Core Concept

Assessment
Voice (normal voice=patent airway)
Breath sounds (noisy breathing, increased
breathing effort, or no respirations despite
great effort)

Treatment
Head tilt and chin lift
Oxygen (15 L/min) Suction

A Airways

Is the airway
patent/open?

B Breathing

Is their breathing Respiratory rate (1220 min)

sufficient?
Chest wall movements (symmetry, use of
Ability to get O2
accessory muscles)
in and out
Chest percussion (unilateral dullness or
resonance)
Cyanosis, distended neck veins, lateralization
of trachea
Lung auscultation
Pulse oximetry (97%100%)

C Circulation

Is their blood
circulation
sufficient?
(perfusion)

D Disability

What is their
LOC and
functional
abilities?

AVPU Method: Grades/Rates LOC

Treat Airway, Breathing, and Circulation
o Alert
problems (especially in patients only
pain responsive or unresponsive with a
o Voice responsive
primary cerebral condition)
o Pain responsive
Recovery position (ensures airway
o Unresponsive
patency; call for HCP intubation may
Glasgow Coma Score alternative to AVUP
be required)
Limb movements (evaluate potential signs of

Glucose
for hypoglycemia
lateralization)
Pupillary light reflexes
Blood glucose ( BG can lead to LOC)

E Exposure

Expose skin for Expose Skin (examine for signs of trauma,

physical exam
bleeding, skin reactions [rashes], needle
marks, etc.)
Check Temperature

Skin color, sweating

Capillary refill time (<2 s)
Pulse rate (60100 min)
Heart auscultation
BP (hypotension & hypovolemia=impaired
circulation)
ECG monitoring
LOC (decreased)

Seat comfortably
Rescue breaths (assisted ventilation)
Inhaled medications
Bag-mask ventilation
Decompress tension pneumothorax

Stop bleeding
Elevate legs
Intravenous access ASAP
Infuse saline

Treat suspected cause