Emergency Medicine Course

Emergency Medicine

FAST EXAM

The FAST Exam is an ultrasound protocol to evaluate for free fluid in the abdomen. This exam is indicated for trauma or suspicion of trauma with the following: abdominal tenderness, altered level of consciousness and hypotension. 

The goal of the exam is to visualize free fluid as a result of trauma in the abdomen or pericardium.  The most common location for identification of intra-abdominal fluid or blood is within the area of Morrison’s pouch. 

0.5cm stripe correlates with approximately 500 ml blood

1cm stripe correlates with approximately 1 liter of blood.

This is the exam you practiced during Urology Lab.  The FAST exam is what you will be checked-off on during Emergency Medicine Lab.

EFAST EXAM (Extended)

Adds visualization of pleural interface to evaluate for the presence of a pneumothorax and the inferior venal cava as a guide for resuscitation and ongoing blood loss. 

Please review the following chapter:

EFAST EXAM BOOK CHAPTER

Complete the following module below after reviewing the FAST and EFAST exams (required)

Emergency Medicine Module

Central Venous Access Using Ultrasound for Needle Guidance

Out-of-plane and In-plane needle insertion

CV Access Ultrasound Guidance Video

Modified approach

Modified CV Access Video