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EMT > ch 10 > Flashcards

ch 10 Flashcards

(74 cards)

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1
Q

What is the purpose of the patient assessment process

A

to identify and treat life threats and determine priority for transport

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2
Q

What are the five main parts of the patient assessment process

A

scene size-up primary assessment history taking secondary assessment reassessment

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3
Q

What is the first step in patient assessment

A

scene size-up

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4
Q

What is included in the scene size-up

A

scene safety BSI precautions MOI/NOI number of patients and need for additional resources

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5
Q

What is MOI

A

mechanism of injury (trauma-related)

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6
Q

What is NOI

A

nature of illness (medical-related)

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7
Q

What is BSI

A

body substance isolation (e.g.

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8
Q

What is the primary assessment

A

the initial evaluation to identify and correct life threats

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9
Q

What are the components of the primary assessment

A

general impression level of consciousness airway breathing circulation transport decision

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10
Q

What does AVPU stand for

A

Alert Verbal Pain Unresponsive

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11
Q

What does ABC stand for

A

Airway Breathing Circulation

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12
Q

What is the general impression

A

first impression of patient’s condition based on appearance position and environment

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13
Q

What is the purpose of assessing LOC

A

to determine mental status and if the brain is perfusing properly

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14
Q

What does assessing airway include

A

ensuring it is open and not obstructed

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15
Q

What does assessing breathing include

A

rate rhythm quality and need for oxygen or ventilation

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16
Q

What does assessing circulation include

A

pulse rate and quality skin color/temp/condition and controlling bleeding

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17
Q

What is the transport decision based on

A

patient’s condition severity and need for rapid transport

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18
Q

What is the history-taking phase

A

gathering information using SAMPLE and OPQRST

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19
Q

What does SAMPLE stand for

A

Signs/Symptoms Allergies Medications Past history Last oral intake Events leading up

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20
Q

What does OPQRST stand for

A

Onset Provocation Quality Radiation Severity Time

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21
Q

What is the secondary assessment

A

head-to-toe physical exam to find other injuries or conditions

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22
Q

When is a rapid exam used

A

in trauma patients with significant MOI or altered LOC

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23
Q

What is a focused assessment

A

detailed exam on a specific area based on chief complaint

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24
Q

What is the reassessment

A

repeating primary assessment vital signs and interventions

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25
How often do you reassess stable patients
every 15 minutes
26
How often do you reassess unstable patients
every 5 minutes
27
What is the purpose of reassessment
to monitor changes and assess effectiveness of treatment
28
What is a pertinent negative
symptoms the patient denies that help rule out conditions
29
What are baseline vital signs
the first set of vitals taken for comparison later
30
What are normal adult vital signs
pulse: 60–100 bpm respirations: 12–20 BP: 90–140 systolic
31
What is capillary refill
time it takes for color to return to nailbed after pressure (should be <2 seconds)
32
Why is trending important
to track the patient’s condition over time and guide treatment decisions
33
What does DCAP-BTLS stand for
Deformities Contusions Abrasions Punctures Burns Tenderness Lacerations Swelling
34
What is the purpose of DCAP-BTLS
to remember what to look for during physical exam
35
What does PEARL stand for
Pupils Equal And Reactive to Light
36
When do you perform a full-body scan
when the patient is unresponsive or has significant trauma
37
What should you always do before and after an intervention
reassess the patient
38
What is the difference between medical and trauma assessment
medical focuses more on history and trauma on physical exam
39
What should you ask about allergies
medications, foods, environment, latex
40
What should you ask about medications
prescribed, over-the-counter, herbal, recreational
41
What kind of medical history should you ask about
chronic conditions, surgeries, hospitalizations
42
What does last oral intake include
food, drinks, medications, and TIME they were taken
43
What should you ask for Onset
When did it start? What were you doing when it started?
44
What should you ask for Provocation/Palliation
What makes it better or worse?
45
What should you ask for Quality?
Can you describe the pain (sharp, dull, burning, tearing etc.)?
46
What should you ask for Radiation
Does the pain move anywhere else?
47
What should you ask for Severity
On a scale from 0 to 10, how bad is it?
48
What should you ask for Time
Has it changed since it started? Constant or comes and goes?
49
SAMPLE example
S: Chest pain, shortness of breath A: Allergic to penicillin M: Takes lisinopril for high blood pressure P: History of hypertension and mild heart attack 2 years ago L: Ate breakfast at 8:00 AM, pain started at 9:30 AM E: Was walking upstairs when chest pain began
50
OPQRST example
O: Started suddenly while walking upstairs P: Worse with deep breaths, better when sitting still Q: Described as pressure, like “an elephant sitting on my chest” R: Radiates to left arm and jaw S: 8 out of 10 pain T: Has lasted 20 minutes and is not going away
51
52
What is the difference between a medical and trauma patient
medical = illness/history focused and trauma = injury/mechanism focused
53
Why is the general impression important
it helps identify life threats within seconds of patient contact
54
What’s the first thing to check in the primary assessment
responsiveness and immediate life threats
55
What should you do if a patient is unresponsive and not breathing
immediately begin CPR and use AED
56
What should you do if a patient has noisy breathing
open the airway and suction if needed
57
What are signs of inadequate breathing
shallow breaths cyanosis use of accessory muscles and nasal flaring
58
What are signs of poor perfusion
cool/pale/clammy skin delayed cap refill and weak/absent pulses
59
What do you assess for circulation in an unresponsive patient
pulse major bleeding and skin signs
60
What’s the goal of the secondary assessment in trauma
find all hidden injuries
61
What’s the goal of the secondary assessment in medical calls
focus on systems related to the chief complaint
62
What body systems might be focused on in medical calls
respiratory cardiovascular neurologic
63
What should you include when documenting patient assessment
all findings interventions vitals and changes over time
64
When should you perform a head-to-toe exam
when MOI is significant or patient is unresponsive
65
What is a pertinent positive
a symptom the patient does have that helps confirm a condition
66
What is trending
watching for changes in vitals and condition over time
67
Why is reassessment critical
patient condition can rapidly change and treatments may need adjusting
68
What is the best way to gather accurate patient history
ask open-ended questions and listen
69
Why is capillary refill not always reliable
it can be affected by environment age and other factors
70
What skin signs indicate shock
cool pale and diaphoretic (sweaty)
71
What’s an early sign of brain hypoxia
altered mental status
72
What’s an important first question on most medical calls
What seems to be the problem today?
73
What’s a sign of potential airway obstruction
gurgling stridor or absent breath sounds
74
What’s the highest priority in all patient assessments
managing life-threatening issues immediately

EMT (24 decks)

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