Exam 2: Emergencies

Question 1

Triage (3 tier system)

Answer 1

Emergent (poses immediate threat to life or limb)

• Respiratory distress, chest pain, hemorrhage
• Pulseless limb

Urgent (treated quickly but immediate threat does not exist at this current moment)
- Abdominal pain, fractures, soft tissue injuries

Nonurgent (can tolerate waiting several hours)
- Skin rash, strains/sprains, “colds”

Black- dead

Question 2

Heat stroke: Exertional

Answer 2

• Exertional—sudden onset; from strenuous physical activity in hot, humid conditions
• Fatigue, weakness
• Impaired judgment
• Chills, flushing
• Hyperventilation
• Dizziness, Collapse

Assessment
- Rectal temperature

Treatment
- Rapid cooling
Ex: cold-water immersion

Question 3

Heat stroke: Non-Exertional

Answer 3

• Non-exertional (classic)—occurs over period of time from chronic exposure to hot, humid environment

Question 4

General care snake bites

Answer 4

• Immobilize the bitten arm or leg, and stay as quiet as possible to keep the poison from spreading through your body
• Remove jewelry before you start to swell.
• Position yourself, if possible, so that the bite is at or below the level of your heart.
• Cleanse the wound, but don’t flush it with water, and cover it with a clean, dry dressing.
• Apply a splint to reduce movement of the affected area, but keep it loose enough so as not to restrict blood flow

Question 5

Snake bite Don’ts’

Answer 5

• Don’t use a tourniquet or apply ice.
• Don’t cut the wound or attempt to remove the venom.
• Don’t drink caffeine or alcohol.
• Don’t try to capture the snake, but try to remember its color and shape so you can describe it, which will help in your treatment.

Question 6

Snake bite systemic reactions

Answer 6

• N&V
• Abdominal pain
• Headache
• Pallor
• Paresthesias
• Numbness
• Mental status change
• Serum sickness (Type 3 hypersensitivity reaction)(Progresses to fever, joint pain, pruritus (itching))

Question 7

Black widow spider bite Hospital care

Answer 7

• Monitor vital signs
• Opioid pain medication
• Muscle relaxants
• Tetanus prophylaxis
• Antihypertensive agents
• Treatment of pulmonary edema, uncontrollable hypertension, shock

Question 8

Frostbite

Answer 8

• Accompanied by initial pain, numbness, pallor of affected area

Question 9

Frostbite treatment

Answer 9

• Warm water bath
• Pain medication
• Tetanus vaccination
• Deep frostbite requires aggressive management in a medical facility

Question 10

Mass casualty triage: tag system

Answer 10

- Red: 
Emergent (class I)

- Yellow: 
Can wait short time for care (class II)

- Green: 
Non-urgent or “walking wounded” (class III)

- Black: 
Expected to die/are dead (class IV)