Assessment and Care in an Emergency revision question and solution A+ grade
triage ensures that patients receive care in an organized yet equitable manner. patients are
generally sorted into three categories: - -1) pts who require immediate care (heart attack
or respiratory disease)
2) pts requiring urgent care, but can wait a short amount of time (minor cut that may need
stitches)
3) pts who require standard care and can wait a considerable amount of time to receive care
(sinus infection)
emergency departments often use a color system to appropriately triage patients who are
seeking care - -
rapid assessment - -provides a systematic approach to briefly assess the patient in an
emergency situation
observation - -this is completed in the first few seconds of your interaction and allows
you to visually gather physical and psychological information
you will observe - -1) issues that may immediately threaten the life or well-being of a
patient
2) physical or psychological problems
3) level of consciousness, behavior, and/or manner
4) rate and depth of breathing
5) position, stature, color, tone, mood, distress
6) ability to engage and communicate appropriately with others
7) patient's support system
8) general information such as weight, hygiene, dress
, health history, you will ask about: - -1) presenting complaint
2) relevant past medical history
3) current medications
chief complaint - -why have you come to the ER today?
this reveals not only why the patient is visiting, but shows the patient's understanding of their
presenting issue
history of the chief complaint - -when did this start? what symptoms are you
experiencing? what makes the symptoms worse/better?
this allows an in depth view of the chief complaint
medical history - -- medications
- current & past medical conditions
- allergies and how they react to allergen
- current treatments
this ensures that the patient's diagnosis and treatment(s) will be appropriate and not inflict
harm
last consumption - -when was the last time you ate or drank?
this information is imperative in patients who may require surgery and/or anesthesia
triage ensures that patients receive care in an organized yet equitable manner. patients are
generally sorted into three categories: - -1) pts who require immediate care (heart attack
or respiratory disease)
2) pts requiring urgent care, but can wait a short amount of time (minor cut that may need
stitches)
3) pts who require standard care and can wait a considerable amount of time to receive care
(sinus infection)
emergency departments often use a color system to appropriately triage patients who are
seeking care - -
rapid assessment - -provides a systematic approach to briefly assess the patient in an
emergency situation
observation - -this is completed in the first few seconds of your interaction and allows
you to visually gather physical and psychological information
you will observe - -1) issues that may immediately threaten the life or well-being of a
patient
2) physical or psychological problems
3) level of consciousness, behavior, and/or manner
4) rate and depth of breathing
5) position, stature, color, tone, mood, distress
6) ability to engage and communicate appropriately with others
7) patient's support system
8) general information such as weight, hygiene, dress
, health history, you will ask about: - -1) presenting complaint
2) relevant past medical history
3) current medications
chief complaint - -why have you come to the ER today?
this reveals not only why the patient is visiting, but shows the patient's understanding of their
presenting issue
history of the chief complaint - -when did this start? what symptoms are you
experiencing? what makes the symptoms worse/better?
this allows an in depth view of the chief complaint
medical history - -- medications
- current & past medical conditions
- allergies and how they react to allergen
- current treatments
this ensures that the patient's diagnosis and treatment(s) will be appropriate and not inflict
harm
last consumption - -when was the last time you ate or drank?
this information is imperative in patients who may require surgery and/or anesthesia
