Chapter 1

❓ What Is POCUS?

Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) is a quick scan done at the patient’s bedside to help diagnose or treat a problem immediately. It is used in emergencies or during patient monitoring.

💡 Think of POCUS as a “quick look” tool to get answers fast.

🚨 When POCUS Is Used

• Trauma or accidents (to check for internal bleeding)
  
  

• Sudden shortness of breath
  
  

• Chest pain
  
  

• Shock or low blood pressure
  
  

• Pregnancy emergencies
  
  

• Before or after surgery
  
  

• ICU monitoring
  
  

🛠️ Types of Emergency POCUS Exams

Scan

What It Checks

When It’s Used

FAST scan

Blood in abdomen/chest

After trauma or accident

Lung scan

Air or fluid in chest

Breathing problems

Cardiac scan

Heart movement and fluid around heart

Chest pain, shock

IV access scan

Vein location

Difficult IV line

Bladder scan

Urine in bladder

Urinary problems

Pregnancy scan

Baby location, heartbeat

Vaginal bleeding, pain

🧭 How to Do a Basic FAST Scan (Trauma Check)

1. Right side of the belly (liver/kidney area) – Look for fluid
   
   

2. Left side (spleen/kidney) – Check for dark spaces
   
   

3. Pelvis (bladder or uterus area) – Look for free fluid
   
   

4. Heart area (subcostal view) – Check for fluid around the heart
   
   

🗒️ Fluid appears black on the screen – any black space where it shouldn’t be is a warning sign.

🖼️ Illustration Suggestion (to generate later):

• FAST scan probe positions and black fluid pockets
  
  

• Side-by-side emergency ultrasound screen images
  
  

⚠️ Why POCUS Is Important

• Fast decisions
  
  

• No need to move the patient
  
  

• Helps in rural or low-resource areas
  
  

• No radiation
  
  

• Can save lives