Chapter 6: Emergency Care, Safety, & Disaster Response Flashcards
how long before brain damage occurs after the heart and breathing stops
4 -6 mins
death can happen within 10 mins
shock
when organs and tissues in the body don’t receive adequate blood supply
what is shock caused by
bleeding, heart attack , severe infection, falling BP
S/S of shock
pale, gray, bluish, discolored skin; staring; increased pulse and RR; low BP; extreme thirst
how to respond to shock
lie person on their back or if they’re vomiting on their left side
elevate legs 8-12 in
maintain normal body T
NPO
myocardial infarction
when the heart muscle itself doesn’t receive enough oxygen b/c blood vessels are blocked
S/S of myocardial infarction
sudden pain/pressure in the chest
indigestion or heartburn
N/V
SOB
dizziness
discolored skin/mucous membranes
perspiration
cold and clammy skin
weak and irregular HR
low BP
anxiety and sense of doom
how to respond to a myocardial infarction
place pt in a comfortable position
loosen clothing around neck
NPO
S/S of poisoning
vomiting
heavy, difficult breathing
very drowsy
confusion
burns around the mouth
appearance of 1st degree burn
discolored, painful, swollen, no blisters
appearance of 2nd degree burn
discolored, painful, swollen, blisters
appearance of 3rd degree burn
shiny and hard skin; looks white, deep red, or charred black
syncope
(fainting) occurs b/c of decreased blood flow to the brain
what causes syncope
abnormal heart rhythm
hunger
hypoglycemia
dehydration
fear
pain
fatigue
poor ventilation
meds
pregnancy
over-heating
orthostatic hypotension
orthostatic hypotension
a sudden drop in BP that occurs when a person stands/sits up
how to respond to fainting
lie person down before fainting occurs
if sitting place head between knees
elevate legs 12 in while laying down
stay in position for 5 mins after symptoms disappear
epistaxis
a nosebleed
how to respond to a nosebleed
elevate the head of the bed and tell pt to lean forward slightly
apply firm pressure on both sides of the nose up near the bridge
use a cool cloth/ice wrapped in a cloth to slow the flow of blood
hypoglycemia
results from too much insulin or too little food; can also occur from vomiting and diarrhea
S/S of hypoglycemia
weakness
nervousness
dizziness
perspiration
rapid pulse
low BP
cold clammy skin
hunger
headache
confusion
trembling
blurred vision
numbers of lips and tongue
unconsciousness
diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)
caused by having too little insulin in the body causing blood sugar levels to be very high
S/S of diabetic ketoacidosis
increased hunger
thirst
urination
abd pain
deep/labored breathing
sweet/fruity smelling breath
causes of diabetic ketoacidosis
undiagnosed diabetes
infection
not enough insulin
eating too much
not enough exercise
stress
headache
weakness
rapid and weak HR
low BP
flushed cheeks
drowsiness
N/V
SOB
unconsciousness
seizure
involuntary muscle contractions
causes of seizures
abnormalities in the brain
children with high fever
head injury
how to respond to seizures
note time
lower to floor
protect head
loosen clothing
clearing surroundings
NPO
after seizure turn pt to left side
cerebrovascular accident (CVA)
when blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel leaks/ruptures within the brain
transient ischemic attack (TIA)
warning sign of CVA that is the result of a temporary lack of blood to the brain
S/S of TIA
difficult speaking
weakness on 1 side of the body
temporary loss of vision
numbness/tingling
facial drooping
emesis
(vomiting)
ejecting stomach contents through the mouth/nose
how to respond to emesis
head up and turned to one side
place emesis bin under the chin
remove soiled linens
measure and note I&O
flush vomit down toilet
document time, amount, color, odor, and consistency
