Emergency Flashcards
Who can not have a medical screening
everyone can have a medical screening
what is EMTALA
emergency medical treatment and labor act
what is the focus in the emergency department
focus on life threatening problems and minimize the risk of missed injuries
what are some common reasons for seeking ED care
abdominal pain, breathing problems, fever, headache, injury (trauma, lacerations, fractures), falls, chest pain, alcohol/drug use
What is a quick, simple way to assess a patient in 10-15 seconds?
Ask the patient his or her name
Ask the patient what happened
By doing so you have just determined is the patient:
A Patent airway
B Sufficient air reserve to permit speech
C Sufficient perfusion
D Clear sensorium
what are the levels of a emergency severity index
1 - critical, 2- emergent, 3- urgent, 4 - non urgent, 5 - minor
what does SAMPLE stand for in history
symptoms, allergies, medication history, past health history, last meal/oral intake, events or enviormental factors leading to illness or injury
what are the physical signs of human trafficking
Headache, dizziness, back pain, missing patches of hair, burns, bruises, vaginal/rectal pain, jaw problems, and head injuries, Unusual tattooing or branding marks
what are the psychosocial signs of human trafficking
Stress, anxiety, depression, shame, fear, paranoia, suicidal ideation, self-loathing
what are some symptoms of heat exhaustion
headache, weakness, n/v, acute confusion
what is the treatment for heat exhaustion
stop physical activity, cooling measures, sports drinks, monitor vitals, rehydrate, labs
what are some symptoms of a heat stoke
mental status changes, tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, high body temp, hot dry skin, elevated cardiac troponin
what is the treatment of a heat stroke
oxygen, ensure large bore IV, administer fluids, cooling blanket, rectal thermometer
what is the treatment for snake bites
rest, remove constrictive clothing/jewelry, mark area, monitor every 15 min, call poison control, ECG, monitor heart rhythms, give opioids, draw labs
what is the first aide tx for bee/wasp stings
remove jewelry and stinger, ABCs, epinephrine/antihistamines, apply ice packs
what is the first aide tx for black widow and scorpions bite
apply ice, ABCs, go to hosptial
what are the treatments for anthropod bites/stings
ice packs, may need antibiotics, measure
what is the med given for black widow bites
antivenin
what are the treatments for bites
clean, irrigate, and debridement, tetanus, antibiotics if 4-6 hours old, leave puncture wounds open, rabies
how are rabies vaccine administered
weight based dose, four injections on days 0,3,7, and 14
what does a minor lighting injury present like
may appear stunned or confused
what does a moderate lighting injury present like
may have confusion or be comatose
what does a severe lighting injury present like
may result in cardiac arrest - dysrhythmias (vfib)
what is the nursing care for a lighting injury
primary and secondary assessment, spinal stabilization, check respiratory/maintain airway, ECG, cover burns with sterile dry dressing, head ct, creatine kinase, tetanus
what are the causes/risk factors for hypothermia
cold water immersion, illness/sepsis, traumatic injury, immobilization, environment and not dressed to it, older age, meds, substance abuse, malnutrition, hypothyroidism
what are the ss of mild hypothermia
shivering, slurred speech, decreased muscle coordination, diuresis
what are the ss of moderate hypothermia
muscle weakness, acute confusion/incoherence, decreased clotting
what are the ss of severe hypothermia
decreased HR/RR/BP, cardiac dysrhythmias, decreased neuro reflexes , decreased pain responsiveness
what are some interventions for hypothermia
shelter from cold, remove wet clothing, rewarm, warm high carb liquid like OJ***, supine, internal warming (warm fluids/o2/lavage)
what can you do for severe hypothermia
extracorporeal rewarming - cardiopulmonary bypass or hemodialysis
what is a grade 1 frostbite
hyperemia/edema
what is grade 2 frostbite
large fluid-filled blister/partial thickness skin necrosis
what is grade 3 frostbite
small blisters with dark fluid/cool, numb, blue or red body part, non-blanchable
what is grade 4 frostbite
blistering, numb, cold, bloodless, necrosis into muscle and bone
what kind of first aide can you do for frostbite
pbserve for early signs- white waxy skin, and use body heat to warm affected area
what can you do in the hospital for frostbite
rapid rewarming, analgesics/opiates/rehydration, elevate body part, assess for compartment syndrome, tetanus, loss nonadhereing dressing, avoid compression, topical/systemic antibiotics, debridment and amputation may have to happen
what is high altitude illness
occurs r/t exposure to low partial pressure of oxygen at high elevation
what is the preventative medication for acute mountain sickness
acetazolamide
what are some ss of acute mountain sickness
throbbing headache, anorexia, n/v, chills, irritability, apathy, feels like a hangover
what are some ss of high altitude cerebral edema
Unable to perform ADL’s (acting drunk), Extreme Apathy, Ataxia (impaired coordination), Mental health changes, Cranial nerve dysfunction or seizure may occur
what is the treatment for high altitude cerebral edema
Medical emergency, Descend, supplemental O2, Dexamethasone, Hyperbaric chambers
what are the ss of high altitude pulmonary edema
Fatigue, weakness, Persistent dry cough, Cyanosis of lips and nailbeds , Tachycardia and tachypnea at rest
Crackles, Pink frothy sputum (late sign), Chest x-ray shows pulmonary infiltrates, ABG shows respiratory alkalosis/hypoxemia
who is the hospital incident commander
person who triggers response plan and who calls it off
what do the red, yellow, green and black mass casuality tags mean
Red: emergent/needs attention now
Yellow: urgent, but can wait a few minutes
Green: walking/wounded/non-urgent
Black: dying or dead
what do you need to do in a hospital setting for fire reasponse
remove from danger, pull alarm, discontinue O2, maintain respiratory status, close all doors and windows, ABCs, extingsher
what does SLUDGE stand for regarding posion/gas exposure
salvation, lacrimation, urination, defecation, GI upset, emesis
what are some ways you can reduce absorption of poisoning
Activated charcoal within 1 hour of ingestion, Dermal cleansing, Eye irrigation, Gastric lavage
what is the treatment for poisonings
Decrease absorption
Enhance elimination (Golytley q 4-6 hr)
Implement toxin specific intervention
what is the treatment for poisonings
Decrease absorption
Enhance elimination (Golytley q 4-6 hr)
Implement toxin specific intervention
