Chapter 9: Medical Assessment

Symptom

Subjective Condition the patient feels and tells you about

Sign

Objective condition you can observe

Medical Patients are always

Critical, transport

Onset Followup Question

Acute or general?

Provokes Follow-up

Does it change with rest or motion?

Quality Follow-up

Has it changed in any way?

Severity Follow-up

Was it that when it started?

Timing Follow-up

Worsen or better over time? Predictable pattern?

Onset Regular question

When did it start?

Provokes Question

What makes it better or worse?

Quality Question

Describe Quality

Timing Question

Constant or coming and going

Focused Assessment

Performed on patients who have sustained nonsignificant MOIs or on responsive medical patients

Oxygen satuartion means

How many red blood cells are loaded with oxygen

Use what to check oxygen saturation

Pulse Oximetry

Blood Glucometry

Measures level of sugar in blood

1st Step Secondary Assessment

Focused Assessment - Look, listen, feel

2nd Step Secondary Assessment

Vital

3rd Step Secondary Assessment

Field Impression

4th Step Secondary Assessment

Interventions

How often to check patients: Unstable

5 minutes

How often to check stable patients: Stable

15 Minutes

Auscultate

Listen

Bradycardis

Slow heart rate

Coagulate

To form a clot

Crepitus

Sensation caused by broken bone ends rubbing together

DCAP-BTLS

For finding injuries to the body

Diaphoretic

Sweating

Diastolic Pressure

Bottom Number

Systolic Pressure

Top number

Tachycardia

Rapid Heart Rate

Hypertension

High Blood Pressure

Hypotension

Low Blood Pressure

Palpate

Feel or touch

Subcutaneous Emphysema

Air bubbles under the surface of the skin