Primary Assessments EMR

SceneSize-Up

100

What is the very first thing an emergency responder should think about upon arriving at a scene?

• Scene safety

• Personal safety comes first

• If you become injured, you cannot help anyone else

200

List three hazards that could make a scene unsafe.

• Traffic

• Fire

• Downed power lines

• Broken glass

• Weapons

• Hazardous materials

• Violence/fighting

• Unstable structures

300

What should you do if a violent situation is still active when you arrive?

• Stay at a safe distance

• Wait for law enforcement to secure the scene

• Do not enter an unsafe scene

400

What information helps determine how many additional resources may be needed?

• Number of patients

• Nature of illness/injury

• Hazards present

• Severity of injurie

500

Explain what a "mechanism of injury" is and give two examples.

• MOI = The force or event that caused the injury Examples:

• Motor vehicle crash

• Fall

• Stabbing

• Explosion

• Gunshot wound

Primary Assessment

100

What is the purpose of the primary assessment?

• Identify immediate life threats

• Determine if life-saving interventions are needed

200

Put these in order:

Breathing

Airway

General Impression

Circulation/Pulse

Severe Bleeding

Level of Consciousness

• General Impression

• Level of Consciousness (LOC)

• Severe Bleeding

• Airway

• Breathing

• Pulse/Circulation

300

What does AVPU stand for?

• A = Alert

• V = Responds to Verbal stimuli

• P = Responds to Painful stimuli

• U = Unresponsive

400

A patient only opens their eyes when spoken to. Which AVPU category?

Verbal (V)

500

Why is identifying life-threatening problems quickly so important?

Problems with airway, breathing, circulation, or severe bleeding can rapidly result in death.

Airway, Breathing and Circulation

100

How long should you check for breathing and a pulse in an unconscious patient?

No more than 10 seconds

200

List three signs that someone may be having breathing difficulties.

• Wheezing

• Gasping

• Labored breathing

• Fast breathing

• Slow breathing

• Cyanosis

• Retractions

• Nasal flaring

300

Describe proper airway assessment positioning.

• Supine (lying face up)

• Allows proper airway assessment and management

400

Explain the difference between normal breathing and labored breathing.

• Normal: Smooth, regular, effortless

• Labored: Difficulty breathing, accessory muscle use, abnormal sounds

500

Create a scenario where a patient has an airway problem.

• Choking on food

• Unconscious patient with tongue blocking airway

• Facial trauma causing swelling

Vital Signs

100

What is a normal adult respiratory rate range?

12-20 breaths/minute

200

Which pulse point is commonly checked in the neck?

Carotid artery

300

Which pulse point is commonly checked in infants?

Brachial artery

400

What skin findings may indicate a medical problem?

• Pale

• Cool

• Clammy

• Cyanotic

• Flushed

500

Calculate the respiratory rate if a patient takes 4 breaths in 15 seconds.

4 × 4 = 16 breaths/minute

Patient Assessment

100

What should you do after introducing yourself to a patient?

Obtain consent to help/examine the patient

200

What is a chief complaint?

The patient's main problem or reason for seeking medical help

300

What does SAMPLE stand for?

• S = Signs/Symptoms

• A = Allergies

• M = Medications

• P = Past Medical History

• L = Last Oral Intake

• E = Events Leading Up To Illness/Injury

400

What does OPQRST stand for?

• O = Onset

• P = Provocation/Palliation

• Q = Quality

• R = Region/Radiation

• S = Severity

• T = Time

500

Why is obtaining a patient's history important?

• Helps identify cause of illness/injury

• Guides treatment decisions

• Provides information to receiving medical personnel