And essential to this assessment is to effectively evaluate a patient’s breathing. Signs of respiratory failure are a key indicator for escalation of care. As a nurse you need to know optimum respiratory function and be able to recognise signs of deterioration to care for your patient safely. A respiratory assessment is the first step towards identifying if, and how soon, you need a doctor to review your patient, or if you need to make a MET call. "The respiratory assessment is a key component to nursing skill and care," says Registered Nurse and academic, Jessica Stokes-Parish."It is fundamental to a good nursing assessment and should be a part of your suite of skills. It takes time to develop, and should be a priority area of skill development. The A-G patient assessment method The A-G method is becoming a commonly used tool in primary and secondary care settings. It integrates the procedure mandated for resuscitation and emergency situations. However, it is also useful for systematic baseline patient assessment and can improve patient mortality in hospital. A-G covers: airway, breathing, circulation, disability, exposure, further information (including family and friends) and goals. Its systematic approach has been proven effective in identifying deteriorating patients or those at risk of deterioration. A respiratory assessment forms a key part of the A-G method. What is a respiratory assessment? Airway assessment: The aim of airway assessment is to ensure that any obstruction of the anatomy of the airway is identified. The main causes of airway obstruction are:
When is a MET (Medical Emergency Team) call required?
Less Urgent Cases If your patient can talk, begin by taking a background:
Red flag signs of a sick child:
Basic Management
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