bad things Flashcards
Toxic-metabolic coma
characterized by lack of focal physical examination findings.
pupils-small and reactive, but may be large in severe sedative poisoning as from barbiturates
structural coma
hemispheric (supratentorial) vs posterior (infratentorial) fossa
supratentorial comas
progressive hemiparesis or asymmetric muscle tone and reflexes
infratentorial lesions
may cause abrupt coma, abnormal extensor posturing,
loss of pupillary reflexes and extraocular movements, brainstem compression w/ loss of brainstem flexes may develop rapidly
coma neurologic exam
- *cornerstone of assessment
* *reference point for serial assessment
breath associated with midbrain-hypothalamus issues
central-reflex hyperpnea
Lower pons problem
apneustic, cluster, ataxia
medulla
loss of automatic breathing
Goals in emergency coma
o Stabilize the airway, ventilation and circulation
o Identify and treat reversible causes, such as hypoglycemia and opioid toxicity.
o Consider empiric naloxone. Administer thiamine before glucose in hypoglycemic patients with a history of alcohol abuse or malnutrition.
o If elevated ICP is suspected, elevate the head to 30 degrees and keep at midline. Mannitol will help reduce ICP.
catatonia
CF: stupor, excitement, mutism (inability to speak), posturing.
conversion reactions
o Fairly rare– not!
o Oculocephalics may or may not be present
o The presence of nystagmus with cold water calorics indicates the patient is physiologically awake
allergic rxn, anaphylaxi
severe immediate hypersensitivity rxn
IgE mediated and anaphylactoid reactions- no previous sensitizing exposure
what is a ddx for anaphylaxis?
MI, gastroenteritis, asthma, carcinoid, epiglottis, herediatry angioedema, vasovagal rxn
what do you discharge a pt in anaphylaxis with?
antihistamin and prednisone
how do you treat hereditary angioedema
C1 esterase inhibitor replacement (may substitue FFP)
Acute Abdomen issues- PMHx?
surgery, MI, dysrhythmias, coagulopathies, vasculopathies, gynecologic
hearing high-pitched tinklin sounds in bowel?
may be SBO
Carnett sign
place hands on maximum point of tenderness and have the patient flex or do a sit up. . if pain got worse, muche more likely to be a MSK problem then an internal
where do you start when examining abdominal pain?
XR, then US, the CT scan
what are the most common types of burns?
**SCALD
Zones of coagulation
non viable area of tissue at the epicenter of the burn
zone of ishcemia or stasis
surrounding tissues (both deep and peripheral) to the coagulated areas, which are not deviatlized initially, but can progress irreversibly to necrosis over several days if not resuscitated properly
zone of hyperemia
peripheral tissues that undergo vasodilatory changes due to neighboring inflammaotry mediator relesease, but are no injured thermally and remain viable
burn depth classification
first to 4 th degree
1st degree burn
superficial burns
- epidermal only
- caused by sun or minor flash
- no blisters/edema
- skin is pink or red and dry
- hypersensitivity
- rapid healing, 3-6 days
2cd degree
partial thickness
- involves dermis
- superficial or deep
- healing time varies (2-3 wks)
superficial partial thickness
-caused by flame, scalding, chemicals
-minimal damage to skin appendages
-edema/blister formation (fluid filled)
-skin is pink or red
-blanches w/ pressure
blister= 2cd or 3rd degree
depp partial thickness
- deeper dermis invloved some skin appendges
- grease, flame, or chemcial
- moderate edema, mixed w. pallor
- skin pale or dry
- thicker-walled blisters, many of which are ruptured
- decreased sensation, healing takes greater than>21 days
3rd degree
full thickness -destruction of epidermal anddermal layers -exposure to prolonged heat -EDEMA, think pearly white or charred -painless this requires skin grafting,
“poking” or the rubbing test
poke the wound bed, if hte pt kicks you it is superficial partial thickness; if ask what are you doing, then deep or partial or 3rd degree