357 exam Flashcards
Epidemiology / Demographics of posionings
Pharmaceutical
….Most common poisonings by pharmaceuticals differ between genders:
+ Females - non-opioid analgesics, antipyretics, antirheumatics
+ Males - anti-epileptic, sedative hypnotic, antiparkisons
Most poisonings in adult are deliberate
Most poisonings in children are accidental
Non-pharmaceutical poisoning e.g. envenomation
Non-pharmaceutical poisoning examples
Envenomation
Alcohol
Carbon monoxide
Pesticides
what type of drugs are likely to be abused
Act fast
Make you feel good
Stop you feeling bad
examples of drugs of abuse
CNS stimulants - amphetamines, nicotine , cocaine, caffeine,
CNS depressants - alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines
Psychomimetics - cannabis, LSD, designer drugs
what type of drug is methamphetamine?
CNS stimulant
Pharmacodynamics of methamphetamine
Chemically similar to adrenaline, dopamine
Increases alertness, mental and physical capabilities, surprises appetite.
Induces psychosis, aggression
‘Fall off’ effect - hunger, lethargy, depression
Causes intense craving - high risk of addiction
Treatment of methamphetamine poisoning
support of symptoms including sedation
other names for mathamphetamine
meth, ice
other names for Methylenedioxymethamphetamine
(MDMA / Ecstacy / E / Pingers)
(MDMA / Ecstacy / E / Pingers) what does it do?
Original designed in 1914 as an appetite surpressant
Similar to Methamphetamine - with subtle changes to molecules - fewer effects of aggression, irritability and ‘fall off effect’
Triggers sense of confidence, friendliness, paranoia.
Can lead to hyperthermia, hypertension, tachycardia, thirst and over hydration
MDMA treatment
Treatment: supportive control of symptoms - no antidote
what does heroine do
Central nervous system depressant - opiate
Similar to codeine, morphine, fentanyl, oxycodone
Medical version - diamorphine
Causes sense or euphoria and well being
May lead to - rest. depression, pulmonary oedema, convulsions, hypotension, bradycardia
heroine overdose treatment
support of symptoms & naloxone
how can a paracetamol/ acetaminophen cause overdose
Commonly used drug
Readily available with no restriction on sales - responsible for 50% of all toxic ingestions in Australia
Majority (97-98%) of paracetamol readily metabolised in liver.
Small amount metabolised to NAPQI - highly hepatotoxic
NAPQI easily removed by Glutathione.
Limited amount of Glutathione produced
Overdose uses up all Glutathione - leaving NAPQI to cause liver injury
paracetamol overdose treatment
N-Acteylcysteine -
What is trauma?
the transference of energy to the body
Kinetic -
…..Blunt - falls, motor vehicle accidents…
…..Penetrating - bullet wound, stabbing..
Chemical - chemical burn, deprivation of oxygen
Thermal - scalds, burns…
Radiation - UV burns…
Electrical - electrocution..
is Trauma…an epidemic?
Epidemic - an illness, injury or disease that affects a large number of the population in a region…with apparent growth
Road fatalities in developed countries has fallen
Violence against the person and injury from falls has increased
describe the burden of injury from trauma
970 million people suffer injury globally p.a.
4.8 million die from those injuries
Total number of deaths did not decrease between 2005 - 2015
Leading cause of death ages 1 - 44 yrs
describe trauma from the australian context
Trauma responsible for 500,000 hospitalisations nationally p.a.
12,000 die due to trauma
Potential years lost = 1,207
This is greater loss of potential life than cancer and heart disease combined
common injuries that we should try prevent
Falls
Cycle injury
Motor vehicle injury
Risk taking prevention
what are the determinants of trauma
Age
Gender
Indigenous populations - more than twice the incidence of non-indigenous populations
Alcohol and drug use
Geography - remoteness and terrain
Driver behavioural factors
what is involved prehospital in the patient journey
Self care? Bystander - first aid First Responders Road ambulance Helicopter Emergency Service Royal Flying Doctor Service
what is involved in the emergency part of the patient journey
Not all patients arrive by ambulance
Triage works!
Remember the psychological effect of injury / illness on behaviour
- Anxiety or anger?
Jack of all trades - Master of…..
Key to success:
- Organisation
- Communication
- Education
- Empathy
what is involved in the intensive care unit part of the patient journey?
Patients may be sedated / anaesthetised but aware
Consider the impact on family
Patients may be conscious and ventilated