Cardiovascular emergencies

Question 1

risk factors for Cardiovascular emergencies-controlled

Answer 1

High blood pressure (hypertension) High cholesterol Diabetes Overweight Excessive alcohol consumption Sedentary lifestyle Smoking Stres

Question 2

uncontolled risk factors for cardiovascular emergencies

Answer 2

Age Gender Family history Ethnicity History of Stroke or TIA History of heart attacks

Question 3

what is an heat attack

Answer 3

A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to the heart is slowed or stopped because of a blockage.

Question 4

what is atherosclerosis

Answer 4

Atherosclerosis (buildup of fat deposits in the blood vessels) is responsible for more than 90% of heart attacks.

Question 5

what is angina

Answer 5

Blood supply to the heart is temporarily slowed causing a decreased amount of oxygen going through the heart.

This is due to a narrowing of the blood vessels of the heart.

Question 6

signs & symptoms of cardiac chest pain

Answer 6

Chest pain:
○ Sense of weight, pressure, tightness, burning, or throbbing ○ Pain radiating to the jaw, shoulders, arms and back ○ Appearance is sudden or progressive
Nausea, vomiting
Pallor
Profuse sweating (diaphoresis) Difficulty breathing (dyspnea) Shortness of breath
Dizziness
Denial
Anguish, anxiety.

Question 7

symptoms of cadic emergency in women

Answer 7

Back pain
◼ Indigestion
◼ General weakness

Question 8

protocol for heat attack & angina

Answer 8

. Conduct a scene survey.

2. Conduct a primary survey. If symptoms indicate assistance/MedLink/EMS (911).

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3. Position the patient in a comfortable position (e.g., semisitting on the floor). Having the patient sit ensures that if the patient becomes unconscious, they are alrea dy on a hard, flat and firm surface and helps in treating for shock.
4. Ask patient to describe the pain. Be certain to reassure them.
5. Assist the patient with any medication they may have to help with symptoms (e.g., nitroglycerin, Aspirin [ASA]). ◼ Nitroglycerin: Every 5-10 minutes up to a maximum of 3 doses. ○ Not to be taken if patient has taken any medication for erectile dysfunction (e.g., Viagra®, Levitra®, Cialis®) within the last 24 hours. ○ Nitroglycerin comes in various forms: sublingual tablet, spray, ointment or patch. ◼ Aspirin/ASA: Have patient chew one 325mg tablet or two 80mg tablets. ○ NOT to be taken if patient has an allergy to ASA, has asthma, recent bleeding, or signs/symptoms of stroke.
6. On the aircraft, administer oxygen
7. Monitor ABCs, treat for shock and reassure the patient while waiting to hand over to EMS.
8. If the patient becomes unconscious and stops breathing or is only gasping, start CPR and get an AED.

Question 9

what is a stroke

Answer 9

is the interruption of the blood flow to the brain, when a blood clot blocks an artery (ischemic stroke) or when a blood vessel ruptures (hemorrhagic stroke).

Question 10

types of strokes

Answer 10

Ischemic Stroke-80% of stokes
Thrombotic-Clot formed directly in the artery that supplies blood to the brain
Embolic: Clot formed elsewhere and moves to the brain.

Hemorrhagic Stroke-20% of stokes-Uncontrollable hemorrhage in the brain

Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)-mini strokes-Temporary interruption of blood flow to the brain due to a blood clot (important warning sign that the person risks having a stroke)

Question 11

signs ans symptoms of stroke

Answer 11

Motor deficits and confusion Weakness, numbness/drifting on one side of the face, arms, and legs
Facial drooping
Difficulty in expressing themselves; or difficulty speaking
Vision problems, sudden blurred vision
Sudden severe headache Dizziness, sudden loss of balance, especially in the presence of one or more of the above signs.

Question 12

refernce to help a person showing signs of a stroke

Answer 12

FAST

FACE- Is there one side that is drooping?

ARMS Does one arm drift downward?

SPEECH-Is their speech slurred or strange?

TIME-Call for medical assistance/MedLink/EMS (911) if you observe these signs.

