Assessment Question

[bdoss2006]

Id say ill get made fun of for this question like the rest... This is kindve a random question that isnt as pertinent in the real world as much as in a testing enviroment but anyway... What would you do if somone is complaining of chest pain, and has moderate shortness of breath? Would you apply oxygen during the primary survey, or wait until the secondary assessment and obtain SPo2 first? I think you usually apply oxygen just based on the primary survey and their presentation without checking SPo2, correct? I also know in a heart attack, you have to be mindful with supplemental oxygen.

 

[Akulahawk]

You probably wouldn't be applying oxygen during your primary survey as that's basically just establishing that the patient's ABC's are intact. Basically, they're breathing (and therefore airway is open) and have a pulse. If someone is actively complaining of chest pain, they're probably not (yet) dead... so therefore your primary survey is complete nearly instantly upon hearing that from the patient.

I'll leave the rest to you.

 

[mgr22]

Id say ill get made fun of for this question like the rest...

With an intro like that, why bother?

 

[DesertMedic66]

Primary assessment.

Airway: Open, clean, maintainable, no need for suction
Breathing: Rate, effort, depth, oxygen as clinically indicated

 

[CCCSD]

I’m just saying: If this is a typical EMT grad, we are in deep trouble…

 

[DrParasite]

This is actually a really good question... because different providers have different opinions, and the guidelines have changed over the years.
View them?
Which is more important? fixing and ABC issues, or performing interventions?

EMT class and NREMT testing is a little more rigid than what we do in real life; depending on the patient's presentation, I would probably put on a SPO2 probe on the person's finger to get a baseline oxygen reading, and then apply O2 if I felt it was necessary. I doubt the 6 or 8 second delay to get a reading is going to affect the patient long term, unless they are gasping for air, and in that case, you should be grabbing a BVM.

Also remember, just because someone has a PS02 above 95%, doesn't always mean they shouldn't be given oxygen. Examples include carbon monoxide poisoning, sickle cell crisis, pneumothorax or cluster headaches.

here is more reading for you to do:

The Importance of Oxygen Use in Emergency Medical Services (EMS)

Although most of these times will be emergencies, emergency medical service (EMS) professionals are properly trained to provide patients with oxygen in order to facilitate faster healing.

caloxinc.com

The How, What and Why of EMS Pulse Oximetry - JEMS: EMS, Emergency Medical Services - Training, Paramedic, EMT News

Learn how a pulse oximeter works, what the readings mean, and what role a pulse oximeter plays in emergency medicine.

www.jems.com

Oxygenation Status and Pulse Oximeter Analysis - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

 

[Akulahawk]

I think what I was getting at in my earlier post is that checking the ABC's/Primary Survey can be completed so quickly that you flow very, very quickly into your secondary survey stuff and start treating as you discover problems. As you gain experience in assessing patients, it starts to LOOK like you're beginning your assessment and doing treatment simultaneously. You're not. Primary Survey is done, but Secondary Survey might only focus on a respiratory problem because that's the biggest life threat that's presenting itself.

 

[bdoss2006]

I’m just saying: If this is a typical EMT grad, we are in deep trouble…

I am sick of your trash talk.

 

[ffemt8978]

And another one gets closed