59 Questions
What is the primary goal of determining the mechanism of injury or nature of illness during scene assessment?
To determine the extent of injury or illness
Why is it important to determine the number of patients during scene assessment?
To prioritize care and triage patients
Why is it important to relay scene size-up information accurately and quickly?
To better prepare responding units for what they might encounter
What is the first step in the scene size-up process?
Conducting an overall view of the scene
What should you do if the scene is unsafe and you cannot make it safe?
Do not enter the scene
How do different scenes present different dangers?
Through the type of incident or scene
What is the ultimate goal of the scene size-up process?
To help patients after determining the scene is safe
What is the primary component of scene size-up that involves assessing the risk of harm to responders and bystanders?
Scene safety
What is the purpose of assessing the mechanism of injury or nature of illness during scene size-up?
To understand the severity of the patient's condition
How many components are involved in the scene size-up process?
4
What is the first step in assessing a scene?
Ensuring scene safety
What is the primary purpose of the primary assessment?
To identify and address any immediate life-threatening conditions
What is the first step in assessing a patient?
Scanning the patient to check if they are conscious and breathing normally
What is the primary purpose of assessing a patient's level of consciousness?
To indicate how awake, alert, and aware someone is of their surroundings
What should you do if the patient is a criminal justice officer and their level of consciousness drops?
Disarm them to avoid possible safety concerns
What is the most valuable tool for determining the LOC of an infant or child?
Visual assessment
What is the next step if you determine a patient is unresponsive?
Follow the steps for CPR
What is the purpose of performing a secondary assessment?
To perform a thorough, full head-to-toe assessment of the patient
What is the primary difference between a primary and secondary assessment?
A primary assessment identifies and addresses immediate life-threatening conditions, while a secondary assessment is a thorough head-to-toe assessment
What is the key characteristic of a patient who is considered 'alert' according to the AVPU scale?
They are aware of their surroundings and can react to their environment
A patient opens their eyes when you ask their name, but does not respond to verbal commands. How would you classify their level of consciousness using the AVPU scale?
Verbal
What is the primary characteristic of a patient who is verbally responsive?
They respond to verbal commands
What is the primary way to assess a patient's response to pain?
By applying gentle pressure to their hand or shoulder
What is the primary indicator of an unresponsive patient?
They make no movements or sounds and do not respond to stimuli.
In what order should the primary assessment be performed?
Massive hemorrhage, Airway, Respirations, Circulation, Hypothermia/Head injury
What is the primary purpose of the MARCH primary assessment?
To identify and address life-threatening conditions
What is the most critical step to take when assessing a patient with severe bleeding?
Look for the source of bleeding and apply direct pressure
What is the primary indicator of a patient's ability to breathe?
Open airway
What is the most common preventable cause of trauma-related deaths?
Massive hemorrhage
What is the purpose of assessing a patient's respirations?
To assess the patient's ability to breathe adequately
What is the primary purpose of applying direct pressure to a wound?
To stop life-threatening bleeding
What is the key characteristic of a patient with severe bleeding?
Very low blood pressure and rapid heart rate
What is the primary step in assessing a patient's airway?
Refer to CPR training to safely clear objects in the airway
What is the purpose of assessing a patient's pulse?
To identify a weak pulse
What is the key step in assessing a patient's breathing?
Check for equal rise and fall of the chest or abdomen
What is a sign of inadequate breathing?
Wheezing or painful breathing
What should you do if a patient is not breathing?
Immediately request an AED and prepare to perform CPR
How do you assess for circulation in an unconscious adult or child?
Check the carotid pulse on the neck
What does a blue skin color indicate?
Inadequate circulation
Why is it important to prevent hypothermia in trauma patients?
It can decrease the blood's ability to clot or gel
What should you do to prevent hypothermia in a patient?
Minimize exposure to the elements and protect them from wind and water
What is a possible concern in a patient with a head injury?
Permanent brain damage from lack of oxygen
What should you assess in a patient with a head injury?
Pupil size and fluids coming out of their ears
What can indicate poor circulation or death?
A change in normal body temperature
What should you do if a patient's level of consciousness decreases?
Call for immediate medical help
What is the purpose of the DOTS acronym in the secondary assessment?
To guide the examination of each body part
What is indicated by the presence of wet clothing during the secondary assessment?
External bleeding
What is the purpose of comparing an injured body area to a similar, uninjured area during the secondary assessment?
To identify deformities
What is indicated by a patient's grimace during the secondary assessment?
Tenderness
What is the purpose of the PMS acronym during the secondary assessment?
To guide the examination of the extremities
What is indicated by the presence of raised skin during the secondary assessment?
Swelling
What should you do if you are unable to complete a secondary assessment?
Focus on stabilizing the patient's vital signs
What is the primary goal of the secondary assessment?
To complete a comprehensive physical examination
When should the secondary assessment be performed?
Once the patient is stabilized
What does the 'D' in the DOTS acronym represent?
Deformities
What is indicated by the presence of swelling during the secondary assessment?
Soft-tissue injury and fractures
What is the purpose of the PMS acronym during the secondary assessment?
To guide the examination of the extremities
What does the 'T' in the DOTS acronym represent?
Tenderness
Why is it important to carefully remove or cut open wet clothing during the secondary assessment?
To identify open injuries and control bleeding
Study Notes
Scene Size-Up Components
- Scene size-up has four essential components: scene safety, mechanism of injury or nature of illness, the number of victims, and the need for more rescuers and special equipment.
Scene Safety
- Scene size-up begins as soon as you receive notice from dispatch or come upon the scene.
- Take an overall view of the scene, maintaining situational awareness.
- Pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, and feel to determine if the scene is safe to enter.
- If the scene is unsafe and you have no means to make it safe, do not enter.
- Possible dangers vary greatly, depending on the scene type, such as natural disasters, domestic violence calls, nuisance animal calls, and active threat/shooter incidents.
Mechanism of Injury or Nature of Illness
- Determine the mechanism of injury to the patient or the nature of the illness while assessing scene safety.
- Try to determine what happened and the patient's chief complaint.
- Understanding the mechanism of injury helps judge the extent of injury or illness.
- Identify whether you are dealing with a trauma patient (injured person) or a medical patient (ill person), as this determines the type of first aid or equipment needed.
Number and Location of Patients
- Determine the number of patients at the scene.
- Find out how many patients there are and where they are located.
- Question other patients, witnesses, or bystanders if needed, especially in situations like rollover car crashes where patients may be difficult to find.
- Prioritize care and triage patients depending on several factors when there are multiple patients.
Need for More Responders or Special Equipment
- Assess the need for more resources based on your local protocol and department policy.
- Relay a request for more resources by verbally transmitting all information gathered during your size-up.
- Provide details on overall scene safety, type and extent of injuries, number of patients, and the need for special units to assist.
- Quickly and accurately relay information to better prepare responding units for what they might encounter when they arrive on the scene.
Learn about the essential components of scene size-up in emergency response, including scene safety, mechanism of injury, number of victims, and need for more responders and special equipment. Understand how to assess the scene, determine the extent of injury or illness, and prioritize patient care.
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