Domain 4.3General Patient Care

Emergency Response First Aid

Last updated June 16, 2026

Overview

This guide consolidates Acute Care, First Aid, and Emergency Response. Whether a patient has a cut finger or is in cardiac arrest, the principles of safety and prioritization remain the same. This section tests your knowledge of recognizing emergencies, acting within your scope, and prioritizing care.

1. Foundational Principles

Scene Safety

Rule: Assess the scene for safety before doing anything else.

  • Mnemonic: "Scene safe, then save."

Triage: Sorting Patients

Prioritize based on Airway, Breathing, and Circulation (ABCs).

  • Emergent (Highest): Chest pain, severe bleeding, head injury with confusion, anaphylaxis.
  • Urgent: Fracture, fever, abdominal pain.
  • Non-Urgent: Cold symptoms, minor cuts.
  • High-Yield: "Brain before Strain." A head injury with altered mental status takes priority over a fracture.

2. Acute Medical Emergencies

Syncope (Fainting)

  • Signs & Symptoms: Pallor (pale skin), Diaphoresis (profuse sweating), dizziness, blacking out.
  • Action: If a patient feels faint, Safety First. Assist them to a Supine position immediately.
  • Treatment: Elevate legs to return blood to the brain.
  • Mnemonic: For Syncope, get them Supine.

Anaphylaxis (Severe Allergy)

  • Signs: Respiratory distress, hives, hypotension.
  • Action: Notify provider immediately. Prepare Epinephrine and Oxygen.

Hypoglycemia (Low Blood Sugar)

  • Signs: Shakiness, sweating (diaphoresis), confusion, cool/clammy skin.
  • Action (Conscious): Rule of 15. Give 15g fast-acting carb (orange juice, glucose tabs). Never give insulin.

3. First Aid and Trauma Management

Controlling Bleeding

  1. Identify Bleeding Type:
    • Arterial: Bright red, spurting blood. Difficult to stop.
    • Venous: Dark red, steady flow.
    • Capillary: Slow oozing. Generally the most straightforward to stop.
  2. Direct Pressure: The #1 priority. If blood soaks through, add more layers—do not remove the first layer.
  3. Elevation: Above heart level.
  4. Tourniquet: Last resort.

Burns

  • Thermal (1st/2nd Degree): Cool running water for 10-20 min. No ice. Cover with non-stick sterile bandage.
  • Third-Degree (Full Thickness): Skin appears charred, white, or leathery. No pain (nerves destroyed).
    • Action: Call 911. Do NOT use water. Cover loosely with a sterile dry dressing to protect the area.
  • Chemical: Flush with water for 15+ minutes.

Musculoskeletal Injuries

  • R.I.C.E. Protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation.
  • Bandaging: Wrap from distal to proximal (fingers toward shoulder) to promote circulation.

Specific Injuries

  • Nosebleed (Epistaxis): Lean forward and pinch nostrils. (Never tilt head back).
  • Amputations: Wrap part in moist sterile gauze → plastic bag → container of ice water. (Never place part directly on ice).

4. Environmental and Special Emergencies

Heat Emergencies

  • Heat Exhaustion: Profuse sweating, pale/cool skin. Treat with cooling.
  • Heat Stroke: Red, hot, dry skin (no sweating), confusion. Medical Emergency (Call 911).

Poisoning

  • Action: Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222) immediately.
  • Warning: Do NOT induce vomiting for corrosive substances unless instructed.

Fire Safety

  • R.A.C.E.: Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish.
  • P.A.S.S.: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep (Fire Extinguisher use).

5. Final Key Takeaways

  • Bleeding: Arterial spurts; Capillary oozes. Direct pressure is priority.
  • Syncope: Lay patient flat (supine).
  • Anaphylaxis: Get the EpiPen.
  • Head Injury: Confusion = High Priority.
  • Poison: Call Poison Control first.
  • Evacuation: Move patients using the "hug and lug" drag (supports head/neck).