Emergent Conditions Flashcards
What is a pulmonary embolism?
How does it clinically present?
How is it treated?
a blockage of the pulmonary artery or one of its branches by a blood clot
patient has difficulty breathing, chest pain that often mimics a heart attack, rapid pulse and possibly circulatory instability and death
Treated with anticoagulant medication such as Heparin or Warfarin
What is hypovolemic Shock?
How does it clinically present?
How is it treated?
a life threatening condition caused by insufficient circulating blood volume usually due to hemorrhage or severe burns
hypotension, anxiety, altered mental state, cool and clammy skin, rapid and thready pulse, thirst, and fatigue due to poor oxygenation
treated by activating emergency medical system, keep patient in supine with legs elevated as tolerated
What is Autonomic Dysreflexia?
How does it clinically present?
How is it treated?
a massive sympathetic discharge that can occur in association with a spinal cord injury or disease and is triggered by a wide variety of noxious stimuli including bladder distention, UTIs, skin ulcers, and bowel impaction
presents with sweating above site of lesion, flushing of the skin, elevated BP, and blurred vision
treated by removing triggering stimuli, bringing patient upright, removing tight clothes and stockings, and checking for obstruction in urinary catheter
if no noxious stimuli is observed then refer out for immediate medical intervention
What spinal cord level is most commonly associated with autonomic dysreflexia?
T6 or above
How can you recognize Autonomic Dysreflexia?
What should a therapist’s response be with this emergent condition?
Sweating, hypertension, bradycardia, headache, nausea, and red blotchy skin
immediately get the patient into upright sitting and check for obstruction in catheter then monitor vitals and call for medical assistance
How can you recognize a Concussion?
What should a therapist’s response be with this emergent condition?
if a patient has loss of memory, confusion, drowsiness, behavior changes, light or noise sensitivity, headache, impaired vision, nausea/vomiting, or loss of consciousness
do not allow to return to physical activity if symptoms are present, emergency medical services should be contacted immediately if patient has extreme drowsiness or loss of consciousness, a headache that will not improve, one pupil larger than the other, slurred speech, or loss of coordination
How can you recognize a heart attack or cardiac arrest?
What should a therapist’s response be with this emergent condition?
if a patient has chest discomfort that feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain, SoB, abnormal heart rate, and appears anxious
If patient has symptoms and becomes unresponsive therapist should immediately call for emergency services and have a second person find an AED and initiate CPR until it arrives
What should a therapist’s response be if a patient appears to have hypoglycemia?
What is the patient presents with hyperglycemia?
give patient some form of sugar such as OJ
If hyperglycemic then treat as normal as long as symptoms are not present or as long as glucose is not past 250, but if ketoacidosis is observed then EMS should be called as patient likely needs an insulin shot
How can you recognize Orthostatic Hypotension?
What should a therapist’s response be with this emergent condition?
if a patient has dizziness or syncope when standing up and may have weakness, altered vision, nausea, and confusion
Patient should be positioned in supine with legs elevated to improve blood flow to heart and brain
How can you recognize a Pulmonary Embolism?
What should a therapist’s response be with this emergent condition?
if a patient has SoB, a cough (sometimes with bloody sputum), and chest pain that worsens with deep breathing, may also have light headedness or dizziness, rapid or irregular heart beat, fever, diaphoresis, anxious behavior, cyanosis, clammy skin, and leg pain/swelling
Call EMS immediately especially if symptoms are sudden and monitor vital signs until they arrive
How can you recognize a Stroke?
What should a therapist’s response be with this emergent condition?
if a patient has drooping or numbness on one side of their face, numbness or weakness of one arm, slurred speech, altered vision, headache, dizziness, lack of coordination, confusion, and loss of consciousness
Called EMS if stroke is occurring and note the time of initial symptom onset, if symptoms go away after a few minutes they still need to receive treatment since TIAs are still a serious condition
