Assessment of the Patient Concepts of Emergency Medicine

Assessment of the Patient Concepts of Emergency Medicine Pam Knepp, RN BSN

Assessment of the Patient Scene Size-up n Initial Assessment n Focused History and Physical Exam n Vital Signs n Hand-off to EMTs n

Patient Assessment Bergeron, J. David & Chris Le Bandour. (2009). First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River: NJ.

Patient Assessment Bergeron et al. (2009). First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River: NJ.

Scene Size-up n Every patient assessment begins with scene size -up, which includes: n n n Taking BSI precautions (body substance isolation) Determining if the scene is safe Identifying the MOI (mechanism of injury) or nature of illness Determining the number of patients Identifying any additional resources needed

Scene Size-up n BSI precautions Rescuer wears protective eye wear.

Scene Size-up n BSI precautions Rescuer dons gloves.

Scene Size-up n BSI precautions Rescuer wears both a gown and a simple surgical mask.

Scene Size-up n BSI precautions Rescuer wears a HEPA mask. (filters the air so less allergens or pollutants are being inhaled)

Scene Size-up *Scene Safety: An assessment of the scene and surroundings will provide valuable information to the First Responder and will ensure the well-being of the First Responder.

Scene Size-up n Scene Safety: 1) Personal protection Protection of the patient Protection of bystanders 2) 3) **If the scene is not safe, make it safe. Otherwise, DO NOT ENTER.

Scene Size-up n Unstable situation n Haz. MAT situation n Violent situation

Scene Size-up *Identify Mechanism of Injury: n In trauma situations n An evaluation of the forces that caused an injury n May be beneficial in determining the presence of internal injuries n Determined from the patient, family, or bystanders, and inspection of the scene

Scene Size-up *Identify Mechanism of injury Trauma patient

Scene Size-up *Identify mechanism of injury Impact #1 “A car collides head on with a tree. ”

Scene Size-up *Identify Mechanism of injury Impact #2 “The car collision causes the drivers chest to hit steering wheel. ” “The steering wheel causes damage to the chest area and broken ribs. ”

Scene Size-up *Identify mechanism of injury “The impact of the steering wheel to the drives chest area cause additional damage to inner organs. ” Impact #3

Scene Size-up *Identify nature of illness: n In medical situations n Determined from the patient, family, or bystanders n Why was EMS called?

Scene Size-up *Identify nature of illness

Scene Size-up n Determine the number of patients and additional resources needed: n It is important to account for all patients involved. n Request additional resources if needed: n n n Fire department Police ALS crews (Advanced Life Support) Rescue Utilities Call for resources early.

Initial Assessment n Form a general impression of the patient. n Assess the patient’s mental status. n Assess the patient’s airway. n Assess the patient’s breathing. n Assess the patient’s circulation. n Make a decision on the priority the patient (notify dispatch)

Initial Assessment The initial assessment is completed to assist the First Responder in identifying Immediate Threats to Life.

Initial Assessment n Form a General Impression of the Patient Based on the First Responder’s immediate assessment of the environment and the patient’s chief complaint.

Initial Assessment n Form a general impression of the patient n Assess the Patient’s Mental Status: n Classify the patient’s mental status into one of the following categories: n Alert n Verbal n Painful n Unresponsive

Initial Assessment *Assess the patient’s mental status. Assessing the apparently unresponsive patient

Initial Assessment *Assess the patient’s mental status Assessing the apparently responsive patient

Initial Assessment *Assess the patient’s airway Head-Tilt; Chin-Lift

Initial Assessment *Assess the patient’s airway Jaw-thrust maneuver (with suspected neck injury)

Initial Assessment *Assess the patient’s airway Suction of needed

Initial Assessment *Assess the patient’s airway Insert an airway adjunct as needed

Initial Assessment *Assess the patient’s breathing n Look at the effort of breathing. n Look, listen, and feel for presence of ventilations. n Ventilate as needed.

Initial Assessment n Assess the patient’s circulation n Check for a pulse (carotid artery in adults and brachial artery in infants). n Check for serious bleeding (control bleeding). n Check skin color.

