Title: Identify a medical emergency.
Course: Medical Assistant I (14151-I) > Section: Conducting Patient Triage

Identification should include

- evaluating signs and symptoms that would indicate a medical emergency (e.g., extreme breathing difficulty, loss of consciousness, severe bleeding, severe pain, dyspnea)
- following the appropriate procedure for accessing the emergency care system (or other appropriate personnel if the condition is not life threatening)
- using codes according to facility policy
- measuring vital signs, knowing normal ranges, and recognizing abnormal findings
- demonstrating principles
- following the steps of professional/provider cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
- performing first aid procedures for
  - bleeding
  - diabetic coma or insulin shock
  - fracture
  - seizure
  - shock
  - syncope.

Process/Skill Questions:

- What are symptoms of common medical emergencies (e.g., diabetic emergencies, heart attack, choking, heatstroke, uncontrollable bleeding, a stroke, impending delivery of a baby)?
- What tools should be available to assess each of these emergencies?
- What is the importance of knowing emergency policies and procedures specific to a facility?
- What are normal vital sign ranges?
- What would be the appropriate response to diabetic emergencies, a heart attack, choking, heatstroke, uncontrollable bleeding, a stroke, impending delivery of a baby?