ABCDE assessment

Question 1

❓ What is a key question to assess a patient’s airway verbally?

Answer 1

Can the patient speak in full sentences?

Question 2

❓ What does silent breathing indicate?

Answer 2

Complete airway obstruction (Resuscitation Council, 2024).

Question 3

❓ What does gurgling sound suggest in airway assessment?

Answer 3

Secretions in the upper airway.

Question 4

❓ What causes stridor?

Answer 4

Inflammation of the upper airway.

Question 5

❓ What causes snoring in airway assessment?

Answer 5

Tongue is blocking the airway.

Question 6

❓ What is paradoxical chest and abdominal movement called?

Answer 6

See-saw motion – indicates respiratory distress.

Question 7

❓ What is the normal respiratory rate?

Answer 7

12–20 breaths per minute (Resus Council, 2024).

Question 8

❓ What is the normal oxygen saturation for an acutely ill patient?

Answer 8

94–98% (Clinicalskills.net).

Question 9

❓ What oxygen saturation range is acceptable for a COPD patient?

Answer 9

88–92% (Clinicalskills.net).

Question 10

❓ How should peak flow be measured?

Answer 10

Best of three attempts.

Question 11

❓ What is a normal capillary refill time?

Answer 11

Less than 2 seconds.

Question 12

❓ What is the normal pulse rate?

Answer 12

60–100 bpm.

Question 13

❓ What does mottled skin color suggest?

Answer 13

Poor perfusion or shock.

Question 14

❓ What is the normal urine output?

Answer 14

0.5 mL/kg/hr.

Question 15

❓ What is the normal blood glucose range?

Answer 15

4–7 mmol/L.

Question 16

❓ What does AVPU stand for?

Answer 16

Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive.

Question 17

❓ When should the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) be used?

Answer 17

If patient is not fully alert or has abnormal AVPU response.

Question 18

❓ What body temperature suggests infection and need for blood cultures?

Answer 18

Above 38°C.

Question 19

❓ What should be included in full head-to-toe exposure assessment?

Answer 19

Rashes, wounds, dressings, cannulas, catheters, temp, pain, history, meds, allergies, ECG, X-ray.

Question 20

❓ What does SBARD stand for in clinical handover?

Answer 20

Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation, Decision.

Question 21

❓ What should you include in the ‘Situation’ of SBARD?

Answer 21

Your name, role, location, and concern about the patient’s condition.

Question 22

❓ What should be clarified in the ‘Decision’ section of SBARD?

Answer 22

What you will do next and what the other person has agreed to do.

Question 23

what is the normal range for BP? ref

Answer 23

90-140 systolic, 60-90 diastolic. clinical skills.net