The acronym PASTE is a mnemonic used by Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) to systematically evaluate patients who are experiencing difficulty breathing.
PASTE helps EMTs gather crucial information about a patient's respiratory distress by prompting specific questions and observations related to their symptoms and medical history. This structured approach ensures a comprehensive assessment, aiding in quick and accurate decision-making regarding patient care.
Understanding the PASTE Acronym
Each letter in PASTE represents a key area of assessment for patients presenting with respiratory issues. Below is a detailed breakdown of what each letter signifies:
| Acronym Letter | Assessment Area | Detailed Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| P | Provoke, Progression | Provoke: What initiated or triggered the breathing difficulty? Was there any activity, exposure, or event that started or worsened the symptoms? Progression: How has the breathing difficulty developed over time? Has it been sudden or gradual? Has it gotten better, worse, or stayed the same since it began? |
| A | Associated Chest Pain | Is the patient experiencing any chest pain alongside their difficulty breathing? If so, inquire about the nature (sharp, dull, crushing), location, radiation, and severity of the pain. Chest pain can indicate underlying cardiac or pulmonary issues. |
| S | Sputum (color and amount) | Has the patient been coughing up any sputum (phlegm or mucus)? If so, what is its color (e.g., clear, white, yellow, green, rust-colored, bloody) and what is the approximate amount? Sputum characteristics can provide clues about infection or other lung conditions. |
| T | Talking, Tiredness | Talking: How many words can the patient speak in a single breath before needing to pause? This indicates their level of respiratory distress (e.g., can they speak in full sentences, short phrases, or only single words?). Tiredness: How tired or fatigued does the patient feel due to their breathing difficulty? Increased work of breathing can lead to significant exhaustion. |
| E | Exertion, Exercise Tolerance | Exertion: Does the breathing difficulty worsen with exertion, even minimal effort? Exercise Tolerance: How much activity can the patient typically perform before experiencing shortness of breath? Has their normal exercise tolerance decreased significantly? This helps assess the chronicity and severity of their respiratory limitation. |
By systematically going through each component of PASTE, EMTs can efficiently gather vital diagnostic information, which is crucial for determining the appropriate interventions and transport decisions for patients in respiratory distress.
