Management of Hemorrhagic Shock for pre-hospital providers

A standard, head-to-toe assessment consists of all of the elements and guidelines of the rapid trauma assessment, but is a slower and more deliberate assessment. The patient should have a stable presentation with no altered mental status. Any potential life threats should be treated as they are identified. The primary assessment checks the entire patient from head-to-toe for deformities, contusions, abrasions, penetrating injuries, burns, tenderness, lacerations, and swelling (DCAP-BTLS). The assessment should also include a thorough examination. (See Table 4.)