Primary Assessment (Trauma) demonstration

The primary assessment should be done in just a minute or 2 and reveals immediate life threats to your patient. It alerts the EMT or paramedic to interventions/treatments that need to happen prior to transport.

[@wesrhodes2994]

Thanks for the videos! They always make things easier to learn and make sense! Even 2yrs later!

[@cherrifuehring7026]

I am thrilled that they are useful!!! It’s great to know you are keeping up on your learning…. It’s so important.

[@avery8677]

Can you explain why an NPA was used instead of an OPA even though they are contraindicated in patients with suspected brain injuries or facial fractures which definitely seems very likely due to the mechanism of injury in this scenario?

[@cherrifuehring7026]

Avery, the patient responded to painful stimuli, so it more than likely that he would have a gag reflex. You would have seen facial trauma upon inspection of the face…. None was noted (although it wasn’t verbalized in the video)
Thanks for the question!! We appreciate you!

[@avery8677]

@@cherrifuehring7026 Thank you for your response! The reason I asked is because in all of the trauma assessment videos i’ve watched with pts who were only responsive to painful stimuli an OPA was used preferred instead of NPA and the proctors would verbalize that pt always accepted it so I’m confused as to what the right choice is

[@cherrifuehring7026]

@@avery8677 it has been my experience that patients who respond to pain almost always have a gag reflex… but every situation can be different. You must treat every patient based on their assessment findings. If the patient will accept an OPA, that would be the preferred airway adjuncts, but if not, then the NPA is the next best thing.
Patient treatment is always based on the patient, which will vary. The reason we are making these videos is because we struggle to find examples for our students that don’t cause confusion or teach assessment incorrectly. These probably aren’t perfect, but we are giving it a good shot!

[@garr088]

that was going to be my question too.

[@rockmcawesome]

I'm sorry PLEASE Correct me. Nothing i saw would need ALS or immediate transportation. Did i miss something? Again please correct me.

[@cherrifuehring7026]

The pale, cool, clammy skin is a big sign of shock. In a trauma patient, shock is most likely due to bleeding (in this case, internal bleeding since no external bleeding was seen).
The other huge red flag is the patient’s unresponsive state. Given the mechanism of injury (ejected from the vehicle) the possibility of a head injury is very real and makes the possibility of shock even more concerning.

[@rockmcawesome]

@@cherrifuehring7026 Thank you for the clarification. I missed that. Love your videos!

[@cherrifuehring7026]

@@rockmcawesome Thank you for watching! You are more appreciated than you can imagine. Our goal is the help other’s learn. Your questions are valuable in that mission.

[@avery8677]

he was ejected from the vehicle……

[@productions4651]

This was a Trauma, right???? ….The entire scenario…no one felt the need to expose the chest for injuries that may compromise ventilation??? ….There “appears” to be = chest rise and fall….that doesn’t sound definite to me….Better yet we’ll just cover up the chest……….Come on !!!!! You get a point for identifying injuries that compromise ventilation…No rapid trauma assessment either (DCAP!!!!) …might as well just call a taxi….I’d give you a fail….cool….

[@cherrifuehring7026]

Thank you for your response... We appreciate the time you took to formulate your reply and to offer your opinion.