How To Check A Conscious Or Unconscious Person Flashcards
If a person is conscious and has not life threatening conditions, you can gather more information by asking questions such as:
What happened? Do you feel pain or discomfort anywhere?
Do you have any allergies? Do you have any medical conditions or are you taking any medications?
If you are unable to talk directly to an ill or injured person because a person is not able to speak, or can’t speak your native language, what can you do to gather more information about them?
You can question family members, friends and bystanders as well.
Sometimes, it is necessary to speak to an injured child. What are some tips for talking to and/or interviewing children?
Approach them slowly and gently, and give them time to get used to you. Get down to the child’s eye level and use their name if you know it.
What are some things you should look for when checking a CONSCIOUS person head to toe?
Don’t move any areas where there is pain or discomfort or if you suspect head or neck injury.
Check the persons scalp, face, ears, mouth and nose.
Look for cuts, bruises, bumps or depressions. If you are unsure if a body part is injured, compare it to the other.
Watch for changes in LOC. Drowsy, confused, etc.
Monitor breathing, look for breathing thats noisy, gasping, rasping, gurgling, unusually fast or slow or painful.
Check skin, such as forehead for unusually damp, dry, cool or hot skin. Also, look for red, pale, or ashen skin.
Look over the entire body. Ask person to move each part of the body that doesn’t hurt and their head from side to side. Shrug shoulders. Check chest and abdomen by asking person to take a deep breath. Ask to see fingers, hands and arms moving; then toes, legs and hips. Watch person’s face and signals of discomfort as you check.
Check for medical ID tag on wrist, neck or ankle.
