This page may contain affiliate links.
Posts are also available in audio/visual format on Youtube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.
Learn how to give a complete first aid secondary survey.
This post includes how to take and record a patients SAMPLE history and vital signs. It also goes through how to give a full body physical exam and the use of SOAP notes to record your findings.
In a secondary survey, look for injuries unseen during the primary assessment (DRABC).
IMPORTANT: No amount of reading can compare to a medical course with a professional trainer. A standard first aid course is good. A Remote Area First Aid Course or higher is best.
After stabilizing your patient using DRABC, do the first aid secondary assessment. To give a first aid secondary examination means to check your patient from head to toe. Do it in a methodical way so you do not miss anything.
In critical first aid (DRABC), you treat the problems as you find them. With the secondary exam, you complete the full assessment first. Then you treat what you find in order of priority.
SAMPLE History, vital signs, and the full body exam make up the secondary survey steps. A secondary survey should start with whichever is most appropriate for the situation. For example, if the patient is incoherent then taking a SAMPLE History will have to wait.
While doing the secondary assessment of a medical patient, record your findings with SOAP notes. Record your findings of the primary and secondary assessment of a patient. Use the luxury of time during the secondary examination to "catch up on your paperwork".
Recording your findings in first aid is very important. Give the information you find to all caretakers of the patient.
Write the patientās personal details at the top. Include his/her name, age, sex, birth date, weight, phone number, etc.
There are many SOAAP (SOAP) Note templates on the internet, but a pencil and paper will suffice if that's all you have. Using an actual SOAP note is best. They are like a secondary survey checklist.
The best/easiest way to extract your patient's history is to talk to him. It is important that the patient feels comfortable with you. If not, he/she might be too embarrassed to tell you what may be important information. Ensure them that everything they tell you is confidential and not to leave anything out.
Use the acronym SAMPLE to make sure you do not miss anything.
Assessing and monitoring your patient's vital signs will provide you with important information. It will help you decide on a treatment and then track the effectiveness.
Examine the areas about which the patient has a specific complaint about. Compare any outer physical complaints to the patient's non-injured side.
Check the range of motion, circulation, motor skills, sensation etc. Be very careful about forcing something to move.
Do this in a systematic manner, from head to toe. Use only as much physical pressure as is necessary to discover an injury or lack thereof. Check the whole body for obvious signs of injury, e.g., bruises, bleeding, etc.
A stethoscope, penlight, gloves and tongue depressor will be useful.
General Strength.
The first aid secondary survey will help you diagnose and treat non-immediate medical problems.
Do not underestimate the importance of recording your findings. It will help you organize your thoughts, and is also very important when passing your patient on.
Using a SOAP note will also lessen the chance of missing possible findings in the patient.
Did you find this article about how to give a complete first aid secondary survey useful?
If so, please share it with your friends.
Driven by a passion for fitness and a commitment to helping men worldwide stay fit and capable, Sam formulated a plan that will get anyone to out-run, out-fight, and out-live the majority of the world's population.
As an avid traveler, he sought a solution that didn't require expensive gym memberships or exclusive clubs ā that any man, anywhere, could take and improve his fitness straight away.
Now, after nearly two decades of relentless training, refining, simplifying, and perfecting the Survival Fitness Plan, Sam is eager to share this transformative program with the world.
Self-defense + Parkour + Fitness = You're Awesome!
š Your information is safe. We stick by our privacy policy.
The information on this website is made public for reference only.
Only you are responsible for how you choose to use the information or the result of your actions.
Consult a physician before undertaking any new form of physical activity.
www.SurvivalFitnessPlan.com is an SF Initiative.
Copyright Ā© 2024, SF Initiatives OĆ (16993664), All rights reserved.
SF Initiatives OĆ participates in the Amazon affiliate program and this page may contain affiliate links.