Demonstrate a primary assessment.

Demonstration should include

• forming a general impression
• assessing a patient’s level of consciousness
• assessing a patient’s airway, breathing, and circulation (ABC)
• identifying life threats
• assessing vital functions
• integrating treatment or procedures needed to preserve life
• making and communicating a transport decision
• including age-related variations for pediatric or geriatric patients.

Process/Skill Questions:

• What things should an EMT consider when forming a general impression?
• What are the three parts of the assessment of circulation, and what does each one tell the EMT about the patient’s condition?
• What treatments should be performed during the primary assessment, and which ones can be delayed until the secondary assessment?