ASSESSMENT DETECTIVE
This mnemonic organizes the key parts of a patient's medical history.
What is SAMPLE?
Patients with breathing difficulty often sit leaning forward in this position.
What is the tripod position?
A brief loss of consciousness caused by reduced blood flow to the brain is called this.
What is syncope?
In EMS, a patient younger than this age is generally considered an infant.
What is 1 year old?
This instrument lets an EMT listen to lung sounds and blood-pressure sounds.
What is a stethoscope?
This mnemonic helps an EMT investigate pain or another symptom.
What is OPQRST?
This lung sound usually indicates narrowed lower airways.
What is wheezing?
The period of confusion and fatigue after a seizure is called this phase.
What is the postictal phase?
This upper-arm artery is commonly used to check an infant's pulse.
What is the brachial artery?
This device estimates the percentage of hemoglobin carrying oxygen.
What is a pulse oximeter?
For a resting adult, this is the normal respiratory-rate range per minute.
What is 12 to 20 breaths per minute?
For an adult with a pulse who is not breathing adequately, give one ventilation about this often.
What is every 6 seconds?
Frequent urination, excessive thirst, and excessive hunger are these classic signs of high blood sugar.
What are polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia?
The Pediatric Assessment Triangle evaluates these three areas.
What are appearance, work of breathing, and circulation to the skin?
This device measures a patient's blood glucose level.
What is a glucometer?
A capillary refill time longer than this may suggest poor peripheral perfusion.
What is 2 seconds?
Bluish discoloration of the skin or lips is called this late sign of inadequate oxygenation.
What is cyanosis?
Crackles in the lungs with swollen ankles may point to failure of this organ.
What is the heart?
When the baby's head is visible at the vaginal opening, this is occurring and delivery is imminent.
What is crowning?
This specialized splint may be used for an isolated midshaft fracture of the femur.
What is a traction splint?
The Glasgow Coma Scale evaluates these three types of responses.
What are eye opening, verbal response, and motor response?
This abnormal breathing pattern is deep and rapid and is commonly associated with diabetic ketoacidosis.
What are Kussmaul respirations?
Suspected infection with altered mental status, rapid breathing, or hypotension should raise concern for this life-threatening condition.
What is sepsis?
The APGAR score evaluates these five newborn findings.
What are appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, and respiration?
This rigid, tonsil-tip suction catheter is commonly used to clear an adult patient's mouth.
What is a Yankauer catheter?