EMT Lesson Plans

6.14 Trauma Skills II Station: Fall from Height I Instructor Guidance

Objectives:

Demonstrate how to use the AVPU scale to test for patient responsiveness. (p 262) Demonstrate how to evaluate a patient’s orientation and document his or her status correctly. (pp 262–264) Demonstrate the techniques for assessing a patient’s airway and correctly obtaining information related to respiratory

rate, rhythm, quality/character of breathing, and depth of breathing. (pp 265–269) Demonstrate how to assess a radial pulse in an unresponsive patient. (pp 270–272) Demonstrate how to obtain a pulse rate in a patient. (pp 270–272) Demonstrate how to assess capillary refill in an adult or child older than 6 years. (pp 273–274)

Demonstrate how to perform a rapid scan for injury. (pp 291–295, Skill Drill 8-2) Demonstrate how to perform a full body scan for injury. (pp 291–295, Skill Drill 8-2) Demonstrate how to measure blood pressure by auscultation. (pp 296–300, Skill Drill 8-3) Demonstrate the use of a pulse oximetry device to evaluate the effectiveness of oxygenation in the patient. (pp 289– 290) Demonstrate the use of electronic devices to assist in determining the patient’s blood pressure in the field. (pp 290– 291)

Setup:

You will need your cohort bag. In addition a backboard with accessories will be needed.

Deployment:

DO NOT LECTURE – your students should be working hands-on within 5 minutes of arriving

Deploy your students in one team – one student should be patient, the rest rescuers. Have them transition through the scenario on the back of this sheet like any other scenario from a scenario lab day.

Debriefing:

Give students feedback on the application of the device after it is complete. Some points to discuss:

- Did they quickly provide supplemental oxygen?

- Did they do a rapid scan? That finding in the pelvis might change the way they move him.

- Did they consider a scoop for this move? While the scoop classically is not for suspected spinal injuries it may be a good way to move the patient up 2 inches to place a backboard under him and lift him. PHTLS advocates for the use of a scoop with some multi-system traumas, and since many systems don’t use boards any more it is probably OK to use the scoop/orthopedic stretcher in this scenario with a collar.