ACU Paramedic 
Assessment 1 – Written Assignment: Part B
A major component of the care Paramedics provide is the assessment of a patient’s physical status, which is the ground for any further treatment. The assessment method that an Advanced Care Paramedic follows is a systematic assessment referred to as the Primary Survey. The aim of this fundamental assessment is to give an initial diagnosis of the patient as well as identifying any imminent threats to the patient. This assessment is used so that a Paramedic can decide how to treat the patient while staying within the boundaries of their scope of practice. Throughout this essay the concept of a primary survey within the scope of practice of an Advanced Care Paramedic will be understood. Additionally it will be discussed how each component benefits the assessment of patient’s health care needs.
The first stage of the primary survey is Danger; not only towards casualties, but the danger brought upon Bi Standers and most importantly the dangers immediately and potentially threatening paramedics on scene. This component comprises of constant risk assessment and responding to significant safety concerns that have been taught to apply within the scope of practice of first year students. This begins from the time ambulance responders receive dispatch details followed through until the departure of all cases. To recognize these possible dangers it is crucial that paramedics use the awareness of the sensory skills look, listen and smell. What paramedics see will help to recognize potential or threatening danger for example, smoke arising out of an area or infrastructure may signify a fire risk. Distinct noises may also result in a potential risk, for example people screaming or crying. Also, smells that are unnatural should alert all paramedics to probable hazards. In some circumstances, for the safety of paramedics it may be more suitable to back away, even if the causality is in severe danger. Although this can create internal
A major component of the care Paramedics provide is the assessment of a patient’s physical status, which is the ground for any further treatment. The assessment method that an Advanced Care Paramedic follows is a systematic assessment referred to as the Primary Survey. The aim of this fundamental assessment is to give an initial diagnosis of the patient as well as identifying any imminent threats to the patient. This assessment is used so that a Paramedic can decide how to treat the patient while staying within the boundaries of their scope of practice. Throughout this essay the concept of a primary survey within the scope of practice of an Advanced Care Paramedic will be understood. Additionally it will be discussed how each component benefits the assessment of patient’s health care needs.
The first stage of the primary survey is Danger; not only towards casualties, but the danger brought upon Bi Standers and most importantly the dangers immediately and potentially threatening paramedics on scene. This component comprises of constant risk assessment and responding to significant safety concerns that have been taught to apply within the scope of practice of first year students. This begins from the time ambulance responders receive dispatch details followed through until the departure of all cases. To recognize these possible dangers it is crucial that paramedics use the awareness of the sensory skills look, listen and smell. What paramedics see will help to recognize potential or threatening danger for example, smoke arising out of an area or infrastructure may signify a fire risk. Distinct noises may also result in a potential risk, for example people screaming or crying. Also, smells that are unnatural should alert all paramedics to probable hazards. In some circumstances, for the safety of paramedics it may be more suitable to back away, even if the causality is in severe danger. Although this can create internal
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