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ED Triage > danger signs (P1) > Flashcards

danger signs (P1) Flashcards

1
Q

what are the danger signs for headache

A

deficits, drowsy/ams, unequal pupil, giddy
photophobia, vomiting (incessant), worst/thunderclap

fever/neck stiffness/non-blanching rash

hypertension/hazy cornea/BOV

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2
Q

what are the danger signs for giddiness/vertigo

A

angina, arrhythmia, hypotension, hypertension

unilateral weakness, slurred speech, facial droop
deficits, drowsy/ams, unequal pupils, headache (severe), photophobia, vomit (incessant), diplopia

hypoglycemia

fever/neck stiffness/non-blanching rash

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3
Q

what are the danger signs for syncope

A

angina, arrhythmias, hypotension
dehydration (blood/fluid), severe abdominal pain
deficits, severe headache

hypoglycemia

gas inhalation

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4
Q

what are the danger signs for seizure

A

active, 1st time, >=2 in 24h (recurrent), >30min (status epilepticus), <= 72h post-HI

arrhythmias

deficits, drowsy, unequal pupils

hypoglycemia

fever/neck stiffness/non-blanching rash

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5
Q

what are the danger signs for AMS

A

angina, arrhythmias, hypotension

deficits, drowsy, severe headache

hypoglycemia

hypoxia (AI/poisoning)

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6
Q

what are the danger signs for chest pain

A

sob, pallor, angina (neck, epigastric), arrhythmias, diaphoresis, edema

giddy/drowsy
unequal breath sounds, tracheal deviation
hemoptysis, cyanosis, wheeze

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7
Q

what are the danger signs for palpitations

A

angina, hypotension, sob, pallor, arrhythmias, diaphoresis, edema

giddy, drowsy, seizure, syncope

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8
Q

what are the danger signs for breathlessness

A

chest pain, cyanosis, anasarca, angioedema, decreased effort tolerance

hemoptysis, face/neck edema, desaturation, respiratory distress

stridor/wheeze

tachypnea

anemia/jaundice

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9
Q

what are the danger signs for haemoptysis

A

large clots (>50ml/episode), tachycardia, hypotension, pallor

chest pain, sob, edema, desaturation, respiratory distress, hypoxia

fever

giddy, drowsy

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10
Q

what are the danger signs for diarrhoea/vomiting

A

BGIT/incessant vomiting > skin tenting, hypotension, arrhythmias, pallor

abdominal bruising/distension/guarding/tenderness, jaundice, no flatus/stool

hyperglycemia

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11
Q

what are the danger signs for GIB

A

weak, pallor

severe abdo pain, abdominal bruising/guarding/tenderness/mass, jaundice

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12
Q

what are the danger signs for fever

A

unstable vitals, toxic

hypotension, edema, anemia

giddy, drowsy, seizure, headache

tachypnea, cyanosis

jaundice, vomit

non-blanching rash, mucosal membrane involvement (skin lesions)

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13
Q

what are the danger signs for all abdo pain (OB/GYN included)

A

anemia, active/sig. GI/PV bleeding, bruising, cyanosis, dehydration > diarrhoea/vomit, edema, hypotension, pallor

severe abdominal pain, toxic, abdominal distension/guarding/tenderness/mass, jaundice, no flatus/stool

UPT +, delayed LMP

decreased fetal movement, no fetal heart sound

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14
Q

what are the danger signs for RTA (both)

A

ABCD compromise
seatbelt/lapbelt/handlebar sx
trauma activate: arrest en-route, crush injury to torso, co-occupant death, ejection/flung, FFH > 3m, penetrating injury to head/face, neck, torso, vascular injury to limbs | airway threat/intubated, SBP<90, GCS<12, flail chest, major pelvic injury, multi region injury (>=2), FAST+, pregnant + arrest

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15
Q

what are the danger signs for head trauma

A

A/B: c-spine injury (nexus)

C: shock

D: severe headache, persistent vomiting, diplopia, drowsiness, basilar skull fracture (+ open/depressed skull), unequal pupils, lateralising signs (+ focal deficits), LOC, seizures, slurred speech

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16
Q

what are the danger signs for neck trauma

A

A: swallowing difficulties, speech changes, swelling, stridor, ligatures, tracheal deviation, cord injury (abnormal breathing patterns; trunk/limb weakness/numbness; priapism), nexus criteria

B: respi distress, dyspnoea

D: severe (throat) pain, neck ache, weakness/numbness, unconscious

MOI: trauma activation criteria, direct trauma, head/face injuries

17
Q

what are the danger signs for chest trauma

A

A: tracheal deviation

B: respi distress, hypoxia, sob

C: hemoptysis, shock, distended jugulars

D: severe chest pain, deformities, abnormal chest movement, open/penetrating wound

