CALL FOR SENIOR HELP

Airway

• Assessment
  • If they can talk → airway is patent.
  • If they can’t → look for signs of airway compromise (cyanosis, use of accessory muscles), listen for abnormal airway noises (stridor), open mouth and inspect.
  • Causes of Airway Compromise → inhaled foreign body, blood in airway, vomit/secretions in airway, soft tissue swelling (anaphylaxis and infection), local mass, laryngospasm, depressed level of consciousness.
• Interventions
  • Seek immediate expert support from anaesthetics and crash team.
  • Perform basic airway manoeuvres → head-tilt chin-lift, jaw thrust.
  • Suction device to remove obstruction.

Breathing

• Assessment
  • Obs → RR, O2 Sats.
  • General Inspection → cyanosis, SOB, cough, stridor, kussmaul’s respiration.
  • Tracheal Position, Chest Expansion, Chest Percussion, Chest Auscultation.
    • Wheezing → go to asthma pathway.
  • Investigations / Procedures → ABG, CXR.
• Interventions
  • Position patient upright → can help with oxygenation.
  • Oxygen → via non-rebreathe 15L.

Circulation

• Assessment
  • Obs → HR, BP.
  • General Inspection → pallor, oedema.
  • Palpation → assess temperature, CRT, pulses.
• Interventions
  • Gain IV Access (14G orange cannula), 0.9% saline bolus (adults = 500mL, kids = 10mL/kg).
    • Take bloods while cannula is in.

Disability

• Assessment
  • Consciousness → ACVPU.
  • Pupils.
  • Investigations → blood glucose and ketones.
• Interventions

Exposure