Chapter 8

Question 1

What are some indicators of an emergency situation which should be reported to the surgeon or anesthesiologist right away?

Answer 1

-Difficulty breathing
-Chest pain
-Changes in skin color
-Changes in vital signs
-Open bleeding wounds or visible punctures not indicated on the patient’s chart
-Inability to move an extremity
-Misshapen/misaligned body part
-Disorientation or confusion
-Severe cephalagia (headache)

Question 2

What is the objective of emergency care/trauma surgery?

Answer 2

to preserve life, to prevent further deterioration of patient condition, and then to provide whatever care necessary to restore the patient previous lifestyle.

Question 3

What is the pattern of priorities in an emergency situation?

Answer 3

1. Provide patent airway/restore breathing
2. Cardiovascular status/hemostasis should be maintained
3. Treatment for
   Chest injuries
   -Shock
   -Wound protection/closure
   -Fractures
   -Vital sign monitoring
   -Provision of reassurance and comfort for the patient
   is provided.

Question 4

When does clinical death begin?

Answer 4

The moment heart action/breathing stops. Pt has 4-6 mins before brain cells deteriorate. Breathing/circulation should be restored in this time frame before biological death.

Question 5

What are the warning signs of impending cardiac arrest?

Answer 5

-Chest pain (in the awake patient)
-Unstable blood pressure
-Tachycardia
-Cardiac dysrhythmias
-Respiratory changes
-Hypovolemia
-Laryngospasm

Question 6

What is the chain of survival concept applied to cardiac arrests?

Answer 6

ABCs—airway, breathing, and circulation—as well as providing the “D,” definitive treatment.

Question 7

What does successful resuscitation require?

Answer 7

-Early recognition of cardiac arrest.
-Early activation of trained responders.
-Early CPR.
-Early defibrillation.
-Early advanced cardiac life support (ACLS).

Question 8

What is the sequence of BLS

Answer 8

C-chest compressions
A-airway
B-breathing

Question 9

What is the chain of survival for BLS?

Answer 9

Immediate recognition of cardiac arrest and activation of the emergency response system (ERS).

Early CPR that emphasizes chest compressions.

Rapid defibrillation.

Effective advanced life support.

Integrated post–cardiac arrest care.