Acute Care Flashcards
What are the immediate threats to life in a trauma patient?
ATOM FC Airway obstruction Tension pneumothorax Open pneumothorax Massive haemorrhage Flail chest Cardiac tamponade
Why is tension pneumothorax a threat to life?
Causes compression of great veins, leading to pooling in capacitance vessels and hence circulatory collapse
How do you treat tension pneumothorax?
Wide bore cannula
2nd intercostal space mid-clavicular line
Definitive: chest drain, 6th intercostal space midclavicular line
What are the causes of airway obstruction?
CNS depression Blood, vomit Foreign body Direct trauma to face or throat Epiglottitis Pharyngeal swelling - infection, oedema Laryngospasm, bronchospasm Bronchial secretions
What are the causes of CNS depression leading to airway obstruction?
Head injury Intracerebral disease Hypercarbia Metabolic disorders eg hypoglycaemia Drugs eg alcohol, opioids
What is the main problem with inadequate breathing?
Insufficient breathing to oxygenate the blood means lack of oxygen to vital organs
Leads to loss of consciousness
Eventual cardiac arrest
What are the 3 main causes of breathing problems?
Decreased respiratory drive (CNS depression)
Deceased respiratory effort
Lung disorders
How do you assess ventilation?
Arterial blood gas - pCO2 and pH
What are the causes of ventricular fibrillation?
Acute coronary syndromes Hypertensive heart disease Valve disease Drugs Acidosis Abnormal electrolytes eg potassium, magnesium, calcium Hypothermia Electrocution
What are the 3 main causes of breathing problems?
Decreased respiratory drive (CNS depression)
Deceased respiratory effort
Lung disorders
How do you assess ventilation?
Arterial blood gas - pCO2 and pH
What are the causes of ventricular fibrillation?
Acute coronary syndromes Hypertensive heart disease Valve disease Drugs Acidosis Abnormal electrolytes eg potassium, magnesium, calcium Hypothermia Electrocution
