CFR Flashcards
EOC Meaning
Emergency operations centre
Own personal safety and security is paramount
1) never mobalise to an emergency call without authorisation
2) must observe and obey all road traffic laws (you have no exemptions)
Communication with a patient
- always use a calm approach
- respect personal space
- use non verbal techniques
- apply due respect to cultures, values and beliefs of the patient
- try to pronounce name correctly: if unsure ask the patient or relative (if it’s unknown, use sir or ma’am)
- try to avoid over familiarity with the patient or relatives
- introduce yourself, your role and explain your action
- try to use open questions(most successful questioning techniques rely upon a mixture of both open and closed questions
- give patients time to answer (if they can’t talk, you can ask a relative or bystander but be mindful to always include the patient in your conversation
- remember initially patients may be anxious, frightened, however good communication techniques can very often overcome these hurdles and afford you trust.
Patient confidentiality, follow these rules :
-any information provided to you as a responder is confidential
- you must never disclose confidential information to others
-you may only hand over confidential information to the next person who will be directly responsible for the patients care (remain mindful of the presence of others when undertaking any handover).
Any information documented on a report for should be handed over as above
-never post, comment or discuss any patient, relative or healthcare staff identifying information or adresses
Actions on vulnerable adults and children who
- if you have a cause for concern for any patient (regardless of age) you have a duty to report that.
- never raise your concerns with anybody connected to the patient
- ask to speak to one of the ambulance crew (in private)
- contact the EMAS safeguarding line immediately and Raise your concerns
- never discuss your concerns with any of the family members
- be prepared that you may have to make a statement
Manual handling
Task Individual Load Environment Other
Four principle functions of the respiratory system
1) extract oxygen from the atmosphere and transfer it to the bloodstream in the lungs
2) excrete water vapour, carbon dioxide and other waste gases
3) maintain the normal acid- based content of the blood
4) ventilation of the lungs
What percentage of oxygen is in the atmospheric air
20-21%
At rest, what is a humans breath rate
12-20 times per min
Anotomy of the heart
Hollow organ, that lies between the lungs and is often compared in size with the owners fist.
Two upper chambers (atrium) that recieve blood and two larger lower chambers (ventricles)
With one responsible for pumping blood to the lungs and the other to the rest of the body.
Heart is made up of three distinct layers
- outer layer ( pericardium) that prevents over dissension of the heart with a special fluid that allows for smooth movement
- middle layer, consists of a very specialised musscle tissue (myocardium) creates out of cells that are able to function/ pump automatically
- inter layer (endocardium) has a very smooth lining which prevents local blood clotting
ECG
Electrocardiograph
NSR
Normal sinus rhythm
SA node
Sinotrail (SA) node
The normal controlling part of the heart is the pacemaker and is best described as a group of specialised cells situated within the right upper chamber of the heart that in medicine is called the Sinotrail (SA) node.
AED
Automatic external defibrillator
Our brain is the centre that
- stores information
- controls emotion
- manages our intellect
Important functions of our brain stem
- regulates both the rate and force of our heart beat
- regulation of the diameter of our blood vessels to govern our blood pressure
- coughing
- swallowing
- sneezing
- vomiting
What is a heart attack also commonly referred as
Myocardial infarction (MI)
What does a myocardial infarction (MI) Mean
A part of the heart musscle suddenly loses its blood and without prompt treatment this can lead to permanent damage to the affected part of the heart.
What does infarction mean
The death of tissue due to a blocked artery which stops blood from getting past
What is angina
Pain that comes from the heart
Caused by narrowing of one or more of the coronary arteries leading to a reduced blood supple to a part (or parts) of your heart muscles.
Narrowing of the arteries is normally caused by atheroma which can be described as fatty patches or plagues that develop within the inside lining of arteries.
Signs and symptoms of heart conditions
- central chest pain (may be described as heaving or crushing)
- pain the back, left arm, face, neck or jaw (or combination)
- shortness of breath
- pale, cold, clammy skin
- grey/blue tinge to skin colour
- nausea/vomiting
- anxiety
How to help someone with a heart condition
- provide reassurance
- encourage and assist the patient to sit slightly reclined and loosen any tight clothing (neck and chest)
- monitor the patient until further help arrives
- O2 therapy
What is shock?
Life threatening condition that occurs when vital organs do not get enough oxygen due to reduced blood circulation.
The most common cause of shock of severe bloody loss, by may Also be caused by:
-severe trauma
-alergic reaction
-heart conditions
Signs and symptoms of shock
- The skin may be cool to touch and pale or grey in colour
- breathing may be quicker
- pulse may be rapid and possibly weak
- nausea and/or vomiting
- feeling faint or dizzy
- confusion
- unconsciousness
How can you help a patient in shock
- provide reassurance
- if possible, try to treat the cause
- advise or assist them to loosen any tight clothing such as collard, ties or belts
- keep the patient warm
- monitor the patient until further help arrives
- if at any time the patient becomes unconscious but continues to breath normally, gently roll them onto their side( recovery position) ensuring their head is tilted back slightly
- O2 therapy if required
What is severe bleeding?
