Cardiac Emergencies Flashcards
Acute coronary syndrome
symptoms are caused by myocardial ischemia (poor blood supply)
- includes angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction
when does angina usually occur
during periods of physical activity or stress
how long does angina usually last
no more than 10 minutes
acute myocardial infarction (AMI) signs
chest pain, nausea, weakness, impending doom
angina vs. MI
MI pain does not go away in a few minutes, can occur at any time, and is usually not helped by rest, oxygen, or nitroglycerin
orthopnea
difficulty breathing when lying down
left vs right ventricular failure
left = blood backs up into the lungs; signs include pulmonary edema.
right = blood backs up into the venous system that feeds into the heart; signs include jugular venous distention (JVD), pedal edema
what is considered high blood pressure
> 140/90
ischemic strokes
blood flow is compromised due to a blockage (usually atherosclerosis)
hemorrhagic strokes
caused by bleeding in the brain; often fatal
Cincinnati prehospital stroke scale
- facial droop
- arm drift
- speech (abnormal is slurred)
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
mini strokes, can be a warning sign of an impending stroke
- same presentation as CVAs (cerebrovascular accident) but symptoms correct within 24 hours with no permanent damage
grand mal seizure
patient is unresponsive and experiences full body convulsions
absence seizures
patient doesn’t interact with environment, but no convulsive activity
status epilepticus
prolonged seizure (>30 min) or reoccuring seizures without patient gaining consciousness in between very dangerous; leading to permanent brain damage and death
normal blood glucose levels
80 to 120 mg/dl (120 to 140mg/dl is not unusual after eating)
hypoglycemia blood glucose levels
<60 mg/dl with symptoms; <50 mg/dl without symptoms
hyperglycemia blood glucose levels
sustained level of >120 mg/dl
three “p’s” of untreated diabetic emergencies
polyuria - excessive urination due to excess glucose
polydipsia - excessive thirst due to dehydration
polyphagia - excessive hunger due to cell starvation
what can happen in hypoglycemia
altered consciousness, seizures, coma, brain death
insulin shock
severe hypoglycemia with signs and symptoms
which causes more rapid symptoms - hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia?
hypoglycemia
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) blood glucose level
routinely >350 mg/dl
signs of DKA
- > 350 mg/dl
- kussmaul respirations (deep, rapid breaths)
- 3 p’s (polydipsia, polyphagia, polyuria)
- unusual breath odor
- incontinence
- tachycardia
- coma
what threatens the brain during DKA
Acidosis, not lack of glucose
does anaphylaxis causes broncho______ and vaso________
bronchoconstriction and vasodilation
does anaphylaxis cause hypo or hyper tension?
hypotension!
narcotics tend to cause dilated or constricted pupils?
constricted
can you give someone with caustic or hydrocarbon injection activated charcoal?
No, it is contraindicated
appendicitis is pain in which quadrant
right lower quadrant
peritonitis and symptoms
inflammation of the peritoneum (membrane lining abdominal organs and cavity)
symptoms = nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever
cholecystitis & risk factors
inflammation of the gallbladder
- most often in women 30-50
cholecystitis symptoms
right upper quadrant pain, increased pain at night, pain from fatty foods, referred pain to the shoulder
diverticulitis and symptoms
pouches along intestine, can get infected. lower left quadrant pain
esophageal varices and symptoms
weakening of blood vessels lining the esophagus, associated with alcoholism
- vomiting lots of bright red blood
abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and symptoms
weakening of wall of aorta in the abdominal wall; most common in geriatric males - tearing back pain - signs of hypovolemic shock - possible pulsating abdominal mass TRANSPORT IMMEDIATELY
Postical state
begins when a seizure subsides and ends when the patient returns to baseline
Triad of trauma
hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy
Is JVD a sign of pediatric respiratory failure?
No, sign of pediatric heart failure
