4 Risk Recognition and Prioritization Free Online FlashCards

Why must triage be repeated?

Triage is a repeated estimate of urgency, not a one-time label; worsening findings require reprioritization.

What questions guide initial risk prioritization?

Ask whether life, limb, or organ function is immediately threatened, whether the patient could deteriorate quickly, and whether treatment or escalation is time-dependent.

What is the ABCDE assessment sequence?

Use ABCDE in order: Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure and examination.

What airway findings are concerning in ABCDE?

Look for obstruction, stridor, swelling, or gurgling, and assess whether the patient can speak and protect the airway.

What should be assessed during the breathing check?

Assess effort, rate, oxygenation, chest movement, and ability to speak. Severe distress, cyanosis, or very slow or fast breathing is concerning.

What circulation findings may signal shock?

Check pulse, perfusion, skin, blood pressure, and visible bleeding. Heavy bleeding, a weak rapid pulse, or poor perfusion may indicate shock.

What does the disability check assess?

Assess responsiveness, mental status, and pupils; check blood glucose when appropriate and available. New confusion, reduced consciousness, or active seizure is a red flag.

What are key aims of the exposure check?

Look for injuries, rash, bleeding, temperature abnormalities, and other clues while preventing unnecessary heat loss and preserving dignity.

How should immediate threats be handled during ABCDE?

Treat life-threatening problems as they are found and summon help early. Reassess after interventions; in trauma, catastrophic external bleeding may need immediate control alongside the initial assessment.

How should competing problems be prioritized?

Address immediate threats first, then time-critical concerns, then stabilize and investigate without delaying needed interventions; assess less urgent problems afterward.

A patient has chest pressure and a painful ankle. What comes first?

Assess and escalate the possible cardiac emergency first. The ankle can wait unless it presents a separate immediate threat, such as uncontrolled bleeding or loss of circulation.

Does one reassuring measurement rule out serious illness?

No. Consider the whole presentation, relevant history, and change over time; a single reassuring measurement does not rule out serious illness.