Skill sheet · About 10 minutes
Patient Assessment — Trauma
The trauma station is a timed race with a hard rule: critical patients leave the scene within 10 minutes. Fix life threats as you find them, then package and go.
Step-by-step order
- BSI and scene safety, mechanism of injury, number of patients, additional resources, C-spine consideration.
- General impression and level of consciousness.
- Airway with manual cervical stabilization.
- Breathing — rate and quality; treat tension pneumothorax, open chest wounds, and flail segments now.
- Circulation — control major hemorrhage, assess pulse, skin, and capillary refill.
- High-concentration oxygen when indicated.
- Transport decision — verbalize load-and-go for critical findings.
- Rapid trauma exam head to toe using DCAP-BTLS on every region.
- Baseline vitals and SAMPLE history.
- Splint and dress injuries that do not delay transport.
- Detailed exam en route; reassess primary survey, vitals, and interventions.
Critical fail criteria
- Failed to take or verbalize scene safety and BSI precautions.
- Failed to provide spinal protection when indicated.
- Failed to voice or provide high-concentration oxygen.
- Failed to assess or provide adequate ventilation.
- Failed to control major bleeding.
- Failed to find or manage a life threat during the primary survey.
- Failed to transport a critical patient within 10 minutes.
- Performed a detailed exam before addressing life threats.
Say-it-out-loud script
Examiners score what they hear. Narrate the station: "Scene is safe, BSI on. Single patient, unrestrained driver, significant mechanism — I'm taking manual C-spine. Airway patent, breathing 28 and shallow, applying high-flow oxygen. Major bleeding to the left thigh — tourniquet applied, time noted. This is a load-and-go patient."
FAQ
How long do I have in the NREMT trauma station?
Roughly 10 minutes, and critical patients must have transport initiated inside that window. Interventions that can wait belong en route.
What is DCAP-BTLS?
Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling — applied to each body region in the rapid trauma exam.
Do I still need a long backboard?
Most systems now use spinal motion restriction with a collar and a cot rather than routine long-board immobilization. Verbalize spinal protection and follow your program's protocol.
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