Best Practices for Assessing Injuries Before Shock Treatment?

Assessing the Airway

When evaluating the airway, inspect the patient’s face and neck for any signs of trauma or swelling. Check for a patent airway by ensuring the patient is able to speak in complete sentences and feels air on their face. If the airway appears obstructed, consider using a head tilt-chin lift maneuver to open the airway. If the patient’s airway is still obstructed, use a suction device or oropharyngeal airway to ensure a patent airway.

Assessing Breathing

Check the patient’s breathing by feeling for breath on your cheek and listening for breath sounds with a stethoscope. Count the patient’s respiratory rate for 30 seconds to determine if it is within normal limits (12-20 breaths per minute). If the patient’s respiratory rate is abnormal, assess for signs of respiratory distress such as cyanosis, grunting, or nasal flaring.

Assessing Circulation

Check the patient’s circulation by feeling for a pulse in the carotid and radial arteries. Check for capillary refill time by pressing your finger into the patient’s nail bed and releasing. Normal capillary refill time is less than 2 seconds. If the patient’s circulation appears compromised, assess for signs of shock such as pale or cool skin, weak or thready pulse, or decreased level of consciousness.

Special Considerations

When assessing injuries before shock treatment, it’s essential to consider potential spinal cord injuries. If you suspect a spinal cord injury, immobilize the patient’s neck and back using a cervical collar and backboard to prevent further injury. Additionally, assess for any potential environmental hazards such as chemical or biological agents that may have contributed to the patient’s injuries.