The success of a CPR treatment partly relies in the efficiency of the level of consciousness (LOC) assessment that is going to be conducted by the rescuer since the outcomes of this assessment determine the actions that will be taken by the rescuer. This is why it is important to take a CPR class which properly tackles LOC assessment and teaches everything that students need to learn regarding this important step. Here are some of the things that rescuers should look for during LOC assessment and that they should learn about in their CPR class.
Alertness
Determining the level of consciousness of the patient helps rescuers decide on whether they should administer on-hand medications or proceed with CPR and AED treatment. Giving medications to a fully-conscious and alert patient is highly recommended since they will be able to take the medications properly. An incoherent or a patient that shows signs of confusion may not be able to take the medications as instructed due to their current mental state. This is very important in medication administration since some of the drugs which should be given to cardiac arrest patients should be taken sublingually such as nitroglycerin. Failure to take these medicines as prescribed may hinder their efficiency.
Verbal Response
Obtaining a consent is always a difficult subject especially for rescuers who are about to administer CPR. This is because administering CPR to a patient who clearly does not want the treatment and has expressed its unwillingness to receive the through a written or oral directive can sue the rescuer or the healthcare professional who will administer the CPR. This is why determining the patient’s ability to give clear verbal responses is very important since rescuers can use this ability to determine the patient’s willingness to receive CPR treatment.
Pain Response
Certain cardiac problems cause blood vessel blockage which then causes insufficient blood flow in some parts of the body. One of the most common symptoms of insufficient blood flow is numbness which is characterized as the absence of pain response. This is why rescuers should determine if the patient still responds to painful stimuli in order to properly address circulation problems.
Unresponsiveness
In the event that the patient is not responsive at all, rescuers should try to transport the patient to a healthcare facility which is more capable of giving intensive care. Rescuers should use their CPR and first aid skills to ensure that the patient is transported safely.