Premergency First Aid, CPR and AED Manual

2 PREmergency Scene Management

Skin Condition – The colour, condition, and temperature of skin can change when a patient is ill or injured. Colour – Since many blood vessels are close to the surface of the skin, adequate blood circulation and oxygenation affect the skins colour. Blood that is saturated with oxygen is red and blood that is not is blue. Pale, white, ashen, or grey skin can indicate poor blood circulation. Condition – Dry skin is normal. Wet or moist skin or skin that is very dry and hot may indicate a problem. Skin that is cool and bathed in sweat can indicate shock. Temperature – Assess the patients temperature with the back of your hand placed on their forehead (see image to the right). Normal skin temperature will be warm to the touch. Hot, cool, cold, or clammy (moist) skin may indicate a problem.

In the beginning stages of shock, skin will be cool and clammy as the body moves blood away from the surface of the body and diverts it to the core. Remember that the patient’s history and vital signs are important tools in understanding and monitoring their condition. This information also needs to be provided to the next level of care. It may not be possible for you to record a patient’s vital signs. In this case, ask others at the scene to write this information down for you.

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