1. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Paramedic Care: Principles & Practice Volume 2 Patient Assessment

2. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Chapter 1 The History

3. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Topics History-Taking Techniques Active Listening The Comprehensive Health History

4. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Components of a Patient History Establishing rapport Chief complaint History of the present illness Past medical history Current health status –Family history –Psychosocial history Review of systems

5. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Interview Differential field diagnosis Helps establish a bond

6. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport

7. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport – Setting the Stage If a patient’s chart is available, review it before interviewing the patient. Use this information to gain clues about the patient.

8. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport – The First Impression Present yourself as a caring, competent, and confident health care professional.

9. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport – Building Trust When you introduce yourself to the patient, shaking hands or offering a comforting touch will help build trust.

10. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport – Asking Questions Use a combination of open-ended and closed-ended questions.

11. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport – Language and Communication Use appropriate language. Use an appropriate level of questioning, but do not appear condescending. When encountering communication barriers, try to enlist someone to help. Actively listen.

12. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport – Active Listening Facilitation Reflection Clarification Empathy Confrontation Interpretation Asking about feelings

13. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Patient Rapport – Sensitive Topics A paramedic must learn to become comfortable dealing with sensitive topics. It is important to earn a patient’s trust.

14. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Comprehensive Patient History

15. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Preliminary Data Date and time Age Sex Race Birthplace Occupation

16. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Chief Complaint This is the pain, discomfort, dysfunction that caused the patient to request help.

17. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ The Present Illness OPQRST-ASPN Onset of the problem Provocative/ Palliative factors Quality Region/Radiation Severity Time Associated Symptoms Pertinent Negatives

18. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Past History General state of health Childhood diseases Adult diseases Psychiatric illnesses Accidents or injuries Surgeries or hospitalizations

19. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Current Health Status (1 of 3) Current medications Allergies Tobacco Alcohol, drugs, and related substances Diet Screening tests Immunizations

20. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Current Health Status (2 of 3) Sleep patterns Exercise and leisure activities Environmental hazards Use of safety measures Family history Home situation and significant others Daily life

21. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Current Health Status (3 of 3) Important exercises Religious beliefs The patient’s outlook

22. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ You should take your patient’s medications with you to the hospital, when practical.

23. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Review of Systems A system-by-system series of questions designed to identify problems your patient has not already identified: –Skin –Head –Eyes –Ears –Nose –Mouth/Throat –Respiratory –Cardiovascular –Gastrointestinal –Genitourinary –Musculoskeletal –Neurologic –Psychologic –Endocrine –Hematologic

24. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Psychosocial History Chronic health conditions Job –Work schedule –Stress Family dynamics Support Safety issues –Car seat usage –Smoke and CO alarms

25. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Special Challenges (1 of 2) Silence Overly talkative patients Multiple symptoms Anxiety Depression Sexually attractive or seductive patients Confusing behaviors or symptoms

26. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Special Challenges (2 of 2) Patients needing reassurance Anger and hostility Intoxication Crying Limited intelligence Language barriers Hearing problems Blindness Talking with families or friends

27. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ If the patient cannot provide useful information, gather it from family or bystanders.

28. Bledsoe et al., Paramedic Care Principles & Practice Volume 2: Patient Assessment © 2006 by Pearson Education, Inc. Upper Saddle River, NJ Summary History-Taking Techniques Active Listening The Comprehensive Health History