1. ****Airway
  2. ****Breathing
  3. ****Circulation
  4. ****Disability
  5. ****Exposure

Airway

check the airway for any obstructions

central cyanosis is a sign of late stage airway obstructionin most cases simple methods of airway clearance are required and can be used = airway opening manoeuvres, airways suction, insertion of an oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal airway. Tracheal intubation may be required when these fail.

oropharyngeal airways are golden standard however if a patient is at risk of seziures nasopharyngeal airway input can be used as a sezior may cause locked jaw to occur

nasopharangeal airways may have a safety pin inserted into its distil end of the tube to ensure the tube does not FULLY insert into the nose

give oxygen at a flow of (usually 15 L min-1) in acute respiratory failure aim to have a target saturation of 94-98%. in patients who are at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure recieve oxygen at saturation of 88-92% as their bodys function at this saturation

Breathing

general overview is important

take a respiratory rate the normal is generally between 12-20 breaths a minute