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Study Guide: Patient Assessment (Crash Course)
Source: https://www.fatskills.com/introduction-to-health-sciences/chapter/patient-assessment-crash-course

Patient Assessment (Crash Course)

By Fatskills Exam Guides Team — the exam nerds behind 28,500+ quizzes and 2.1M practice questions across 500+ global exams.

⏱️ ~2 min read

Ascites
abdominal swelling(consider liver disease, CHF, renal failure)

Cullen's sign
bruising around umbilicus(consider intra-abdominal bleeding)

field impression
A field conclusion of the patient's problem based on the clinical presentation and the exclusion of other possible causes through considering the differential diagnoses

grey turner's sign
bruising in flank area (consider intra-abdominal bleeding)

pitting edema
depression left by pressure of finger(consider CHF, renal failure)

5 major components of a pt assessment
scene size up
primary assessment
pt hx
secondary assessment
reassessment

Scene size up includes
scene safety
standard precautions
MOI or NOI
# of pts
additional resources

Primary assessment components
general impression
C spine
level of consciousness
ABCs
secondary assessment
transport priority

pt hx components
sample
opqrst
AS(associated symptons)
PN(pertinent negatives)

secondary assessment techniques
inspection
palpations
auscultation
percussion

primary assessment tips
begins as soon as you locate the pt
purpose is to find and manage immediate life-threatening conditions
takes seconds for conscious pts

secondary assessment tips
should not delay transport
designed to identify any remaining conditions or injuries
can be detailed or focused

body system assessment
HEENT
chest & lungs
abd(GI,GU)
musculoskeletal
neuro
hematologic
endocrine
psychiatric

DCAP-BTLS-TIC
deformities
contusions
abrasions
penetrating injuries/paradoxical movement
burns
lacerations
swelling
palpate for:
tenderness
instability
crepitus

baseline vitals
respirations
pulse
BP
temperature
skin
pupils
pulse ox, ETCO2
blood glucose

reassessment tips
purpose to monitor for changes in pt condition
reassess stable pts every 15min & unstable every 5min
repeat until transfer of care or conditions requires repeat of primary assessment

components of reassessment
LOC
ABCs
C/C
interventions
vitals

general management of ALS pts
ABCs
o2 & PPV
ECG, SpO2, ETCO2
blood glucose
IV/ fluids
rapid transport

infant assessment tips(<1yr)
should be alert & engaged
limbs move bilaterally
should recognize parents
R:30-60
HR:100-180
systolic BP:70-104

toddler assessment tips(1-3yrs)
should walk by 18months
should be disagreeable
most trusting of parents
may not want to be touched
focus on vital areas
R:24-40
HR:80-110
systolic BP:80+2(age in yrs)

Preschoolers assessment tips(3-6yrs)
often distrust strangers
may fear blood/injury
answer questions honestly
R:22-34
HR:70-110
systolic BP:80+2(age in yrs)

school age assessment tips(6-12yrs)
often cooperative if they trust you
often seek control
offer choices
may be modest, resist physical exam
R:18-30
HR:65-110
systolic BP:80+2(age in yrs)

adolescent age assessment tips(13-18yrs)
treat similar to adults
can be extremely modest
consider same sex provider if possible
R:12-26
HR:60-90
systolic BP:110-130



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