Illness Assessment First Aid Guide For Common Illnesses

Important Information
• Use this skill to determine what first aid may be needed in the event that Emergency Medical Services is either delayed or unavailable
• Only perform illness assessments on conscious, responsive patients
• When giving information to the EMS personnel, avoid using the word 'normal'; Try to give measured rates per minute and descriptive terminology

STOP - Assess and observe the scene
THINK - Consider your safety and form action plan
ACT - Check responsiveness
ALERT EMS
• Write down and record the illness assessment information
• Whenever possible have someone else record the information
• Put on your protective gloves and barriers
• Use the following mnemonic to help during your illness first aid assessment - SAMPLE

SAMPLE - Signs and Symptoms
• How does the patient feel now?
• Determine the patient's pulse rate using the carotid or radial pulse (30 seconds x 2)
• Describe the pulse rate; Rapid, Strong, Weak, Slow?
• Determine the patient's respiration rate; Is the breathing Rapid, Slow, Laboured, Wheezing, Gasping?
• Does the patient complain of; Shortness of breath, Dizziness, Light-headedness, Chest pain, Numbness, Tingling in Arms/Legs?
• Is the patient's skin; Warm, Hot, Cool, Clammy, Wet, Very Dry?
• What is the colour of the patient's skin under the lip; Pale, Ashen, Red, Blue, Yellowish, Black & Blue blotches?

SAMPLE - Allergies
• Is the patient allergic to any food, drugs, airborne matters etc...?
• Has the patient ingested or taken anything that they may be allergic to?

SAMPLE - Medications
• Does the patient take medications?
• Did the patient take medication today?
• If possible, collect all medications to give to EMS

SAMPLE - Preexisting Medical Conditions
• Does the patient have a pre-existing medical condition?

SAMPLE - Last Meal
• Did the patient eat recently?
• What was eaten?

SAMPLE - Events
• Ask the patient to describe the events leading to the illness
• When did the first symptoms occur?
• Where was the patient when the first symptoms occurred?
• What was the patient doing when the first symptoms occurred?
• Has the patient been exercising?

First Aid Advice & Information for Illness Assessment is a First Aid Guide only - Click Here to get Certified in CPR & First Aid