Chapter 22 Part 5 Flashcards
Abnormal breath odors
Unusual smells indicating potential poisoning.
Inhalation
Breathing in harmful substances or gases.
Nausea
Feeling of sickness with an urge to vomit.
Vomiting
Expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.
Diarrhea
Frequent, watery bowel movements.
Altered mental status
Changes in consciousness or cognitive function.
Abnormal skin color
Unusual skin tones indicating possible distress.
Dyspnea
Difficulty or labored breathing.
Seizures
Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.
Burns to the respiratory tract
Injury to airways from inhaled hot substances.
Stridor
High-pitched wheezing indicating airway obstruction.
Sooty sputum
Dark mucus indicating inhalation of smoke.
Known exposure to toxic gas
History of contact with harmful airborne substances.
Respiratory depression
Decreased rate or depth of breathing.
Sweating
Excessive perspiration often due to stress or toxins.
Tearing
Excessive production of tears, often from irritation.
Constricted pupils
Narrowed pupils, often indicating opioid use.
Dilated pupils
Enlarged pupils, often indicating stimulant use.
Dizziness
Lightheadedness or loss of balance.
Local pain
Discomfort at the site of injection or injury.
Puncture wounds
Holes in the skin from sharp objects.
Reddening skin
Inflamed or irritated skin appearance.
Local edema
Swelling in a specific area of the body.
Numbness
Loss of sensation in a body part.
Tingling
Prickling sensation often associated with nerve issues.
Abdominal pain
Discomfort in the stomach area.
Muscle twitching
Involuntary muscle contractions.
Hypoperfusion
Inadequate blood flow to tissues.
Metallic taste
Unusual taste often associated with certain toxins.
Anticholinergic toxidrome
Signs include flushed skin and urinary retention.
Cholinergic toxidrome
DUMBELS symptoms indicate acetylcholinesterase inhibitor poisoning.
Serotonin Syndrome
Condition with agitation, hyperreflexia, and tremors.
Patient Management
Steps to assess and treat toxic exposure.
Assessment
Evaluation of patient condition and vital signs.
Body substance isolation (BSI)
Precautions to prevent contamination during treatment.
Vital signs
Measurements of pulse, blood pressure, and respiratory rate.
Cardiac monitor
Device to assess heart rhythm and function.
Blood glucose level
Measurement of sugar in the blood.
Pulse oximetry
Monitoring oxygen saturation in the blood.
Carboxyhemoglobin device
Tool for assessing carbon monoxide levels in blood.
Ingestion History
Details of substance intake before ED arrival.
Route of Exposure
Pathway through which toxin enters the body.
Quantity of Medication
Amount of substance ingested or exposed.
Alcohol Intoxication
Presence of alcohol affecting patient condition.
Cardiovascular History
Patient’s past heart-related medical issues.
Needle Marks
Signs of intravenous drug use or exposure.
Physical Examination
Comprehensive assessment of patient’s physical state.
Patent Airway
Clear airway necessary for effective breathing.
Oxygen Administration
Providing oxygen to maintain adequate saturation.
Fluid Bolus
Rapid infusion of fluids to address hypoperfusion.
Activated Charcoal
Substance used to absorb toxins in overdose cases.
Acetaminophen Overdose
Toxicity from excessive acetaminophen intake.
Aspirin Overdose
Toxicity due to high doses of aspirin.
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Toxicity from excessive benzodiazepine consumption.
Caustic Substances
Harmful agents causing burns or injury upon contact.
Opiate Overdose
Toxicity resulting from excessive opioid use.
SSRIs
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors affecting serotonin levels.
TCA Overdose
Toxicity from tricyclic antidepressant medications.
Environmental Safety
Ensuring safe surroundings for patient and clinician.
Vital Signs Monitoring
Regular checks of patient’s heart rate and rhythm.
Regional Poison Center
Resource for managing toxic exposures and outcomes.
Temperature Normalization
Maintaining or restoring normal body temperature.
Poison Control Centers
National toll-free resource for poison advice.
Activated Charcoal
Useful for certain poisonings, not all agents.
Ipecac
Not recommended for poisoning; production ceased.
COVID-19 Pandemic
EMS role in public health and vaccination.
Hepatitis B
Liver virus transmitted through blood and fluids.
Chronic Carrier
Asymptomatic individual transmitting hepatitis B.
Signs of Hepatitis B
Includes fatigue, jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain.
Protective Gloves
Worn to prevent blood contact during patient care.
Vaccination for Hepatitis B
OSHA requires vaccination for EMS workers.
Soiled Refuse Disposal
Double-bag and seal according to local protocol.
Hepatitis B Exposure Protocol
Report exposure; may require HBIG injection.
Hepatitis C
Most common bloodborne infection in the US.
Transmission of Hepatitis C
Requires needlestick; rare via mucous membranes.
Signs of Hepatitis C
Includes jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain, dark urine.
Standard Precautions
Essential when dealing with body fluids exposure.
Emergency Personnel Testing
Recommended after exposure to hepatitis C.
Entrohepatic Poisoning
Involves toxins recirculating through the liver.
Extended-Release Agents
Medications released slowly in the body.
Aspiration Risk
Potential danger of inhaling substances into lungs.
Confidential Expert Advice
Provided by poison control centers nationwide.
Vaccination Teams
EMS involvement in administering vaccines during crises.
Infectious Disease Awareness
Critical for EMTs during patient care.
Bloodborne Pathogens
Viruses transmitted through blood exposure.
