EMT Chapter 12 The Primary Assessment Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does ABCs stand for?

Assessment, Breathing, and Circulation

Airway, Breathing, and Care

Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (correct)

Assessment, Breathing, and Care

What does AVPU signify?

Alert, Verbal response, Painful response, Unresponsive

What is the chief complaint?

The reason EMS was called, usually in the patient's own words

What is a general impression?

Impression of the patient's condition formed on first approaching the patient Signup and view all the answers

What are interventions in emergency medicine?

Actions taken to correct or manage a patient's problems Signup and view all the answers

What does mental status refer to?

Level of responsiveness Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary assessment?

The first element in a patient's assessment focused on discovering and managing life-threatening problems Signup and view all the answers

What is priority in emergency care?

The decision regarding the need for immediate transport versus further assessment and care Signup and view all the answers

What are high-priority conditions?

Poor general impression, unresponsive, difficulty breathing, shock, chest pain, uncontrolled bleeding, severe pain Signup and view all the answers

What should be done if the airway is not open?

Take measures to open the airway Signup and view all the answers

What are the three steps of assessing circulation?

Check for pulse, check the skin, check for life-threatening bleeding Signup and view all the answers

What indicates a stable patient?

Vital signs in normal range Signup and view all the answers

How is a potentially unstable patient characterized?

Potential for deterioration Signup and view all the answers

What are three indicators of possible shock?

Anxiety, pallor, sweatiness Signup and view all the answers

What do you do if a patient is in respiratory arrest?

Perform rescue breathing Signup and view all the answers

What do you do if you discover a life-threatening condition during a primary assessment?

Perform the appropriate intervention Signup and view all the answers

What indicates a high-priority transport?

Conditions where little or no treatment can be given in the field that will make a difference Signup and view all the answers

What is the first step in the ABCs if a patient appears lifeless?

CAB Signup and view all the answers

What are three steps of airway management in ABCs?

Open the airway, suction if necessary, place an OPA or NPA if needed Signup and view all the answers

What is a clinical judgment?

A judgment based on experience in observing and treating patients Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Primary Assessment Overview

ABCs stand for airway, breathing, and circulation; critical focus areas during assessment.
AVPU is a mnemonic for assessing patient responsiveness: alert, verbal response, painful response, and unresponsive.
Chief Complaint refers to the patient's primary reason for calling EMS, often expressed in their own words.
General Impression involves assessing the patient's overall condition based on appearance, environment, and chief complaint upon first approach.
Interventions are medical actions taken to address or manage the patient's problems effectively.

Assessment Process

Primary Assessment is the first step in evaluating a patient, focusing on identifying and addressing life-threatening issues; consists of forming a general impression, assessing mental status, airway, breathing, circulation, and determining patient priority.
Priority determines the urgency of patient transport versus the need for further assessment and care on-site.
High-Priority Conditions include unresponsive patients, difficulty breathing, shock, severe injuries, and uncontrolled bleeding.

Initial Steps

Approach focuses on life threats, where airway (A), breathing (B), and circulation (C) are prioritized based on the patient's presentation.
Immediate Interventions are necessary for any life-threatening problems identified during the ABC assessment.
Depending on the patient's responsiveness, the sequence of assessments may vary (ABCs for responsive patients; CAB for lifeless patients).

Mental and Physical Status Evaluation

Mental Status is assessed through the AVPU scale, indicating the patient's responsiveness and awareness of their surroundings.
Circulation Assessment involves evaluating pulse rate, rhythm, temperature, skin color, and checking for any significant bleeding.
Findings Indicating Critical Conditions include altered mental status, anxiety, pale or sweaty skin, and evident trauma.

Skin Assessment and Vital Signs

Skin Color & Condition: Normal skin is warm, pink, and dry; pale or clammy skin indicates poor circulation or shock.
Pulse Check: Rapid assessment is conducted to identify normal, slow, or fast rates; any abnormal finding necessitates further concern.

Patient Stability Classification

Stable: Vital signs within normal range, no immediate threats.
Unstable: Patient presents threats to ABCs or is at high risk for deterioration.
Potentially Unstable: Patients whose conditions may worsen even without immediate threats.

Adapting Assessments and Handling Patients

Patient characteristics, such as age and condition (medical vs. traumatic), dictate the assessment approach; adjustments are made based on these factors.
For children, the assessment must account for social and physiological norms.
Handling Patients Post-Assessment: Unstable patients should be rapidly transported with minimal on-scene intervention, while stable ones can undergo slower, more detailed evaluations.

Critical Assessment Situations

A General Impression is formed through observational skills, providing clues to patient urgency.
Levine's Sign indicates cardiac distress, characterized by the patient clutching their chest with a fist.
Tripod Position suggests the patient is experiencing significant breathing difficulty.

Special Considerations

In the case of respiratory arrest, perform rescue breathing; if the airway is compromised, take immediate corrective action.
Altered Mental Status could signal various underlying issues such as hypoxia or head trauma; immediate attention is necessary.
Emergency Responses to life-threatening conditions discovered during assessment must be prompt and appropriate, focusing on the ABCs.

Key Terms and Concepts

Clinical Judgment derives from experience in patient observation and treatment.
Exsanguinating describes severe, life-threatening bleeding requiring urgent intervention.
Flail Chest indicates multiple rib fractures leading to compromised breathing efficiency.

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Description

Test your knowledge of key concepts in emergency medical services with these flashcards focusing on the primary assessment. This quiz covers vital terms such as ABCs, AVPU, and chief complaint, essential for any EMT. Perfect for reinforcing your understanding before exams or in practical scenarios.