Chapter 22 Part 6 Flashcards
Abnormal breath odors
Unusual smells indicating possible poisoning or exposure.
Inhalation
Breathing in harmful substances or gases.
Nausea
Feeling of sickness with an urge to vomit.
Vomiting
Expelling stomach contents through the mouth.
Diarrhea
Frequent, watery bowel movements.
Altered mental status
Changes in consciousness or cognitive function.
Abnormal skin color
Changes in skin hue indicating health issues.
Dyspnea
Difficulty or labored breathing.
Seizures
Sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbances in the brain.
Burns to the respiratory tract
Injury to airways from inhaled hot gases.
Stridor
High-pitched wheezing indicating airway obstruction.
Sooty sputum
Dark, black mucus indicating smoke inhalation.
Known exposure to toxic gas
Previous contact with harmful airborne substances.
Respiratory depression
Decreased breathing rate and effort.
Sweating
Excessive perspiration often due to stress or toxins.
Tearing
Excessive production of tears, often from irritation.
Constricted pupils
Narrowed pupils often linked to opioid use.
Dizziness
Feeling lightheaded or unsteady.
Injection site reactions
Local pain, redness, and swelling from injections.
Metallic taste
Unpleasant flavor often associated with poisoning.
Anticholinergic toxidrome
Symptoms include flushed skin, dry mouth, and tachycardia.
Cholinergic toxidrome (DUMBELS)
Signs include diarrhea, urination, and muscle weakness.
Opioid toxidrome
Characterized by respiratory depression and pinpoint pupils.
Sedative hypnotic toxidrome
CNS depression with ataxia and slurred speech.
Stimulant toxidrome
Symptoms include tachycardia, hypertension, and hyperthermia.
Serotonin Syndrome
Presentation with agitation, hyperreflexia, and tremors.
Patient management assessment
Steps to ensure safety and evaluate patient condition.
Carboxyhemoglobin assessment
Measurement of carbon monoxide levels in blood.
Ingestion History
Details of substance intake before ED arrival.
Route of Exposure
Method by which a toxin enters the body.
Quantity of Medication
Amount of substance ingested or exposed.
Alcohol Intoxication
Consumption of alcoholic beverages affecting consciousness.
Cardiovascular History
Patient’s past heart-related medical conditions.
Needle Marks
Signs of intravenous drug use or injections.
Paraphernalia
Items associated with drug use or abuse.
Physical Examination
Comprehensive assessment of patient’s physical condition.
Patent Airway
Open airway ensuring unobstructed breathing.
Oxygen Saturation Target
Goal to maintain adequate oxygen levels.
Fluid Bolus
Rapid infusion of fluids to improve circulation.
Activated Charcoal
Substance used to absorb toxins in overdose cases.
Acetaminophen Overdose
Excessive intake of pain reliever causing toxicity.
Benzodiazepine Overdose
Excessive intake of anxiety medications requiring support.
Caustic Substances
Harmful chemicals causing burns or injury upon contact.
Opiate Overdose
Excessive intake of opioids requiring specific treatment.
SSRIs
Medications affecting serotonin levels, potential overdose risks.
TCA Overdose
Excessive intake of tricyclic antidepressants affecting heart.
Environmental Safety
Ensuring safe surroundings for patient and clinician.
Vital Signs Monitoring
Regular checks of heart rate, blood pressure, etc.
Regional Poison Center
Resource for managing toxic exposures and outcomes.
Seizures Guideline
Protocol for managing seizure activity in patients.
Poison Control Centers
National toll-free resource for poison advice.
Activated Charcoal
Adjunct treatment for certain poisonings.
Ipecac
Not recommended for poisoning; production stopped.
COVID-19 Pandemic
Highlighted EMS role in public health.
Hepatitis B
Liver virus transmitted through blood and fluids.
Chronic Carrier
Asymptomatic individual spreading hepatitis B.
Signs of Hepatitis B
Symptoms include fatigue, jaundice, dark urine.
Protective Gloves
Worn to prevent blood exposure in EMS.
Vaccination Requirement
OSHA mandates hepatitis B vaccination for EMS.
Soiled Refuse Disposal
Double-bag and seal according to protocol.
Hepatitis B Exposure Protocol
Report incidents and follow exposure policies.
HBIG Injection
Post-exposure treatment for hepatitis B.
