Ambulance Paramedic Foundation Flashcards
When does a person have capacity?
A person has decision making capacity if they can:
- understand the facts and choices involved
- weigh up the consequences
- communicate their decision
What is competency?
a person’s status, under law, to be able to make a decision about their healthcare and well-being.
Competency is demonstrated in patients without chronic compromise of cognitive function e.g. intellectual impairment or profound dementia.
What do you need to document on the EMR regarding competency and capacity when not transporting?
Receive
Believe
Retain
Explain
What does Receive mean in capacity?
Can the patient listen and concentrate sufficiently to receive the information being disclosed to them?
What does Believe mean in capacity?
Can the patient understand, accept and believe the information being disclosed to them?
What does Retain mean in capacity?
Can the patient remember the information being disclosed for long enough to consider and analyse?
Do they demonstrate the ability to remember information after the paramedic has left the scene?
What does Explain mean in capacity?
Can the patient explain the information they have received and the risks involved with non-transport in their own words?
Who is the responsible person for people not capable of consenting?
guardian (appointed or enduring)
spouse or partner
carer
relative or friend
When recognising the sick baby or child, what type of vomit dictates the Pt must be transported?
Bilious (green) vomiting in infants
What can Bilious (green) vomiting indicate?
intestinal malrotation with volvulus
What is intestinal malrotation
a birth defect where the intestine does not make the turns as it should.
- It occurs equally in boys and girls
- More boys have symptoms by the first month of life
What is a volvulus?
A volvulus is a problem that can occur after birth as a result of intestinal malrotation. The intestine becomes twisted, causing an intestinal blockage that prevents food from being digested normally. This blockage can also cause dehydration. This twisting can also cut off the blood flow to the intestine, and the intestine can be damaged
What age infants should receive a heightened level of concern with transport for further assessment/treatment recommended?
ALL infants <3 months
What life-threatening conditions require immediate meaningful treatment of reversible causes whilst on scene with all other treatment en-route and rapid transport to hospital for further assessment and treatment?
Unrelieved Upper Airway Obstruction (burns, epiglottitis, foreign bodies)
Severe Breathing Problems (chest injuries with deterioration, severe pulmonary oedema, asthma or COPD unresponsive to treatment)
Severe Circulatory Problems (uncontrollable haemorrhage, penetrating trauma (excluding isolated injury to hands and feet), severe shock of any type, dysrhythmias with poor perfusion, cardiac arrest, return of spontaneous circulation following cardiac arrest)
Depressed LOC (V, P, or U - head injuries, overdose unresponsive to naloxone, uncontrolled fitting)
Emergency of Other Types - (maternal emergencies (including trauma), severe poisoning, uncontrolled severe pain, acute coronary syndrome, gastrointestinal haemorrhage, eye injuries, penetrating or chemical, stroke (FAST and Hyper Acute Stroke Mandatory criteria positive or sudden onset headache or neurological deficit, fever with lethargy, major trauma (Trauma Triage Tool criteria)
Direction from Protocol - Where required, specific protocols may mandate/recommend urgent transport for specific conditions and/or specific presentations within these conditions
Treatment
