SPM 100
Clinical Skills Lab 7
Emergency Assessment
Daryl P. Lofaso, M.Ed, RRT
Initial Assessment Guide
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Primary Assessment
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Observational Assessment
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Appearance, WOB, and Circulation
Intervention to any life-threatening condition
Secondary Assessment (Serial)
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Vital Signs
GCS
Primary Assessment
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A = Airway / C-spine immobilization
B = Breathing
C = Circulation
D = Disability or Neurologic Status
Secondary Assessment
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E = Exposure and environmental
control to prevent heat loss
F = Full set of vital signs, wt.
G = Give comfort measures
H = Head-to-toe assessment and
History (Hx)
I = Inspect posterior surfaces
Triage Assessment
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Emergent
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Urgent
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Non-urgent
Emergent
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Airway and Breathing Difficulties
Cardiac Arrest
C-spine compromise
Seizure states
Life or limb-threatening condition
Emergent (continued)
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Severe medical problems (Overdose,
poisoning, DM complications)
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Obvious multiple injuries
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Excessive high temperature
(> 105oF or 40.5oC)
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Cardiac CP
Neurological Deficit – Stroke (CVA)
Urgent
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Chest Pain (Non-Cardiac)
Burns
↓ LOC
Persistent nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
Severe pain
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Temperature
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Delay of up to 2 hrs will not compromise life
or limb
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(102-105oF or 39o-40.5oC)
Non-Urgent
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Chronic backache
Moderate headache
Minor Fx or other injuries
Obviously dead on arrival (DOA)
Stable illness or injury, wait > than
2 hrs without an increased risk of
morbidity or mortality
Patient’s Condition
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Stable – VS within normal limits. Pt
conscious & comfortable.
Guarded – VS within normal limits. Pt
has some discomfort.
Unstable – VS outside of normal limits.
Major complications. Prognosis
guarded.
Universal Precautions
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All Patients are potentially infectious.
Good Handwashing is the key to
reducing nosocomial infections
Wash before and after patient contact
Wear a mask, eye protection, gloves
and gown when needed
3 Types of Precautions
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Airborne
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Droplet
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Contact
Pathogens Requiring
Airborne Precautions
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Tuberculosis
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Measles (Rubeola)
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Varicella (Chickenpox)
Airborne Precautions
Management
Place patient in an isolation
room with negative pressure
 Keep door closed
 Wear N-95 mask
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Pathogens Requiring
Contact Precautions
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Multi-drug resistance bacteria
(e.g., VRE – Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci,
MRSA - Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus)
RSV - Respiratory Syncytial
Virus
 Clostridium difficile
 Scabies
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