Emergency Medical Assessment Flashcards

What is the AVPU scale used by DCAS paramedics for rapid neurological assessment?

Answer: Alert, Verbal response, Pain response, Unresponsive — a quick consciousness assessment

AVPU is a rapid neurological assessment tool: Alert (fully conscious), Verbal (responds to voice), Pain (responds only to pain stimulus), Unresponsive (no response), used for quick consciousness evaluation.

What is the correct sequence of actions when DCAS paramedics arrive at a trauma scene?

Answer: Scene safety assessment, mechanism of injury evaluation, then primary survey

DCAS protocols require paramedics to first ensure scene safety, then evaluate the mechanism of injury to anticipate injuries, followed by systematic primary survey assessment before treatment.

What is the significance of capillary refill time (CRT) in DCAS patient assessment?

Answer: It indicates peripheral perfusion status; a CRT greater than 2 seconds suggests poor circulation

CRT is assessed by pressing a fingertip and measuring the time for color to return. A CRT exceeding 2 seconds in adults indicates poor peripheral perfusion, possibly from shock or dehydration.

How should DCAS paramedics assess pain using the numeric rating scale?

Answer: Asking the patient to rate their pain from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable)

The numeric rating scale asks patients to rate their pain intensity from 0 (no pain) to 10 (worst pain imaginable), providing a standardized subjective pain measurement for documentation and treatment decisions.

What is the START triage system used by DCAS in mass casualty incidents?

Answer: Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment — a system for rapidly categorizing multiple patients by severity

START (Simple Triage And Rapid Treatment) is a mass casualty triage system that uses assessment of walking ability, respiration, perfusion, and mental status to rapidly categorize patients into treatment priorities.

What documentation must DCAS paramedics complete for each emergency response?

Answer: A comprehensive patient care report including assessment findings, treatments, vital signs, and patient outcome

DCAS requires detailed patient care reports documenting scene assessment, patient findings, vital signs, treatments administered, changes in condition, and handover information for continuity of care.