Chapter 6: Emergency Care, Safety, & Disaster Response

Question 1

how long before brain damage occurs after the heart and breathing stops

Answer 1

4 -6 mins

death can happen within 10 mins

Question 2

shock

Answer 2

when organs and tissues in the body don’t receive adequate blood supply

Question 3

what is shock caused by

Answer 3

bleeding, heart attack , severe infection, falling BP

Question 4

S/S of shock

Answer 4

pale, gray, bluish, discolored skin; staring; increased pulse and RR; low BP; extreme thirst

Question 5

how to respond to shock

Answer 5

lie person on their back or if they’re vomiting on their left side

elevate legs 8-12 in
maintain normal body T
NPO

Question 6

myocardial infarction

Answer 6

when the heart muscle itself doesn’t receive enough oxygen b/c blood vessels are blocked

Question 7

S/S of myocardial infarction

Answer 7

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

Question 8

how to respond to a myocardial infarction

Answer 8

place pt in a comfortable position
loosen clothing around neck
NPO

Question 9

S/S of poisoning

Answer 9

vomiting
heavy, difficult breathing
very drowsy
confusion
burns around the mouth

Question 10

appearance of 1st degree burn

Answer 10

discolored, painful, swollen, no blisters

Question 11

appearance of 2nd degree burn

Answer 11

discolored, painful, swollen, blisters

Question 12

appearance of 3rd degree burn

Answer 12

shiny and hard skin; looks white, deep red, or charred black

Question 13

syncope

Answer 13

(fainting) occurs b/c of decreased blood flow to the brain

Question 14

what causes syncope

Answer 14

abnormal heart rhythm
hunger
hypoglycemia
dehydration
fear
pain
fatigue
poor ventilation
meds
pregnancy
over-heating
orthostatic hypotension

Question 15

orthostatic hypotension

Answer 15

a sudden drop in BP that occurs when a person stands/sits up

Question 16

how to respond to fainting

Answer 16

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

Question 17

epistaxis

Answer 17

a nosebleed

Question 18

how to respond to a nosebleed

Answer 18

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

Question 19

hypoglycemia

Answer 19

results from too much insulin or too little food; can also occur from vomiting and diarrhea

Question 20

S/S of hypoglycemia

Answer 20

weakness
nervousness
dizziness
perspiration
rapid pulse
low BP
cold clammy skin
hunger
headache
confusion
trembling
blurred vision
numbers of lips and tongue
unconsciousness

Question 21

diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Answer 21

caused by having too little insulin in the body causing blood sugar levels to be very high

Question 22

S/S of diabetic ketoacidosis

Answer 22

increased hunger
thirst
urination
abd pain
deep/labored breathing
sweet/fruity smelling breath

Question 23

causes of diabetic ketoacidosis

Answer 23

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

Question 24

seizure

Answer 24

involuntary muscle contractions

Question 25

causes of seizures

Answer 25

abnormalities in the brain
children with high fever
head injury

Question 26

how to respond to seizures

Answer 26

note time
lower to floor
protect head
loosen clothing
clearing surroundings
NPO
after seizure turn pt to left side

Question 27

cerebrovascular accident (CVA)

Answer 27

when blood supply to a part of the brain is blocked or a blood vessel leaks/ruptures within the brain

Question 28

transient ischemic attack (TIA)

Answer 28

warning sign of CVA that is the result of a temporary lack of blood to the brain

Question 29

S/S of TIA

Answer 29

difficult speaking
weakness on 1 side of the body
temporary loss of vision
numbness/tingling
facial drooping

Question 30

emesis

Answer 30

(vomiting)
ejecting stomach contents through the mouth/nose

Question 31

how to respond to emesis

Answer 31

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