Patient Assessment & Triage Flashcards

What is the first step a responder should take when approaching an injured crewmember on an active burn unit?

Answer: Make sure the scene is safe from fire, falling snags, and smoke

Scene safety comes first so responders do not become additional patients.

Using the AVPU scale, a patient who responds only when you pinch the shoulder is rated as what?

Answer: Pain

Responding only to a painful stimulus is a 'P' on the AVPU scale.

A holder working in heavy smoke has a headache, dizziness, and nausea, but the pulse oximeter reads 99%. What should be suspected?

Answer: Carbon monoxide poisoning

Standard pulse oximeters can read falsely normal with carbon monoxide, so symptoms in smoke matter more.

In the SAMPLE history, what does the 'L' stand for?

Answer: Last oral intake

'L' stands for last oral intake, which matters for surgery and for heat or blood sugar problems.

A crewmember is struck on the head by a falling limb and complains of neck pain. What is the correct initial care?

Answer: Keep the head and neck still while assessing and request help

Neck pain after head trauma calls for spinal motion restriction until a spinal injury is ruled out.

A crewmember stung by a bee develops throat tightness, wheezing, and hives. What is the priority treatment?

Answer: Give epinephrine with an auto-injector and arrange evacuation

These signs indicate anaphylaxis, which requires prompt epinephrine and evacuation.

A firefighter has severe bleeding from a chainsaw cut on the thigh that does not stop with direct pressure. What is the next step?

Answer: Apply a tourniquet above the wound

A tourniquet is used for life-threatening limb bleeding that direct pressure cannot control.