Chapter 9 Medical Emergencies

Question 1

General signs and symptoms that the technologist must learn to recognize as probable indicators that the patient is in shock include:

Answer 1

• Respiration increases
• Skin is cold and clammy -Acetone breath
• Weak, thready pulse
• Rapid heartbeat, hypotension
• Mental staus changes beginning with confusion and ending with coma

Question 2

The Glasgow Coma scale addresses physiologic functioning of patients (T/F)

Answer 2

False

The Glasgow Coma scale addresses neurologic function of patients

Question 3

Why is anaphylactic shock the most frequently seen type of shock in the diagnostic imaging department?

Answer 3

Iodinated contrast media are frequently used

Question 4

Early signs and symptoms of anaphylactic reaction are:

Answer 4

• Sneezing
• Itching at site of injection
• Anxiety
• Tearing of eyes

Question 5

Myrtle Maywrite is a 43 year old female who has come to diagnostic imaging this morning from her home for an upper gastrointestinal (GI) series. After she has been in the room for a short time, she complains of a severe headache. Shortly after, you notice that she has cold, clammy skin and speaks in a slurred manner. You suspect that Ms. Maywriter is:

Answer 5

A diabetic and is having a hypoglycemic reaction

Question 6

Myrtle Maywriter is a 43-year-old female who has come to diagnostic imaging this morning from her home for an upper GI series. After she has been in the room for a short time, she complains of a severe headache. Shortly after, you notice that she has cold, clammy skin and speaks in a slurred manner.The immediate emergency treatment of Ms. Maywriter’s is imperative. Which is the best action to take?

Answer 6

Prepare for oxygen administration and call the emergency team.

Question 7

Symptoms of a partially obstructed airway may include:

Answer 7

Labored, noisy breathing; wheezing; use of neck muscles to assist with breathing

Question 8

A 16-year-old patient comes to the diagnostic imaging department for a CT scan. He is lying on the table in a supine position. He suddenly seems to lose consciousness and begins to move violently with jerking motions. You realize that he is having a generalized seizure. What is the best action to take?

Answer 8

Call for help and make sure the patient does not injure himself.

Question 9

Mrs. Gertrude Glucose, age 35, had an open reduction of her left femur 3 days earlier and has been transported to the diagnostic imaging department by gurney from her hospital room for radiographs. As you prepare the patient for the radiograph, she suddenly begins to complain of pain in her mid-chest and appears to be out of breath. You stop your preparation and take her pulse and blood pressure. You find out that her blood pressure is 120/80 and her radial pulse is 120 per minute and is very difficult to palpate because it is so weak and thready. You quickly notify the physician of the problem, and he directs you to call the emergency team. You do this and make other emergency preparations. You believe that this patient may be having:

Answer 9

A pulmonary embolus

Question 10

Fainting is a common medical emergency in the diagnostic imaging department. If a patient appears to be fainting, what is the first thing to do?

Answer 10

Assist the patient to a safe position and then call for help.

Question 11

CVA

Answer 11

Difficult speech, severe headache, one-sided, drooping eye and face, loss of conscious

Question 12

Airway obstruction

Answer 12

Choking, inability to speak, eventual loss of consciousness

Question 13

Anaphylactic shock

Answer 13

Itching of eyes, apprehensiveness, wheezing, choking

Question 14

Hypovolemic shock

Answer 14

Loss of consciousness; decreased blood pressure; weak, rapid pulse

Question 15

Cardiogenic shock

Answer 15

Pallor; slow irregular pulse; cool, clammy skin; restlessness

Question 16

Which of the following is a question that must be asked of a patient before the patient receives an iodinated contrast agent?

Answer 16

• Are you allergic to any foods, medications, or any other substances?
• If you have had this study before, did you have any allergic or unusual reaction?
• Have you had this study before?
• Do you have heart disease, hypotension, diabetes mellitus, sickle cell anemia, or asthma?