Hepatitis C
Most common bloodborne infection in the U.S.
Occupational Exposure Risk
Low for hepatitis C via needlestick.
Symptoms of Hepatitis C
Includes jaundice, fatigue, abdominal pain.
Standard Precautions
Essential for handling body fluids in EMS.
Tuberculosis
Resurgent infectious disease requiring caution.
Infectious Disease Awareness
Critical for EMTs during patient care.
Emergency Personnel Testing
Recommended after potential hepatitis C exposure.
Bloodborne Infection
Pathogen transmitted through blood contact.
Entrohepatic Poisoning
Involves toxins recirculating through the liver.
Aspiration Risk
Potential danger during activated charcoal administration.
Public Health Role of EMS
Involvement in vaccination and patient transport.
Tuberculosis
Bacterial infection primarily affecting lungs.
Drug-resistant strains
Bacteria that resist standard antibiotic treatments.
Transmission
Spread through droplets from cough or sputum.
Vulnerable populations
Groups at higher risk for infection.
Signs of tuberculosis
Fever, cough, night sweats, weight loss.
HEPA respirators
High-efficiency masks for airborne pathogen protection.
Protective gloves
Disposable gloves to prevent contact with fluids.
Artificial ventilation
Emergency breathing support using approved equipment.
Tuberculocidal agent
Disinfectant effective against tuberculosis bacteria.
HIV
Virus causing Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
AIDS
Syndrome from HIV leading to immune system failure.
Modes of HIV transmission
Sexual contact, needles, blood products, mother-child.
Opportunistic infections
Infections exploiting weakened immune systems.
Symptoms of AIDS
Fever, night sweats, weight loss, fatigue.
Standard Precautions
Infection control practices to reduce transmission risk.
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS)
Respiratory virus outbreak identified in 2003.
SARS-COV-2
Variant of SARS virus causing recent outbreaks.
West Nile Virus (WNV)
Mosquito-borne virus primarily from infected birds.
Symptoms of WNV
Most infected individuals show no symptoms.
Occupational exposure
Risk of infection through work-related activities.
Infected sputum
Mucus containing pathogens from an infected individual.
Lymph glands
Swollen glands indicating infection or immune response.
West Nile Virus (WNV)
Virus causing mild to severe neurological symptoms.
Severe Symptoms of WNV
Include high fever, seizures, paralysis, and confusion.
Mild Symptoms of WNV
Include fever, headache, nausea, and skin rash.
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD)
Viral hemorrhagic fever with high fatality rates.
Symptoms of EVD
Include high fever, severe headache, and hemorrhage.
Transmission of EVD
Through blood and body fluids of infected individuals.
Zika Virus Disease (ZVD)
Mosquito-borne virus causing mild symptoms and birth defects.
Symptoms of ZVD
Include fever, rash, joint pain, and conjunctivitis.
Zika Transmission
Can occur through mosquito bites and sexual contact.
Multidrug-Resistant Organisms
Pathogens resistant to standard antimicrobial treatments.
Standard Precautions
Infection control practices to prevent disease transmission.
EVD Outbreaks
Occur primarily in Africa with high mortality risks.
Zika Virus Spread
Expanded to Americas since 2015, affecting pregnant women.
Duration of WNV Symptoms
Severe symptoms may last weeks; mild symptoms days.
EVD Symptom Onset
Symptoms appear days after exposure to the virus.
ZVD Symptom Resolution
Symptoms generally resolve within days in healthy individuals.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Specialized gear for protection against infectious diseases.
Mosquito Bite Risk
Primary transmission route for WNV and Zika.
Fatalities from EVD
2014 outbreak had estimated thousands of deaths.
Zika Prevention
Avoid mosquito bites and sexual contact with infected.
EVD in North America
No reported cases as of current writing.
Chronic Wound Patients
At risk for multidrug-resistant organisms exposure.
Healthcare Facility Risks
Higher likelihood of encountering resistant pathogens.
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 first-line drugs.
XDR TB
Extensively drug-resistant Tuberculosis, resistant to second-line drugs.
Colistin-resistant E. coli
Escherichia coli resistant to colistin antibiotic.
Infection types
Includes pneumonia, blood, ear, sinus, skin infections.
Transmission methods
Direct contact or respiratory droplets spread infections.
Standard Precautions
Basic infection control practices for healthcare providers.