First Responder Flashcards
Responders must assume that
all patients are may be infected with some disease
Example sentence: When treating a patient, it is important for responders to maintain precautions as if the patient may be carrying a contagious infection.
Most Important consideration is
Ensuring your own safety
Safety of the responder should always be the top priority in any emergency situation.
Primary Assessment
Life threatening
The primary assessment focuses on identifying and addressing immediate life-threatening conditions in the patient.
Secondary Assessment
Assess vital signs
Example vital sign assessment: Pulse should be checked by counting the beats for 1 minute, or by multiplying the beats felt in 15 seconds by 2 or in 30 seconds by 4.
Sign
Bleeding (what you can see)
Signs are observable indications of a condition, such as visible bleeding in the case of an injury.
Symptom
Headache (what they tell you)
Symptoms are subjective experiences reported by the patient, like a headache that the patient describes.
Skin and eyes
DO NOT LIE
This instruction emphasizes the importance of honesty and accuracy in reporting skin and eye conditions during an assessment.
A DNR is a written request to not
Attempt resuscitation in the event of cardiac arrest
A DNR (Do Not Resuscitate) order is a legal document that specifies the patient’s wish to forego resuscitation measures in case of cardiac arrest.
Patient assessment sequence involves all the following
Primary assessment -Secondary Assessment -Signs -Symptoms
Exception: deciding which hospital to transport to is not part of the patient assessment sequence.
The patient is alert if
They are able to answer all questions accurately and appropriately
Alertness in a patient is determined by their ability to respond coherently and appropriately to questions and stimuli.
If several members of the same household are all found with a headache and nausea
Remove them -Notify the Fire Department -Suspect Carbon Monoxide Poisoning
This scenario suggests a potential case of carbon monoxide poisoning, requiring immediate action and notification of the authorities.
For Anaphylactic Shock
Has a very rapid onset
Anaphylactic shock is characterized by a sudden and severe allergic reaction that can progress rapidly.
Anaphylactic Shock is characterized
Hives -Rapid -Low Blood Pressure -Unconscious
Symptoms of anaphylactic shock include the development of hives, rapid progression, low blood pressure, and potential loss of consciousness.
Documentation should be
Clear -Concise -Accurate -Reliable
Proper documentation in emergency situations should be clear, concise, accurate, and reliable for effective communication and follow-up care.
The tearing away of an entire body part is
Amputation
Amputation refers to the surgical or traumatic removal of a body part, such as a limb or digit.
Heat Exhaustion
Is when a person is exposed to temperature over 80 degrees -Includes sweating, nausea, dizziness, low blood pressure and lightheadedness
Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures, leading to symptoms like sweating, nausea, and dizziness.
Heat Stroke
Is when a person is exposed to more heat than it can handle -Includes the body being flushed and dry (no sweating) -Semi-consciousness -Internal temps as high as 106 degrees
Heat stroke is a severe heat-related emergency where the body’s cooling system fails, resulting in high internal temperatures, dry skin, and potential loss of consciousness.
Standard of Care
Must treat the patient to the best of your ability -Must provide care that a reasonable, prudent person with similar training would under similar circumstances
The standard of care in emergency situations requires providing treatment to the best of one’s ability, following guidelines that a reasonable person with similar training would adhere to.
If someone is cold and pale what method can you use to warm them up?
Put their arms under their armpits
This method helps to retain body heat and warm up a person who is cold and pale.
Insulin Shock
Occurs if the body has enough insulin but not enough glucose
Insulin shock, also known as hypoglycemia, occurs when there is excess insulin in the body but insufficient glucose levels, leading to low blood sugar.
Signs of Congestive Heart Failure
Breathing difficulty (major symptom) -Rapid shallow breathing -Moist or gurgling respirations -Profuse sweating -Enlarged neck veins -Swollen ankles -Anxiety
Symptoms of congestive heart failure include various respiratory issues, swelling, and signs of distress like profuse sweating and anxiety.
Expressed Consent
Patient gives verbal or non-verbal authorization for provision of care or transport
Expressed consent is when a patient clearly gives permission, either verbally or through non-verbal cues, for medical treatment or transportation.
Duty to Act
Render emergency medical care within the limits of your training
The duty to act requires a responder to provide emergency medical care within the scope of their training and abilities in situations where assistance is needed.
Good Samaritan Law (MGL C.112 s.12V)
Provides limited protection to someone who voluntarily chooses to provide first aid
Good Samaritan laws offer legal protection to individuals who provide voluntary emergency assistance in good faith, within their training and without expecting compensation.
A.V.P.U Scale
A= Awake + Alert -V= Verbal -P= Pain -U= Unresponsive
The AVPU scale is used to assess a patient’s level of consciousness, ranging from fully alert and responsive to unresponsive.
S.A.M.P.L.E
S= Signs or symptoms -A= Allergies -M= Medication -P= Past Medical History -L= Last oral intake -E= Events leading up to the injury or illness
The SAMPLE history is a mnemonic used to gather important information about a patient’s medical background and the circumstances surrounding their current condition.
C.A.B
C= Circulation -A= Airways -B= Breathing
The CAB sequence is a mnemonic used in CPR to prioritize the steps of chest compressions, airway management, and breathing support.
What is the main goal of the recovery position?
Open airways -Prevent secretion
The recovery position is used to maintain an open airway and prevent aspiration of secretions in an unconscious patient.
The theory of implied consent assumes that an unconscious patient would
Wish to receive treatment, if they could speak
Implied consent is a legal concept that assumes an unconscious patient would consent to treatment if they were able to communicate their wishes.
Abandonment
When a trained person begins emergency care and then leaves the patient before another trained person can takeover -Once you start treatment you must continue until a person with training arrives and takes over Example- Firefighter, EMT, other Police Officers
Abandonment in emergency care occurs when a provider initiates treatment but leaves before handing over to another qualified individual, which can have serious legal and ethical implications.
Diabetes
Caused by the body’s inability to process glucose
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by the body’s inability to properly regulate blood sugar levels due to issues with insulin production or utilization.
