Acute Medical Emergencies Flashcards
Explain the chain of survival. (4)
Call for help early
Early CPR
Early defibrillation
Advanced Care
Outline the primary survey. (10)
Danger
Response
Shout for help (999/AED)
Airway
Breathing
Compression/Recovery position
Give rescue breaths
AED (if available)
Explain the main features of danger. (2)
Ensure px/bystanders are safe:
If there’s any danger (consider emergency services, moving px to safety and scene protection)
Explain the main features of response. (3)
Check victim for response.
Gently shake shoulders and ask loudly are you alright?
AVPU (Alert, Voice, Pain, Unresponsive)
Explain the main features of airways. (3)
Turn px onto their back.
Open airway
Place hand on their forehead and gently tilt their head back with your fingertips under the point of the victim’s chin, lift the chin to open airways.
Explain the main features of breathing. (2)
Look, listen and feel for normal breathing for no more than 10 seconds.
In first few minutes, after cardiac arrest, a victim may be barely breathing or take infrequent, slow and noisy gasps. Not be confused with normal breathing. If you have any doubts whether breathing is normal, act as if they’re not breathing normally and start CPR.
Explain the main features for dial 999. (4)
Explain the main features of giving rescue breaths. (6)
If you don’t wish to give rescue breaths, then do compression only CPR.
After 30 compressions open airway using head tilt and chin lift and give 2 rescue breaths.
Pinch soft part of nose closed using index finger and thumb of your hand on their forehead.
Allow mouth to open but maintain chin lift.
Take normal breath and place lips around their mouth, making sure a good seal.
Blow steadily into their mouth while watching for their chest to rise. Taking about 1 second as in normal breathing.
Maintain head tilt and chin lift, take your mouth away from victim and watch for chest fall as air comes out (continue 30:2)
Explain the main features of ventilation with pocket masks. (3)
Removes need for direct contact
Improve lung ventilation.
Can be attached to O2.
Explain the main features of AED. (6)
Attach the pads on the px bare chest. (CPR continues whilst pads are being attached to chest if 2 rescuers)
Follow direction prompt ensuring on one is touching the px.
Shock is indicated, deliver shock ensuring no one is touching the px.
Push shock button as directed immediately restart CPR at a ratio of 30:2
Continue as directed by voice/visual prompts.
If no shock is indicated, continue CPR.
When would you continue CPR? (3)
Until:
- a HCP tells you to stop
- You become exhausted
- Victim is definitely waking up, moving, opening their eyes and breathing normally.
What is the recover position? (3)
Head under their chin to keep mouth open.
Leg bent to support position.
Arm bent to prevent rolling over.
What are the main features of choking? (4)
Be alert to choking particularly if victim is eating.
Mild choking - px able to speak.
Severe choking - px unable to speak or cough.
What are the signs of a foreign body obstruction causing choking? (5)
Coughing
Unable to speak or make sounds
Pallor/cyanosis (colour)
Difficulty breathing/respiratory distress (laboured/ineffective)
Collapse
Outline the relieving techniques for Choking. (3)
Coughing
Back blows
Abdominal Thrusts
Explain the process for coughing when choking. (2)
First response
Effective way to clear blockage
Be calm and instruct px to cough.
Explain the process for back blows when choking. (3)
Stand to the side and support the chest
Lean px forward.
Give about 5 sharp blows between the shoulder blades with the heel pf our other hand.
Explain the process for abdominal thrusts when choking. (5)
Stand behind the px and put arms around round the upper abdomen.
Lean px forward.
Clench fist and place it between the umbilicus (naval) of the ribcage.
Grasp the hand with other hand and pull sharply inwards and upwards.
Repeat up to 5x then alternate with back blows if not relieved.
Use chest thrusts on paediatrics.
Briefly provide an overview of choking treatment. (5)
Encourage px to cough.
If severe obstruction, administer up to 5 back blows.
If this fails, perform 5 abdominal thrusts.
Repeat back blows/abdominal thrusts until obstruction is removed or person becomes unconscious.
If px becomes unconscious due to choking perform CPR immediately.
What is anaphylactic shock? (1)
Extreme severe allergic reaction.
Whole body is affected often within mins of exposure to the allergen.
What is the effect of histamine release? (4)
Vasodilation
Increased vessel permeability
Hypoxia / bronchospasms
Leading to hypotension / tachycardia.
What are the common causes/triggers of choking? (8)
Peanuts
Tree nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews, Brazil Nuts)
Sesame
Fish
Shellfish
Dairy products
Eggs
What are the symptoms of a severe allergic reactions? (10)
Generalised skin flushing
Urticaria (nettle rash - hives) anywhere around the body.
Sense of impending doom
Throat/Mouth Swelling
Swallowing/ Speaking Difficulty
Heart Rate Alterations
Severe Asthma
Abdominal Pain
Nausea + Vomiting
Sudden feeling of weakness
Collapse / Unconsciousness
Explain the treatment of anaphylaxis. (4)
Airway, Breathing and Circulation.
Adrenaline Auto-injectors
Monitor and prepare for resuscitation if needed
Seek medical help.
Explain the process for shouting for help. (4)
Get second person to call 999.
Get someone to get closest AED (ambulance control will have the info.)
If you’re on your own continue to next step and use own mobile phone to call for help and put on loudspeaker.
Explain the process of starting compressions. (4)
Kneel and place heel of one hand in the centre of the px’s chest.
Place the heel of your other hand on top of the first hand interlocking your fingers.
Keeping your arms straight, shoulders vertical, press down on sternum to a depth of 5-6cm.
Each compression releasing all pressure on the chest without losing contact with their sternum. (Repeat 100-120 mins)
Outline the primary survey for paediatrics. (8)
Danger
Response
Shout for help (call 999/ send for AED)
Airway
Breathing
Give 5 rescue breaths
Compression/Recovery Position
AED (if available)
Explain the process of performing CPR in paediatrics. (2)
Paediatric arrest (secondary)
Infants vs children for CPR:
- Newborn is an infant after birth.
- Infant < 1 year old
- Child: 1 year to 18 years old.
Perform a CPR on paediatrics.
Have the px on a hard surface.
Give 5 rescue breaths if not breathing normally.
Compress a third of the depth of the chest (4-5cm)
Rate of 100-120 compressions per minute.
For a child use one hand on the centre of the chest.
For an infant use 2 thumbs or 2 finger technique.
