Browse categories and answer follow-up questions to refine your symptom profile.
Immediate priorities
Initial stabilization
Airway patency
If impending airway compromise, RSI with cervical spine precautions
Breathing
Oxygen saturation target 94% to 98%
If respiratory distress, escalate to noninvasive ventilation or intubation
Circulation
IV access x 2 large bore
Cardiac monitor
If hypotension, trauma hemorrhage protocol and bedside ultrasound
Disability
GCS trend
If altered mental status, broaden traumatic differential
Exposure
Full trauma exam
Hypothermia prevention
High-risk triggers
Immediate escalation triggers
Hemodynamic instability
If persistent hypotension, consider pericardial tamponade, tension pneumothorax, hemorrhage
New arrhythmia
If ventricular arrhythmia or high-grade block, blunt cardiac injury pathway and critical care consult
Respiratory compromise
If rising work of breathing, evaluate for pulmonary contusion, pneumothorax, flail chest
Severe uncontrolled pain
If splinting and hypoventilation, regional analgesia or IV opioid strategy
Monitoring targets
Physiologic targets
Oxygen saturation 94% to 98%
COPD with CO2 retention risk, target 88% to 92% when appropriate
Respiratory rate 12 to 20 per minute
If tachypnea persists, evaluate for occult thoracic injury
Systolic blood pressure at patient baseline
If shock, treat as trauma until proven otherwise
Pain goal allowing deep breath and cough
Incentive spirometry participation
SymptomDx is an educational tool for medical professionals. It does not replace clinical judgment. Verify all clinical data and drug dosages with authoritative sources.