MOI: trauma activation criteria, significant force, seatbelt sx

18
Q

what are the danger signs for abdominal trauma

A

A/B: respi distress

C: shock, hematuria, vomit

D: abdominal pain/tenderness/guarding

MOI: trauma activation criteria, penetrating wound, seatbelt/handlebar sx

↑ IOS: hypotension, severe pain, drowsy, uncooperative

19
Q

what are the danger signs for pelvic trauma

A

C: shock (hypotension, tachycardia), bleed (urethra/vagina/rectum)

D: GCS<15 (r/t shock), abdo pain, pelvis/groin/perineum (deformity/bruise/swell), hip dislocation

OTH: immobility, ARU

20
Q

what are the danger signs for spine trauma

A

A: sx of cord injury, ?vertebral #

B/C: sx of high spinal cord injury - ↑ T6
- poor inspiratory effort r/t diaphragmatic/ intercostal paralysis
- neurogenic shock: hypotension, bradycardia, warm peripheries

D: unable to assess r/t AMS, severe pain, NL deficits, sx of external back injury (bruise/swelling/?steps/crepitus)

MOI: penetrating/ deformities

21
Q

what are the danger signs for limb trauma

A

A/B: respi distress

C: (hemorrhagic) shock, crush syndrome, fat embolism, uncontrollable bleeds from major vessel/artery

D: ischemic limb, severe pain despite immobilisation/ analgesia; on passive stretching, severe crush injuries, neurovascular compromise/ compartment syndrome (pain, paraesthesia, pulse, pallor, paralysis, poikilothermia), open fractures > hemorrhagic shock, traumatic amputation

specific injuries: hip/knee/ankle dislocation; femoral shaft fracture

22
Q

what are the danger signs for burns

A

A/B: (thermal) inhalation injuries
- burns to face/mouth
- cough
- drooling + dysphagia
- hypoxia
- respiratory distress
- soot in nostril/sputum
- singed hair
- stridor
- hoarse/sore voice

C: electric burns
- cardiac arrest
- arrhythmia
- seizures
- fall
- nerve injury
- cutaneous wounds

  • AMS/↓GCS/ drowsy
  • eschar: respiratory (chest)/NV (limbs) compromise
  • major burns
  • blast injuries
  • hydrofluoric acid burns

age: infants/neonates, geriatric, pregnant

location: face, eyes, ears, hands, feet, genitals, joints

23
Q

what are the danger signs for poisoning

A

A/B: acute inhalation injuries
- cough
- rhinorrhea
- sob
- kussmaul’s breathing

C: arrhythmias

D: confusion/ convulsion/coma

24
Q

what are the danger signs for eye complaints

A

GEN: severe headache/vomiting, fever, weakness

CRAO: sudden painless unilateral LOV onset <4.5h ago + unreactive pupils

orbital cellulitis: redness, swelling with pain upon eye movement, diplopia, LOV +/- unequal pupils

alkali/penetrating injury

acute glaucoma: painful BOV, hazy cornea, HTN, headache + unreactive pupils

globe injury: painful LOV/BOV, diplopia, hazy cornea, teardrop sx, laceration

P3: no/progressive LOV, conjunctivitis/ conjunctival laceration, min. eye pain

25
Q

what are the danger signs for ear

A

basilar skull #

severe pain + vomiting/vertigo /can’t stand

infection: fever, neck stiffness, non-blanching rash, lymphadenopathy

penetrating trauma

stroke

26
Q

what are the danger signs for nose

A

torrential bleeding
basilar skull #
open/clearly displaced #

27
Q

what are the danger signs for throat and mouth

A

airway obstruction: stridor, swallowing difficulty + drooling, hoarse voice, respi distress

penetrating trauma

28
Q

what are the danger signs for dental

A

torrential bleeding, hypotensive, drowsy > evaluate head/neck injuries

29
Q

what are the danger signs for pv bleed (obstetrics)

A

GEN: toxic, pale, weak, dehydrated, severe pain

CVS: ongoing bleed

GI: abdominal tenderness/ guarding

OBS: decreased fetal movement/ absent fetal heart sounds

30
Q

what are the danger signs for pre-eclampsia

A

ABC

D: drowsy, seizure, severe pain

OBS: absent fetal heart sounds

31
Q

what are the danger signs for pv bleed (non-pregnant)

A

GEN: toxic, anemic, cyanotic, dehydrated, edematous, jaundiced, pale

ongoing bleed

severe pain

abdominal tenderness/ guarding

32
Q

what are the danger signs for paeds

A

ANYTHING NOT:

P2: stable vitals, 3 mo + T 38.5, NAI, well after spontaneous resolution of febrile seizures, all burns except >10% or sensitive areas

P3: stable vitals 3 mo + T < 38.5

33
Q

what are the danger signs for psychiatry

A

ABCD compromise

violent/hysterical behaviour

ED Triage (4 decks)

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