Airway
What is the first step in assessing airway patency?
Look for obstructions such as vomit, blood or foreign bodies and assessing for signs of choking (E.g., coughing).
What is the technical term for a respiratory rate of 32?
Tachypnoea.
Name 2 circulatory assessment findings that may indicate poor perfusion.
Delayed capillary refill
Low blood pressure
Weak or absent pulses
What is AVPU and what does AVPU stand for?
AVPU is a simple assessment tool used to quickly gauge a person's level of consciousness
Alert (awake)
Verbal (responds to voice)
Pain (responds to pain)
Unresponsive (does not respond)
What is the purpose of exposure in the ABCDE primary assessment?
To check temperature
To look for hidden injuries
Check skin for rash, bruising, oedema
Name 3 signs of airway obstruction.
Change in colour/complexion (e.g., blue lips)
What position is recommended for a patient to be in, to assist with respiratory effort and why?
Sitting patient upright or high fowlers
Sitting upright helps by: (at least two)
- breathing by utilizing gravity to lower the diaphragm
- increases chest cavity volume
- improves lung expansion
- enhances oxygenation
When assessing the pulse in a patient during the primary survey, which characteristics should be recorded? (Three things to name)
Rate
Rhythm
Strength
Altered level of consciousness should prompt assessment of what blood test?
Blood glucose levels.
A patient arrives at the emergency department after vomiting multiple times at home. Their spouse mentions that the patient also has a past medical history of dermatitis and psoriasis. The patient is alert and oriented, with no known infectious disease. What precautions are required while providing care?
- Airborne
- Droplet
- Contact
- Standard
Standard precautions.
What maneuver should be used to open the airway if a cervical spine injury is suspected?
Jaw-thrust manoeuvre.
Name the 3 Hi-Flo settings.
Bonus points if you can link to a one-word colloquial term.
E.g., Hypotension = blood pressure
- Flow - speed
- Fio2 - oxygen
- Humidification - temperature
What type of shock is caused by severe blood or fluid loss?
Hypovolemic shock.
Unequal pupils may indicate what serious neurological condition?
Increased intracranial pressure.
A patient is covered in multiple layers of clothing after a winter accident. Why is removing clothing important beyond simply identifying injuries?
To assess for hidden injuries while also preventing hypothermia.
Name 4 actions can you take if your patient has a full obstruction in their airway?
Apply oxygen
Suction
Head tilt/chin lift
Jaw thrust
Insert OPA or NPA
Absent breath sounds on one side with tracheal deviation suggests what emergency condition?
Tension pneumothorax.
A patient has pale, cool fingers and delayed capillary refill, but a normal blood pressure and strong carotid pulse. Why might capillary refill not accurately reflect overall circulation in this case?
Peripheral perfusion can be reduced by factors like cold environment, vasoconstriction, or age, even when central circulation (blood pressure and major pulses) is adequate.
When assessing Disability in the primary survey, which of the following assessments are appropriate?
A) Level of consciousness using AVPU or GCS
B) Pupil size and reactivity
C) Blood glucose levels
D) Blood pressure
E) Oxygen saturation
A) Level of consciousness using AVPU or GCS
B) Pupil size and reactivity
C) Blood glucose levels
Which 2 types of precautions are required for a patient with active tuberculosis awaiting a stool sample after 3 days of T7 bowel actions?
- Airborne precautions
- Contact precautions
What airway adjunct can be inserted into the mouth of an unconscious patient to prevent the tongue from blocking the airway?
Oropharyngeal airway (OPA)
What does RATES stand for when assessing breathing?
R - Respiratory rate, rhythm
A- Auscultate lungs
T - Tracheal deviation
E - Effort/Work of breathing
S - Sp02 and speech
What does BURP stand for when assessing circulation?
B - Blood pressure
U - Urine output
R - Heart rate, rhythm (regular or irregular)
P - Pulses, perfusion (BP and HR
Why is glucose level often considered during the disability assessment?
Hypoglycaemia can cause altered mental status
- Hover Jack
- Hover mat
- spinal board
- Slide sheets
-Collar and cuff
- Minimum 4 people