In the setting of respiratory arrest, ventilation must be performed immediately. Because cardiovascular arrest is usually also present, cardio-pulmonary resuscitation must be performed.
A comprehensive clinical examination is the basis for selecting further diagnostic steps:
General physical examination – including blood pressure, pulse, body weight, height; furthermore:
- Inspection (viewing).
- Skin, mucous membranes and sclerae (white part of the eye).
- Abdomen (abdomen)
- Shape of the abdomen?
- Skin color? Skin texture?
- Efflorescences (skin changes)?
- Pulsations? Bowel movements?
- Visible vessels?
- Scars? Hernias (fractures)?
- Auscultation (listening) of the heart.
- Auscultation of the lungs
- Palpation (palpation) of the abdomen (abdomen) (tenderness?, knocking pain?, coughing pain?, defensive tension?, hernial orifices?, kidney bearing knocking pain?)
