What do you assess when performing a rapid physical exam?

When performing a rapid physical exam, the primary focus is on identifying any life-threatening conditions or injuries. The rapid physical exam is typically conducted in emergency settings, where time is critical, and the priority is to quickly assess whether the patient is in immediate danger.

During this assessment, EMTs look for signs of major injuries or conditions that require urgent intervention, such as severe bleeding, respiratory distress, or altered mental status. This focused approach enables first responders to identify and treat life-threatening issues as promptly as possible, which is essential for improving patient outcomes in emergencies.

While patient history, vital signs, and pain levels are important aspects of overall patient assessment, they are usually addressed in a more comprehensive evaluation or secondary assessment, rather than during the rapid physical exam where the emphasis is specifically on immediate threats to life.