2.6: Initial and Emergency Assessment
The ABCCS assessment (airway, breathing, circulation, consciousness, safety) is the first assessment you will do when you meet your patient. This assessment is repeated whenever you suspect or recognize that your patient’s status has become, or is becoming, unstable.
For example, if you assess that your patient is short of breath (dyspneic) with an increased respiration rate (tachypneic), then you should proceed with an ABCCS assessment and a focused respiratory assessment with appropriate interventions.
The ABCCS assessment includes the steps in Checklist 18.
Checklist 18: Initial and Emergency AssessmentDisclaimer: Always review and follow your hospital policy regarding this specific skill. |
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Steps |
Additional Information |
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A – Airway
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Does the patient’s position need to be changed?
If patient is choking on thick secretions, consider oral suctioning (check suction equipment). |
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B – Breathing
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Is the oxygen flow connection intact? Is the rate, flow, and percentage as ordered?
Based on your assessment, consider the need for potential oxygen supplementation. |
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C – Circulation
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Note whether the pulse is too fast, too slow, or absent.
If a radial pulse is not detectable, check for a carotid pulse. If no pulse is present, call for help and start CPR. |
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C – Consciousness
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Is the patient alert, drowsy, disoriented, restless, agitated, unconscious?
Note if there is a change from the patient’s normal or previously noted LOC. |
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S – Safety
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Check for name band and allergy band.
Check oxygen saturation level. Check that suction is working. Check brakes on the bed, bedrail position (up, if required), bed is at the appropriate level, and call bell is within reach. Are there any fall risk indicators? Are there any dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) guidelines, or should there be some requested? |
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| Report and document assessment findings and related health problems according to agency policy. | |||
| Data source: Assessment Skill Checklists, 2014 |
Critical Thinking Exercises
- Initial assessment of your patient reveals that the patient is having trouble speaking. What would be your next steps?
- What is included in the safety check on your unit? Is there anything that is not listed here?