Question 13

protcol for a stroke

Answer 13

1. Conduct a scene survey.
2. Conduct a primary survey.
3. Conduct the FAST assessment; if the patient demonstrates any of the signs and symptoms described by the FAST assessment, DO NOT DELAY calling for help and getting an AED. Activate medical assistance/MedLink/EMS (911).
4. Place patient in the most comfortable position, usually semi-sitting.
5. On the aircraft, administer oxygen.
6. Continue to monitor ABCs, treat for shock, reassure the patient and note the time of onset.
7. If the patient becomes unconscious, place them in the recovery position. Continue to monitor ABCs.
8. Begin CPR and use AED if breathing stops.

► DO NOT give Aspirin (ASA) to patients with signs and symptoms of a stroke.
► DO NOT give any liquids or solids as they may not be able to swallow.

Question 14

what is a hemorrage

Answer 14

A hemorrhage is heavy bleeding caused by a ruptured blood vessel. It can be internal or external and can lead to shock due to decreased blood volume.

Usually, the bleeding stops within six to ten minutes by vasoconstriction and clot formation (coagulation) which are natural mechanisms of the body.

Question 15

what thypes of wounds are there

Answer 15

◼ ◼ ◼ ◼

Minor: When cuts, tears or other trauma affects the upper layers of the skin or blood vessels

Major: When the fatty tissue, muscle or bone becomes visible as a result of a cut, a tear or other injury

Open: When there is a breach of the skin, bloodshed and exposure to microbes. There is a risk of infection

Closed: When there is no rupture of the outer skin barrier, but the underlying tissue is injured and there is a risk of internal bleeding.

Question 16

what is internal bleeding

Answer 16

Severe internal bleeding is when there is a large loss of blood into a cavity or space and no blood can be seen.

Question 17

common causes for internal bleeding

Answer 17

Blunt force trauma Major limb fractures

Question 18

signs & symptoms of internal bleeding

Answer 18

Bleeding from any of the body’s orifices
Blood in vomit
Signs and symptoms of shock Hardening of the abdomen, localized or diffused pain, pain to the touch, bluish skin.
Thirst

Question 19

protocol for internal bleeding

Answer 19

1. Activate medical assistance/MedLink/EMS (911)
2. Try to identify the cause
3. Treat for shock
4. Do not give anything to eat or drink
5. Administer oxygen

Question 20

what is external bleeding

Answer 20

External bleeding is visible because the blood flows through a wound located on the body’s surface.

Question 21

when is external bleeding considered severe

Answer 21

Artery: Spurting bright red blood along with the heartbeat

Vein: Continuously flowing dark-red blood

Capillary (Vessels at the surface of the skin) less significant bleeding, but still at risk for infection.

Question 22

dressing for a wound must be

Answer 22

Clean or sterile Large enough to cover the wound Absorbent Soft and non-adhering whenever possible.

Question 23

protocol for external bleeding

Answer 23

1. Identify the exact location of the injury. Check the extent and depth of the wound, as well as the amount of blood lost.
2. Apply DIRECT PRESSURE with a gloved hand and a dressing, put direct pressure on the wound to compress the bleeding vessel as quickly as possible. Apply a compression dressing. Apply gauze on the wound (if necessary, use a clean absorbent cloth) and affix them by applying pressure with a roller bandage or a triangular bandage. Do not overtighten the dressing as this will obstruct circulation. If the member becomes bluish and cold or if there is numbness, loosen the bandage for proper circulation
3. ELEVATE the affected limb in order to decrease the flow to the wound (if possible)
4. Make the person REST
5. Monitor circulation. Look for coloring and heat. Check for numbness before and after the application of the compression dressing to ensure that neither the injury nor the dressing impede blood flow
6. If the wound is still bleeding, apply a second compression bandage over the first. Never remove the first dressing as this may dislodge the blood clot
7. If the injured person is taking medication for clotting or if the person has hemophilia, you should apply a hemostatic dressing on the wound. The dressing contains coagulants.

If you are alone, you must first control any serious bleeding before calling for help.