All Flashcards
Tuberculosis (TB)
Bacterial infection, affects primarily the lungs but other organs too
- wear gloves, eye protection, and an N-95 respirator
Croup
Edema and inflammation of the trachea, larynx, and throat
- usually seen in children between 6 months - 3 years of age
- cough sounds like a seal bark
Nasal cannula
Oxygen concentration between 24% - 44% in range of 1-6 L/Min
- for people who have trouble breathing
Non - rebreather
Allows patient to receive oxygen without inhaling exhaled air
- patient can breathe on their own
Kussmaul respirations
Deep and fast breathing
- seen in metabolic acidosis
Ataxic respirations
Uneven or unidentified breathing pattern
- usually a result of a severe head injury/neuro
Normal vs. Abnormal breathing
Normal - respiratory rate 12-20 breathes per minute
Abnormal - respiratory rate of 12 breathes per minute, greater than 20 breathes per minute with dyspnea
Hypercapnia
Increased carbon dioxide levels in the body
How much saturation of oxygen do you try to achieve?
94% - 99%
How much saturation of oxygen do you try to achieve?
94% - 99%
Average adult tidal volume
500 mL
Aspirin (ASA)
Platelet Inhibitor
MOA: coats platelets to prevent additional clotting
Indications: chest pain that suggests an AMI
Dose: total dose of 324mg, usually tablets are 81mg, chewable
Contraindications: history of anaphylaxis to Aspirin or any NSAIDS, don’t use if GI upset, caution if patient is a severe asthmatic
Activated charcoal
Classification: absorbent
MOA: adsorbs substances from the small intestine preventing the absorption of material
Indications: most oral poisonings
Dose: 1-2 g/kg
Side effects: black tarry stool, nausea
Contraindications: decreased LOC, acids, alkalis, petroleum distillate, heavy metals
Bronchodilator (Albuterol)
Classification: smooth muscle relaxant
MOA: beta agonist, dilates bronchioles
Indications: bronchoconstriction (wheezing)
Dose: 2-3mg/3m for a Nebulizer, 1-2 puffs metered dose inhaler with a max dose of 3, waiting five minutes between each dose
Side effects: tachycardia, jitteriness, anxiety hypertension, hyperglycemia, reflex bronchoconstriction
Contraindications: tachydysrhythmias
Epinephrine
Classification: alpha and beta adrenergic agonists
MOA: vasoconstriction and bronchodilator
Indications: anaphylaxis
Dose: 0.3mg for adults, 0.15mg for pediatric patients, given intramuscularly, each dose repeated once every five minutes if no improvement is shown
Side effects: tachycardia, hypertension, anxiety, jitteriness
Contraindications: not in acute anaphylaxis
Oral glucose
Classification: hyperglycemic
MOA: gives rapidly absorbed glucose to cells
Indications: hypoglycemia, altered mental status
Dose: 12.5-25 grams, up to two doses
Contraindications: inability to safely swallow, unconscious
Nalaxone (Narcan)
Classification: opiate agonist
MOA: causes rapid removal of drugs attached to Mu receptors
Indications: suspected opiate overdose
Dose: 4-2 mg IV, IM, IN
Nalaxone (Narcan)
Classification: opiate agonist
MOA: causes rapid removal of drugs attached to Mu receptors
Indications: suspected opiate overdose
Dose: 4-2 mg IV, IM, IN
Nitroglycerin
Classification: vasodilator
MOA: vasodilates all blood vessels
Indications: chest pain suggesting an AMI
Dose: 4-.6 sublingual tablets given up to three times, once every five minutes after checking stats
Side effects: flushing, hypotension, headache, tachycardia
Contraindications: hypotension, systolic blood pressure less than 100mmHg nationally or 120mmHg in Massachusetts, recent ED drug or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor usage
Nitroglycerin
Classification: vasodilator
MOA: vasodilates all blood vessels
Indications: chest pain suggesting an AMI
Dose: 4-.6 sublingual tablets given up to three times, once every five minutes after checking stats
Side effects: flushing, hypotension, headache, tachycardia
Contraindications: hypotension, systolic blood pressure less than 100mmHg nationally or 120mmHg in Massachusetts, recent ED drug or phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor usage
Type 1 Diabetes
Pancreatic cells fail to function and insulin isn’t secreted normally
- usually prescribed synthetic insulin
- left untreated and there will be too much glucose in the blood, but not enough in the cells
Type 2 Diabetes
Known as “Non-insulin dependent diabetes” , body can’t use the insulin properly
