Wilderness and Rescue Medicine 8th Edition

Wilderness and Rescue Medicine 196

Chapter 24 Review: An Approach to Illness

• Careful evaluation and application of the Generic to Specific Principle is crucial in the field evalu- ation of illness. • Any illness that includes a major problem with a critical system is serious. BLS and emergency evacuation to definitive care is the ideal treatment. • Illness that does not interfere significantly with critical systems, normal body functions, and mental status is unlikely to be serious. • Illness that begins to interfere with normal body functions and mental status may become serious.

Illness can sometimes be confusing and frightening, but the most essential diagnosis remains: Serious or Not Serious. The rash on the leg of this fishing guide has developed slowly over several weeks. Since he is otherwise healthy, it would be considered Not Serious for field assessment and evacuation purposes. However, treatment for this Mycobacterium marinum infection is certainly important to this patient’s long term health.