EMT 7 Flashcards
Nitroglycerin
Used to treat cardiac patients
Vasodilator, this reduces the workload of the heart
Major Side Effect: low blood pressure
Contraindications:
If patient is taking erectile dysfunction medicine (already lowers blood pressure)
Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI)
Used for patient with respiratory disease
Causes bronchodilation (beta2agonist)
Medications: albuterol, levalbuterol
Asthma
Increased sensitivity to lower airway to irritants & allergens
Bronchospams (constructions of bronchioles), Edema of airways, increased secretions of mucus
Usually suffer acute, irregular, periodic attacks
Status asthmatics: life threatening attack that produces inadequate breathing
Critical Burns S/S
Any Burn compromising breathing
Full or deep partial thickness burns
Any Burn covering >10% of BSA
Circumferential burns
Chemical/high voltage electrical burns
Emphysema
Permanent COPD
Characterized by obstruction of alveolar walls
More common in men
Primarily caused by smoking
Patient uses most of his energy to exhale
S/S: tachypnea Dyspneic Anxious Wheezing Prolonged exhalation
Assessment of Respiratory (Pulmonary) system
Chest Shape & Symmetry
Accessory muscle use (retractions)
Auscultation (normal & abnormal breath sounds)
Assessment of Cardiovascular System
Peripheral & central pulse (rate, rhythm, strength, location)
Blood pressure (systolic, diastolic, pulse pressure)
Assessment of Neurological System
Mental Status (AVPU, Orientation)
Posture & motor activity (arm drift)
Facial expressions (anxiety, depression, anger, fear, facial asymmetry or droop)
Figure
Speech & language (slurred, garbled, aphasia)
Mood (nature, intensity, suicidal ideation)
Thought Process
Abdominal Aortic Aneurism (AAA)
Weakened & Enlarged area of the wall of the abdominal Aorta
Aneurysm may eventually rupture- one of most lethal causes of abdominal pain
Aortic dissection: begins with small tear of inner vessel structure, allows blood to leak between walls of the Aorta
Most Common in men above age 60
Compartment Syndrome
Occurs when pressure in space around capillaries exceeds the pressure needed to perfume tissue, blood flow is cut off & cells become hypoxic
Hypoxic cells release chemicals that cause capillaries to leak
If pressure continues, cells eventually die
Preeclampsia/Eclampsia
Typically last trimester; most likely to affect women in 20s who are pregnant for first time
Characterized by High BP & swelling in extremities
S/S:
History of Hypertension AMS Headache
Diabetes Kidney disease Blurred Vision
Liver or Heart Disease/No precious Pregnancy
Sudden Weight Gain Vomiting
Elevated BP (greater than 140-90)
Ectopic Pregnancy
When egg is implanted outside the uterus (usually Fallopian tubes)
Commonly rupture occurs 5-9 weeks later
S/S: Dull, Aching, Poorly-localized Pain Referred Shoulder Pain Decreased BP Tachycardia Signs of Shock Discoloration around naval Urge to Defecate
Cause of Seizure
Primary & Secondary
Besides Epilepsy
Primary: due to genetic or unknown cause
Secondary: occur as a result of an insult to body
-fever, infection, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, drug intoxication, withdrawal, degenerative brain disease)
***Key to secondary is to find & treat underlying cause
Chain of Survival (Adults)
Immediate recognition & activation
Early CPR
Rapid defibrillation
Effective advanced life support
Integrated post-cardiac arrest care
Cardiac Arrest: electrical Phase
Begins immediately upon arrest; ends 4 minutes after arrest occurred
Heart still has adequate oxygen, aerobic metabolism is maintained
Primary issue is to restore an effective electrical rhythm