- usually controlled by diet and oral meds, but sometimes given insulin
Hypoglycemia
Most common medical emergency in diabetics
- low blood sugar ( hypo = less )
- diabetic either takes too much insulin ( which lowers the blood sugar ), reduces sugar intake, over - exercises, or vomits
- usually altered mental status, often patient may be mistaken as drunk
Pale, sweaty, tachycardic, seizures, quick oral intake is critical
Hyperglycemia
High blood sugar ( hyper = more )
- usually caused by a lack of insulin, infection, stress, or increased dietary intake
- can be over days - weeks
Dehydration, altered mental status, tachycardia, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, increased urinating
- can lead to DKA*
Hyperglycemia
High blood sugar ( hyper = more )
- usually caused by a lack of insulin, infection, stress, or increased dietary intake
- can be over days - weeks
Dehydration, altered mental status, tachycardia, rapid breathing, low blood pressure, increased urinating
- can lead to DKA*
Diabetic ketoacidosis ( DKA )
Common in type 2 diabetics / hyperglycemia
Dehydrated, altered mental status, sauces, increased urination, shock, fruity breath smell
Can lead to death if left untreated
Diabetic ketoacidosis ( DKA )
Common in type 2 diabetics / hyperglycemia
Dehydrated, altered mental status, sauces, increased urination, shock, fruity breath smell
Can lead to death if left untreated
Diabetic ketoacidosis ( DKA )
Common in type 2 diabetics / hyperglycemia
Dehydrated, altered mental status, sauces, increased urination, shock, fruity breath smell
Can lead to death if left untreated
AEIOU tips ( altered mental status )
A - alcohol
E - epilepsy, endocrine, electrolytes
I - insulin
O - opiates or other drugs
U - uremia ( kidney failure )
T - trauma, temperature
I - infections
P - poisoning, psychogenic
S - shock, stroke, seizure, syncope, subcranioid hemorrhage
Proximal / distal
Relationship between 2 areas on an extremity
Proximal - closer
Distal - further
Ex: two facial wounds, one proximal to the right eye, one distal to the right eye near the jaw
Lateral / medial
Sides/positions relative to the midline of the body
- lateral is further (outside)
- medial is closer
Ex: wound located on the lateral thigh (outside the thigh), wound located on medial thigh (inner thigh)
Superior / inferior
Superior is ant structure closer to the head from a point of reference, inferior is the lower part
Ex: the eyes are superior to the mouth, feet are inferior to the hips
Superior / inferior
Superior is ant structure closer to the head from a point of reference, inferior is the lower part
Ex: the eyes are superior to the mouth, feet are inferior to the hips
Bacterial meningitis
Caused by many sources of infection
- viral can solve on its own, bacterial evolves quickly and can become life threatening
- neisseria meningitis bacteria causes rapid onset
Children with NM have small pinpoint cherry red spots that turn into a larger purple/black rash
Meningitis
Inflammation of meniges, membrane around the brain and spinal cord
- bacteria, parasites, fungi
Symptoms Cary depending on age, any age experiences fever and altered mental status
Less than 2-3 months - apnea, cyanosis, fever, high pitched cry, hypothermia
“Minigital irritation” terms to describe pain that accompanies movement
Febrile seizures
Common in children ages between 6 months and 6 years of age
- when body temperature raises too quickly (a fever at least 100F or 38C or above)
- can be a sign of a more serious problem
- give cooling measures
Hypoxemia
Blood doesn’t have enough oxygen, or breathing process doesn’t provide enough oxygen to the body
Obstructive shock
Causes: pulmonary embolism, tension pneumothorax, cardiac tamponade
- impedes flow of blood to/from the heart
- increased heart rate, vasoconstriction
Neonate
- birth - 30 days old
- nose breathers, heart rate 100-205 BPM, respiratory rate 40-60 breathes per minute
If HR below 100, ventilate 1 breath every 2-3 seconds
If HR below 6, begin CPR - predisposed to hypothermia
Fontanelles close at about 18 months
Neonate
- birth - 30 days old
- nose breathers, heart rate 100-205 BPM, respiratory rate 40-60 breathes per minute
If HR below 100, ventilate 1 breath every 2-3 seconds
If HR below 6, begin CPR - predisposed to hypothermia
Fontanelles close at about 18 months
