 to 24, and skin has become cool and pale. These changes suggest:
What is developing shock?
Paradoxical chest movement indicates this injury.
What is a flail chest?
Chest pain radiating to the left arm and jaw suggests:
What is a myocardial infarction (heart attack)?
When transporting a patient for an extended period, vital signs should be reassessed:
What is regularly and after any change in condition?
A patient is breathing 6 times per minute and has cyanotic lips. What is the immediate priority?
What is assisting ventilations with a BVM and oxygen?
A patient has involuntary abdominal tensing and rebound tenderness. This may indicate:
What is internal abdominal injury or bleeding?
A patient with chest trauma develops increasing respiratory distress, absent breath sounds on one side, and signs of shock. What life-threatening injury should you suspect?
What is a tension pneumothorax?
The sudden onset of wheezing, hypotension, and facial swelling suggests:
What is anaphylaxis?
A patient becomes unconscious during transport. The first action is:
What is reassessing ABC's (airway, breathing, and circulation)?