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Chapter 4

Chapter 4. Finding Out What’s Wrong. Victim assessment Sequence of actions that helps determine what is wrong Ensures safe and appropriate first aid Goals are: Detect life-threatening conditions rapidly Determine other problems needing care Determine if the victim needs medical care.

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Chapter 4

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  1. Chapter 4 Finding Out What’s Wrong

  2. Victim assessment Sequence of actions that helps determine what is wrong Ensures safe and appropriate first aid Goals are: Detect life-threatening conditions rapidly Determine other problems needing care Determine if the victim needs medical care Checking the Victim

  3. Determines the safety of the scene Cause of injury or nature of illness Number of victims If scene appears hazardous, do not enter! Scene Size-Up

  4. Determines if there are life-threatening problems requiring quick care. Involves checking the victim’s responsiveness, opening the airway, checking for breathing, and checking for severe bleeding. Initial Check (1 of 5)

  5. Initial Check (2 of 5) • Determine if the victim is responsive.

  6. Initial Check (3 of 5) • Ensure that the victim’s airway is open.

  7. Initial Check (4 of 5) • Determine if the victim is breathing.

  8. Initial Check (5 of 5) • Check for any obvious, severe bleeding.

  9. General Impression of Victim • Also known as first impression, look test, or a gut reaction • Determine whether the victim is injured or ill.

  10. Check Responsiveness • Victim can be responsive or unresponsive • AVPU scale • A – alert • V – Responsive to verbal stimulus • P – Responsive only to painful stimulus • U – Unresponsive to any stimulus

  11. Open Airway • Airway must be open for breathing. • Use the head tilt-chin lift method to open the airway.

  12. Check for Breathing • Check for breathing sounds that might indicate a problem. • Check for breathing in an unresponsive victim while opening the airway. • Look, listen, and feel.

  13. Check for Severe Bleeding • Look over the victim’s entire body for blood. • Apply direct pressure and a sterile dressing. • Avoid contact with the victim’s blood.

  14. Skin Condition • Skin temperature • Color • Reflects circulation • Condition

  15. Expose the Injury • Clothing may have to be removed to check for injury and to provide first aid. • Explain what you intend to do and why first.

  16. Physical Exam • Goal is to immediately identify any potentially life-threatening illness or injury. • Most victims will not require a complete head-to-toe type of physical exam.

  17. Signs and Symptoms • Signs • Victim’s conditions you can see, feel, hear, or smell. • Symptoms • Things the victim feels and is able to describe; known as the chief complaint.

  18. DOTS • D = Deformity • O = Open wounds • T = Tenderness • S= Swelling

  19. Conducting a Physical Exam (1 of 7) • Head: check for DOTS

  20. Conducting a Physical Exam (2 of 7) • Neck: check for DOTS

  21. Conducting a Physical Exam (3 of 7) • Chest: check for DOTS

  22. Conducting a Physical Exam (4 of 7) • Abdomen: check for DOTS

  23. Conducting a Physical Exam (5 of 7) • Pelvis: check for DOTS

  24. Conducting a Physical Exam (6 of 7) • Extremities: check both arms and legs for DOTS

  25. Conducting a Physical Exam (7 of 7) • Back: if no spinal injury is suspected, turn the victim on his or her side and check for DOTS

  26. SAMPLE History • S = Symptoms • A = Allergies • M = Medications • P = Past medical history • L = Last oral intake • E = Events leading up to the illness or injury

  27. Medical Identification Tags • Look for a medical identification tag or a medical information card. • Beneficial in identifying allergies, medications, or medical history

  28. Putting It All Together • If victim requires medical care, pass this information on: • Victim’s chief complaint • Responsiveness • Initial check • Physical exam findings • SAMPLE history • Any first aid that has been provided

  29. Triage • Process of prioritizing multiple victims • Immediate care • Urgent care • Delayed care • Dead

  30. Advantages of the Left-Side Position • Also called recovery position • Has several advantages: • Keeps airway open • Delays vomiting • Delays poison’s effects • Relieves pressure on a pregnant woman’s vena cava

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