Ch 23 - Emergency Medical Services Flashcards
first aid
the immediate care administered before complete medical care can be obtained to an individual who is injured or suddenly becomes ill
what are the symptoms of asthma?
wheezing
coughing
dyspnea
what happens during an asthma attack?
bronchioles constrict and become clogged with mucus
triggered by air pollutants, tobacco smoke, exposure to clod and emotional stress, chemical fumes, vigorous exercise, respiratory infections
what is status asthmaticus and its symptoms?
a severe prolonged asthma attach that is life threatening
bluish coloration of skin and extremely labored breathing
emergency transport
what is emphysema?
progressive lung disorder where terminal bronchioles leading into the alveoli becomes plugged with mucus
alveoli becomes damaged, less surface area to diffuse oxygen into blood
results in loss of elasticity in alveoli, inhaled air is trapped
making breathing very difficult
what is hyperventilation
rapid and deep respirations causing individual to exhale too much carbon dioxide
other symptoms include dizziness, faintness, light headedness, visual disturbances; chest pain, tachycardia, palpitations, fullness in throat, numbness of fingers, toes and areas around mouth
what causes a myocardial infarction and its symptoms?
partial or complete obstruction of one or both of the coronary arteries or their branches
symptoms: chest pain or discomfort described as squeezing/crushing pressure, severe indigestion or burning, heaviness, aching
pain may radiate out to neck, throat, shoulders, and arms
other symptoms: SOB, perspiration, nausea, fainting
what is a stroke and its symptoms?
aka cerebrovascular accident
an artery to the brain is blocked or ruptures causing an interruption of blood flow to the brain
symptoms: sudden weakness or numbness of face, arm, leg on one side of the body; difficulty speaking; dimmed/loss of vision in one eye; double vision, dizziness, confusion; sever headache, and loss of consciousness
what is shock?
failure of the cardiovascular system to deliver enough blood to all of the body’s vital organs
general signs and symptoms of shock?
weakness, restlessness, anxiety, disorientation, pallor, cold clammy skin, rapid breathing and rapid pulse
if shock is not treated and progresses?
significant drop in blood pressure, cyanosis, loss of consciousness and death
which organs are most affected in shock?
heart, brain, lungs
which can be irreparably damaged in 4-6 minutes
what is hypovolemic shock? first aid?
loss of blood or body fluids
external or internal hemorrhage
plasma loss from severe burns, severe dehydration from vomiting, diarrhea, or profuse perspiration
first priority is control bleeding, replace fluids
what is cardiogenic shock?
failure of the heart to pump adequate blood to all of the body’s vital organs
myocardial infarction is a common cause or severe CHF, dysrhythmias, acute valvular damage, pulmonary embolism
what is neurogenic shock?
nervous system is unable to control the diameter of blood vessels
blood vessels dilate and blood pools away from vital organs
good samaritan laws
protects an individual from being sued and found financially responsible for a patient’s injury except for gross negligence assuming he/she acts in good faith and uses a reasonable level of skill that does not exceed that individual’s scope of practice
emergency care for external bleeding
apply direct pressure on wound
apply pressure on the pressure point, if needed
pressure points
temporal carotid facial brachial femoral radial ulnar subclavian
emergency care for nose bleed/epitaxis
sit , head tilted forward
pinch nostrils
allow clotting about 15 minutes
if bleeding stops, do not blow nose to loosen clot
signs and symptoms of internal bleeding
bruises pain, tenderness swelling at site of injury rapid weak pulse cold clammy skin nauasea and vomitting excessive thirts drop in BP decreased LOC
emergency care for incisions and lacerations
apply pressure with dressing
clean wound with soap and water to remove dirt/debris
cover wound with dry sterile dressing
if more serious, do not clean and see provider
emergency care for puncture wounds
allow bleeding for a few minutes to wash out bacteria
clean with soap and water
apply dry sterile dressing
tetanus shot (prevent tetanus bacterial infection)
emergency care for abrasions
rinse with cold running water
wash with soap to remove dirt debris
allow provider to remove embedded debris
apply dry steril dressing
color changes of contusions
aka bruises
bluish to greenish or yellow
sprain
tearing of ligaments at a joint
