ch 15 secondary assessment Flashcards
(14 cards)
What are the components of a secondary exam?
Physical examination, patient history, vital signs.
What is the difference between signs and symptoms?
Signs are something you can see, symptoms are something the patient tells you.
Why should a manual BP always be taken?
To verify the accuracy of the automatic blood pressure device.
Why are baseline vitals so important?
You can compare them to later assessments to see if the patient is doing better or worse.
During a rapid physical exam, when examining the neck, what are you looking for?
JVD, medical identification devices, tracheal deviation, stoma.
During a rapid physical exam, when examining the chest, what are you looking for?
Breath sounds, deformities in ribs or sternum.
During a rapid physical exam, when examining the abdomen, what are you looking for?
Distention, firmness, or rigidity.
During a rapid physical exam, when examining the pelvis, what are you looking for?
Incontinence, crepidis.
During a rapid physical exam, when examining the extemities, what are you looking for?
Pulse, CMS, medical identification devices.
When would it be appropriate to immobilize a patients spine?
Significant mechanism of injury or signs that indicate a possible spinal injury.
When is it appropriate to do a focused assessment?
On a low priority patient who has a minor injury.
What does DCAPBTLS stand for?
Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling
During a rapid physical exam, when examining the head, what are you looking for?
Fluid leakage, crepidis, Battle’s sign.
What is Battle’s Sign?
A bruise that appears behind the ear, which is indictive of a skull fracture.
