Secondary Assesment

Secondary Assessment

A systematic process used to identify injuries or conditions that may not have been found during the primary assessment.

Reassessment

The ongoing process of monitoring a patient's condition, checking for changes, and adjusting care as needed.

Clinical Behavior and Judgment

The decision-making process used by healthcare providers to interpret assessment findings and determine appropriate interventions.

Focused History

A component of the secondary assessment that prioritizes obtaining detailed information about the patient's current complaint.

Physical Examination

A thorough assessment of the patient’s body to detect injuries or abnormalities.

Vital Signs Monitoring

The assessment of key physiological parameters including pulse, respirations, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

Medical Patient

A patient whose condition is primarily related to illness rather than injury.

Trauma Patient

A patient who has sustained physical injuries due to an external force.

Scene Size-Up

The initial assessment of the scene to ensure safety and identify existing hazards.

Primary Assessment

The process of identifying immediate life threats and necessary interventions.

Detailed Physical Exam

A comprehensive head-to-toe evaluation performed, especially for patients with significant trauma.

OPQRST

A mnemonic used to assess a patient's chief complaint: Onset, Provocation, Quality, Radiation, Severity, Time.

SAMPLE

A mnemonic for taking a medical history: Signs and Symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past Medical History, Last Oral Intake, Events Leading to Present Illness.

Dynamic Assessment

An ongoing process where assessments are updated based on new information and patient status.

Head-to-Toe Assessment

A comprehensive examination strategy employed to identify injuries across the entire body.

Albatero

A medication commonly used in the treatment of asthma attacks.

Baseline Vital Signs

Initial measurement of vital parameters used for monitoring changes in a patient’s condition.

Penetrating Wound

An injury that occurs when an object pierces the skin and enters the body.

Flail Chest

A condition where multiple broken ribs result in a section of the chest wall moving paradoxically.

Jugular Vein Distention (JVD)

A clinical sign indicative of increased central venous pressure, often related to heart or respiratory issues.

Capillary Refill

A test used to assess peripheral perfusion by measuring time taken for color to return to an external capillary bed.

Paradoxical Motion

A situation where a segment of the chest wall moves in the opposite direction to the rest of the chest during breathing.

Subcutaneous Emphysema

A condition where air escapes into the subcutaneous tissue, often following trauma.

Soft Collars

Collars used in low-risk cases for neck and spine stabilization to remind patients not to move their necks.

Spinal Motion Restriction

A protocol to limit movement of the spine to prevent further injury during assessment and transport.

Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

A system that provides emergency medical response and transport.

Respiratory Distress

A state of increased work of breathing or difficulty breathing.

Mental Status Changes

Alterations in cognitive function, awareness, or perception, potentially indicating serious medical conditions.

Pediatric Considerations

Adjustments in assessment and treatment protocol based on the unique physiological characteristics of children.

Communication Techniques

Strategies used to effectively relay information and gather patient history during assessment.