A child after a playground fall
RN OSCE practice station

The task

Mia Bennett is brought to the clinic after falling from playground equipment. Her mother Ava is present. Assess Mia, document the history and arrange the next steps. The GP in the adjacent room can be reached by phone.

What this station tests

• Normal GCS does not rule out clinically important head injury.
• A parent’s account of changed behaviour adds to direct examination.
• Do not force neck movement to obtain reassurance after trauma.

Sources for the clinical content

• ACSQHC: Recognising and Responding to Acute Deterioration Standard
• ACSQHC: Comprehensive Care Standard
• Healthdirect: Head injuries
• RCH: Head injury clinical guideline

An original practice scenario with invented patients. Not an exam question.

Practise next

• Focused assessment of worsening breathlessness
• Neurovascular concern beneath a new cast
• Sudden facial and arm weakness in a clinic
• Abdominal discomfort during home follow-up
• Neurological assessment after a head strike