NREMT EMT Skills Tutorial: Patient Assessment

Introduction

This tutorial provides a comprehensive guide to conducting a patient assessment, as demonstrated in the NREMT EMT Skills Tutorial. Understanding how to perform an effective assessment is crucial for EMTs, as it helps identify medical emergencies and prioritize patient care.

Step 1: Prepare for the Assessment

• Ensure scene safety before approaching the patient.
• Introduce yourself and seek consent from the patient.
• Assess the patient’s level of consciousness using the AVPU scale (Alert, Verbal, Pain, Unresponsive).

Step 2: Conduct Primary Assessment

• Check for airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC):
  • Ensure the airway is clear. If not, take steps to open it (e.g., head tilt-chin lift).
  • Assess breathing by looking, listening, and feeling for breath sounds.
  • Check circulation by palpating pulses and assessing skin color and temperature.

Step 3: Perform a Detailed Secondary Assessment

• Gather patient history:
  • Ask the patient or bystanders about the chief complaint.
  • Use SAMPLE method:
    • Signs and Symptoms
    • Allergies
    • Medications
    • Past medical history
    • Last oral intake
    • Events leading to the situation
• Conduct a physical examination:
  • Inspect the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities.
  • Look for signs of injury, swelling, or deformities.

Step 4: Monitor Vital Signs

• Measure vital signs, including:
  • Heart rate
  • Blood pressure
  • Respiratory rate
  • Skin condition (temperature, color, moisture)
• Document findings for further evaluation.

Step 5: Provide Appropriate Interventions

• Based on assessment findings, apply necessary interventions:
  • Administer oxygen if the patient is hypoxic.
  • Control bleeding with direct pressure or a tourniquet if necessary.
  • Position the patient appropriately based on their condition (e.g., sitting up for respiratory distress).

Conclusion

Conducting a thorough patient assessment is essential for effective emergency care. Familiarize yourself with the steps outlined above, practice regularly, and always prioritize safety. As you gain experience, you will enhance your skills and confidence in managing various patient scenarios. For further learning, consider reviewing additional resources and practicing assessments in simulated environments.