What does BSI stand for?
Body substance isolation
The patient’s reason for calling 911—also known as their complaint.
MOI or NOI
This determines how many people need your attention before you start your assessment.
What is determining the number of patients?
The first assessment for responsiveness in an unconscious patient. (Think of a 4 letter mnemonic)
What is AVPU?
This part of the assessment determines if the patient needs immediate transport.
What is determining patient priority?
The very first step in scene size-up to make sure you don’t become the next patient.
What is checking scene safety?
What is the first step of any patient care scene?
Ensure that the scene is safe.
If the situation suggests possible spinal trauma, you must immediately take this action.
What is spinal motion restriction (manual stabilization) or C-collar.
When you need firefighters, police, or ALS backup, you’ve reached this part of scene size-up.
What is requesting additional resources?
The maneuver used to open the airway of an unresponsive trauma patient.
What is the jaw-thrust maneuver?
Hazards like traffic, fire, or Uncle Bob with a baseball bat fall under this part of scene size-up.
What are scene hazards?
Name one example of a scene hazard that could endanger an EMT.
Traffic, fire, downed wires, chemicals, violence, etc.
True or false: When opening the airway on a patient who has been in a car accident a head tilt chin lift is the preferred method to open the airway.
False
This helps determine whether you’re dealing with medical issues or trauma injuries.
What is identifying the NOI or MOI?
After airway and breathing, this is checked to evaluate blood flow.
What is circulation/pulse?
This immediate intervention is needed for major external bleeding.
What is controlling the bleeding?
Chemical spills or downed power lines may require you to do this rather than rushing in.
What is wait for specialized resources or stage away? Or Stage
What is the “number one priority” for an EMT on scene?
Your safety
This term describes using what you see, hear, and smell on arrival to understand what might have happened before touching the patient. (Mrs. Brooks refers to this as 'reading the room')
General impression.
You may need to do this when a scene has multiple patients spread out across a large area .
Call for additional resources?
Skin color, temperature, and condition all help evaluate this major life function.
What is circulation?
The part of the initial assessment where you introduce yourself and ask permission to treat.
What is obtaining patient consent?
Before entering a home with a hostile dog or an angry crowd, you complete this scene size-up step.
What is ensuring scene safety?
When would you request additional resources?
When more help or equipment is needed—like multiple patients or hazardous scenes.
This means the right to exit or or a means of exit. As a member of EMS you should always have this in the back of your head when entering a scene.
Egress
A fall from more than 20 feet is an example of this type of indicator.
What is a significant mechanism of injury?
This care is provided when the patient is breathing but not effectively moving air.
What is providing ventilations/oxygen support?
This quick head-to-toe inspection identifies life threats and takes less than 30 seconds.
What is a rapid exam?
This process helps decide how many EMS units or additional help are needed at a chaotic scene.
Determining additional resources?