Bls Flashcards
Conditions that mimic a stroke
- drug ingestion (cocaine)
- hypoglycaemia
- severe hypertension
- central nervous system infection eg: meningitis
Signs of cerebral herniation include?
A deteriorating GCS < 9 with any of the following
1: dilated and interactive pupils
2: asymmetric pupils
3: either unilateral or bilateral decorticate or decerabrate posturing
If LAMS is equal to or > 4 then what CTAS is the patient?
CTAS 2
For a CVA patient prepare for these potential problems
- possible airway obstruction
- decreasing level of consciousness
- seizures
- agitation, confusion or combativeness
Assess the patient to see if he/she has one or more of the symptoms consistent with the onset of an acute stroke
1: inappropriate words or mute
2: slurred speech
3: unilateral arm weakness or drift
4: unilateral facial droop
5: unilateral leg weakness or drift
Stroke bypass protocol, remember this mnemonic “123610RTS”
1: can’t be CTAS 1
2: 2 hours to the nearest stroke center
3: CBG under 3
6: 6 hours since onset of symptoms
10: GCS under 10
R: resolved before paramedic arrival
T: terminally ill or palliative
S: seizure witnessed by a paramedic and signs and symptoms resolved
In the seizure standard consider life/limb function threats and /or underlying disorders such as?
- intracranial event
- hypoglycaemia
- in pregnant or recent post Partum patients, eclampsia
- in patients equal to 50 or > 50 years of age with new onset or recurrent seizures look for
1: brain tumour
2; cardiac dysthymias
3: cardiovascular disease
4: cerebrovascular disease
5: severe hypertension
Cardiac tamponade is?
The heart is being squeezed from the outside by too much fluid in the sac, which is the pericardium that surrounds it
Easy way to remember pericarditis and tamponade
Pericarditis = inflammation of the pericardium
Tamponade = compression of the pericardium
One can lead to the other. If pericarditis causes a rapid or large fluid buildup, cardiac tamponade can develop
Symptoms of pericarditis
-Sharp chest pain worse with deep breath or lying flat
-pain relieved by sitting up/ leaning forward
-possibly low grade fever
Symptoms of tamponade
- JVD
- muffled heart sounds
- hypotension
-Tachycardia - dyspnea
-weak pulses - altered LOC
This hapoens when the heart can’t pump blood effectively to meet the body’s needs. This leads to fluid buildup ( congestion in the lungs, body or both)
CHF ( congestive heart failure)
Signs and symptoms of CHF
Left sided CHF
- dyspnea
-orthopnea (worse lying down)
- crackles
- pink frothy sputum
- tachypnea, cyanosis
Right sided CHF
-JVD
- peripheral edema ( legs , ankles)
- ascites (abdominal swelling)
- weight gain
This is an infection that causes inflammation in the air sacs (alveoli) of one or both lungs. The alveoli fill with fluid or pus, making it difficult for oxygen to reach the bloodstream
Pneumonia
Symptoms of pneumonia
- cough
- fever/chills
- chest pain
- shortness of breath
-rapid breathing or heart rate
This is a long term lung disease that’s makes it hard to breathe
COPD
Seizure standard for neonates look into
1: traumatic delivery
2: congential
1: traumatic delivery
2: congenital
