Title: Lesson 9-2 Primary Assessment
Course: EMS 1119 Emergency Medical Technician > Section: Module IX Patient Assessment

Discuss and demonstrate primary patient assessment procedures for all patient age levels

At the end of this lesson and the associated lab activities students will be able to:

Cognitive Learning Objectives

- 9-2.1 Summarize the elements of a general impression of the patient
- 9-2.2 Discuss methods of assessing altered mental status using assess for level of consciousness (AVPU)
- 9-2.3 Discuss methods of assessing the airway and providing airway care
- 9-2.4 Describe methods used for assessing if a patient is breathing
- 9-2.5 Differentiate between a patient with adequate and inadequate breathing
- 9-2.6 Distinguish between methods of assessing breathing
- 9-2.7 Describe the methods used to obtain a pulse
- 9-2.8 Discuss the need for assessing the patient for external bleeding
- 9-2.9 Describe normal and abnormal findings when assessing skin color, temperature, moisture & capillary refill in adult, child & infant
- 9-2.10 Explain the reason for prioritizing a patient for care and transport

Affective Objectives

- 9-2.1 Explain the importance of forming a general impression of the patient
- 9-2.2 Explain the value of performing an initial assessment

Psychomotor Objectives

- 9-2.1 Demonstrate the techniques for assessing mental status
- 9-2.2 Demonstrate the techniques for assessing the airway
- 9-2.3 Demonstrate the techniques for assessing if the patient is breathing
- 9-2.4 Demonstrate the techniques for assessing if the patient has a pulse
- 9-2.5 Demonstrate the techniques for assessing the patient for external bleeding
- 9-2.6 Demonstrate the ability to prioritize patients

Online Video (opens in new window)

Your instructor will recommend which videos to view for this lesson. All videos are valuable resources. Students may wish to view more to enhance their learning.

BLS Patient Assessment
Overview of Scene Size Up, Primary Assessment,Vital Signs, History, and LOC and Orientation.
Central Ohio EMS Training

- Patient Assessment Overview (13:28)
- Assessment of Pulse (2:45)
- Assessment of Respirations (4:08)
- Assessment of BP (4:37)
- Assessment of Pupils (2:06)
- Assessment of Skin (2:33)