Patient Assessment - Before you begin

Do a scene size-up– Safety.

Do a medical size-up– Call for assistance.

Start where you stand. If Necessary Perform

Triage– If victims not already

tagged.

When triage completed begin assessment.

What We’re Looking For . . .

• Mechanism of Injury• To provide immediate

treatment for life threatening injuries

• To make a plan and treat non-life threatening injuries

• Signs & Symptoms – Signs

Bruising WoundsSwellingDisfigurement

– Symptoms PainDizzinessInability to move a

body part.

Make Sure Your Patient has been Triaged

Look, Listen, & FeelRPM

– Respiration– Perfusion– Mental Status

Head

• Sign of InjuryChange in

consciousnessBleeding

• Nose, mouth or earsBruisingSwellingSeizuresParalysis Nausea, Vomiting

Exam of the Head

Use two hands– Bilateral Symmetry

Feel the scalpFeel the faceCheck the mouth for

foreign objects

os lacrimale

Neck

• Feel up back of neck – Find the 7th cervical

vertebrae– Check alignment

• Check structures in front of neck– Trachea– Veins– Arteries

Head, Neck & Spine Injuries• Stabilize the

Head/Neck/Spine– Keep in a straight line– Support the neck

• Neck is the easiest area to injure

• Transport on a rigid surface– Door, plank, etc.

Shoulders

• Compare left and right– Same distance from

ground– Same distance from

head– Not forward,

backward, higher or lower than the other

Chest• Find the sternum

– Find the notch above the sternum

– Find the point on the bottom of the sternum

• Press with the edge of your hand– In the MIDDLE of the

sternum– Depress about 1/2”

• Press in from sides

Abdomen

• Divide the abdomen into 4 quadrants– Find umbilicus

• Divide vertically and horizontally from that point

• Use two hands– Fingertips– Top hand presses

down, Lower hand feels

Pelvis

• Find both iliac crests• Place palms on the

crests– Fingers facing out

• Press down• Then press in from

the sides

Arms & Legs

• Check alignment and appearance

• Rotate shoulder joint• Flex elbow joint• Flex wrist & fingers

Turning Patient - One Rescuer

• The more rescuers the better

– (6 person turn taught in Class-5)

• Support the head/neck if able

• Position arms and legs for turning

• Grasp at shoulder and hip– Keep back inline when

turning

Back

• Keep in alignment• Secondary consideration

– When compared to saving a life