Emergency First Aid at Work flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Primary aims of first aid

Preserve life, prevent deterioration, and promote recovery. Life-threatening conditions are treated first, in that order, before any minor injury.

Implied consent

Consent presumed for an unresponsive casualty where treatment is a life-saving necessity. For a conscious casualty, consent must be sought before touching them.

First aider competence limit

A first aider must act only within their training. Giving aid beyond competence, such as administering prescription medicines, can create legal liability.

First aid incident record

A written entry covering date, time, place, casualty details, injury or illness, treatment given, and the first aider's signature, completed as soon as practicable.

DRABC primary survey

Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation. This sequence is completed before any secondary assessment and is repeated if the casualty deteriorates.

AVPU response scale

Alert; responds to Voice; responds to Pain; Unresponsive. Used to grade consciousness during the response step of the primary survey.

Agonal gasping

Irregular, noisy gasps that are not normal breathing. They must be treated as cardiac arrest, so start CPR and send for an AED.

SAMPLE history

Signs and symptoms, Allergies, Medications, Past medical history, Last meal, Events leading to the incident. Taken during the secondary survey.

UK emergency numbers

999 and 112 both connect to UK emergency services. Give location, nature of emergency, number of casualties and hazards, then stay on the line.

Lone rescuer adult arrest

Call emergency services on speakerphone and start CPR immediately. For a child or drowning casualty, give about one minute of CPR first if no phone is available.

Recovery position purpose

Keeps the airway open, stops the tongue falling back, and lets vomit or fluids drain. Used for an unresponsive casualty who is breathing normally.

Pregnant casualty recovery position

Place on the left side. This relieves pressure on the inferior vena cava and improves blood return to the heart.

Adult CPR ratio

30 chest compressions then 2 rescue breaths. Compress at 100 to 120 per minute to a depth of 5 to 6 cm at the centre of the chest.

AED pad placement

Adult pads go below the right collarbone and on the left side below the armpit. No one must touch the casualty during analysis or shock delivery.

Adult choking sequence

Encourage coughing. If ineffective, give up to 5 back blows between the shoulder blades, then up to 5 abdominal thrusts, alternating until relieved.

Infant choking technique

Up to 5 back blows, then up to 5 chest thrusts with two fingers on the lower sternum. Abdominal thrusts are not used on infants.

Controlling severe bleeding

Apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing or clean non-fluffy material and elevate the limb if no fracture. Add dressings on top if soaked through.

Signs of shock

Pale, cold, clammy skin, rapid weak pulse, fast shallow breathing, thirst, restlessness and falling consciousness. Lay the casualty down and call 999.

Embedded object wound

Do not remove the object. Apply pressure around it and pad around the object to stabilise it, then seek emergency medical help.

Minor burn cooling

Cool with running cool water for at least 20 minutes, remove nearby jewellery, and cover with cling film or a sterile non-adherent dressing. Never apply ice or butter.

Bruise cold compress

Apply an ice pack wrapped in cloth for up to 20 minutes to reduce swelling. Ice must never be placed directly against the skin.

Anaphylaxis first aid

Help the casualty use their adrenaline auto-injector into the outer thigh and call 999 immediately. Swelling of the face or throat and breathing difficulty are key signs.

FAST stroke test

Face droop, Arm weakness, Speech disturbance, Time to call 999. Note when symptoms began and give nothing by mouth.

Hypoglycaemia management

If conscious, give a sugary drink or glucose and recheck. If unresponsive, place in the recovery position, call 999 and monitor breathing.

Seizure first aid

Protect from injury, cushion the head, do not restrain or put anything in the mouth. Afterwards place in the recovery position and monitor breathing.

Heart attack aspirin dose

Give 300 mg aspirin to a conscious casualty who is not allergic, after calling 999, while sitting them down and keeping them calm.

Basic first aid kit items

Sterile adhesive dressings, sterile eye pads, triangular bandages, safety pins, medium and large sterile dressings, disposable gloves and a guidance leaflet.

Glove use in first aid

Wear disposable gloves whenever contact with blood or body fluids is possible. Gloves are single-use and must be disposed of safely after use.

Contaminated waste disposal

Sharps go into a sharps container; other contaminated waste is double-bagged as clinical waste. It must not be placed in ordinary waste bins.

Rescuer body fluid exposure

Wash thoroughly with soap and water, encourage bleeding from a puncture wound, and seek medical advice promptly. Record the exposure.

Refusal of treatment record

Record that treatment was refused, that the casualty was conscious and competent, and that they were advised to seek further medical help.

Secondary survey purpose

A head-to-toe check with SAMPLE history and vital signs, carried out only after life-threatening problems from the primary survey are managed.