Chapter 17- Hypertensive Emergency Flashcards
What is hypertension defined as?
Any systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mm Hg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mm Hg
Hypertension is a common cardiovascular condition that can lead to serious health issues.
What is a hypertensive emergency?
A systolic pressure greater than 180 mm Hg in the presence of impending or progressive organ damage
Hypertensive emergencies require immediate medical attention to prevent life-threatening complications.
Why might patients not feel their blood pressure?
Patients do not feel their blood pressure, and signs and symptoms are related to the effects of hypertension
This can lead to delayed recognition of a hypertensive crisis.
What is one of the most common signs of a hypertensive emergency?
A sudden severe headache
If described as ‘the worst headache I have ever felt,’ it may indicate a serious condition like cerebral hemorrhage.
List some signs and symptoms of hypertensive emergency.
What does the pulse sound like ?
What do we hear in the ears?
- Strong bounding pulse
- Ringing in the ears
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness
- Warm skin (dry or moist)
- Nosebleed
- Altered mental status
- Sudden development of pulmonary edema
These symptoms can vary in severity and may indicate different underlying issues.
What can untreated hypertensive emergencies lead to?
A stroke or a dissecting aortic aneurysm
These are serious complications that can result from prolonged high blood pressure.
What should you do if you suspect a patient is experiencing a hypertensive emergency?
Make the patient comfortable and monitor blood pressure regularly
Regular monitoring is crucial for assessing the severity of the hypertensive emergency.
How should you position a patient suspected of having a hypertensive emergency?
With the head elevated
Elevating the head can help reduce blood pressure and improve patient comfort.
What is the recommended action for transport of a patient with a hypertensive emergency?
Transport rapidly to the ED
Rapid transport is essential to prevent complications from high blood pressure.
What should you consider if transport distance is long for a patient with a hypertensive emergency?
Ask for an ALS unit to meet you along the way
ALS units can provide advanced care and medications during transport.
What medications might paramedics administer to a patient with a hypertensive emergency?
Medications to lower blood pressure
Paramedics are trained to administer specific medications that can quickly reduce blood pressure.
True or False: The best prehospital treatment for a patient with a hypertensive emergency is getting them to the hospital quickly.
True
Timely transport to the hospital minimizes the risk of serious complications.
What should you do if ALS personnel can be on the scene quickly?
Contact them early and allow them to transport the patient
Early contact ensures that the patient receives advanced care as soon as possible.
Fill in the blank: The best prehospital treatment for a patient with a hypertensive emergency is to get them to the hospital as quickly and _______ as possible.
[safely]
What is an aortic aneurysm?
A weakness in the wall of the aorta
The aorta dilates at the weakened area, making it susceptible to rupture.
What occurs during a dissecting aneurysm?
The inner layers of the aorta become separated, allowing blood to flow between the layers
This happens under high pressures.
What is the primary cause of dissecting aortic aneurysms?
Uncontrolled hypertension
High blood pressure significantly weakens the wall of the aorta.
What can happen if the aorta ruptures?
The amount of internal blood loss will be so large that the patient will die almost immediately.
What are the signs and symptoms of a dissecting aortic aneurysm?
Very sudden chest pain located in the anterior part of the chest or in the back between the shoulder blades.
How can chest pain from a dissecting aortic aneurysm be differentiated from that of an AMI?
The pain of a dissecting aortic aneurysm usually comes on full force from one minute to the next.
What symptoms often precede the chest pain of an AMI?
Nausea, indigestion, weakness, and sweating.
How is the pain of a dissecting aortic aneurysm typically described?
It is usually described as sudden and severe.
What may a patient with a dissecting aortic aneurysm exhibit?
A difference in blood pressure between arms or diminished pulses in the lower extremities.
Why are aortic aneurysms often difficult to diagnose in the prehospital setting?
They must be considered a possibility in any patient with chest and abdominal pain and significant hypertension.
What should be done when a patient is suspected to have a dissecting aortic aneurysm?
Transport the patient without delay.
The pain of AMI is often proceeded by other sysmptoms and tends to come gradually, getting more severe with time and often described as ____’ rather than stabbing
pressure
