Orientation is an essential part of assessing a person's state of consciousness. It involves determining whether the person is aware of three basic aspects: place, identity, and time.
The sphere of "place" orientation tests whether the person is aware of where they are. This may include information such as the immediate physical environment, the geographic location, or the facility in which the person is located.
The "identity" sphere of orientation is about awareness of one's own identity. It is about ensuring that the person is able to give his or her name, age, address or any other personal information that would confirm his or her identity.
The sphere of "time" orientation is related to the perception of time. This involves checking whether the person is aware of the date, time, day of the week or recent events.
The assessment of orientation is essential to obtain a complete picture of the person's condition. It helps determine whether the person is aware of their immediate environment, their own identity, and temporality. This information is crucial for medical professionals, first responders, or anyone assessing a person's condition in an emergency or medical situation.
The spheres of orientation
The spheres of orientation :
The 3 spheres of orientation are:
- place,
- identity,
- time.
The place consists in knowing if the victim knows where he is.
The identity consists in knowing if the victim knows his name and surname.
Time is whether the victim knows the date (day, month, year).
It is important to consider the type of victim when assessing these spheres, especially date.
Assessment of orientation
It is important not to assume that a victim with consistent speech is necessarily oriented. To assess a victim's orientation, it is necessary to specifically ask about time and place. It is also important not to confuse the sphere of knowledge with that of orientation because several factors can alter this assessment, giving the rescuer incorrect answers, for example in the case of a victim who has suffered a head injury.
Orientation to the event
It is important not to consider knowledge of the event as a sphere of orientation. However, it is relevant to collect this information, especially for head injury victims. Some victims with minor head trauma have a memory disorder called "event amnesia," which is temporary and involves only short-term memory.
Bottom line
Orientation is a crucial aspect of assessing a victim's state of consciousness. There are 3 spheres of orientation which are:
- location,
- identity,
- time.
It is important to take into account the type of victim for the evaluation of these spheres and not to confuse the sphere of knowledge with that of orientation. It is also relevant to collect information on orientation to the event, especially in traumatized victims with head impact.