HCV Transmission
Primary route for EMS personnel infection.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Pathogen primarily infects lungs and tissues.
Drug-resistant TB
New strains of tuberculosis resistant to treatment.
Transmission via droplets
Infection occurs through patient cough droplets.
Vulnerable populations
Groups at high risk for tuberculosis infection.
Signs of Tuberculosis
Includes fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss.
OSHA Standards
Protective procedures for rescuers against infections.
HEPA Respirators
Special masks to filter airborne pathogens.
Protective gloves
Used to avoid contact with infected fluids.
Artificial ventilation equipment
OSHA-approved tools for patient breathing support.
Disinfecting equipment
Use hospital-grade disinfectant for contaminated tools.
HIV Transmission
Spread through blood, sexual contact, and mother-child.
Fragile HIV virus
Sensitive to temperature and external conditions.
Opportunistic infections
Infections exploiting weakened immune systems.
Common AIDS symptoms
Includes fever, weight loss, fatigue, and rash.
Standard Precautions
Practices to reduce risk of HIV infection.
SARS
Respiratory virus identified in Asia, 2003.
Infected sputum
Contaminated mucus from tuberculosis patients.
Coughing up blood
Sign of severe tuberculosis infection.
Mother-child transmission
HIV passes from infected mother to child.
Night sweats
Common symptom in both TB and AIDS.
Weight loss
Frequent symptom in tuberculosis and AIDS patients.
Swollen lymph glands
Common indicator of HIV infection.
Mental status changes
Possible symptom of advanced HIV infection.
SARS
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome; reemerged as SARS-COV.
West Nile Virus
Transmitted via infected mosquito bites.
Transmission of WNV
Mosquitoes feed on infected birds.
Asymptomatic Infection
Most WNV infections show no symptoms.
Severe Symptoms of WNV
Includes high fever, confusion, and paralysis.
Mild Symptoms of WNV
Includes fever, headache, and body aches.
Duration of Severe WNV Symptoms
May last several weeks, some permanent.
Duration of Mild WNV Symptoms
Lasts few days to several weeks.
Standard Precautions
Protective measures against virus transmission.
Ebola Virus Disease
A viral hemorrhagic fever endemic to Africa.
Ebola Outbreak 2014
Largest outbreak with significant fatalities.
Signs of Ebola
Includes high fever and severe hemorrhage.
EVD Symptom Onset
Symptoms appear days after exposure.
Transmission of Ebola
Through blood and body fluids.
Zika Virus Disease
Spread by infected mosquito bites.
Zika’s Geographic Spread
Expanded to Latin America and Caribbean.
Zika Symptoms
Includes fever, rash, and conjunctivitis.
Zika Symptom Duration
Symptoms resolve within days in healthy individuals.
Zika and Pregnancy
Can cause birth defects if transmitted.
Zika Prevention
Avoid mosquito bites and sexual transmission.
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
Pathogens resistant to standard antimicrobial drugs.
MRSA
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, antibiotic-resistant pathogen.
VRE
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci, resistant to vancomycin antibiotic.
PRSP
Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, resistant to penicillin.
DRSP
Drug-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, resistant to multiple drugs.
MDR TB
Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis, resistant to standard treatments.
XDR TB
Extensively drug-resistant Tuberculosis, resistant to most drugs.
Colistin-resistant E. coli
Escherichia coli resistant to colistin antibiotic.
Infection transmission
Spread through direct contact or respiratory droplets.
Standard Precautions
Basic infection control practices for healthcare workers.
Hand-washing procedures
Critical hygiene practice to prevent infection spread.
Novel pathogens
Newly identified pathogens causing emerging infectious diseases.
Travel history
Patient’s recent travel details, important for diagnosis.
COVID-19 pandemic
Global outbreak of coronavirus affecting healthcare systems.
SARS-CoV-2
Virus responsible for COVID-19 infection.
Asymptomatic patients
Individuals showing no symptoms of infection.
Subclinical infection
Infection without noticeable symptoms in the patient.
Personal protective equipment
Gear worn to minimize exposure to hazards.
Comirnaty
COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech, FDA approved.
Spikevax
COVID-19 vaccine by Moderna, FDA approved.
Infectious disease risk
Potential exposure to pathogens during patient care.
Long-term care facilities
Healthcare settings for patients needing extended care.
Chronic wounds
Long-lasting injuries susceptible to infections.
Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
Healthcare service providing emergency medical response.
COVID-19 vaccines
Provide protection against SARS-CoV-2 virus.
SARS-CoV-2
Virus responsible for COVID-19 disease.
Emerging variants
New virus strains with potential vaccine resistance.
Vaccine efficacy
Reduces hospitalization and mortality rates.
Pathophysiology
Study of disease mechanisms in COVID-19.
Hypoxia
Low oxygen levels in the body.
Hypoxemia
Deficient oxygen in the blood.
Virion
Infectious virus particle with nucleic acid.
Capsid
Protein shell surrounding viral genetic material.
Envelope
Greasy coat from infected cell membranes.
Viral genome
Contains instructions for virus replication.
RNA viruses
Most viruses infecting mammals have RNA genomes.
Lysis
Process of cell membrane breaking to release virus.
Budding
Virus exits cell through membrane without lysis.
Respiratory droplets
Primary transmission method of viruses.
Mucous membranes
Entry point for viruses in the body.
Infection process
Virus tricks cells to allow entry.
Soap effectiveness
Disrupts viral greasy coat, preventing infection.
Viral replication
Virus produces copies within host cells.