1. CHECKING A CONSCIOUS PERSON
If a person is conscious and alert, you will proceed differently.

2. INTRODUCE YOURSELF Introduce yourself and your affiliation/ training.
Get the person’s consent to give care.
Interview the person to find out what happened.

3. INTERVIEWING THE PERSON
Ask the person their name (using their name during the interview will make the person feel more comfortable).

4. THINK S.A.M.P.L.E Signs (what you see) and Symptoms (what they say).
Allergies (food , medication or environmental).
Medication
Past Medical History.
Last Oral Intake (last time the person ate or drank).
Events Leading Up to Injury or Illness.

5. O.P.Q.R.S.T MNEMONIC
Onset – “What where you doing when the pain started?”
Provokes – “What makes the pain better or worse?”
Quality – “Is the pain sharp, throbbing or dull?”
Radiates – “Does the pain stay in one place or does it move?”
Severity – “On a scale from 1-10 (10 being the worst pain you have every felt) how would you rate the pain?”
Time – “How long ago did you pain start?”

6. CHECKING THE PERSON FROM HEAD TO TOE
Visually check the person from head to toe (DCAP-BLS and TIC).
Do not move any areas where there is pain or discomfort.
Watch for changes in consciousness.
Look for changes in breathing.
Notice how the skin looks (damp, dry, hot, cool, red, pale).

7. When checking the person head to toe you need to look for DCAP-BLS.

8. DEFORMATIES

9. CONTUSIONS (BRUISES)

10. ABRASIONS (SCRAPES)

11. PUNCTURES

12. BURNS

13. LACERATIONS (CUTS)

14. SWELLING

15. PALPITATING FOR T.I.C.

16. T.I.C. Check limbs using offset pressure for:
Tenderness – Does it hurt when you touch?
Instability
Crepitus – You feel the bones move or crunch.

17. SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

18. CHECKING A CHILD / INFANT
Get consent from parent or guardian.
Place yourself at eye level with child.
Talk slowly in a friendly manner.
When you begin the exam, start with the toes instead of the head (this is less threatening).

19. CHECKING OLDER ADULTS
Place yourself at the person’s eye level so that they can see and hear you more clearly.
If person is confused it may be the result of hearing or vision loss.
Look for medical ID bracelets.
Patient may minimize injury for fear of losing freedom and being placed in a nursing home,

20. TREATING SOMONE WHO SPEAKS ANOTHER LANGUAGE
Try to find a friend, family member or bystander who can serve as an interpreter.
If no interpreter is available you can use illustrations or gestures.