Chapter 12 - The Primary Assessment

Maneuver that should be used to open the airway for a trauma patient

Jaw-thrust maneuver

clinical judgement is based on…

experience in observing and treating patients

Where to check capillary refill on a child or infant with small nail beds

top of the foot

6 parts of primary assessment are…

General Impression, Mental status (and manually stabilizing head + neck when appropriate), Airway, breathing, circulation, and determining pt priority

Interventions

Actions taken to correct or manage a patient’s problem(s)

General Impression

Impression of the patients condition that is formed on first approach

Spinal Motion Restriction (SMR)

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

Manual stabilization

Use of one’s hands to prevent movement of patient’s head and neck until cervical collar is applied

Chief Complaint

Reason why EMS was called, usually in patient’s own words

Clinical Judgement

Judgement that is based on experience in observing and treating patients

AVPU

Mnemonic for determining patient’s level of responsiveness; Alert, Verbal response, Painful response, Unresponsive

Priority

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

High priority conditions…

Poor general impression, Unresponsive, Responsive but unable to follow commands, Difficulty breathing, Shock, Complicated childbirth, Chest pain consistent with cardiac problems, Uncontrolled bleeding, Severe pain anywhere