ems100 chapter 12- primary assessment

what do the ABCs stand for

airway, breathing, circulation

a memory aid for classifying a patient’s level of responsiveness or mental status

AVPU (alert, verbal response, painful response, unresponsive)

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

chief complaint

impression of the patient’s condition that is formed on first approaching the patient based on the patient’s environment, chief complaint, and appearance

general impression

actions taken to correct or manage a patient’s problems

interventions

using one’s hands to prevent movement of patient’s head and neck until a cervical collar can be applied

manual stabilization

level of responsiveness

mental status

the first element in a patient assessment

primary assessment

what is the order fo the primary assessment

• forming a general impression

• assessing mental status

• assessing airway

• assessing breathing

• assessing circulation

• determining priority

the decision regarding the need for immediate transport of the patient versus further assessment and care at the scene

priority

a procedure for limiting movement of the head, neck, and spine when spinal injury is possible or likely

spinal motion restriction