Acute and Chronic Illnesses

Question 1

Sudden Illness S/S

Answer 1

• Changes in LOR
• Vertigo
• Generalized weakness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Looks and/or feels ill without trauma
• Changes in resp, pulse, skin

Question 2

Causes of Syncope

Answer 2

Brain is deprived of normal blood flow + momentarily shuts down

Pain
Emotional shock
↓ bp
pinched vessels in neck
↓ blood flow to the brain
↓ blood sugar
certain meds
prolonged standing
heat exposure
overexertion
medical conditions

Question 3

Syncope S/S

Answer 3

Lightheaded or dizzy
Appears/feels ill
numbness and tingling in the fingers and/or toes
Pale, cool, clammy skin (shock like)
Altered LOR
Increased resp and pule

Once unconscious, as blood flow to the brain improves. LOR improves

Question 4

Treatment for Syncope

Answer 4

Airway
Recovery
suction (just incase)
gain information
elevate legs (no spinal)

Question 5

Diabetes

Answer 5

a hormone produced by the pancreas (insulin) is required to transport glucose from the bloodstream to cells

Diabetes is a improper balance of glucose and insulin

Question 6

Diabetic Emergencies

Answer 6

Diabetes mellitus: fail to produce insulin or does not effectively use the insulin produced

Poor monitoring can lead to
- Hypoglycemia
- Hyperglycemia

Question 7

Type of Diabetes

Answer 7

Type 1: Insulin-dependent (body cant produce enough insulin, often diagnosed in childhood)

Type 2: insulin-dependent / Non-insulin-dependent
(body does not produce enough for its needs or when the body does not use the insulin properly)

Question 8

Gestational Diabetes

Answer 8

pregnancy due to increase demand on body
generally returns to normal after pregnancy but risk of developing diabetes later in life

Question 9

Hypoglycemia

Answer 9

Blood glucose level is too low
MOI: too much insulin, failing to eat right, over exercising, emotional stress

Question 10

Hyperglycemia

Answer 10

Blood glucose level is too high
MOI: not enough insulin, buildup of glucose in the blood

body uses other stored sources (fats), if continued patient will deteriorate into a diabetic coma

Question 11

Diabetic S/S

Answer 11

not imporant for FR to differentiate between hyper/hypoglycemia as the standard treatment for both is the same

• Change in LOR
• Dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion
• Tachypnea
• Tachycardia
• Felling and looking ill

Question 12

Blood glucose testing

Answer 12

normal BGL reading is between 4-7mmol/L
or 5-10 mmol/L 2 hrs after meal

Question 13

Treatment for Diabetes

Answer 13

Conscious and able to swallow - give 15-20g of sugar

Hypo - will help
Hyper - will do no harm

if S/S symptoms persist 5-10 minutes after the first does of glucose, RTP
repeat after 15 mins if S/S persist

NEVER give insulin

Question 14

Seizures

Answer 14

result of abnormal electrical activity in the brain

occur when the normal functions are disrupted by:
- injury
- disease
- fever
- infection
- metabolic disturbances
- any ↓ in 02

Question 15

Types of seizures

Answer 15

1. Generalized (grand Mal)
2. Partial
3. Absence (petit Mal)
4. Febrile
5. status epilepticus

Question 16

Generalized Seizures

Answer 16

Grand Mal
- involves both hemispheres
- rarely lasts < 1-3 mins
S/S:
- Loss of responsiveness
- Convulsions
- irreg breathing / resp arrest
- drooling
- eyes roll up
- loss of bladder or bowel control

Question 17

4 Phases of Generalized seizures

Answer 17

1. Aura (unusual sensations)
2. Tonic (uncon then muscle rigidity)
3. Clonic (uncontrollable muscle contractions)
4. Postictal (recovery, LOR improves)

Question 18

Partial Seizures

Answer 18

• simple or complex
• small area of 1 hemisphere
• common w/ epilepsy
• can become a generalized seizure

Question 19

Simple vs Complex partial seizures

Answer 19

simple:
- remains aware + remembers
- involuntary muscle contraction (one side)
- may/may not be able to speak
- auras

complex:
- 1-2 mins
- awareness lost/ impaired
- begin w/ blank stare followed by random movements
- may be confused after and don’t remember

Question 20

Absence Seizures

Answer 20

Petit Mal
common in children
- non-convulsive seizure
- only a few seconds

S/S:
- brief, sudden loss of awareness (daydreaming like)
- blank stare
- minor myoclonic jerks

Question 21

Febrile Seizures

Answer 21

brought on by rapid increase in body temp in young children and infants

Question 22

Status Epilepticus

Answer 22

last longer than 5 mins or lasting longer than 5 mins w/out a return to normal LOR between them

RTD

Question 23

Treatment for Seizures

Answer 23

PROTECT:
1. self
2. patient
3. airway

Question 24

Appendicitis

Answer 24

viral or bacterial infection in digest tract, blockage
if untreated it my become gangrenous + rupture, causing peritonitis

Question 25

S/S of Appendicitis

Answer 25

Px RLQ
nausea, vomiting
constipation
diarrhea
low-grade fever
abdominal swelling
px with increased movement such as inhalation, coughing sneezing, ect.

(McBurney point medial 1/3 of the way from right ASIS and the umbilicus

Question 26

Care for Appendicitis

Answer 26

Comfortable position
treat for shock
RTD (may not be emergency)