Emergencies Flashcards
1
Q
How is hemothorax treated?
A
- Drain blood from pleural space using chest tube
2. Control bleeding: may need to do thoracotomy if bleeding is from a systemic source
2
Q
What is flail chest?
A
- Paradoxically motion of a portion of the chest wall as a result of rib or sternal fractures
- Diagnosed with movement plus negative intrapleural pressure
- CXR: more than 3 rib fractures in 2 locations
3
Q
How is flail chest treated?
A
- Supportive
- Pain control
- Physiotherapy
- Oxygen
- Mechanical ventilation
- Usually takes 6-8 weeks to heal
4
Q
How is a sucking chest wound treated?
A
- 3-sided occlusive dressing
- Chest tube away from injury
- Surgical debridement
5
Q
What causes diaphragm injuries?
A
Most common is blunt trauma
6
Q
How are diaphragm injuries diagnosed?
A
- CXR: elevated or in distinct hemidiaphragm
2. CT scan: best test- coronal scans
7
Q
How is a tension pneumothorax treated?
A
- ABCs (give oxygen, fluids)
- Needle thoracostomy (2nd-4th mid clavicular line)
- ***Chest tube in 5th intercostal space mid axillary line
8
Q
What are the indications for intubation?
A
- Hypoxemia despite noninvasive ventilation
- Inadequate ventilation
- Remove pulmonary secretions
- Provide airway protection
9
Q
What is the cardiac arrest protocol?
A
- Immediate high quality CPR for 2 minutes
- Defibrillate if shockable rhythm ( start at biphasic 120-200, mono 200-360)
- Immediately resume CPR!
- Reassess ABCs
- Repeat, or administer epinephrine/vasopressin if not shockable
10
Q
What it the treatment for torsades?
A
Magnesium (attempt to stop degeneration into ventricular fibrillation)
11
Q
Ventricular fibrillation
A
- No QRS, no P, rate=0, rhythm=0, uncoordinated activity
- This is a non perfusing rhythm
- Shockable
- May also give amiodarone refractory
12
Q
Ventricular tachycardia
A
- Rate over 100, wide complex QRS, no or dissociated P waves. May be mono or polymorphic
- Primary cause is MI
- Immediate synchronized cardioversion-start with low biphasic
- Only give analgesia if will not delay tx or impact hemodynamics
- If from MI, proceed with MI treatment: morphine, oxygen, nitro, aspirin
13
Q
Pulseless electrical activity
A
- ECG rhythm but no palpable pulse or measurable BP
- Causes: hypoxia, hypothermia, hypovolemia, acidosis, hyper/hypokalemia, toxins/drugs, cardiac tamponade, coronary thrombosis, pulmonary thrombosis, tension pneumothorax
- Not shockable
- Give epinephrine bolus 1mg, q 3-5 minutes
14
Q
Asystole
A
- Lack of electrical activity/ heart motion
- Very poor prognostic sign
- Not shockable
- Use epinephrine
15
Q
What is the treatment for symptomatic bradycardia?
A
- Serious symptoms= any cardiovascular compromise
- Atropine (0.5mg IV, q 3-5 min)
- Dopamine or epinephrine infusion (2-10 mcg/min)
4 . Transcutaneous pacing if refractory, start at low mA work up - Transvenous pacing