Critical Thinking

1. Patient presents with ankle pain and swelling. Patient is unable to bear weight on the

affected leg. RR 14 P 88 and can follow commands and tell you what happened.

GREEN

Minor-nothing indicating this patient can’t be part of “walking wounded”

2. Patient presents with confusion and a headache. Patient is unable to follow commands.

RED

Not obeying commands- could be a lot of things- head trauma? ABC’s?

3. Patient is an infant that presents unresponsive and not

breathing. Patient has an open skull fracture with brain matter

exposed. Airway is repositioned and patient still does not breath

on their own.

BLACK

4. Patient presents screaming stating “my pain is 20/10”. When

patient is evaluated, the patient states that her ½ inch laceration to

her upper forearm hurts. RR 24 P 118 Patient is able to follow instructions reluctantly

Minor-

small cut, vital signs stable,

tachycardia could be pain, neuro

stable. (20/10 is NOT an example

of not following commands)

5. Patient presents with SOB and right rib pain. RR 34 and shallow P 122

RED

Immediate- compromise to

ABC’s and has dyspnea and RR

>30

6. Patient presents with an approximately 6-inch laceration to

their left lateral thigh. Bleeding is controlled currently and is awake

and alert and following commands. RR 22 P 112.

RED

Patient has left lower quadrant abdominal pain 10/10. Generalized cold, clammy skin,

delayed cap refill. Patient is awake, lethargic but able to answer questions.

RED

Immediate –

cold, clammy skin and delayed

cap refill are signs of

hypoperfusion and possible

shock

8. Patient walks into the ER and presents with a deformed 4th digit.

RR 16, P 60 and answers questions appropriately

GREEN

Minor-walking

wounded

9. Patient has apnea and is unresponsive. After repositioning the airway, the patient remains

apneic.

BLACK

Delayed-this is

not an extensive burn and RR and

8. Patient walks into the ER and presents with a deformed 4th digit.

RR 16, P 60 and answers questions appropriately.

Immediate-

ABC’s – could be trauma or MI

1. Patient with second-degree burns of 10% of body (right arm). RR 21, P 81, alert.

RED

12. Patient presents with chest pain and SOB. Patient is unable to

recall any of the events leading up to the onset of symptoms and

does not follow instructions. RR 32, delayed cap refill.

RED