EG 103 - Patient Assessment

Credit Hours: 2

This course is designed to introduce the paramedic student to the process of patient assessment. Topics include techniques of physical examination, scene size-up, initial assessment, focused history and physical exam, medical focused history and physical exam, trauma detailed physical exam, ongoing assessment, communications and documentation.

Course Outcomes
Upon completion of the course, the student will be able to:

describe the techniques of history taking;
take a comprehensive out of hospital patient history;
explain the pathophysiologic significance of physical exam findings;
describe the workings of EMS communications systems;
effectively transmit vital patient information to the physician;
describe the importance of proper documentation;
assimilate all information regarding a patient, and effectively document it in report form;
develop an understanding of the scientific method in exploring natural phenomenon including observation, hypothesis development, measurement, data collection, and evaluation of evidence;
develop an understanding of the methods social scientists use to explore social phenomena;
develop proficiency in oral discourse;
produce coherent texts within common college level written forms;
demonstrate the ability to revise and improve such texts;
evaluate an oral presentation according to established criteria;
develop well reasoned arguments; and
develop an ability to locate, evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources.

Prerequisites: EG 099, EG 101, basic EMT, math (AARLV2) and English (AWRLV3 & ARELV3) pretest codes or higher.
Corequisites: EG 104, EG 109
F (S)

Students seeking entrance into this course must be currently certified as a basic EMT and be admitted to the paramedic curriculum to register for this course.