Performing a Major Body System Asssessment
What is triage?
Step 1: cardiovascular assessment
Step 2: Respiratory assessment
Step 3: Neurological assessment
What should I do?!
What is a major body system assessment?
- A rapid assessment with the aim to:
- Identify patients in need of immediate treatment
- To help prioritise order in which patients are cared for
Before you move to the next slide - can you list the 3 'major' body systems?
Major body system assessment
Great! The 'major' body systems are generally considered to be the cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous system. Next - consider what you would check upon physical exam to assess these 3 body systems, before moving on.
Central nervous system
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
???
???
???
Top tips!
Stay calm
- Remember the owner will be anxious!
- Be friendly and kind
- Explain who you are and what you are doing - this will help to reassure the owner
Step 1
Cardiovascular assessment
• Auscultate the heart - check the heart rate, rhythm and for any abnormal heart sounds• Check the patient's mucous membranes - their colour and capillary re-fill time • Feel the patient's pulses - their strength and if they are synchronous with the heart beat. Click on the to find out more.
You are looking for evidence of hypoperfusion - do you know how this presents?
Step 2
Respiratory assessment
• Observe the patient breathing• Count the breaths per minute • If necessary (i.e. the patients respiratory rate and effort are normal), auscultate the chest Click on the to find out more.
You are looking for evidence of dyspnoea - do you know how this presents?
Step 3
Central nervous system assessment
• Observe the patient’ mentation and response to the environment • If necessary check the pupils for symmetry and PLR • If necessary check the blood pressure Click on the to find out more.
You are looking for signs of raised intra-cranial pressure and/or seizures - do you know these presents?
Top tips!
Don't worry about looking silly...
- If you are worried about your patient/in doubt, ask for someone else to check the patient
- Don’t worry about looking silly
- We would always rather be too cautious than miss something important!
Top tips!
Be prepared
- In advance of your patient arriving, consider setting up the following on/around the examination table in ICU:
- IV catheter equipment, including several lengths of tape and pre-prepped flush
- Blood sampling equipment, including EDTA, plain, heparin tubes and separate blood gas syringe
- An oxygen delivery system if appropriate eg. dyspnoeic patients
- Appropriately sized blood pressure cuff
- A multiparameter monitoring unit
Good luck with your triage
Major body system assessment
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Created on April 19, 2023
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Transcript
Performing a Major Body System Asssessment
What is triage?
Step 1: cardiovascular assessment
Step 2: Respiratory assessment
Step 3: Neurological assessment
What should I do?!
What is a major body system assessment?
Before you move to the next slide - can you list the 3 'major' body systems?
Major body system assessment
Great! The 'major' body systems are generally considered to be the cardiovascular, respiratory and central nervous system. Next - consider what you would check upon physical exam to assess these 3 body systems, before moving on.
Central nervous system
Cardiovascular
Respiratory
???
???
???
Top tips!
Stay calm
Step 1
Cardiovascular assessment
• Auscultate the heart - check the heart rate, rhythm and for any abnormal heart sounds• Check the patient's mucous membranes - their colour and capillary re-fill time • Feel the patient's pulses - their strength and if they are synchronous with the heart beat. Click on the to find out more.
You are looking for evidence of hypoperfusion - do you know how this presents?
Step 2
Respiratory assessment
• Observe the patient breathing• Count the breaths per minute • If necessary (i.e. the patients respiratory rate and effort are normal), auscultate the chest Click on the to find out more.
You are looking for evidence of dyspnoea - do you know how this presents?
Step 3
Central nervous system assessment
• Observe the patient’ mentation and response to the environment • If necessary check the pupils for symmetry and PLR • If necessary check the blood pressure Click on the to find out more.
You are looking for signs of raised intra-cranial pressure and/or seizures - do you know these presents?
Top tips!
Don't worry about looking silly...
Top tips!
Be prepared
Good luck with your triage