pain swelling discoloration
strain
stretching and tearing of muscles or tendons
pain and swelling
impacted fracture
the broken ends of the bones are forcefully jammed together
greenstick fracture
bone remains intact on one side but broken on the other
transverse fracture
break occurs perpendicular to the long axis of the bone
oblique fracture
the break occurs diagonally across the bone due to twisting force
comminuted fracture
the bone is splintered or shattered into three of more fragments caused by extremely traumatic direct force
spiral fracture
bone is broken into a spiral or S-shape caused by twisting force
simple partial seizure
alert awake
twitching or jerking
less than 1 minute
complex partial seizure
LOC altered little/no memory confusion, glassy stare, aimless wandering, lip smacking or chewing fidgeting with clothing up to 2 minutes
generalized seizure
abnormal electrical activity spreads through the entire brain
tonic-clonic seizure
a type of generalized seizure
tonic phase: loses consciousness, rigid muscular contractions, odd posturing of body, cyanosis around mouth/lips, inhibited respirations, lose control of bladder and bowels
clonic phase: body jerks violently, jaw muscles contract
postictal state: depressed LOC, headache, no/little memory
status epilepticus
prolonged seizures or in rapid succession without full recovery of LOC between them
most serious type of seizure; potentially life threatening
hypoglycemia symptoms
aka insulin shock
normal or rapid respiration pale, cold, clammy skin sweating, dizziness, headache aggressive or unusual behavior fainting, seizure, coma
give sugar, fruit juice asap
diabetic coma symptoms
hyperglycemia; diabetic ketoacidosis
buildup of acid waste products in the blood polyuria excessive thirst and hunger vomiting abdominal pain dry warm skin rapid deep sighing respirations sweet fruity odor breath dt acetone rapid weak pulse
must go to Emergency care asap
symptoms of hypothermia
shivering numbness drowsiness apathy glassy stare decreased LOC
signs and symptoms of frostbite
cold and waxy skin
white yellow or blue discoloration
loss of feeling
severe tissue damage
common sites - hands fingers feet toes ears nose cheeks
rewarming must be done at hospital
do not rub
heat stroke symptoms
red hot dry skin rapid weak pulse dizziness and weakness rapid shallow breathing decreased LOC seizures
transport to emergency care
heat exhaustion symptoms
cold clammy skin pale gray profuse sweating headache nausea dizziness weakness diarrhea
replenish fluids and electrolytes
cold compress to forehead
rest
if not better in 30 min, transport to emergency care
heat cramps symptoms
painful muscle spasms of legs, calves, abdomen
hot sweaty skin
weakness
rapid pulse
cool environment
rest replacement of fluids and electrolytes
first degree burn
sun burn
epidermis
red warm dry painful
second degree burn
partial thickness
dermis
red mottled blistered painful
scarring
third degree burn
full thickness
beyond the dermis, into underlying tissues - fat, muscle, bone, nerves
charred black brown cherry red and damaged tissues underneath often pearly white
intense pain or no pain due to nerve damage
dense scars
rule of nines
adult vs infant head/neck 9% vs 18% trunk 36% upper extremities 9% each genitalia 1% lower extremities 18% each vs 14% each
psychogenic shock
least serious
caused by unpleasant physical or emotional stimuli, such as pain, fright, and the sight of blood
sudden dilation of the blood vessels causes blood to pool in the abdomen and extremities
capillary bleeding
slow oozing of bright red blood
venous bleeding
slow and steady flow of dark red blood
arterial bleeding
bright red blood that spurts
emergency care for major/minor thermal burns
major:
wrap in blanket to smother flames or roll around
large amounts of water
do not use ice water
if burn covers a large surface greater than 20% do not use water
activate EMS
cover patient with nonfuzzy materal
minor:
immerse in cold water for 2-5 minutes
apply sterile dressing
emergency care for snakebite
wash bite area with soap and water immobilize injured part and position it below the heart activate EMS do not apply ice, tourniquet do not cut or suction the wound
rabies
viral infection transmitted through the saliva of an infected animal
skunks, bats, raccoons, cats, dogs, cattle, foxes
rabies vaccine is administered upon contact
animal bites
if minor rinse with soap water apply antibiotic ointment and sterile dressing
see medical provider to check for infections and tetanus immunization
serious bleeding do not clean, apply pressure, activate EMS