Initial Assessment Make a decision on the priority of the patient and alert dispatch. High priority: n n Poor general impression n Unresponsiveness n Breathing difficulties n Severe bleeding or shock n Complicated childbirth n Chest pain n Severe pain

Focused History and Physical Exam Trauma Patient Medical Patient Significant Mechanism of Injury Unresponsive Medical Patient • Perform a rapid trauma assessment • Take vital signs • Gather SAMPLE history • Perform a rapid physical assessment • Take vital signs • Gather SAMPLE history No Significant Mechanism of Injury Responsive Medical Patient • Perform a focused trauma assessment • Take vital signs • Gather SAMBLE history • Gather SAMPLE history • Perform focused physical exam • Take vital signs

Focused History and Physical Exam n Trauma Patient—Significant MOI: n Significant mechanisms of injury include: n n n n n Ejection from a vehicle Death of another passengers in a MVC Falls greater than 15 feet Rollover vehicle collision High-speed vehicle collision Vehicle-pedestrian collision Motorcycle crash Unresponsiveness or altered mental status Penetrations of the head, chest, or abdomen

Focused History and Physical Exam * Trauma Patient—Significant MOI: n Significant mechanisms of injury in a child include: n Falls greater than 10 feet n Bicycle collision n Medium-speed vehicle collision

Focused History and Physical Exam * Physical Exams or Assessments: n n n n n Deformities Contusions Abrasions Punctures and Penetrations Burns Tenderness Lacerations Swelling

Focused History and Physical Exam n Trauma patient – Rapid trauma assessment Stabilize the head and neck, and check the head (scalp and face).

Focused History and Physical Exam * Trauma assessment – rapid trauma assessment Check the neck and apply a cervical collar (if trained to do so). Note any swelling or tenderness.

Focused history and physical exam n Trauma patient – rapid trauma assessment n Check the chest Check each quadrant of the abdomen (note any abnormalities, tenderness, or foreign bodies) n

Focused History and Physical exam n Trauma Patient— Rapid Trauma Assessment Check the pelvis, pressing gently down and inward.

Focused History and Physical Exam * Trauma Patient— Rapid Trauma Assessment Check the extremities, legs, and then arms (look for any deformity, swelling, or discoloration).

Focused History and Physical Exam * Trauma Patient— Rapid Trauma Assessment Check for distal pulse, motor function, and sensation in each extremity.

Focused History and Physical Exam * Trauma Patient—Rapid Trauma Assessment Check the back and buttocks while maintaining c-spine immobilization: 1) keep arms close to center of body and patient is moved keeping the entire body aligned while rolling patient on his side. 2) the patient is rolled on the count of the person holding c-spine.

Focused History and Physical Exam * Trauma Patient—No Significant MOI: n Steps of assessment include: n Perform a focused trauma assessment. n Take vital signs. n Gather SAMPLE history. S-signs/symptoms A-allergies M-medication P-past history L-last oral intake E-events prior

Focused History and Physical Exam * Trauma Patient—Focused Trauma Assessment 1) 2) 3) Examine the area that is injured. Take vital signs. Provide appropriate care (i. e. stabilize any injuries, control bleeding, dress wounds)

Focused History and Physical Exam n Trauma Patient: n SAMPLE History: n Signs and symptoms n Allergies n Medications n Pertinent past medical history n Last oral intake n Events leading to the illness or injury

Focused History and Physical Exam * Medical Patient—Unresponsive: n Steps of assessment include: n Perform a rapid physical exam (head-to-toe). n Take vital signs (pulse, respirations, blood pressure – if equipment available, mental status). n Gather SAMPLE history.

Focused History and Physical Exam * Medical Patient—Responsive: n Steps of assessment include: n Gather SAMPLE history. n Take vital signs (pulse, respirations, blood pressure-if equipment available, mental status) n Perform n a focused physical exam. Area of chief complaint **Note any medical identification devices (i. e. allergy bracelets)

Vital Signs * Pulse: n Assess for three characteristics: Rate (number of beats per minute) n Strength (weak, bounding, thready, absent) n Rhythm (regular or irregular) n n Carotid pulse in the neck (most distinct pulse felt) n Radial pulse in the lateral portion of the forearm, on the thumb side of the wrist (most easily accessible)

Vital Signs * Pulse: n To measure a radial pulse rate (number of beats/minute) n n n Use your 1 st and 2 nd fingertips to feel for an artery. Do not use your thumb. Find the artery (usually radial or carotid) Apply moderate pressure. Count the beats for 30 seconds. Multiply your 30 -second count by 2.

Vital Signs *PULSE Observation Possible Problem Rapid, strong pulse Internal bleeding (early stages), fear, heat emergency, overexertion, high blood pressure, fever Rapid, weak pulse Shock, blood loss, heat emergency, diabetic emergency, failing circulatory system Slow, strong pulse Stroke, skull fracture, brain injury No pulse Cardiac arrest Bergeron et al. (2009) First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River: NJ.