Can occur due to the damage to an artery, vein or other smaller blood vessels and dependant upon the location, size, depth and severity, it can be both dramatic and distressing. Severe bleeding can rapidly become life threatening.
How can you help a causality who is severely bleeding
- provide reassurance
- examine the sound for any embedded object but do not attempt to remove it
- try and stem the flow of blood coming out of the wound. Place something clean such as a towel, shirt, or even the patients hand over the wound to help staunch the bleed.
- try to minimise the effects of shock
- help to prevent the risk of infection and be aware of cross infection
- help to prevent the risk of infection and be aware of cross infection between you and the casualty
What is fainting
Breif loss of consciousness
Common causes of fainting
- anxiety
- emotional upset
- stress
- missing meals
- dehydration
- side affects of medication
- standing up too quickly
- standing up for long periods of time
- exsisting medical conditions (such as low blood pressure)
Signs and symptoms of fainting
Before someone faints they may exhibit
- nausea
- dizziness
- excessive sweating
- rapid heart beat
- blurred vision
Helping a casualty who has fainted
- provide reassurance
- if they are not already on the floor advise/ assist them to do so
- advise or Assist them to loosen any tight clothing such as collars, ties or belts
- if possible elevate their feet just above hip level by placing a item under their feet/legs
- consider 02 therapy
Classed as a medical emergency until proven otherwise.
What is a seizure
Result of a sudden burst of excess/random electrical activity within the brain.
This causes the brains messages to be me temporarily halted or mixed up. The type of seizure a person has is dependant upon the area of the brain where this activity occurs.
Possible causes of a seizure
- epilepsy
- diabetic emergencies
- head/brain injury
- alcohol withdrawal
- poisoning
- stroke
- hyper/hypothermia
- heart attack
- cardiac arrest
Possible symptoms of a seizure
History of seizure/ other relevant history
- loss of consciousness
- reduced level of response
- muscle twitching/rigidity/shaking
- in continence
- breath holding
- glazed appearance
- abnormal/inappropriate behaviour
- aura (smell taste sensation)
How can you help a seizure casualty
- provide reassurance
- make the area safe to reduce risk of injury
- time the seizure
- monitor the casualty whilst awaiting help
- if unconscious but breathing normally, gently roll them into the recovery position, ensuring their head is gently tilted back
- 02 therapy
DO NOT RESTRAIN THE PATIENT
DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO FORCE THE PATIENTS MOUTH OPEN OR FORCE OBJECTS INTO IT
What is a stroke
Brain attack and maybe occur as a result of either a blockage or bleeds within one or more if the blood vessels that supply the brain with oxygenated blood.
When brain cells do not recover sufficient oxygen, they will start to shut down and die.
Signs and symptoms of a stroke
- weakness
- numbness and paralysis to one side of the body
- difficult in speaking and swallowing
- headache
- confusion
- vommiting
- blurred vision
FAST test (stroke)
- facial weakness (can the person smile?)
- arms (ask them to raise both hands above their head)
- speech (can they speak clearly and understand what you say?)
- time (time of onset, the time signs and symptoms first started)
How can you help a stroke casualty
- provide reassurance
- if the casualty is conscious encourage and assist them to sit with their head and shoulders gently raised and their legs flat
- monitor casualty untill further help arrives
- if unconscious but breathing normally, gently roll them into the recovery position, ensuring their head is tilted gently back
- 02 therapy if appropriate
What is diabetes?
Condition where your pancreas either does not produce any or enough insulin to help glucose enter your body’s cells or the insulin that is produced does not work properly
There are two common types of diabetic emergency’s
1) hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) Gradual onset- hours to days Slow deep breathing Rapid pulse Flushed, dry skin Tiredness, lethargy, drowsiness Blurred vision Excessive thirst, hunger or urination Smell of acetone/pear drops on the breath Seizure ...rare emergency call 2) hypoglycaemia- low blood sugar Rapid onset-minuites Fast, shallow breathing Slow, bounding pulse Pale and sweaty Irritable/confused/aggressive behaviour Inability to concentrate Confusion, dizziness and headache Hunger Seizure Unconsciousness
How to help a diabetic casualty
- provide reassurance
- if conscious (encourage the patient to eat or drink something with a high sugar content)
- if unconscious and breathing normally, roll them into the recovery position, head slightly tilted back, administer O2 therapy
- monitor the casualty until help arrives
Hypothermia
Core body temperature is below 35’c
Signs or hypothermia
- shivering
- slurred speech
- abnormally slow rate of breathing
- lethargy and fatigue
- depressed level of consciousness
- skin is cold to touch and appears blue/grey in appearance
- patients pulse and respiratory rates may be depressed and/or variable
Help a hypothermic casualty
- provide reassurance
- if possible, prevent further heat loss by removing the casualty from the cold environment and replacing any wet, cold clothing with warm, dry clothing/blankets
- do not allow the patient to smoke, eat or drink alcohol
