patient Assessment

[MonkeySquasher]

ABC

Airway
Breathing
Circulation

"Hi, my name is Stan, what seems to be the problem?"
If they respond they're alert and responsive, and have a patent airway.
"How are you breathing?"
Whatever their answer, they get O2 15LPM, at least as far as my stage of training is concerned.
"Mind if I check your pulse?"
While checking the pulse note the skin, the color, temp, and condition of it, and look over the patient for "squirts and leaks."

Yeah, until the new standard, then its "C-A-B"...


Also, try to get away from the phrase "If they can talk, they have a patent airway" and replace it with "They appear to have a patent airway at this time, do I see any signs to indicates future airway compromise?"

Plenty of things, from loose dentures, broken teeth, epiglottitis, croup, etc can all start with a "patent" airway and suddenly become a partial or complete obstruction.

 

[JPINFV]

Yeah, until the new standard, then its "C-A-B"...

...for cardiac arrests...