A-G Assessment, by Louise Dempster
CIRCULATION
Conclusion
A-G is a systematic and thorough method to assess and treat patients
- Check hands and fingers- What colour are they?
- Assess limb temperature with your own hands.
- Take observations: 1-Pulse- rate-rhythm-strength
2- Capillary refill
3-BP
"Call for help early and ensure it arrives" NPSA, 2007:p10
BP- 140/90 or more hypertension
90/60 or less hypotension
At any point during the assessment help
may be needed
DISABILITY
If not A then move to the GCS
- Pupils-size & reaction to light
- Mobility
- Check BM- 4-7 mmol/l
BREATHING
- Assess the depth & rhythm
- Equal movement on both sides
- Check Oxygen sats -94-98%
Where is the best place to observe a patients breathing?
Exposure
AIRWAY
- Ask the patient how are they?
- Listen to response
This gives you a clear picture as to whether the patients AIRWAY is obstructed
FEEL & COUNT
- respiratory rate
- less than 8
- more than 25
LISTEN for
- snoring
- gargling
- coughing
- wheezing
- stridor
LOOK for
- Gain access to patients body, to do an all over view
- Make sure you have informed consent
Things to look out for
- wounds
- drains
- scars
- marks
- rashes
Why? & When
- To reduce patient mortality
- Trigger for using A-G is a change in a patients condition
- When patients deteriorate they show signs in their
- respiratory
- cardiovascular
- nervous system
(resuscitation council, 2010)
Did you get them all?
GOALS
- Physiological monitoring plan
- Reporting the findings to the doctor
Definitive management plan-involves the doctors, Recommended by NICE (2007)
FURTHER INFORMATION
A-AIRWAY
B-BREATHING
C-CIRCULATION
D-DISABILITY
E-EXPOSURE
F-FURTHER INFORMATION
G-GOALS
- Further or Full information
- Review the patients notes and any relevant investigations they have had
- Look at the drug chart- paper or EPR
Things to look for?
- Has the patient any allergies?
- Is the patient diabetic?
- What investigations have been carried out? Results?
Quick Quiz