[1] The document provides guidance on performing a trauma assessment, beginning with scene size-up and BSI, then moving through primary assessment of airway, breathing, circulation, disability, and exposure. [2] Key steps highlighted include assessing level of consciousness, identifying life threats, controlling bleeding, treating for shock, and obtaining a SAMPLE history. [3] A full trauma assessment involves examining the head, neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, and extremities as well as taking vital signs like blood pressure, pulse, and respirations. The assessment should be repeated and injuries reassessed.

1. Trauma Assessment
Guide to passing the Trauma
Assessment skill station.

2. BSI and Scene Size Up
• BSI – Never forget it!
• Scene safety – When is the Scene Safe?
• Mechanism of Injury – The Wow Factor!
• Number of Patients – Never leave a Patient
behind!
• Additional Units – Do you need help?
• Spinal Immobilization – Consider it

3. Primary Assessment
DEAD PEOPLE DO NOT NEED ARMS AN LEGS
What is your impression of the Patient?
Don’t just think it say it!
Is the Patient Conscious or Unconscious?
How responsive is your Conscious Patient?
What are they telling You is their Chief
Complaint?
What life threats do you SEE, or FEEL?

4. Open and Secure the Airway.
Reposition the airway if necessary!
Breathing is !
Rate, Depth, and Quality!
A little O2 will not hurt anyone!!
Do not compromise the airway once it is
secure!!!
REASSESS THE AIRWAY
PAY ATTENTION!!!!

5. THE ABC cont.
A pulse is a sign of circulation. The farther away
from the heart you can find a pulse the better!
Skin color and temperature is a good sign of
perfusion. Pink, Warm, and Dry is Good. Blue
Cool and Sweaty is Bad.
Blood belongs in the vascular system. Anywhere
else can be categorized as leading to a bad
outcome. Control Bleeding Quickly with Direct
Pressure!

6. Shock Treatment.
A Patient in Shock WILL become a Patient in the
Morgue if not treated EXPEDIENTLY.
Keep them Warm!
They will need O2!
Raise the Feet to Raise the Blood Pressure!
Determine the GCS!
Can you treat on scene? Do they need transport
to a Trauma Center?

7. Obtain a SAMPLE history.
• Signs and Symptoms
• Allergies
• Medications
• Past Medical History
• Last Oral Intake
• Events Leading up to Injury

8. Trauma Assessment
Touch your Patient!!
• HEAD = Skull, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Mouth.
• NECK = Tracheal Deviation ? Jugular Veins-Full
or Flat ? Palpate C-Spine.
• Chest = Stable ? Breath Sounds ?
• Abdomen = Soft or Rigid ? Pain from Pressure
?
• Pelvis = Stable ? Assess the Genitals if Pelvic
Injury is suspected.

9. • Upper and Lower Extremities
Look for Obvious Fractures
Feel for the Hidden Injuries
Male or Female
If they can’t tell you they are OK assume
they are not!
• FIND a PULSE the farther from the Heart the
better. Don’t forget your feet have a pulse.
• The Spine Runs from the base of your Skull to
middle of your Buttocks.
Find the Spine and Feel the Spine!

10. VITALS ARE VITAL
• Blood Pressure if they are Alert and Oriented
get a Blood Pressure.
• If they are Unconscious get a Blood Pressure
• Buy a Watch
Count the Pulse and then Count the
Respirations.
• Don’t STOP now! Look for Injuries you may
have missed and deal with them.
• Reassess-Repeat-Reassess