10 Sudden Medical Emergencies Flashcards
What are the two causes of digestive illness?
When the gastrointestinal tract becomes irritated or infected.
Signs of digestive illness? (6)
Nausea/vomiting. Abdominal pain (cramping) Diarrhea. Constipation. Headache. Fever.
Care for digestive illness?
Keep person hydrated.
Not resolved after 24 hours, seek medical attention.
When is digestive illness a critical emergency?
Constant localized pain.
Hardness in abdomen and pain if pressed.
Signs of internal bleeding.
What is a diabetic emergency?
Blood sugar fluctuates outside normal range.
6 signs of diabetic emergency?
Changes in LoR Changes in behaviour (confusion, aggression) Rapid breathing Cool, pale sweaty skin Appearance of intoxication Seizures
Care for a responsive diabetic emergency?
Ingest sugar if possible.
Seek medical attention if no improvement, More sugar.
Suggest eating a full meal to balance sugar in blood.
Care for an unresponsive diabetic emergency?
Recovery position.
Rub glucose with gloved finger inside cheek.
Seek medical attention.
What is a seizure?
Period of abnormal brain function.
Signs of a seizure (4)
Uncontrollable muscle movement
Drooling or foaming
Uncontrollable repetitive motions
Altered LoR
Care for a seizure?
Protect person from injury (move things, protect head)
Don’t restrain
Roll into recovery position
>1 seizure, pregnant, diabetic, in water, unknown then seek medical attention
4 signs of a mental health crisis?
Inability to think clearly, concentrate or focus.
Hallucinations or delusions.
Depression or sudden mood swings.
Lack of motivation.
Care for a mental health crisis?
Contact support system, or 911 if harm may occur to person or others.
Provide reassurance and support.
Self help strategies like breathing exercises.
Potential signs of suicide? (3)
Negative comments and thoughts about self.
Expressing intent to die.
Expressing final wishes to someone close by.
What is the most immediate threat in a mental health crisis?
Suicide.
It can be traumatic for care givers too.
5 signs of labour and childbirth:
Contractions 2 minutes apart or less. Woman says baby is coming. Woman feels the urge to push. Woman feels like a bowel movement is coming on. Baby is crowning.
Care for someone in labour: (3)
Create clean comfortable birthing area with towels etc.
Have mother remove restrictive clothing.
Time the contractions.
9 steps to giving birth.
Support baby’s head.
Wipe fluids and mucus from baby’s mouth/nose.
Actively dry baby with clean cloth to stimulate crying and breathing.
Place baby on mother’s chest with covering.
Let placenta and cord drop onto clean cloth.
Tie sterile cloth around cord 10 cm from baby, then drain cord and tie another 15 cm from baby.
Cut umbilical cord between the two knots.
Record time of birth.
Treat any bleeding on mother.
What do you do in birthing complications?
Ensure umbilical cord is not around neck.
If not breathing in 30 seconds, massage back.
If still not breathing snap fingers against soles of feet.
If still not, then begin CPR.
