Emergency Stabilization Exam 1 Flashcards
1
Q
What changes the outcome of acutely poisoned patients?
A
- Triage
- ABCT
- Avoid foulups
- Antidotes
2
Q
What is the role of the poison control center in the triage process?
A
- have board certified med tox person
- have applied toxicology person
- always on call
- fill in the blanks
- assume the worse
- assists in using kits and makes recommendations
3
Q
ABCT
A
- Airway
- Breathing
- Circulation
- Temperature
4
Q
Airway
A
- Assessment – check gag reflex
- Position patient and optimize airway:
• Sniffing position, jaw thrust, head down, left-sided position
• Remove obstruction or secretions
• Endotracheal intubation? - Prepare for barfing
5
Q
Breathing
A
- Ventilate pt to make sure there is air coming in and out (make sure you hear breathing sounds); assist with bag/mask
- Assess for hypoxia or cellular inhibitors causing it
- Complications of respiratory failure: hypoxia, hypercarbia
- Hypercarbia not dangerous unless pH drops
- Obtain ABG
- Give supplemental oxygen
6
Q
Hbg’s role in oxygenation
A
- holds four O2 molecules; carries O2 to cells
- center iron MUST be FERROUS; if not, it cannot bind to oxygen; nitrates can interact with ferrous and turn it into ferric; methylene blue is the antidote to this
- CO bind to Hbg with greater affinity than O2; CO will still make your blood look red
7
Q
Circulation
A
- Check BP, HR, rhythm
- ECG monitoring
- Perfusion
8
Q
What is the most common cause of bradycardia?
A
hypoxia
9
Q
How does TCA’s affect conduction?
A
- causes failure in conduction
- bradycardia
- prolongs the QRS complex (>0.12)
- give bicarb when this happens
- causes ventricular arrhythmias
10
Q
What happens when you lose regulation of heat loss?
A
- hypothermia
- loss of vascular control
11
Q
Hyperthermia
A
- if temp > 105F, medical emergency; when temp is too high, muscles break down -> rhabdo
- cool pt immediately
- administer glucose
- control seizures, agitation, muscle rigidity
- use BZD
12
Q
Treating Malignant hyperthermia
A
Dantrolene
13
Q
Treating Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
A
Bromocriptine
14
Q
Treating Serotonin syndrome hyperthermia
A
Cyproheptadine