Emergency Medicine - Lab Exercise

**LAB EXERCISE TITLE & INFORMATION**

**Title:** Emergency Medicine Simulation Lab: Assessing Trauma Patients in the Field

**Duration:** 2-3 hours

**Group Size:** 4-6 students

**Difficulty Level:** Moderate to High (requires team work, critical thinking, and quick decision-making)

**Learning Objectives:**

1. Perform a basic trauma assessment on a patient simulating a field injury.
2. Identify vital signs and symptoms indicative of shock, bleeding, or other life-threatening conditions.
3. Administer oxygen therapy and IV fluids as needed.
4. Use a tourniquet to control severe bleeding.
5. Apply a compression bandage to stabilize a limb.
6. Perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) if the patient is unresponsive.
7. Use a pulse oximeter to monitor oxygen saturation.
8. Document patient information and vital signs accurately.

**BACKGROUND & THEORY**

In emergency medicine, timely assessment and treatment of trauma patients are crucial for survival. This lab exercise simulates a real-world scenario where students will work as part of a team to assess, stabilize, and manage a trauma patient in the field. Students will learn to prioritize symptoms, perform basic life support techniques, and make decisions under pressure.

Expected outcomes include accurate vital sign assessment, effective oxygen therapy and fluid administration, and proper application of tourniquets and compression bandages.

**MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT**

* Patient simulators or models (e.g., SimMan or Resusci Anne)
* Trauma kit with essential supplies (gloves, gauze, tourniquet, compression bandage, oxygen tank, etc.)
* Vital sign monitoring equipment (pulse oximeter, blood pressure monitor, etc.)
* First aid manual
* Stethoscope
* Blood sampling equipment (if applicable)

**PROCEDURE / PROTOCOL**

1. Introduction and briefing (5 minutes)
* Review of emergency medicine principles and trauma care.
* Overview of the patient simulator or model.
2. Patient assessment (20 minutes)
* Conduct a thorough head-to-toe examination, including vital signs.
* Look for signs of shock, bleeding, or other life-threatening conditions.
3. Oxygen therapy administration (10 minutes)
* Use an oxygen tank and mask to provide supplemental oxygen.
* Monitor oxygen saturation using a pulse oximeter.
4. IV fluid administration (15 minutes)
* Use IV fluids as needed to address hypovolemia or shock.
* Monitor vital signs closely during administration.
5. Tourniquet application (10 minutes)
* Apply a tourniquet to control severe bleeding.
* Use caution and follow proper technique to avoid nerve damage or limb loss.
6. Compression bandage application (15 minutes)
* Apply a compression bandage to stabilize a limb.
* Monitor for signs of compartment syndrome or other complications.
7. CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) (20 minutes)
* Perform CPR if the patient is unresponsive.
* Use a defibrillator and follow ACLS guidelines.
8. Data collection and documentation (15 minutes)
* Record vital signs, medical history, and treatment details accurately.
* Review lab results or imaging studies (if applicable).
9. Debriefing and discussion (10 minutes)
* Discuss the case as a team, highlighting successes and areas for improvement.

**DATA COLLECTION & ANALYSIS**

* Record patient information and vital signs accurately using a data collection form.
* Monitor oxygen saturation, blood pressure, and heart rate during treatment.
* Document any lab results or imaging studies (if applicable).

**CLINICAL CORRELATIONS**

* Trauma care in the field is critical for survival.
* Effective assessment and treatment of trauma patients require quick decision-making and teamwork.
* Common errors include delayed treatment, inadequate oxygenation, or insufficient fluid resuscitation.

**POST-LAB QUESTIONS**

1. What are the key signs of shock, bleeding, or other life-threatening conditions in a trauma patient?
2. How do you determine the best course of action for oxygen therapy administration?
3. What is the proper technique for applying a tourniquet to control severe bleeding?
4. How do you monitor vital signs closely during IV fluid administration?
5. What are the consequences of performing CPR on an unresponsive patient?

**ASSESSMENT CRITERIA**

* Checklist of skills demonstrated:
+ Conducted thorough patient assessment.
+ Administered oxygen therapy and IV fluids as needed.
+ Applied tourniquet correctly.
+ Applied compression bandage effectively.
+ Performed CPR if necessary.
+ Documented patient information accurately.
* Grading rubric:
+ Accuracy of vital sign assessment (20 points)
+ Effectiveness of oxygen therapy administration (15 points)
+ Proper application of tourniquet and compression bandage (15 points)
+ Performance of CPR (10 points)
+ Accuracy of data collection and documentation (10 points)

**REFERENCES & RESOURCES**

* American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines for trauma care.
* American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma (ACS COT) guidelines for trauma care.
* First aid manual, such as the Wilderness Medical Society (WMS) Guidelines.

Note: The above lab exercise is a sample and can be modified to fit specific needs and resources. It's essential to consult with instructors and healthcare professionals before implementing any new training program.