AV - Adult - Precis Notes (O2, Pain relief, CVA/TIA, Agitation) Flashcards
A0001 - O2 Rx
Dot points?
- Stop (4)
- Adequate SpO2 (1)
- Mild - moderate (1)
- Severe (3)
- Chronic hypoxaemia (3)
- Regardless of SpO2 (2)
A0001 - O2 Rx
> Stop points?
> Stop
- Reliant upon accurate pulse oximetry
- Only for Pts >= 12 yrs
- High concentration O2 may be harmful to Pts at risk of hypercapnic respiratory failure (COPD, severe asthma)
- Suspect COPD if Pt > 40 AND a smoker / ex-smoker w/ SOBOE, chronic cough / sputum, family Hx of COPD
A0001 - O2 Rx
> Adequate SpO2?
> Mild - moderate?
> Adequate SpO2 (>= 92%)
- No O2 req’d
> Mild - moderate (85-91%)
- Titrate O2:
NC @ 2-6L OR
SFM @ 5-10L
A0001 - O2 Rx
> Severe?
Critical illness?
> Severe (< 85%) OR a Critical Illness
Initial Mx:
- NRBM @ 10-15L
- Consider BVM / IPPV / SGA
Once haemodynamically stable:
- Titrate O2 to SpO2 92-96%
Critical illness:
- Cardiac Arrest / Resuscitation
- Major Trauma / Head Injury
- Anaphylaxis
- Shock
- Status epilepticus
- Severe sepsis
- Ketamine sedation
A0001 - O2 Rx
> Chronic hypoxaemia?
Chronic conditions?
> Chronic hypoxaemia
Titrate O2 w/ NC OR mask to SpO2 88-92%
If SpO2 < 85%, Rx as per > Severe
Chronic conditions:
- Neuromuscular disorders
- COPD
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Severe kyphoscoliosis
- Obesity
- Bronchiectasis
A0001 - O2 Rx
> Regardless of SpO2?
Conditions?
> Regardless of SpO2
O2 via NRBM @ 10-15L
Pts presenting with:
- Decompression illness
- Toxic inhalation exposure
- Cluster headache
- Shoulder dystocia
- PPH
- Cord prolapse
A0501 - Pain Relief
Aim?
To reduce pain to a level that the Pt is comfortable
A0501 - Pain Relief
What factors determine adequacy of analgesia?
- Pt reporting comfort (most important)
- distressed appearance
- physiological signs of pain
- verbal numerical rating
A0501 - Pain Relief
True or false:
Pts must be able to report or rate pain in order to be given analgesia (incl. pts w/ dementia, intellectual disability, neurodiversity, NESB)
False.
Where discomfort is evident, analgesia may be indicated
A0501 - Pain Relief
What (2) things should be considered in small, frail, or elderly pts?
- dose reductions
- longer dose intervals
A0501 - Pain Relief
If a pt remains in pain and the maximum doses have been reached, what else can an ALS paramedic do?
Consult for IV ketamine +/- further doses of opioids
A0501 - Pain Relief
What is the preferred approach regarding quality analgesia?
Why?
Multi-modal approach (e.g. paracetamol, opioid, methoxyflurane) of smaller doses of multiple different agents.
The effect is usually improved pain and less adverse effects
A0501 - Pain Relief
True or false:
Ketamine may be given to treat chest pain in suspected acute coronary syndrome
False.
Option 1: Opioids IV
Option 2 (no IV access): Fentanyl IN
Option 3 (no IV or IN): Morphine or fentanyl IM
+/- methoxyflurane if req’d
A0501 - Pain Relief
What cohort of pts have potentially greater adverse effects from ketamine?
What are these medical conditions?
Adolescent / elderly / frail pts
Pts w/ Hx of anxiety / psychosis
A0501 - Pain Relief
What are the standard paracetamol doses?
What are they for S/F/E pts?
Standard: 1000mg PO (2 x tabs)
small/frail/elderly/malnourished/liver disease:
500 mg PO (1 tab)