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Principles of Patient Assessment
in EMS
Chapter 11  Detailed Physical
Examination
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Objectives
 Describe the patients on whom the EMS
provider should perform a detailed
physical examination (DPE).
 Explain when the EMS provider would
perform a DPE.
 Describe how and why the approach to
the DPE is modified for children.
 List the three general types of closed soft
tissue injuries that the EMS provider may
discover during an examination.
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Objectives (continued)
 Describe the various types of open soft
tissue injuries that the EMS provider may
discover during an examination.
 List the body areas and specific
assessment points for each.
 Explain how the acronym DCAP-BTLS may
be useful during the DPE.
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Objectives (continued)
 Provide an example of when the DPE
would not be performed by the EMS
provider.
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Introduction
 The detailed physical exam (DPE) is a
complete head-to-toe exam for the non-
life or limb-threatening conditions.
 The DPE is performed on trauma patients
with a significant MOI.
 The DPE is usually completed during
transport unless there is a delay.
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Detailed Physical Exam
 For most patients assess in a head-to-toe
direction.
 For young children the toe-to-head
approach is used to decrease fear and
anxiety.
 Soft tissue injuries discovered are
classified as opened or closed.
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Closed Soft Tissue Injuries
 Contusion
 Hematoma
 Crush injuries
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Open Soft Tissue Injuries
 Abrasion
 Avulsions
 Incisions
 Lacerations
 Punctures/penetrations
 Amputations
 Impaled objects
 Major artery lacerations
 Crush injuries
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Examine the Following Areas:
 Head
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS and crepitus
 Common injuries are contusions and
lacerations, which bleed profusely
 Face
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation and
symmetry
 Palpate facial bones for stability
 Vision problems can result from instability
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Examine the Following Areas:
 Eyes
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, pupil response, and
eye movement
 Note any discoloration in the anterior
chamber and around the eye (Raccoons eye)
 Nose
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, and fluid drainage
 Drainage may include blood or CSF
 For patients that are immobilized, drainage
may become an airway obstruction
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Examine the Following Areas:
 Ears
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS and fluid drainage
 Allow fluids to drain
 Mouth
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation, loose or
broken teeth, swelling or laceration of the
tongue or throat, unusual odors,
discoloration, and drainage
 Assess need for suction or airway adjuncts
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Examine the Following Areas:
 Neck
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation and JVD
 May be necessary to open c-collar to assess, maintain
manual stabilization
 Chest
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation, symmetry and
paradoxical motion
 Listen to breath sounds
 Note any scars
 Apply chest compression to reveal rib fractures
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Examine the Following Areas:
 Abdomen
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, guarding, rigidity,
masses/bulging (pulsing or firm) or distension
 Prior to palpation, listen for absence of bowel
sounds (if feasible)
 Ask the patient about distension or bloating
 Do not touch any masses
 Note any scars
 Consider females of child bearing age to be
pregnant
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Examine the Following Areas:
 Pelvis
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitus, and stability
 Apply pressure on pelvic ring and pubic
synthesis
 Reconsider the MOI for possible pelvic injury
 Posterior
 Assess back and buttocks for DCAP-BTLS and
crepitation
 When patient is on a long board prior to the
exam, use fingers to reach under
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Examine the Following Areas:
 Extremities
 Assess for DCAP-BTLS and distal PMS
 Compare side to side and assess for strength
and reflexes
 Assess the range of motion (ROM)
 With major degloving injury or amputation
assess for bleeding
 Crush injuries have the potential for
immediate complications when crush is a
lengthy time
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Priority Determines Care
 The DPE is conducted:
 Only if time permits
 Usually enroute to the hospital
 When the patients condition is critical the
priority should be:
 Necessary interventions
 Serial initial assessments
 Transport
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
Conclusion
 The DPE is a thorough head-to-toe exam
of the trauma patient who has significant
MOI.
 The approach differs for children (toe-to-
head).
 The DPE is completed enroute to the
hospital if time and personnel permit.
 Report all findings to the next care giver
and carefully document your findings.
息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit

