Triage Flashcards
(34 cards)
What is triage
When you look at a set of individuals to determine the severity of wounds or illnesses to decide the order in which patients need to be seen
When is triage used the most
The waiting room (24 hour or emergency clinics)
Walk in appointments
Answering phone calls (deciding if they need to be seen)
What are some things that indicate a patient needs to be seen ASAP
Toxin ingestion trauma Uncontrolled bleeding Respiratory distress Distended abdomen Inability to urinate Pale mucous membranes Neurological abnormalities Decreased responsiveness Shock Pain
What is the priority pyramid for triage from minimal to extreme concern
Wellness/maintenance (least extreme)
General homeostasis/behaviour
Nutrition
Elimination
Neurosensory
Fluid regulation
Extreme homeostasis imbalance
Oxygenation (most extreme)
What are wellness/maintenance concerns related to
Activities required to maintain and promote animal health
What are general homeostasis and behaviour concerns related to
Wide range of clinical conditions considered important to the health but are not life threatening
What are nutritional concerns related to
Intake and retention of nutrients required to sustain health
What are elimination concerns related to
Encompasses urination and defecation
What are neurosensory concerns related to
Pertain to the animals level on consciousness and perception
Exception: seizures are more severe
What are fluid regulation concerns related to
Concerns all functions that affect the animals hydration status
Dehydration or overhydration
What are extreme homeostatic imbalance concerns related to
Drastic changes in electrolyte, hydration or temperature statuses
What are oxygenation concerns related to
Critical to life
Any reduction in the ability to provide or deliver oxygen to tissues is the first priority
What do you consider when triaging over the phone
What is the primary concern
Past medical history
Medications/supplements
Responsiveness/level of consciousness (how are they acting)
Appetite
Do they need to be seen immediately, the same day or within the next few days
What are you looking for when triaging in the waiting room
Distant exam Heart rate Pulses Blood pressure Respiratory rate/effort Lung sounds Temperature Mucus membranes color/texture CRT Level of consciousness Level of pain
What are you looking for on a distance exam
Comfort level
Level of consciousness (mentation)
Mobility
Respiratory rate and effort
What is a normal heart rate for dogs and cats, when do you need to be concerned?
Normal:
Cats: 180-220
Dogs: 80-120 (higher in smaller dogs)
Abnormal:
Cats: >250
Small dogs: >180
Big dog: >160
True or false
It is normal for a pulse to not perfectly match the heart rate/rhythm
FALSE
they should match
Where can you feel for pulses
Dorsal Pedal artery
Femoral artery
What is normal blood pressure
120/80 with a mean of 90
+ 10 for horses
When do you become concerned with blood pressure
When the mean is below 60
Or when systolic is above 180
What are normal respiratory rates
Dogs: 20-34 (panting is not a concern)
Cats: 20-40 (higher in stressed cat, but panting is a problem)
When do you need to become concerned with respiratory rate
When PO2 during anesthesia is below 60 (normal is 90)
What is the normal Inspiratory to expiratory ratio
1:2
What do you listen for when determining respiratory effort
Ratio
Depth
Abdominal effort