Vital Signs * Pulse: The normal pulse rate for adults is 60– 100 bpm. n Rate > 100 = Tachycardia n Rate < 60 = Bradycardia n Newborn infants = 120 to 160 bpm n Up to 5 years old = 80 to 140 bpm n 5 to 12 years of age = 70 to 110 bpm n

Vital Signs * Respirations: n Assess for 2 characteristics: n Rate: n n Slow Normal Rapid Character: n n Rhythm—(Regular or Irregular) Depth—(Normal, Shallow, or Deep) Sound—(Abnormal Sounds) Ease—(Labored, Difficult, or Painful)

Vital Signs n Respirations: n To measure & assess respirations: n After pulse count, leave your hand on the wrist. n Observe the rise and fall of the chest. n Listen for sounds. n Count the number of breaths in 30 seconds. n Multiply your 30 -second count by 2. n Note rhythm, depth, sound, and ease of breathing.

Vital Signs Observation Possible Problem Rapid, shallow breaths Shock, heart problems, heat emergency, diabetic emergency, heart failure, pneumonia Deep, gasping labored breaths Airway obstruction, heart failure, heart attack, lung disease, chest injury, diabetic emergency Slow breathing Head injury, stroke, chest injury, certain drugs Snoring Stroke, fractured skull, drug or alcohol abuse, partial airway obstruction Crowing Airway obstruction, airway injury due to heat Gurgling Airway obstruction, lung disease, lung injury due to heat Wheezing Asthma, emphysema, airway obstruction, heart failure Coughing blood Chest wound, chest infection, fractured ribs, punctured lung, internal injury Bergeron et al. (2009). First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River: NJ.

Vital Signs * Respirations: The normal respiratory rate for adults is 12– 20 breaths per minute. n > 28 or < 8 are considered serious. n Newborn infants = 25– 50 breaths per min. n Up to 5 years old = 20– 30 breaths per min. n 5 to 12 years of age = 15– 30 breaths per min. n

Vital Signs *Skin color, temperature, moisture Observation Significant / Possible Problem Pink Normal in light-skinned patients; normal in inner eyelids, lips, and nail beds of dark-skinned patients Pale Constricted blood vessels possibly resulting from blood loss, shock, decreased blood pressure, emotional distress Blue (cyanotic) Lack of oxygen in blood cells and tissue resulting from inadequate breathing or heart function Red (flushed) Heat exposure, high blood pressure, emotional excitement; cherry red indicates late stages of carbon monoxide poisoning Yellow (jaundiced) Liver abnormalities Blotchiness (mottling) Occasionally in patients that are in shock Bergeron et al. (2009). First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle Hall: NJ.

Vital Signs *Skin signs Skin Signs Significant / Possible Problem Cool, clammy Shock, anxiety, heart attack Cold, moist Body is losing heat Cold, dry Exposure to cold Hot, dry High fever, heat emergency, spinal injury Hot, moist High fever, heat emergency Goose bumps accompanied by shivering, chattering teeth, blue lips, and pale skin Chills, communicable disease, exposure to cold, pain, or fear Bergeron et al. (2009). First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River: NJ.

Vital Signs * Pupils Observation Possible Problem Dilated, nonreactive pupils Unresponsiveness, shock, cardiac arrest, bleeding, certain medications, head injury Constricted, nonreactive pupils Central nervous system damage, certain medications Unequal pupils Stroke, head injury Bergeron et al. (2009). First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River: NJ.

Ongoing Assessment While awaiting the additional EMS resources, the First Responder should continue to assess the patient.

Ongoing Assessment n 1) 2) n n n Repeat initial assessment: Repeat every 15 minutes for a stable patient. Repeat every 5 minutes for an unstable patient. Repeat exams as needed. Repeat vital signs. Check interventions. Calm and reassure. Provide comfort measures.

Hand-off Report to EMS n Verbal Report: n n n n n Patient’s mental status Age and sex Chief complaint Airway, breathing, and circulatory status Physical findings SAMPLE history Interventions applied Patient’s response to interventions Accurate Documentation if Required

Summary n Scene Size-up n Initial Assessment n Focused History and Physical Exam n Vital Signs n Hand-off to EMTs

References Bergeron, J. David & Chris Le Bandour. (2009). First Responder. 8 th Edition. Pearson Prentice Hall. Upper Saddle River: NJ. n Knepp, Pamela RN BSN. Personal experience. n Smith, Travis NREMT-P, CCEMT-P. Personal experience. n