PALS Secondary Assessment Overview

Study Notes

Secondary Assessment in PALS

Components of Secondary Assessment: Involves focused history and focused physical exam.

Focused History

SAMPLE Acronym: A systematic approach for gathering information during assessment.

SAMPLE Breakdown

S - Signs & Symptoms: Essential observations at onset of illness, including:
- Breathing difficulty (cough, pain)
- Decreased level of consciousness (LOC)
- Agitation and anxiety
- Fever, decreased oral intake, diarrhea, vomiting
- Bleeding and fatigue
- Understanding the time course of symptoms is critical.

Allergies

A - Allergies: Important to document allergies to:
- Medications
- Foods
- Latex and other substances

Medications

M - Medications: Key information includes:
- Types of medications being taken
- Last dose and timing of administration

Past Medical History

P - Past Medical History: Relevant health history includes:
- Significant conditions such as asthma, chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, arrhythmias, congenital airway abnormalities, seizures, head injuries, brain tumors, diabetes, hydrocephalus, and neuromuscular diseases
- Previous symptoms and immunization history

Last Meal

L - Last Meal: Important details involve:
- Timing of the last intake (liquid or food)
- Nature of the last meal consumed

Events Leading to Illness

E - Events: Gather information on:
- Circumstances leading to current illness or injury
- Nature of the injury (gradual or sudden onset)

Focused Physical Exam

Exam Characteristics:
- Severity of the illness dictates the thoroughness of the examination.
- Includes a careful assessment of the primary area of concern alongside a brief head-to-toe evaluation.

Description

Test your knowledge on the components of secondary assessment in Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). This quiz will cover focused history gathering using the SAMPLE acronym, as well as the importance of allergies, medications, and past medical history in critical situations.