ABCDE Assessment

Question 1

What does the ABCDE approach stand for

Answer 1

A= Airway 
B= Breathing 
C= Circulation
D= Disability 
Assessment always begins by assessing the area for safety and an early call for help

Question 2

What do you assess when you are assessing an airway?

Look, Listen and Feel approach

Answer 2

Look
For chest and abdominal movement. Paradoxical movement (where only one side expands)
For accessory muscle use
Presence of blood and foreign bodies in mouth.
Cyanosis
Listen
For noise when breathing (gurgling, snoring, inspiratory strider, expiratory wheeze)
Feel
For airflow at mouth and nose

Question 3

What do you assess when assessing breathing?

Look, Listen and Feel approach

Answer 3

Look
Resp rate, depth, pattern, use of accessory muscles, cyanosis evidence of tissue hypoxia. Ability to hold conversation.
Listen
Ability to cough, amount, colour and consistency of sputum, evidence of gurgling, snoring, inspiratory strider, expiratory wheeze
Feel
Chest movement

Question 4

How do you assess circulation?

Answer 4

Assess heart rate, rhythm and amplitude 
Assess BP systolic and diastolic 
Assess colour of hands fingers and lips for Cyanosis 
Assess limb temp 
Assess capillary refill time 
Consider urine output 
Evidence of nausea or vomiting

Question 5

How do you assess disability?

Answer 5

Using the Glasgow coma scale
Using ACPU ( Alert, Confused, responds to Vocal stimuli, responds to Painful stimuli, unresponsive)
Assess blood glucose levels