More Related Content

Principles of assessment for ems chapter 11

  • 1. Principles of Patient Assessment in EMS
  • 2. Chapter 11 Detailed Physical Examination 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 3. Objectives Describe the patients on whom the EMS provider should perform a detailed physical examination (DPE). Explain when the EMS provider would perform a DPE. Describe how and why the approach to the DPE is modified for children. List the three general types of closed soft tissue injuries that the EMS provider may discover during an examination. 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 4. Objectives (continued) Describe the various types of open soft tissue injuries that the EMS provider may discover during an examination. List the body areas and specific assessment points for each. Explain how the acronym DCAP-BTLS may be useful during the DPE. 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 5. Objectives (continued) Provide an example of when the DPE would not be performed by the EMS provider. 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 6. Introduction The detailed physical exam (DPE) is a complete head-to-toe exam for the non- life or limb-threatening conditions. The DPE is performed on trauma patients with a significant MOI. The DPE is usually completed during transport unless there is a delay. 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 7. Detailed Physical Exam For most patients assess in a head-to-toe direction. For young children the toe-to-head approach is used to decrease fear and anxiety. Soft tissue injuries discovered are classified as opened or closed. 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 8. Closed Soft Tissue Injuries Contusion Hematoma Crush injuries 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 9. Open Soft Tissue Injuries Abrasion Avulsions Incisions Lacerations Punctures/penetrations Amputations Impaled objects Major artery lacerations Crush injuries 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 10. Examine the Following Areas: Head Assess for DCAP-BTLS and crepitus Common injuries are contusions and lacerations, which bleed profusely Face Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation and symmetry Palpate facial bones for stability Vision problems can result from instability 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 11. Examine the Following Areas: Eyes Assess for DCAP-BTLS, pupil response, and eye movement Note any discoloration in the anterior chamber and around the eye (Raccoons eye) Nose Assess for DCAP-BTLS, and fluid drainage Drainage may include blood or CSF For patients that are immobilized, drainage may become an airway obstruction 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 12. Examine the Following Areas: Ears Assess for DCAP-BTLS and fluid drainage Allow fluids to drain Mouth Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation, loose or broken teeth, swelling or laceration of the tongue or throat, unusual odors, discoloration, and drainage Assess need for suction or airway adjuncts 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 13. Examine the Following Areas: Neck Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation and JVD May be necessary to open c-collar to assess, maintain manual stabilization Chest Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitation, symmetry and paradoxical motion Listen to breath sounds Note any scars Apply chest compression to reveal rib fractures 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 14. Examine the Following Areas: Abdomen Assess for DCAP-BTLS, guarding, rigidity, masses/bulging (pulsing or firm) or distension Prior to palpation, listen for absence of bowel sounds (if feasible) Ask the patient about distension or bloating Do not touch any masses Note any scars Consider females of child bearing age to be pregnant 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 15. Examine the Following Areas: Pelvis Assess for DCAP-BTLS, crepitus, and stability Apply pressure on pelvic ring and pubic synthesis Reconsider the MOI for possible pelvic injury Posterior Assess back and buttocks for DCAP-BTLS and crepitation When patient is on a long board prior to the exam, use fingers to reach under 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 16. Examine the Following Areas: Extremities Assess for DCAP-BTLS and distal PMS Compare side to side and assess for strength and reflexes Assess the range of motion (ROM) With major degloving injury or amputation assess for bleeding Crush injuries have the potential for immediate complications when crush is a lengthy time 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 17. Priority Determines Care The DPE is conducted: Only if time permits Usually enroute to the hospital When the patients condition is critical the priority should be: Necessary interventions Serial initial assessments Transport 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit
  • 18. Conclusion The DPE is a thorough head-to-toe exam of the trauma patient who has significant MOI. The approach differs for children (toe-to- head). The DPE is completed enroute to the hospital if time and personnel permit. Report all findings to the next care giver and carefully document your findings. 息 2011 Bedford-Parkinson-Tolouei EMT Education Unit