Backcountry Medicine Flashcards
Recognizing medical problems and how to treat them.
For behavioral emergencies, what are six red flags to watch out for as it pertains to altered mental status.
- Verbal or physical threats to harm self or others.
- Unwilling or unable to feed or protect self.
- Delusions or hallucinations that could result in injury to self or others.
- Hx of similar serious event.
- No obvious temporary or treatable cause (STOPEATS).
- Symptoms are getting worse.
When is an illness considered serious and high risk?
When a problem fully interferes with critical systems and mental status.
Create a list of red flags to watch out for.
- Change in Mental Status
- Paralysis
- Difficulty Breathing/Swallowing
- Volume Issues (Persistent Vomiting/Diarrhea > 24 hours; Bleeding)
- Blockage
- Persistent Pain > 24 Hours
- Localized Pain
- Generalized Pain in Combo w/Other Red Flags
- Colored/Smelly Discharge
- Possibility of Pregnancy
- Contagious
When is an illness considered not serious and low risk?
When the problem does not interfere with critical systems and mental status.
For behavioral emergencies, what are nine red flags to watch out for as it pertains to pertinent history.
- Substance abuse.
- Bipolar disorder.
- Schizophrenia
- Eating disorder.
- Major depression.
- Suicide attempts.
- Violent behavior.
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
- Recent medication change (new or discontinued).
Aspirin
Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), is a medication used to treat pain, fever, or inflammation. It falls in the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) class. It is important to note that aspirin suppresses the normal functioning of platelets (a.k.a. blood thinner). Should not be given to trauma patients where bleeding is on the problem or anticipated problem list.
What important factors should the assessment focus on to determine if a problem is serious or not serious?
Is there a critical system problem?
Is the patient’s mental status normal?
Is the patient able to eat/drink and urinate/defecate normally?
Is the patient in significant pain?
Are the symptoms getting better or worse?
Describe the treatment plan for a patient suffering from hypoglycemia.
PROP
Sugar by mouth – after good response encourage complex carbs to prevent sugar spike/long term maintenance.
Urgent evac if no response.
What precautions can we take in the field when someone who has diabetes is in the group?
Frequent blood sugar monitoring.
Have food and water easily accessible.
Patient should have backup insulin.
What is diabetes?
The inability to produce the appropriate amount of insulin in response to rising blood sugar levels in the blood.
Describe appropriate treatments for someone having mental health crisis.
- Provide reassurance and protection.
- Be vigilant for any threat of violence.
- Do not try to talk patients out of their symptoms.
- Protect self, crew, and patient if possible.
- Call for help.
- Initiate evacuation if serious signs and symptoms develop.
Hypoglycemia
low blood sugar
When assessing for risk of suicide or harm, what questions should a rescuer ask?
- Are you thinking about suicide?
- Do you have a plan?
- Do you know how you would do it?
- When was the last time you thought about suicide?
What two tools are helpful when engaging with someone experiencing a behavioral issue?
Compassion and active listening.
Why is it important not to administer insulin or have a patient administer insulin to themselves who is not awake and oriented/reliable?
Insulin can drastically reduce blood sugar to life threatening or fatal levels if dosage is improperly calculated.
